12 Best Lunch Containers for Kids (From a REAL Mom)
When my son turned 3, he BEGGED to do lunch bunch at his preschool program. Staying an extra hour AND getting to have his very own lunch box just sounded like a dream to my extroverted toddler. A well-packed lunch becomes a cornerstone of a child’s healthy routine. As a Registered Dietitian AND mom of three, I will share our favorite and best lunch containers for kids.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at packing lunches or just starting this exciting journey, hopefully, this realistic guide gives you insight into the best bento boxes and food containers for your kids this school year – whether toddlers or older children.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click & make a purchase, I receive a commission! Read my full disclosure policy.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Lunch Containers
1. Material
Choose BPA-free plastic, stainless steel, or silicone. My personal preference is to keep it plastic-free, although we have wound up with a few plastic bento boxes (it’s my job, after all) for reviewing purposes that are ridiculously convenient.
Plastic – Plastic is lightweight and less expensive than stainless steel. High-quality multi-compartment stainless steel bento boxes can be very expensive (think Planet Box), and while they are nice, plastic options (Bentgo Box) are more budget-friendly.
However, even the AAP recommends limiting plastic use, and we definitely lean towards silicone and stainless steel in our family.
Silicone – Silicone is great because it is lightweight. Silicone is a more flexible material, which can be good or bad depending on the type of container! I will definitely give you some favorite silicone options.
Stainless Steel – Stainless steel holds up super well. However, it is less budget-friendly, and there are fewer options available than plastic.
2. Size and Capacity
Obviously, the size you need will vary depending on your child’s appetite and the meal time you are packing for. For example, sometimes I will only need to pack a preschool snack for my child, but at other programs, a whole lunch may be in order. On the other hand, make sure the lunch container can fit in the lunch box!
3. Insulation and Temperature Control
Opt for double-walled containers or thermoses to keep food warm or cold. However, to keep foods cold, you can also pack in a well-insulated lunch box (include plenty of ice packs) or opt for a freezable lunch box! (We have several PackIt Freezable Lunch Boxes and love them!)
4. Kid-Friendly
Select containers with easy-to-open lids, compartments, and child-friendly designs. While preschool teachers typically help kids open their lunch, if you do have a box that is easy for little hands to open, that is best.
5. Leak-Proof and Spill-Proof Design
Prioritize leak-proof containers with secure locks and silicone seals. If you are using a container that is not leak-proof, consider what you are packing, as you don’t want yogurt all over a lunch box before lunchtime!
6. Easy Cleaning
Pick containers with simple designs for hassle-free cleaning. I like easy and simple containers to break down without hidden cracks that food can build up in. Consider if the container is dishwasher safe or not.
Real Life Reviews of Best Lunch Containers for Kids
Ok, if you want all the details here are my reviews of the best lunch containers. When choosing a container for your child, keep in mind how much food they will be packing and what types of foods you usually pack as you look at this list.
5 Best Kids Bento-Style Containers & Lunch Boxes
Bento boxes are a great way to serve a variety of foods to preschool and elementary-age kids alike. Include a variety of foods (protein, fruit/veggies, carbs) to help ensure your child has a balanced meal.
1. Bengto Box
The Bengo box is a popular box for good reason. It’s lightweight, leak-proof, and cute. Plus, with lots of color options, there is sure to be a box to please your kids. I would say this is better suited to younger children as it won’t likely be enough food for an older child.
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Leakproof
- Multiple color options
- BPA free plastic
- Easy to clean with a removable tray
- Easy open latch
CONS:
- Made of plastic
- Won’t hold enough food for an older child.
2. OmieBox Bento Box
The OmieBox is a fun, insulated bento-style lunch box. I don’t know of any containers similar to these food containers, which include an insulated compartment inside the multi-compartment box.
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Thermos included inside the bento box can be used or removed.
- Multiple color options
- BPA free plastic
- Easy to clean with removable rubber seals
CONS:
- Made of plastic
- Reviewers note hinges wear out after about one year. (I haven’t had mine this long to comment personally.)
- Depending on when lunch is eaten, the thermos may not keep some foods at a safe temperature.
3. Lunch Bots Stainless Steel Containers
We have a couple of different sizes of Lunch Bots at our house and have had them 2-3 years! They have held up really well. The only downside is they are not leakproof. However, they are great for packing finger food snacks and lunches.
Note: We have the Small Snack Packer (perfect for young toddler snacks) and the Medium Trio (great for a young child’s lunch or older child’s snack or lunch with additional sides.)
Here is a complete list of all my favorite stainless steel bento boxes for kids.
PROS:
- Made of sturdy stainless steel
- Many different sizes and arrangements of bentos.
- Easy to wash – no pieces or parts to remove, making them very simple to clean.
- Ours have held up for several years of use so far.
CONS:
- Not leakproof
- Not as easy to open as some for a very young child or toddler.
4. Silicone Collapsible Bento Boxes
We have four of these. I can’t link my exact model because we purchased them at Aldi on a special ($5 each – you can’t beat that!), but they are very similar. The big pro is they take up much less space in storage, are lightweight, and the food rests on silicone (not plastic.)
PROS:
- Main container is mostly silicone
- Multiple color options
- Collapsible allows for better storage.
CONS:
- Lid is made of plastic
- Some of the compartments turn out a bit large when expanded
- Compartments are not completely leak-free from each other.
5. PlanetBox Rover
I admittedly do not own this one, but I see it repeatedly argued as one of the best lunch boxes and stainless-steel options. I’ve contemplated it many times as it really does look like a fun box, but it seems large and is right on the edge of fitting in my son’s lunchbox! Not to mention, the price tag is $$.
The Rover is no doubt a popular option, and maybe I will eventually buy it to review and see if it really is the best lunch container for a kid’s lunch, as so many say!
PROS:
- Made of durable stainless steel
- Fun box with many compartments and interchangeable magnets.
- Comes with additional containers for more food storage options.
CONS:
- Dimensions are large.
- Price point is high!
Best Insulated Lunch Jars for Kids
If you’re packing warm pasta, soup, or another food you wish to keep hot, you will need an insulated jar. These insulated jars are great for kids.
Note: You may want to temp test the food you are storing to ensure it will, in fact, stay within safe temperature limits before your child eats it. This can all vary on a variety of factors.
6. Hydroflask 12 oz Kids Insulated Food Jar
Hydroflask is known for keeping foods at the right temperature! Plus, this jar has a silicone sleeve around it for protection which is super handy when kids are involved.
PROS:
- Insulated and made of pro-grade stainless steel
- Silicone protector along the bottom
- Leakproof
CONS:
- Price point is higher.
- Lid must screw off, so not as well suited for a young child’s lunchbox.
7. Thermos Funtainer Food Jar
This is a much more budget-friendly option for a food thermos and comes in various colors and prints. Plus, it’s super easy for kids to open with the push of a button.
PROS:
- Made of durable stainless steel
- Easy to open with a button
- Budget-friendly
- Many kid-friendly designs and colors are available
CONS:
- May not keep food hot enough as some reviewers noted food was cold by lunchtime.
Best Leak Proof Containers for Wet Foods
If a bento style lunch doesn’t make sense, you will likely need leakproof containers. Stainless steel may be a safer and more durable option than glass for your child’s lunchbox.
8. TAVVA Stainless Steel Leakproof Containers
If you need leak-proof containers for things like yogurt, cottage cheese, dips, and fruit salad, these TAVVA containers come in various sizes to meet all your needs.
PROS:
- Made of durable stainless steel
- Leak Proof
- 3 oz, 7 oz, and 12 oz containers included
- Plastic-free – even lid is made of silicone
CONS:
- Cannot see inside containers, which can be more troublesome if prepping ahead.
Favorite Lunch Boxes
Of course, you need an insulated bag or freezable bag to store your child’s lunch. My favorite lunch boxes are definitely PackIt. However, they do take up extra storage in the freezer.
9. Freezable PackIt Lunch Box
We own three of these and love them. They basically have a built-in ice pack, and you put the whole lunch box in the freezer. Whether you have little children or older kids, this will be a great choice (my husband even has a large one!)
PROS:
- With built-in ice packs, a freezable lunch box helps keep cold foods cold until lunch.
- Multiple color options and prints available.
CONS:
- No water bottle pocket or inner compartments.
- Takes extra storage space in the freezer.
- You can not put in the washing machine.
Best Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags
Sometimes packing old shool style in snack and sandwich bags is best. However, a great way to eliminate waste is to buy reusable sandwich and snack bags. Here are my favorites:
10. Bumkins Snack and Sandwich Zipper Bags
We have an assortment of bumkins snack and sandwich bags.
PROS:
- Lightweight and easy to pack.
- Multiple colors and varieties (my 5-year-old is happy with his Mario bags)
- Machine washable and Dishwasher safe
CONS:
- Food will dry out if stored too long. (I don’t even recommend storing overnight.)
11. Stasher Sandwich Bag
These bags seal off much better than the zipper-style reusable bags and therefore, I definitely recommend them for things like sandwiches etc.
NOTE: In general, Zip Top Reusable Silicone Bags also seem to work well.
PROS:
- Multiple colors and sizes available.
- Dishwasher safe
- Leak-free
- Keeps food fresh longer.
CONS:
- A bit more tedious to get cleaned than the zipper-style bags that are machine washable.
12. ZipTop Snack Bags
We have these small snack bags and my kids love them. You can also buy ZipTop bags that are similar to the stasher bags above. They stay sealed well and are of similar design.
PROS:
- Multiple colors and sizes available.
- Dishwasher safe
- Leak-free
- Keeps food fresh longer.
CONS:
- A bit more tedious to get cleaned than the zipper-style bags that are machine washable.
FAQ About Lunch Containers for Kids
Ok, I’ve tried to summarize the most common questions about lunch containers for kids and lunch packing!
Are plastic lunch containers safe for kids?
This is debatable and probably dependent on who you ask. For example, even the AAP recommends limiting plastic. However, we know it is most likely to release toxins when heated or frozen. So using it in a lunch box is a lower-risk situation. If using plastic concerns you, silicone and stainless steel are great options.
How do I clean and maintain insulated lunch containers?
Keep lunch box insulation top-notch by gentle handwashing and make sure they are dried properly.
What’s the best way to keep food warm in an insulated container?
Warm up your food very well prior to sticking it in an insulated thermos container to help keep it warm through lunchtime.
How can I prevent leaks in my child’s lunchbox?
Sealing is key. Be sure to choose a lunch container with appropriate leak-proof seals to keep leaks from happening when sending soft or liquid foods such as yogurt, soup, and cottage cheese.
How do I keep my kids’ lunch cold?
Send your kid’s lunch in a well-insulated or freezable lunch box. Use plenty of ice packs as appropriate, and consider freezing certain items to keep them even colder. For example, sometimes I make sandwiches on frozen bread that thaws at lunchtime or freeze yogurt pouches.
Need more lunch packing help?
I hope these lunch container options helped you find the best lunch-packing solutions for your family! If you still need more help with feeding your kids, check out the articles and resources below.
5 Best Stainless Steel Bento Boxes for Toddlers
35 EASY Toddler Lunches (even for picky eaters)
FREE Toddler Snack Printable & Grocery List
Simplify feeding your toddler with these free guides. Sign up for my email newsletter below.
