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There are certain parenting tasks that test even the most patient among us. High up on the list with laundry and vacuuming crumbs out of the carseats is packing school lunches. It’s repetitive, it’s thankless, and for most families, it needs to get done almost every day.
Both my boys started daycare at 4 months, which means I’ve been packing some sort of snack or lunch for over five years now. That’s long enough to have picked up a few hacks (and a few favorite lunchboxes) that make the job a little easier along the way.
Throughout these chaotic mornings, I have always used a bento box-style lunch container to help make packing lunches more manageable. The compartments force nutritional balance (and help me visualize it before coffee), they cut down on waste, and the right design makes it easier for kids to actually eat what’s packed. I’ve tested 10+ containers from the popular to the more under-the-radar brands. Here are the ones I keep going back to, have held up, and are truly worth it.
What we love
The not so good parts
What to Consider in a Bento Box
Whether you’re new to the lunch packing game (welcome!) or want to change up your container, here are a few things to consider before purchasing:
- Is the container leak-proof? Some containers aren’t leakproof meaning foods like yogurt will easily spill and seep into other compartments or lunchbags.
- Compartment size — A preschooler will likely need a much smaller lunchbox than a 2nd grader. Consider how big each compartment is (and how many there are), and size up if you want your lunchbox to last multiple years.
- Ease of use (for them and you) — Once your child gets to Kindergarten, teachers usually ask that they’re able to open and close their lunchboxes themselves so not only should you practice this at home, but you’ll also want to make sure that the container you choose is truly easy for little hands.
- How hard is it to clean — If you pack lunches daily, expect to be washing your lunchboxes a lot. Even if they are dishwasher safe, consider how many parts or mini containers each bento box has and how much of a headache it will be to wash them 5x a week.
- Weight — While stainless steel containers are non-toxic and non-porous, they often weigh more. If you have a little kiddo, consider how much weight it will add to their backpack, especially if they’re taking the bus or walking with their backpack to an aftercare program daily.
Tip: If you want to avoid rushing to clean their bento boxes every day after school, try buying more than one lunch box so you have multiple on rotation.
Why We Love Bento Boxes
While I may not be creating animal art out of cucumbers and tomatoes (kudos to those parents who are), the layout of a bento box provides an easy way to categorize what I’m packing for my kids. I like to think of it as: a ‘main dish’ (like a sandwich, quesadilla or bagel), fruit or veggie, carb (my boys usually spring for crackers) and a treat (fig newtons and animal crackers are big in our house now). The compartments allow me to easily visualize what a well-balanced lunch looks like, so even on the most hectic and sleepy mornings I can still pack it with ease.
Tip: When it comes to what you’re actually putting in these bento boxes, I suggest not overthinking it. Go for foods your kids will actually eat (aka ‘safe’ foods) because if you have an elementary-aged child, chances are lunchtime is short. Packed lunch is not the best time to experiment with unfamiliar foods – the goal is to get food in their body that will help sustain them through the afternoon.
Best Bento Boxes for Kids
If there was a Rolls Royce of kids bento box lunchboxes, this PlanetBox lunchbox would be it. While it’s definitely spendy at close to $50 (admittedly, a price my old school mother would balk at), this lunchbox checks all of my ‘must-haves’ as a mom, and I find myself reaching for this lunchbox again and again.
I appreciate the amount of compartments and their size – not too big or too small. The container is easy to open and close and it feels durable. As much as I urge my boys to be more gentle with their things, they have dropped this container and thrown it around in their backpack, and it’s emerged no worse for wear. Lastly, the lunchbox comes with cute themed magnets your kids can affix to the top of their lunchbox, but I feel like while fun, they make cleaning the lunchboxes more difficult since you have to take off, and then reaffix the magnets every day.
What we love
- Easy to open and close
- One piece lunchbox (the top and bottom are connected by a hinge); I love this design because not only is it functional, but means there are less pieces for your kids to lose
- 5 perfectly-sized compartments (5 cups total volume), ideal for a variety of foods
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-toxic and BPA free
- 5-year warranty
- Completely stainless steel (goodbye plastic!)
The not so good parts
- While it’s built to last, this PlanetBox lunchbox is pricey. So if you have a child who is prone to losing things you may want to consider how upset you’d be if it didn’t come home in their backpack.
- 1.6 pounds unpacked, which makes this container heavier than most
- Actual lunchbox is not leak-proof so not designed for liquids; though it does come with leakproof dipper containers
- Doesn’t fit in most standard-sized lunch bags
I’m in my third year of using the same Bentgo Chill Kids Lunchbox (I started using it when my son was in preschool and he’s now in Kindergarten). This lunchbox has a cool (literally!) design that features a built-in ice pack that keeps food chilled during the day, which is great if you pack things like cheese or any food that may need lower temps to remain safe to eat. There are three compartments whose total capacity is 3 ⅓ cups, and it’s been perfect for my son who isn’t the biggest eater. If you do have a ravenous kiddo, this lunchbox’s volume may be a bit too small for them. And, while it hasn't happened to us, I have heard anecdotally that mold can build up along the rubber coated seals, which means you'll want to keep an eye out and fully dry the lunch box after each wash.
What we love
- The freezer tray is by far the best thing about this lunchbox. Keeps food cool and fresh until lunchtime.
- Dishwasher-safe
- Tray is microwave safe
- Leak-proof
- Super durable. This lunchbox has held up 2+ years of year-round use
- Made from PFAS-free and BPA-free food-safe materials
The not so good parts
- There are three different parts (outside, freezer tray and then the actual food tray) so more parts to clean
- 1.8 pounds unpacked, which makes this a bit heavier than some of the other options here.
- 3 ⅓ cup capacity, which makes it best for younger kids who have a smaller appetite. Will likely need to size up around first grade or so.
I’ve been a huge fan of Lunchbots ever since I discovered their stainless steel snack containers years ago (if you’re looking for one, this medium quad is the perfect size for a variety of snacks). While you can’t go wrong with any of Lunchbots’ stainless bento box containers, you can now count me as a fan of their new silicone build-a-bento box. And, apparently I’m not alone as it has received 50 five-star glowing reviews on their site. While I was hesitant at first that this silicone lunchbox just had so many pieces, I was quickly won over by its flexible modular design (use as many or as few of the compartments you need) and its price (under $20!). This silicone lunchbox is now a permanent part of our lunchtime rotation.
What we love
- Modular design—the three interchangeable compartments provides flexibility to packing lunches
- Made with food-grade Platinum Silicone
- Dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe up to 400 degrees.
- Leak-proof
- Fun colors and design. They even say that each lid is uniquely made so no two are exactly alike.
- Under $20
- 1.4 pounds unpacked, which makes it on the light side.
- Holds 4 cups of food, which is an ideal middle ground between the two choices above.
The not so good parts
- Not ideal for preschool-aged kids as the top of the container must be pushed down fully to close the lunchbox. This action may be harder for younger kiddos with less attention to detail and fine motor ability.
- While the compartments that nest in the lunchbox does mean more flexibility, it also means more parts to clean.
