Best Kids’Lunch Boxes 2023
1. BEST OVERALL KIDS’ LUNCH BAG
PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
PROS
- Built-in freezable gel liner keeps foods cold for hours
- Folds flat for storage
CONS
- Gel liner adds weight (but no ice pack is needed!)
Who needs an ice pack when you have a bag that doubles as one all on its own? PackIt’s built-in freezable gel liner means you no longer have to jam an ice pack in alongside all of your food — just pop the whole bag into the freezer to chill it directly.
While the gel liner does mean it’s a bit heavier than some other picks, this was the only bag to keep its contents below 40˚F (a safety benchmark for perishables) for 5.5 hours in our Lab test.
Store the bag in your freezer the night before school, and it will be ready to rock in the morning. It folds flat, so fitting it in among your frozen foods is easy. When you unfold it, you’ll find it’s super spacious for packing lunches. It also comes with an optional long strap for toting and is available in dozens of fun colors and patterns.
2. BEST VALUE KIDS’ LUNCH BOX
Sistema Bento Box
PROS
- Freezer-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe
- Compact design
CONS
- Drink has to be packed separately
- You may not be able to chose the color online
Picky kids will adore this box that keeps all of their favorite foods separate from each other with no risk of touching or transferring tastes. Removable trays nestle together to form this compact, lightweight bento box for less than $12. The set makes it easy to pack your kid a sandwich and four sides. The round container includes a screw-on lid to keep up to 5 oz of foods like yogurt, hummus or fruit salad contained.
Every piece of this tidy box can be popped in the freezer or used in the microwave as well as safely cleaned in the dishwasher so it’s ready to go again the next day. The outer box has a closure to hold everything in place, but this box does not come with a drink compartment so kids will need to store that separately. Take note that some online reviewers found that they were unable to pick out the color of their lunch box in advance.
3. BEST KIDS’ LUNCH BOX WITH COMPARTMENTS
Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set
PROS
- Containers have individual lids
- Use bento box with or without carrying case
- Includes a matching ice pack
CONS
- Tots may struggle to pry off container lids
This 2-in-1 pick has the best of both worlds: a bag and a box to keep your kid’s food sealed and separated from all the other items in their backpack. Plus, it helps keep everything from getting squished before lunchtime! The Bentology lunch bag set is a particularly great pick for kids who like a variety of foods at lunch: The five separate plastic containers each come with a lid to give you options on solid vs saucy foods.
The bento box fits inside the carrying bag along with a matching ice pack, but it can be used on its own if you don’t have space for the whole bag. A large zippered front pocket lets you pack napkins, utensils or a note. We did find that some younger kids had a bit of trouble opening the containers.
4. BEST KIDS’ LUNCH BOX WITH THERMOS
OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
PROS
- Removable bowl for hot or cold liquids
- Small and compact for a bento box
CONS
- Sturdy but heavy
This bento box–style lunch box from OmieBox is insulated and comes with a removable, thermos-like container that works for hot and cold foods. It’s perfect for toting last night’s reheated leftovers — or pop it in the fridge to help keep milk or juice cold. When you’re using the thermos, the lunch box is a bit heavier than some other options on this list.
If you aren’t packing the thermos, its square compartment can be used for a sandwich. The rectangular compartment has a moveable divider that allows you to adjust the size to fit your foods.
5. BEST KIDS’ STAINLESS STEEL BENTO LUNCH BOX
Yumbox Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box
PROS
- Keeps food nicely separated
- Stainless steel cleans easily with dish soap
- Easy for children to open
CONS
- Stainless steel is a bit heavy
Just like its plastic counterparts, this stainless steel bento box is great for children because it gives them the opportunity to get a little taste of several things (with nothing touching, which is critical for some kids!). The Yumbox has only one latch, so little hands can open it with ease.
It’s got four compartments plus a round spot for dip (or a cookie). This version is made of durable, easy-to-clean stainless steel with a silicone lid that’s available in several colors. Since it is made of stainless steel, it is a bit heavier than plastic versions.
6. BEST KIDS’ LUNCH BAG THAT HOLDS A BENTO BOX
Bentgo Lunch Bag
PROS
- Perfect for rectangular containers
- Insulated and has exterior pocket
- Optional long shoulder strap
- Drink fits in lid
CONS
- Bulky and may not fit in a preschool backpack
Store all your favorite bento boxes in this tote since the Bentgo bag was specifically designed to fit an assortment of bento boxes — and you can also use it on its own. You won’t have to make sure your kid’s lunch box is washed and ready each morning since you can cycle it out with a variety of other rectangular boxes that will all fit.
It’s insulated, and though we have not tested it in the Labs, it claims to keep food warm or cold for up to four hours. There’s even an interior mesh pocket for extras like a drink or an ice pack and an exterior pocket for napkins and utensils. The long shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, but this box is a bit larger and bulkier than some other options so may not fit in a small backpack.
7. BEST KIDS’ LUNCH BOX WITH DRINK HOLDER
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box
PROS
- Rigid walls help it keep its shape
- Can add your child’s name
- Many colors and patterns
CONS
- Needs a cold pack to keep food cool
Personalize your child’s lunchbox with this pick from Pottery Barn that lets you choose from 19 fonts and four colors when you add a name or monogram to the front. It’s easy for your kid to spot, and it’s perfect for a school lunch: Therigid walls keep delicate foods from getting crushed, and a drink fits neatly in the mesh side pouch.
There are zippered pockets inside and out, and its main double zipper won’t come open if the bag is shaken or dropped. If you want to keep things cold in the summer, you’ll have to add a separate ice pack to ensure that everything stays chilled.
8. BEST EASY-OPEN KIDS’ LUNCH BAG
Flatbox Lunch Bag
PROS
- Opens flat to act as a placemat
- Sturdy handles
- Machine washable
CONS
- Soft sides can lead to a squished lunch
Messy eaters will appreciate that this lunch bag can be unzipped fully to double as a placemat. It’s particularly good for little ones since zippers can be easier to open with their tiny fingers than hard plastic boxes. It’s also lightweight and easy to store since it can be folded flat once your child finishes their lunch. That said, the softness does mean that the food has a bit less protection than a hard box offers, which can lead to squished sandwiches.
The Flatbox has large, comfortable handles on top that are particularly sturdy. It’s also machine washable.
