PB&J is a lunchbox classic for a reason. It’s easy, kids love it, and you probably already have everything you need in the pantry. But after packing the same peanut butter and jelly sandwich over and over again, it can start to feel a little boring.

The good news? You don’t necessarily need new ingredients to make lunch more exciting.

These 5 easy PB&J alternatives for kids take the familiar flavors they already love and turn them into something a little more fun. They’re quick to make, easy to pack, and perfect for school lunches, picnics, or after-school snacks.

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1. Star-Shaped PB&J Sandwiches

Sometimes the easiest way to make a familiar lunch feel new is simply changing the shape.

Make a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then use a large star-shaped cookie cutter to cut it out. You can use hearts, dinosaurs, flowers, or whatever cookie cutters you have at home.

It takes almost no extra time but makes an everyday PB&J much more fun to open at lunchtime.

Find my favorite mini cookie cutters for sandwiches here.

2. Apple “Bread” Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Skip the bread altogether and use apple slices instead.

Core an apple and slice it horizontally into rounds. Soak the apple slice in salted water for 5 minutes, rinse well, and pat dry to prevent the apple from browning. Use a small star cookie cutter to cut out the center of each slice, then spread peanut butter on one apple slice and top it with another.

The crisp apple and creamy peanut butter are such a good combination, and this is an easy way to add some fresh fruit to their lunch at the same time.

If you want a little more sweetness, you can add a thin layer of jelly too.

3. PB&J Roll-Ups

PB&J roll-ups are one of the easiest ways to turn a regular sandwich into something completely different.

Start by removing the crust if your kids prefer it that way. Flatten a slice of bread with a rolling pin, then spread on peanut butter and jelly. Roll the bread tightly and leave in rolls, or slice it into little pinwheels.

They’re bite-sized, easy for kids to eat, and perfect for packing into a bento-style lunchbox.

4. Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches

Swap the jelly for fresh banana slices for a simple twist on the classic.

Spread peanut butter onto bread, add a layer of thinly sliced banana, and top with another piece of bread. You can leave it whole, cut it into triangles, or use a cookie cutter to make it more fun.

Bananas add natural sweetness and pair perfectly with peanut butter, making this an especially easy option when you’re out of jelly.

5. PB&J Sandwich Skewers

Everything seems to taste better to kids when it’s served on a stick!

Make a PB&J sandwich and use a small cookie cutter to cut it into bite-sized stars or other shapes. Alternate the mini sandwiches with strawberries on a kid-friendly food pick or skewer.

You can also mix in banana slices, blueberries, grapes cut appropriately for your child’s age, or other favorite fruits.

It’s essentially the same PB&J they already love, just turned into a much more exciting lunchbox snack.

An Easy Way to Make Kids’ Lunches More Fun

You don’t have to reinvent school lunch every morning. Sometimes simply changing the shape, presentation, or one ingredient is enough to make a familiar food feel exciting again.

These PB&J alternatives for kids are especially helpful when you have a child who likes familiar foods but you still want to switch things up.

Try star sandwiches one day, roll-ups the next, or use fruit and mini sandwiches to make PB&J skewers. Five simple ideas, mostly the same ingredients, and hopefully an empty lunchbox coming home at the end of the day.