Save A playful and creative lunch platter featuring assorted sandwiches arranged to look like train cars running along editable tracks—perfect for delighting kids and encouraging healthy eating.
This is a fun way I engage my children at lunchtime, making meals playful while including nutritious options.
Ingredients
- Bread & Sandwich Fillings: 8 slices whole wheat or white sandwich bread, 4 tbsp cream cheese, 4 tbsp peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free), 4 tbsp strawberry jam, 4 slices cheddar cheese, 4 slices turkey or ham (optional)
- Edible Train Tracks & Decorations: 2 large celery stalks (for tracks), 1 cup pretzel sticks (for cross-ties), 16 round cucumber slices (for wheels), 8 cherry tomatoes (halved, for wheels), 1 red bell pepper (for train engine details), 1 yellow bell pepper (for train windows), 1 cup baby carrots
Instructions
- Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut bread slices into rectangles (train cars) and one larger shape for the engine. Make assorted sandwiches: spread cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jam, cheddar with turkey or ham, or any desired fillings. Assemble and gently press sandwiches together.
- Arrange the Tracks:
- Place celery stalks parallel on a large platter or board to form rails. Lay pretzel sticks across the celery at intervals to create cross-ties.
- Build the Train:
- Place sandwich rectangles on top of the tracks as train cars. Use cucumber rounds and cherry tomato halves as wheels, attaching with a dab of cream cheese if needed. Decorate the engine using bell pepper slices for details and windows.
- Add Extras:
- Place baby carrots extra cucumber rounds and additional veggies around the board for snacking and color.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately letting kids drive their train cars along the tracks before eating.
Save This recipe creates joyful family moments as kids love the interactive aspect of their lunch.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board sharp knife or cookie cutters spreading knife small bowls (optional for dips)
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (bread) dairy (cream cheese cheese) and possible nuts (peanut butter) Use nut-free spreads and gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives as needed Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories ~310 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 42 g Protein 10 g per serving
Save Enjoy this creative lunch that combines fun presentation with wholesome ingredients.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients create the train tracks?
Celery stalks form the rails and pretzel sticks serve as cross-ties, providing a crunchy, edible track for the sandwiches.
- → How are the sandwich train cars shaped?
Bread slices are cut using cookie cutters or a knife into rectangles and a larger shape for the engine, creating distinct train car pieces.
- → What fillings are suggested for the sandwiches?
Options include cream cheese with cucumber, peanut butter and jam, cheddar cheese with turkey or ham, or any preferred combination.
- → How are the wheels for the train made?
Cucumber rounds and cherry tomato halves are attached to the sandwiches with a small dab of cream cheese, mimicking wheels.
- → Can the platter be adapted for dietary restrictions?
Yes, nut-free spreads, vegan cheeses, gluten-free bread, or other substitutions can be used to accommodate various diets.