A healthy diet is important for all children. Sadly, not all kids are excited to eat vegetables and fruit for lunch. But you don’t need to worry, because there are many ways to make them more enthusiastic about eating well. One of them is to use the best lunch boxes for kids!
Most of these boxes usually come in a variety of attractive patterns and bright colors. They’re made specifically to appeal to children aged 5-10. And this is why kids will definitely love to use them! Apart from that, they’re also available in various models. You can pick stainless steel lunch boxes for kids or insulated lunch boxes for kids, depending on your needs.
In this article, we’re going to give you great suggestions for some of the best lunch boxes for kids available on the market. We’ll also reveal some useful tips for choosing stainless steel lunch boxes for kids or insulated lunch boxes for kids. And without further ado, let’s dive straight into it!
How to Choose the Best Lunch Boxes for Kids
Choosing the best lunch boxes for kids isn’t just a matter of price tag and functionality. That’s because, for our children, lunch boxes are such a big deal. That’s how they show off their pop culture knowledge on the playground. It’s something to get them excited and enjoy their meal even more.
And with that in mind, here are some factors you should consider in choosing stainless steel lunch boxes for kids or insulated lunch boxes for kids.
Material
One way to choose the best lunch boxes for kids is to check what they’re made of. Most manufacturers these days use something they call neoprene. It’s basically the same material they used in the wet suit. Apart from being flexible, neoprene is also quite stretchy. But what is most appealing, especially to parents, is the fact that it’s easy to clean.
Compartment
Next time you’re choosing lunch boxes for kids stainless steel, consider choosing the bento box type. This model has been quite popular lately. It comes with several separate compartments, which allow you to control the nutritional value of each part of the lunch. Some parents are even willing to put more effort into preparing food. They generally express their creativity by making animal-like shapes or cute characters to further arouse children’s appetites.
Design
As we mentioned earlier, lunch boxes are a great deal for kids. It’s one of their ways to show how much they know about cartoons, series, films, and pop culture references. Therefore, you may want to consider more about the printed image or pattern, when choosing insulated lunch boxes for kids or any other food container. It’s always a good idea to get a box that features images of superheroes or other popular characters.
Which Brand is Best For Lunch Box?
Tupperware, Milton, and Cello are some of the most trusted names in the industry. As an alternative, you could also consider Borosil, Signoraware, and Vaya. However, it’s possible to find smaller manufacturers with equally good products. You can find some of them on our list.
Which Lunch Box is Better Glass or Steel?
Steel would be great for active people. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, whether it’s to the office, the park, or even on a hike. On the other hand, glass containers will be remarkable for those that spend more time at home. Apart from storing food, they can also be used as cookware and serveware.
What Is the Best Container to Keep Food Hot?
Basically any lunch box, as long as it has an insulated container. But for longer temperature retention, get yourself a product that uses high-grade stainless steel. For this reason, you can consider some well-known brands like Thermos and Tupperware.
Lonecone Lunch Box
13
Insulated lunch boxes are capable of maintaining temperature. Thus, all food and drinks will remain fresh for a longer time. And the best part is, you can use it to store cold food as well.
One of the insulated products that we recommend is the Lonecone Lunch Box. It comes in two different sizes, each with plenty of space to hold a sandwich, a portion of fruit, a drink, and some cutlery. Apart from that, Lonecone also comes with a variety of colorful and exciting patterns, which are sure to make children interested. Overall, this product really deserves to be on our list of best lunch boxes for kids. Be sure to check it out if you can.
What We Love
Come with cute patterns and lots of space
Pros:
- Available in two different sizes
- Many patterns to choose from
- Claimed to be play-proof
- Spacious compartment
Cons:
- Quite difficult to clean
Bentgo
12
For those who want to keep everything organized, a bento box will be an excellent choice. One that we recommend the most is the Bentgo Kids Lunch Box. It comes with separate compartments, which will help you pack your food efficiently. Say goodbye to excessive mess and waste!
Apart from that, the Bentgo is one of the most trusted lunch boxes on Amazon. It’s got thousands of positive reviews. Most customers love its rugged exterior and the fact that it is available in a variety of bright colors. Still haven’t decided between the best lunch boxes for kids? This one definitely won’t let you down.
What We Love
The separate compartments help you pack food more effectively
Pros:
- Portions are just right for children
- Leak-proof
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Some report the appearance of black dots after several months of use
Kinsho Bento
11
Kinsho Bento will be ideal for daily use, especially if you have kids attending school every day. It’s pretty easy to clean, be it by hand or dishwasher. As for durability, some customers report they have been using Kinsho for years and it holds up pretty well. Oh, and since this box is made specifically for kids, don’t expect to put an adult size meal in it.
Overall, this is a nice bento box. Compared to most of the best lunch boxes for kids, Kinsho has a fairly sturdy material and comes in the right size. If you happen to be looking for a lunch box for your kid, you won’t go wrong with this one.
What We Love
Holds quite well after years of use
Pros:
- Leak-proof container
- Perfect for a well-balanced diet
- Eco-friendly plastic
- Tight seal
Cons:
- The lid is quite difficult to open
Lunchbots Trio
10
Finding the best lunch boxes for kids, especially one that’s the right size, can be quite difficult. Luckily, you don’t have to go through all that hassle. That’s because we’ve picked for you the Lunchbots Trio! It has just the right containers for a kids size meal. You may find the lids a little tricky to close, but otherwise, it’s a great food container for toddlers.
In addition, Trio’s Lunchbots are easy to clean. It’s also so small, that it should fit nicely in any backpack or insulated lunch bag. If you’re still not sure which lunch boxes for kids stainless steel to choose from, this one is worth considering.
What We Love
Perfect fit for a child size meal
Pros:
- Modern design
- 18/8 stainless steel
- Easy to clean
- No need for disposable baggies
Cons:
- The paint will probably run after a year
Easy Lunchboxes
9
One thing we notice immediately when we first hold Easy Lunchboxes is its durability. Compared to most of the best lunch boxes for kids out there, this plastic compartment is sure to be a lot sturdier. Another great thing about it is the price tag. This food container is certainly much more affordable than other similar products and won’t force you to break the bank. Apart from that, Easy Lunchboxes are also better for the environment, since they’re made from recycled materials.
To conclude, this is a quality lunch box. The lids snap easily and firmly. It’s dishwasher safe. And most importantly, budget-friendly. Don’t hesitate to grab one if you can.
What We Love
Affordable, with less compromises on quality
Pros:
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Lids are solid and easy to open
- Affordable price tag
- Portable and reusable
Cons:
- Not leak-proof
PlanetBox Rover
8
This bento-style product is available in two variants. The PlanetBox Rover is the smaller one, which makes it ideal for kids or small appetites. Furthermore, there are five different types of compartments. You can use each of them to pack sandwiches, fruit, salads, pickles, and more.
As for design, the PlanetBox Rover isn’t something flashy or exciting. Especially in comparison to most of the other best lunch boxes for kids around. But if your kid prefers simplicity, this one will be perfect. Plus, it’s also environmentally friendly and contains neither PVC nor BPA material.
What We Love
Simple design that works
Pros:
- Durable
- Five different compartments
- Doesn’t contain harmful chemicals
- Ideal for a child’s appetite
Cons:
- It’s a little bit expensive
GoGreen Lunchbox Set
7
Want to make your food remain fresh and crisp all day long? Look no further than the GoGreen Lunchbox Set. This five-compartment set has a genius turn and locks technology. It claims to be able to minimize the incoming air, which in turn helps to keep all of your food in optimal condition. Another thing we like about this set is that it comes with a free water bottle. Send your kids to school with their favorite drink!
Most of the best lunch boxes for kids out there are made without regard to environmental impact. With the GoGreen Lunchbox Set, that’s not the case. This set is made of polypropylene, as well as BPA and lead-free. As for the water bottle, it’s 100 percent stainless steel.
What We Love
Advanced technology to keep food fresh throughout the day
Pros:
- Leakproof technology
- BPA and lead-free
- Easy to open top
- Includes a water bottle
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than other similar products
Grub2Go Lunchbox
6
When it comes to quality, nothing can beat the Grub2Go. This minimalist lunch box is made of stainless steel and doesn’t contain any toxic materials. Open the lid and you’ll find three divided compartments. They should be more than enough to fit the kid’s size meal. But for those who’re wondering about the exact numbers, this food container has a capacity of up to 1600ml.
Other features worthy of mention include adjustable locking clips, easy to clean surface, and non-leaching material. In short, this is a fantastic piece of hardware. If you’re looking for the best lunch boxes for kids and don’t mind spending around 40 bucks, this will be a remarkable choice.
What We Love
A beautifully crafted stainless steel lunch box
Pros:
- Exclusive secure lock
- PVC, vinyl, and BPA-free
- Large 1,600ml capacity
- No plastic used
Cons:
- It isn’t leak proof
Yumbox Panino
5
Looking for something leak-proof and lightweight for your child? The Yumbox Panino will definitely fit the bill. This lunchbox has four compartments that are able to hold fluids well. That way, you can pack both soup or yogurt safely. In addition, this bento-style box is made of lightweight materials. It’s so portable, even kids will have no trouble carrying it around.
As for variety, Yumbox is available in four different color choices. They’re all bright and cheerful looking, sure to boost your child’s mood during mealtime. However, this doesn’t mean that this product is flawless. The fact is, it isn’t safe for either a microwave or fridge. With that being said, Yumbox is still one of the great options for the best lunch boxes for kids that you should consider.
What We Love
Lightweight design, easy to carry around
Pros:
- Leakproof
- Ideal portion sizes
- Available in a variety of bright colors
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Not microwave friendly
Omiebox
4
Unique is the impression we got when we first saw Omiebox. This product is marketed as one of those insulated lunch boxes for kids. But on a closer inspection, you’ll notice something different. Yep, it manages to combine hot and cold compartments in one single package! Thus, you can pack a toasty grilled cheese sandwich and fresh salad at the same time. Isn’t that amazing?
Another appeal from Omiebox is that the tray is quite shallow and has rounded edges. This clever design will allow your kids to scoop or pick up their food much easier. Overall, this is an excellent food container. If you happen to see one out in the wild, feel free to buy one.
What We Love
Combines both hot and cold compartments in one container
Pros:
- 304-grade stainless steel
- Multifunction
- Versatile
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Tends to sell out quickly
Modetro
3
Choosing the best lunch boxes for kids is one thing. But getting one that fits well in a backpack or shoulder bag is another. For this reason, we recommend getting the Modetro Leakproof Bento Lunchbox. It has a compact size, making it fit easily in any sack.
As for the material, Modetro Lunchbox is BPA-free and has been approved by the FDA. It’s also microwave safe and should be able to handle temperatures up to 258F. Overall, this is a decent lunch box and great travel gear. It should come in handy for a weekend camp, along with one of our 13 best fans for tent camping.
What We Love
Perfect size, fits most bags
Pros:
- Four leakproof compartments
- Stylish design
- Fit in almost any bag
- Includes a recipe book
Cons:
- Some complained about the sealing
Pinnacle Thermoware
2
Unlike the other best lunch boxes for kids on this list, Pinnacle Thermoware is specifically designed to maintain food temperature for a long time. All possible thanks to the case made from 18/8 grade stainless steel. No matter what food you pack, hot or cold, the temperature in the box will stay the same for up to six hours!
We can imagine carrying the Pinnacle Thermoware on during cooler days would be awesome. Wherever you go, you’ll still be able to enjoy a fresh hearty meal!
And speaking of cold days, if you’re planning to do some skiing your next winter break, you might want to check out some of our recommendations for the 13 best winter Quiksilver hats. They’re stylish and will keep your head warm during freezing temperatures.
What We Love
Keep your food hot or cold for up to six hours
Pros:
- Suitable for all ages
- Superior thermal technology
- Easy tightening lid
- Light
Cons:
- A little difficult to clean
3 Sprouts
1
Want something that’s simple and just works? Get for yourself 3 Sprouts Lunch Bento Box. It’s a decent lunch box with three divided compartments. Nothing too fancy here, but you should have no trouble packing an adequate portion of food for your child. As for the material, this pretty straightforward container is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free. In other words, it’s totally safe for kids.
Furthermore, since the size is relatively small, 3 Sprouts Lunch Bento Box won’t take up much space in your kid’s backpack. And by the way, if you don’t have one or are looking for a bag for your child, you can always check out our list of 13 best luggage for kids. Those bags will teach them to pack for long trips, as well as give them a sense of independence.
What We Love
Simple lunch box that works well
Pros:
- Three divided compartments
- Reusable
- Easy to store
- Free of harmful chemicals
Cons:
- The lid isn’t quite a snap
