When it comes time to choose a lunch box for your kid, you will have thousands of options, particularly if you look online. This is good news as it means that you should be able to find a lunch box with your child’s favorite character on it that also meets all the requirements you have. It does, however, make the search a little overwhelming since you may not know where to start. You can consider the size, if it needs a thermos or if you’d like it to have freezer packs for starters. You can also consider budget, design and how usable it will be. Knowing how to select the best lunch boxes for kids can make this search much easier and here are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind.
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Comparison chart of best lunch box for kids
| Product image | Name | Special features | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bentology | Includes Insulated Bag with Handle, Bento Box, 5 Leak Proof Containers and Ice Pack. Contains no lead, bpa, phthalates, or pvc. | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Bentgo | FDA-approved, and BPA-free materials. Includes 2 year warranty. | $$ | 4.5 |
 | Olive Kids | It is made of phthalate, BPA and PVC free. Recommended for 3-15 years of age. | $ | 4.4 |
 | Fit & Fresh | Included inner pods, ice packs, and insulated bag. Its containers are BPA free, bag is pvc free and non-toxic ice packs | $ | 4.1 |
 | CoolBites | It comes with a built-in gel pack for cooling. Made with food grade safe, fda approved, and bpa free materials. | $ | 4.0 |
 | Bentology Leak-proof Bento | It comes with a translucent raspberry outer box, 5 translucent inner lunch containers and 3 ice blue leak-proof lids. Contains no lead, bpa (bisphenol a), phthalates, or pvc. | $ | 4.0 |
 | Orgalif | Its not leak-proof but microwave and dishwasher safe. | $ | 3.9 |
 | EasyLunchboxes | Its not leak-proof. No BPA, PVC, or phthalates. Freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. | $ | 3.9 |
The best lunch box for kids options available
#8- EasyLunchboxes 3Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers
This classic lunch container comes as a set of four, so you always have one clean. The containers are children friendly with lids that are easy to open. It is important to note that these lunch boxes are not leak proof., so avoid liquids or sauces. These are perfect for making healthy ‘lunchables,’ for your children to enjoy. The lid fits snug but not overly tight. In addition to being wonderful for lunches, these containers are great for packing leftovers in and storing in the fridge and work well for those portioning out meals on a diet. You can keep different foods separated with the various compartments and the lunchbox is safe for the microwave and the freezer as well as the dishwasher. The containers are FDA-Approved and do not contain phthalates, PVC, or BPA.
#7- Orgalif BPA-Free 3-Compartment Reusable Plastic Bento Lunch Box
This lunch container offers several compartments and comes as a set of five, making it easy to always have a clean one available. These containers are ideal for carrying lunch, stowing away leftovers, or freezing baby food. Many enjoy using them for portion control when staring on a diet plan. The lids are easy to open but also are not leak proof. This lunch box comes with a five-year money back guarantee. They are ideal for stowing in a cooler bag with ice packs for increased freshness with your lunch.
#6- Bentology Leak-proof Bento Lunch Box with 5 Removable Containers, Translucent Raspberry
With this lunch box you can choose from raspberry, night, and clear, with different colored lids for your children to carry to school. These lunch boxes come with lids that are leak-proof. Containers can be mixed and matched to give you the lunch you are after. All containers are easy to clean, reusable and highly durable. The containers can be used in the dishwasher and the microwave, but the lids should not. Use the lids and containers alone or with the Bentoloty Bento Box for the best set up with the food you are packing.
#5- CoolBites Premium Bento Lunch Box
This bento box comes with a built-in gel pack for cooling that is perfect for keeping your meals fresh all day long. For increased freshness, there is a detachable vent hole, allowing for condensation and moisture to leave the lunch box if needed. The material used for the vent cover is antibacterial, food grade silicone. The materials used are BPA free and FDA approved as food safe. The boxes are secured by four latches that are easy to use for children.
#4- Fit & Fresh Bento Box Lunch Kit with Reusable BPA-Free Removable Plastic Containers, Insulated Lunch Bag and Ice Packs
This stylish lunch box offers several inner pods, an insulated bag and ice packs to help keep your food fresh until you get to eat it. This Bento lunch set is designed to hold several different foods among three different compartments. You will find a larger compartment that can hold three cups and two smaller ones each hold about .75 a cup in each. These containers are BPA free, dishwasher safe and microwave safe, and the bag is PVC free and easy to clean. Put a fresh twist on making lunches in your home, and have fun filling this Bento Box.
#3- Olive Kids Out of this World Lunch Box
This classic lunchbox comes in a range of patterns that children are sure to love. Material is made phthalate, BPA and PVC free. It is easy to clean. The material is insulated to keep your lunch items fresh. There is a front pocket with a zipper to store napkins, utensils, and other items. Inside you will find tabs to secure ice packs, water bottles. There is also a pouch made of mesh offers further security for lunch items or for storing ice packs.
#2- Bentgo Kids – Leakproof Children’s Lunch Box
This stylish purple lunch box is both dishwasher and microwave safe, making it convenient for carrying all sorts of snacks. The tray is removeable to make it easier to clean. There are five, different compartments portioned for children ages 3-7. The lunchbox is leak-proof, keeping your snacks mess-free and fresh. Latches are easy to open and close so your children will love carrying it. The materials are BPA-free and FDA- approved. The variety of compartments makes it easy to pack your children sandwiches, veggies, fruit, dip and more. You can pick between green, blue, and purple to give your child their preference.
#1- Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set for Girls
This bento box comes in stylish pink that is ideal for any little girl. You get an insulated bag with handle for carrying the box, along with an ice pack to keep everything fresh. Inside you will find the bento box and five inner containers with lids to store delicious fruits, vegetables, cheese and other treats. The icepack fits snugly in the inner mesh pocket, keeping your food chilled until lunch.
What To Look For In The Best Lunch Boxes For Kids
- BPA-Free
Every lunch box that is aimed at kids should be BPA-free but you should still take the time to double check that this is the case. If the box does have BPAs, then it won’t be safe to store food inside since the chemicals can get into the food. Once leached into your child’s food they can cause illness and have been linked to cancer. For this reason, it is best to only select food storage containers that are BPA free.
- Favorite Characters Or Design
The design of a lunch box is always a concern for kids as they will want something they enjoy. You can look for a lunch box that matches your child’s backpack or one with their favorite character on it. Whether they are interested in princess, superheroes, TV shows, or something else, you should be able to find it. Let your child search with you, because the best lunch boxes for kids will be something they like using with their favorite shapes or patterns.
- Size
The size of the lunch box is also an important consideration. You don’t want it to be too big or heavy for your child to comfortably carry when full but you still need to make sure that it can hold his entire meal. Think about the items you typically include in your kid’s lunch and make sure they will fit. If you typically include a thermos or use plastic containers to store items, confirm there is room for these. You may also want these items included to insure they fit in the box or bag perfectly.
- Compartments
Some of the best lunch boxes for kids actually get rid of the need for plastic containers at all by including compartments or dividers. These are in the style of bento boxes and are great for picky eaters who don’t want their food touching. These boxes are also better for the environment because they offer the ability to store food without disposable plastic bags. Simply give them a clean and reuse the next day for lunch.
- Soft Or Hard
There are two main styles of lunch boxes to choose from. Hard boxes will protect food from getting squashed in transit while soft boxes have the ability to take up less room and adjust to fit containers or foods of different sizes. This is a matter of personal preference.
- Seals For Freshness
Ideally, the lunch box you buy for your kids will seal in some way to keep the food that you put inside fresh. This is particularly helpful in the case of bento-style boxes with compartments since you won’t be using individual containers within the boxes. Make sure to do some reading about how the lids fit on these so you can be sure the food will stay fresh.
- Handle Comfort
Don’t forget to look at the handles on any potential lunch box and make sure they will be comfortable for your child to grip on their way to and from school. There are a few different handle designs but most will be ergonomic. Some lunch boxes may even have shoulder straps to make them easier to carry. If the lunch box will be carried alone, the handles are important. If you are placing it in their bag, then you can consider boxes without handles.
- Insulated
The best lunch boxes for kids will be insulated to help keep the foods you include cool and fresh. This is particularly important if you ever include dairy or meat products in your child’s lunch as insulation will prevent them from going bad during the school day. You can select from lunch boxes that have the insulation built in, ones with ice packs or a combination of these.
- Easy To Identify
Depending on where your child stores his or her lunch box, you may also want to consider a model that is easy to identify. This can dramatically reduce the risk of accidentally grabbing someone else’s lunch box. You can also choose to label the lunch box with your child’s name to make it easier to identify.
- Simple To Wash
Anytime you are storing food in something, you want to make sure that it is easy to wash. In the case of hard lunch boxes, look for models that are dishwasher safe. In the case of soft ones, opt for something that is machine washable. This way, you can thoroughly clean the box at least once a week without too much effort.
- Compact For Storage
Consider where you will be storing the lunch box and how much space you have there. One of the biggest benefits of soft lunch boxes is that they can be incredibly compact when empty, making them easy to store. Of course, many hard ones are stackable so if you have multiple kids, those may be a good choice.
- Spill Proof
If possible, get a lunch box that will keep spills contained. This way, if your child’s juice spills in their lunch box, it won’t seep into their schoolwork while in their backpack. You will still have a mess, but at least it will be contained.
- Includes Reusable Containers
You should also think about what extras are important for you. The best lunch boxes for kids will include reusable containers designed to fit perfectly inside the box. This takes the guesswork out of figuring out whether the items you use will fit and allows you to easily keep food separate for your child. Some lunch boxes may even include reusable utensils or a thermos.
- Durability
Durability is a crucial consideration for your child’s lunch box since you don’t want to have to replace it too often. Opt for one that is known to last a long time, keeping in mind that children tend to be hard on their possessions.
Conclusion
First consider how often the best lunch boxes for kids will be used. Will you need fresh containers daily, or can you wipe out your box to keep it clean? Take into consideration if you want it to offer containers so you can avoid plastic bags or if something simpler will do. Once you have made the functional decisions, you and your child can have some fun picking out the designs.
Healthy lunch ideas for kids
Now don’t worry for your kids lunch. Here’s some great healthy lunch ideas for your kids that your kids will happily tote to school. These are the delicious and attractive lunch idea that your kids will love.