Japanese Bento Box Cutting Activity

This printable activity is inspired by bento, a traditional Japanese lunchbox packed with a variety of colorful and neatly arranged foods. It’s a fun and creative way for kids to explore food choices while practicing scissor skills, gluing, and imaginative thinking.

On the first page, you’ll find three different bento box designs.
Children can choose their favorite box to start with.

The following pages include a wide selection of tasty-looking items—rice balls, sandwiches, main dishes, side dishes, veggies, and fruits.
Please pre-cut along the gray lines on the food item pages and sort the pieces into four simple groups:

・Rice and Sandwiches
・Main Dishes
・Side Dishes
・Vegetables and Fruits

After choosing their favorite foods, children can glue them into the bento box layout to complete their very own lunchbox.
Arranging the foods and deciding where each piece goes adds another layer of fun and creativity!

It’s also helpful to prepare a sample bento box ahead of time to give kids a visual idea of how it can look.

One of the top favorites is the “tako wiener”—a cute little sausage shaped like an octopus, which is a common treat in Japanese bento!
We’ve included plenty of those, plus sandwich options for kids who may not love rice.

This activity is great for springtime themes, pretend play, cutting and pasting, and fine motor development.
You might even hear, “Mom, can you pack my lunch like this next time?”

Notes:
・This activity is designed for A4-size paper.
・For best results, print on slightly thick cardstock.
・his is a digital product; scissors, glue, and other tools are not included.