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The Best Kids Lunch Boxes
They'll be proud to tote around these cool, functional lunch boxes.
While a healthy school lunch is probably your primary goal, how the food is transported is also an important factor. Gone are the days of packing your kids' food in a brown paper bag. As parents have gotten smarter about how to pack kids' lunches, so have the options for what to pack them in. We love that we've entered an age where you have options for choosing the best kids lunch box.
Popular bento-style lunch boxes with compartments have made lunch prep more organized, not to mention more enjoyable for kids. These containers will also care for what's inside, so contents won't get crushed or get mixed together. Rreusable lunch boxes are also environmentally-friendly, unlike single-use plastic.
No matter your kids' ages, their tastes, or your budget, we've got picks that tick all the boxes. Our list includes options in bright colors and fun prints, as well boxes with different features to help keep food at its best. You'll find innovative lunch-carrying options, from stainless steel to insulated, with compartmentalized storage, removable containers for after-school snacks, and more.
The best kids lunch boxes to buy in 2023:
For more of the best back-to-school ideas, check out our guides:
Best Toddler Backpacks | First Day of School Signs | Easy Toddler Lunch Ideas
Kids Bento-Style 5-Compartment Lunch Box
Kids Bento-Style 5-Compartment Lunch Box
Pros
- Multiple compartments
- Leak-proof
- Drop-proof design
- Removable tray is dishwasher safe
Cons
- Hand washing is recommended for the outer shell
- Not big enough to fit a regular-size sandwich
- Toddlers will need a grown-up to help them open it
Ideal for smaller kids (roughly ages 3 to 7), this lunch box comes with five compartments for main dishes, snacks, dips, and more. We love that none of the compartments will mix with other sections. It snaps shut and will secure all of its contents using a leak-proof technology. Choose from several colors and patterns.
Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Leak-Resistant Lunch Box
Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Leak-Resistant Lunch Box
Pros
- Made of food-grade safe stainless steel and silicone
- Sustainable alternative to plastic
- Leak-resistant compartments
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
Cons
- Pricier than other options
- Hand-washing suggested to preserve the leak-resistant seal
For a durable, eco-friendly alternative to plastic lunch boxes, this metal bento-style box from Bentgo is a longer-lasting option. The box even comes with a five-year warranty.
OmieBox Insulated Lunch Box with Leak-Proof Thermos
OmieBox Insulated Lunch Box with Leak-Proof Thermos
Pros
- Comes with leak-proof thermos bowl
- Versatile if you don't want to use the thermos
- Largest compartment can fit a full-size sandwich
- Has a carrying handle, so no need for a lunch bag
Cons
- Irregular size and shape won't fit inside most standard rectangular lunch bags
- Pricey
When you have to pack lunch with a combination of temperatures — think: hot stew with cold fruits and veggies — what are you supposed to do? Enter OmieBox, an insulated lunch box that comes with a thermos container that you can use when you have a meal served warm. While the thermos takes up one section, there are other compartments that hold things that'll stay cool. There is also an additional divider in case you want to create more compartments within this box. This lunch box can be carried without a bag as it comes with an attached handle.
Stackable Bento Lunch Box for Kids
Pros
- Perfect for meal prep-style meals and snacks
- Works well for dishes that come with dip
- Comes with reusable utensils
Cons
- Not ideal for sandwiches
- Not insulated
Stack these three containers with multiple compartments for a fun-filled lunch. The top container holds utensils, while the others have sections in various shapes and sizes to suit various food packing needs. You'll appreciate its leak-resistant design, but it's not fully leak-proof — so, no soups! Choose from several color options.
Unbreakable Silicone Lunch Box
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Made of silicone, which is practically unbreakable
- Microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe
Cons
- Not hard, so it can be floppy
This durable silicone lunch box comes with three sealed compartments. Free of lead, BPA, PVC, and phthalates, this container is super-safe for kids to use. It's easy to clean and won't stain. You can throw it in the dishwasher or clean it by hand. It can withstand microwave and oven warming. If you want to freeze lunches days ahead of time before packing, it's also freezer-safe. Reviewers describe the top as semi-flexible while the container itself is somewhat rigid.
Nuby Insulated Bento Box Lunchbox
Nuby Insulated Bento Box Lunchbox
Pros
- BPA-free and non-toxic
- Good for ages 6 months and up
Cons
- Need to maintain all 4 pieces
We love this lunch box because it comes with two smaller, removable containers that have their own dedicated tops so you can truly keep their contents separate. The main compartment is ideal for sandwiches, and the large top covers all of the compartments. This set also comes with two non-toxic, reusable ice packs. Its travel bag is insulated to maintain freshness. The only downside is that you'll need to keep track of all of its pieces to use this set as intended.
EasyLunchboxes Reusable Bento Lunch Boxes
EasyLunchboxes Reusable Bento Lunch Boxes
Pros
- Designed with kid-friendly lids
- Features three compartments in one container
- Come in a set of 4 containers
Cons
- Not insulated
- Not leak-proof
We love this easily portable, budget-friendly lunch box for its simplicity. The lids snap on and can be easily removed by toddlers, while staying secure. Unfortunately, that means these aren't leak-proof, but you'll love using for sandwiches, veggies, snacks, and other dry items. Stack them for easy storage. They are also BPA-free and microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe for convenience and easy cleaning. Choose from several color combinations.
What to look for when shopping for a kids' lunch box
✔️ Insulation: If you want to pack both hot and cold lunches, you'll need a lunch box that has a thermos compartment for hot foods, as well as insulation features or ice packs to keep food cool.
✔️ Microwave-, freezer, or dishwasher-safe: Consider options with these factors for easy heating, meal prep and storage, and cleaning.
✔️ Leak-proof: You'll likely want to pick a lunch box that won't spill and lead to a mess inside your kid's school bag.
✔️ Multiple compartments: If you're looking to include variety for your little one, or if you plan to pack a main dish (like a sandwich or rice) along with snacks or sides, you'll need a lunch box with multiple compartments.
✔️ Size: If the lunch box needs to fit inside a lunch bag or backpack, be sure to check the measurements before you choose.
✔️ Colors and characters: Because, let's be real, sometimes kids can be fickle. They may be more excited to eat what's inside the lunch box if it is adorned in a theme or color scheme they love.
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
Ysolt Usigan is a lifestyle writer and editor with 15+ years of experience working in digital media. She has created share-worthy content for publishers Shape, What To Expect, Cafe Mom, TODAY, CBS News, HuffPo, The Bump, Health, Ask Men, and Best Gifts. A working mom of two, her editorial expertise in parenting, shopping, and home are rooted in her everyday life.
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