14 Old-School 70s Foods That Kids Still Love To Pack For Lunch

Remember when lunchboxes were metal and sandwiches came wrapped in wax paper?

The 1970s brought us some seriously iconic lunch foods that have stood the test of time.

Today’s kids are still reaching for many of these nostalgic classics, proving that good taste never goes out of style.

1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Nothing says childhood quite like the sweet-and-salty combo that’s been fueling playground adventures since forever.

Grape jelly or strawberry? Smooth or chunky? These debates have raged in cafeterias for decades.

Parents love how simple it is to slap together, and kids adore the familiar taste that never disappoints. Plus, it actually stays fresh until lunchtime without getting weird or soggy, which is basically a lunchbox miracle.

2. Bologna Sandwiches

Sure, it’s just mystery meat between bread, but somehow bologna became the superstar of 70s lunch culture. Some kids folded it, others layered it thick with cheese and mustard for maximum flavor.

The best part? That satisfying peel when you separate each slice from the stack.

Modern kids still get excited about this simple sandwich, especially when parents spring for the fancy kind with the red ring around the edge.

3. Cheese and Crackers

Who needs fancy charcuterie boards when you’ve got cubed cheddar and a stack of Ritz? This snackable combo lets kids build their own mini sandwiches, turning lunchtime into an interactive experience.

The beauty lies in its simplicity and the satisfying crunch factor.

Whether it’s orange squares of American cheese or fancier options, pairing them with buttery crackers remains an unbeatable combination that travels well.

4. Ants on a Log

Whoever named this snack was a marketing genius because kids absolutely love eating bugs – when they’re made of raisins, anyway. Crunchy celery becomes the vehicle for creamy peanut butter and sweet raisins.

It’s basically vegetables in disguise, which makes parents happy while kids enjoy the playful name.

The texture combo keeps things interesting, and it’s way more fun than just eating plain celery sticks like some kind of rabbit.

5. Pudding Cups

Peeling back that foil lid to reveal creamy chocolate or vanilla pudding was the highlight of many lunch periods. These little cups of joy have been making kids smile since they first hit store shelves.

No refrigeration drama, no spilling disasters – just pure dessert happiness in a convenient container.

Butterscotch lovers know they’ve found the golden ticket when that flavor shows up, though chocolate remains the undisputed champion of pudding preferences.

6. Granola Bars

The 70s health food craze gave us these crunchy-chewy wonders that somehow felt virtuous and delicious at the same time. Oats, honey, and maybe some chocolate chips created the perfect portable energy boost.

Kids loved them because they tasted like cookies pretending to be healthy. Parents loved them because the box said nutritious stuff on it.

7. Cheese Sticks

Peeling cheese into tiny strings turned a simple dairy product into entertainment gold. These portable protein sticks became lunchbox staples because they required zero prep and delivered maximum fun.

Some kids ate them normally like civilized humans, while others spent half their lunch period creating elaborate cheese string art.

8. Applesauce Cups

When fresh apples seemed too complicated, these smooth cups of sweetness saved the day. No knife required, no browning drama, just grab-and-go fruit that actually tasted good.

The cinnamon variety always felt like a special treat, while original remained the reliable classic everyone could agree on.

That little foil seal was basically a freshness guarantee that made moms everywhere breathe easier about packing something healthy.

9. Cold Fried Chicken

Leftover fried chicken from dinner became next day’s lunch MVP, proving that some foods taste just as amazing at room temperature.

No heating required meant more time for recess and less time waiting in microwave lines.

Kids learned early that cold drumsticks packed serious flavor, and honestly, sometimes they’re even better than when they’re hot.

10. Potato Chips

That satisfying crunch echoing through the cafeteria announced someone had the good stuff in their lunchbox. Whether plain, rippled, or barbecue-flavored, chips added the perfect salty crunch to any meal.

Trading chips became serious business on the playground, with rare flavors commanding premium swaps.

Parents tried hiding them on the top shelf, but kids always knew where the chip stash lived, ensuring these crunchy treats made regular lunch appearances.

11. Snack Cakes

Twinkies and Ho Hos reigned supreme in the dessert department, their shiny wrappers promising spongy, cream-filled happiness.

These individually wrapped treats survived backpack chaos and still tasted perfect come lunchtime.

The cream filling became the stuff of legend – some kids ate around it to save the best for last. Finding one of these bad boys in your lunch meant your parent really loved you, or at least felt guilty about something.

12. Peanut Butter Crackers

Those bright orange crackers sandwiched around peanut butter became iconic for good reason – they’re basically portable energy in cracker form.

The salty-sweet combo hit different, especially when you needed fuel for afternoon classes.

Some brands turned them into little squares of perfection that never got soggy or fell apart. Kids appreciated how they came pre-assembled, meaning less work and more time for actually enjoying lunch with friends.

13. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Protein-packed and ridiculously simple to prep, hard-boiled eggs earned their spot in countless lunch bags.

Peeling them became a skill kids mastered, though sometimes you’d end up with a crater-faced egg that still tasted fine. A little sprinkle of salt transformed them from boring to brilliant.

Sure, they got a reputation for smelling up the lunchroom, but kids who packed them didn’t care – they were too busy enjoying their satisfying, filling snack.