If you have school-aged children, you’re pretty familiar with the need to send lunch with them occasionally, if not every day. Those lunch boxes go through a harrowing adventure with your child—they’re dragged, thrown, beaten-up, dropped in a puddle to “see what will happen,” and on it goes! Long story short, you need the right lunchbox to send with your kid, no matter where they’re going.
You might be wondering which one is right for you and your kid. As a busy parent, finding time to research all the products you need can be stressful. So, I’ve put together a list of my 5 favorite lunch boxes for kids to take some of the guesswork out of it!
Arctic Zone Expandable HardCore Lunch Pack Box
This lunch box has been around forever, and there’s a reason for it. I’m pretty sure this is the same one I had when I was in elementary school. It’s made of a rugged and incredibly durable material. Its high-density thermal walls will make sure that your cold items stay cold, keeping them safe for your kid no matter how long they have to wait to have that delicious smoked turkey sandwich.
This lunchbox is really easy to clean. Just flip it inside out, dump out that rotten peach slice that was “saved for later,” and boom! You’re back in business. And, with four containers with lids and two ice packs, you’ll have extra room to pack an extra snack that will prevent you from picking up a hungry kiddo at the end of the day.
Insulated Reusable Lunch Box
This bag is really stylish. It’s the kind of bag that is pretty much perfect for the young, fashion-forward hipster in your life. It’s made with a high-density polyester that’s guaranteed to survive getting thrown on the ground and dragged around. It has thick, thermal walls, which will make sure that any fruits and meats will stay cold.
Hango, the manufacturer, is so sure you’re going to love this product that they include a lifetime guarantee. If you don’t, they’ll take it back, no matter how long you’ve had it. There’s almost no risk in buying this one! It even comes with 2 different sized totes so you can choose how much space you need, so you don’t overfill your kid’s already stuffed backpack. What more could you want?
New Wave Litter Free Lunch Box
This is the most environmentally-friendly box on this list. It comes with its own set of Tupperware that fits perfectly inside the bag for your on-the-go lunching needs—without any wrappers or packaging. Just load up the Tupperware and you’re good to go.
The New Wave is made of durable polyester, and even comes with a water bottle. The Tupperware is not only dishwasher and microwave safe, but also matches the box, so there is no getting it confused with Mom or Dad’s lunch Tupperware. Furthermore, it’s all BPA-free, keeping you and your kiddos safe.
Want to save a little cash? Slice your own lunch meats.
Here are the best slicers for the job.
Tiffin Three Layer Stainless Steel Lunch Box Set
See the Tiffin Three Layer Stainless Steel Lunch Box Set at Amazon
For those of you not super excited about owning a ton of plastic, there’s this gorgeous bento-style lunchbox made out of stainless steel. Though it’s not insulated (meaning you’ll have to buy an insulating bag), this is the best, most durable way to send your kid to school with some lunch.
This set has 3 tiers, meaning you can store and transport various foods in the different sections. This is great if you don’t want the fruits intermixing with the homemade pasta or that slice of pizza. Each section is the perfect size, and can easily hold a sandwich and snack. That being said, this isn’t the ideal choice if you’re sending your kid to school with soup.
For more bento box recommendations, check out these articles on the best bento boxes for toddlers and kindergartners.
Built Stylish Neoprene Lunch Tote with Shoulder Strap
See the Built Neoprene Lunch Tote at Amazon
This model is my favorite on this list which, considering these are all great products, is saying a lot. The neoprene is tough, water-resistant, and easy to clean, saving you time and money. It keeps the contents cool (or warm), and is incredibly breathable, so food stays fresher, longer.
Built’s lunch tote is one of the most comfortable and adaptable lunch bags on the market. Better yet, it comes in a huge variety of colors and patterns. There’s certainly one that fits your son or daughter’s style.
There you have it—my 5 top picks. If you stick to this list you can’t go wrong. Let’s get packing!
Need some recipe ideas for your child’s lunch? See this post for my recommendation on the best cookbook for picky eaters.
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Melissa and IntangibleArts.
Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.