Best Toddler And Kids Lunch Box

Kids Lunch Box

I’ve been packing toddler lunches and big kid lunch boxes for at least one of my three kids for almost 10 years, and I’ve learned a lot about what makes a great lunch box. It comes down to the material you prefer, ease of washing, durability, price, and the sorts of lunches you tend to pack in terms of temperature. I am determined to help you choose a kids lunch box that will last so you can make the most out of your purchase—that is, so you get a lot of use out of it and not waste your money. The toddler lunch boxes here have been vetted by real kids (and parents) in real life and have been tested through years of school lunches, kindergarten lunches, and toddler lunch ideas for daycare to ensure they hold up to normal kid usage. I hope that these reviews help you decide which might be the best container to use for your baby, toddler, or elementary-aged kiddo. (You may also like baby lunch boxes, kids thermoses and bento lunch boxes.)

Best Toddler Lunch Box: EasyLunchboxes Snack Boxes

Perfectly sized for a toddler lunch, this affordable set of 4 containers is made of BPA-free plastic. They nest for easy storage, and the top and bottom are easy to wash. The bento-box-style compartments are the perfect size for toddlers, and they are incredibly handy for packing multiple lunches at once—or for traveling. This is also a great baby lunch box or a snack container for kids, and is dishwasher safe and easy to hand-wash. Best for: Toddler lunches that don’t need to be reheated, making multiple lunches at once (since you get a set of 4)Price: Under $13 for a set of 4

Best Affordable School Lunch Box: EasyLunchboxes

These heavy-duty BPA-free plastic lunch boxes are incredibly handy and gets my top pick for ease of use as a kids lunch box. We’ve been using the same set for at least 3 years now. Plus, they are easy to stack and store, and they’re super affordable. They are fairly large for just a toddler lunch—for a year, I used one to pack lunch plus 2 daily snacks for a 1-year-old—so I prefer these for age 4 and up. They’re great for kindergarten lunch ideas since the lid seals tightly and is leak proof as long as you don’t pack actual liquids. I like to put silicone muffin tin liners in the large compartment to hold different foods. These are also great for a full day of traveling since they hold a lot of food in a compact container. Best for: Packing a day’s worth of food in one container, lunches for kids (and adults!) 4+Price: Under $14 for a set of 4 TIP: There are a few copycat versions of the Easy Lunchboxes and they are NOT as good. They leak and break easily, from what I’ve heard, so go with the real brand for toddler lunch boxes!

Best Insulated Bento Box: OmieBox Bento Box

With an insulated 7.5-ounce center compartment to keep cold foods cold and warm foods warm, this is one of my favorite lunch boxes for packing daily kids lunch boxes with a mix of temperatures. So you could pack warm pasta alongside cold fruit and sides, for example. The insulation works really well. And on days when you don’t need the insulated part, you can simply remove it and pack a sandwich or whatever bento-box lunch or variety of food you’d like to put there. The pieces of this are easy to remove and clean, so it’s very easy to wash and air dry. You can also get the insulated lunch bag that comes with a shoulder strap to carry it in. Best for: Packing kids lunch boxes with some warm food and some cold food, all in one box.Price: About $45

Best Leakproof Lunch Box: Bentgo

These come in the cutest designs, have handy compartments to make packing lunches easy, and are super simple to wash—the divided tray insert is removable. I love how tightly this latches while still being easy for a toddler or elementary-age child to open. (I pack yogurt in this without issue, it seals so well.) This toddler lunch box also comes with a 2-year warranty, which I love as reassurance that you’re getting your money’s worth. Everyone from my toddler to my oldest elementary-age kiddo loves this toddler lunch box, since it’s so easy to pack a variety of foods together, including fresh fruit, snacks, vegetables, puffs, fresh apple slices (no browning), protein snacks for kids, and more. Best for: Packing a mix of foods together in one easy container.Price: About $30

Best Insulated Kids Thermos: LunchBots 8-Ounce Thermos

This small insulated thermos is perfect for pasta, soup, oatmeal for kids, pizza roll recipes, rice and beans, and more. I know everyone always thinks thermoses are just for soup, but I’ve actually never used it for soup! It’s a good size for toddlers (you may not need to fill it all the way for littler ones), and it’s super durable toddler lunch box option. Best for: Packing occasional hot lunches for kids, being able to pack a larger portion of the main hot (or cold) food.Price: About $25 TIP: This is available in 8-, 12-, and 16-ounce sizes so you can choose the one that works for your kids.

Best Stainless-Steel Lunch Box for Baby and Toddlers: LunchBots Quad

This is a perfectly sized toddler lunch box. It won’t hold foods like applesauce (the lid doesn’t close as securely as my other picks), but it’s otherwise a great option for little eaters. It’s easy to clean and it’s small, so it packs into a backpack, insulated lunch bag, or a diaper bag nicely. It’s also lightweight, so it won’t weigh down a backpack or bag. Best for: Packing little kid lunch boxes or snacks for on the go. This is a great baby lunch box, too.Price: About $30

Best Stainless-Steel Lunch Box for Big Kids: Planetbox Rover

I find these popular kids lunch boxes to be too heavy for little kids, but if you’re looking for a stainless-steel lunch box to last through elementary school, this is a great option. The different compartments make it easy to pack a few food groups all together, too. It’s an investment as far as the cost goes, but it’s one you’ll have to make only once. Best for: Elementary-age kids wanting a plastic-free lunch box that will lastPrice: About $60

Best Snack Containers for Kids Lunches

If you need to send a snack or want to send lunch in individual containers, these are the ones we’ve found to be the best.

Bumkins Reusable Snack Bags: These are wipe-clean, machine washable, and endlessly reusable. And the patterns are so darn cute! Replay Recycled Snack Stacker: We’ve had one set of these for years. I find them so great for taking snacks on the go—and for keeping said snacks from getting smushed in a bag. I regularly use these for my elementary-age kiddo’s afternoon snack. Lunchskins Bags: If you want a paper bag, these are awesome and recyclable. Beaba Clip Containers: This set is also really handy since the containers stack and hold together. We use them regularly, too.

TIP: You can find a full rundown of Snack Containers for kids.

Kids Lunch Box Ideas

I know the biggest challenge of packing toddler lunch boxes is the question of what to pack, so these posts will help you will with all of the ideas!

Toddler Lunch Ideas Favorite Kids Lunches Healthy Kids Lunch Recipes Easy Bento Box Lunches No-Cook School Lunches TIP: If you need a lunch bag to keep your toddler lunch box cool, check out insulated lunch bags for kids.

Best Tips for Kids Lunch Boxes

Pack the toddler lunch box with an ice pack (or ice packs) in an insulated bag to keep it cold. Add utensils and a napkin as needed with the toddler lunch box. Create a routine of taking lunch boxes out of bags when you get home at the end of the day and putting them into the sink—and ice packs back into the freezer. Use leftovers such as pasta salad for toddler lunch boxes. Let the kids help make a list of their top lunch box Ideas so you always have a place to start. Find all of my toddler lunch ideas and my favorite kids tableware, too.

If you have a favorite kids lunch box that’s on my list or not, I’d love to know about it—especially if it’s easy for your toddler to open and close all on their own!