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Send Lunch to School Confidently With Our Favorite Lunch Boxes for Kids

From bento to freezable, feed their growing minds and bodies

Hands holding the Bentgo Kids Lunch Box

The Spruce Eats / Linnea Covington

When your kids leave for school in the morning, you probably ensure they have a few essentials: backpack, homework, etc. No matter how old your children are—preschool or high school—chances are you send them off most days with a lunch box packed with their favorite foods.

While the best lunch box for your kid likely depends on their age, style preference, and the type of lunch they normally eat, we tested some of the top-rated options to help you decide. We put a variety of selections to the test in our home kitchens, packed dozens of lunches, and toted the boxes around. Then, each lunch box was rated on design, versatility, insulation, size, and overall value.

What We Like
  • Leakproof design

  • Holds up to multiple years and multiple kids

  • Keeps food separate

  • Comes in many fun colors

What We Don't Like
  • Exterior scratches pretty easily

  • Compartments limit portions for older kids

Bento boxes are a popular choice for children, as they allow you to separate food and snacks in various compartments, and one of the best products you’ll find today is the popular Bentgo Kids' Lunch Box. Designed with kids in mind, this lunch box comes in three bright colors, and it features five compartments that are perfectly portioned for kids ages 3 to 7. After testing, this one earned our best overall spot—approved by both parent and kid testers—and even six years later, it's still being sent off to school.

This bento box has drop-proof rubber-coated edges in case it takes a tumble, and it opens and closes using two kid-friendly latches. We particularly love its solidly built and well-designed compartments on the dishwasher-safe inner tray. They are different shapes to hold a variety of food and snacks—even dipping sauce!—and there are seals to keep the contents from leaking into your child’s backpack. A downside to the compartments does arise as kids get older. The portion sizes are sometimes not enough to get them through the day.

It was truly leakproof when put to the test in a backpack. The rubberized seal all around the perimeter of the lunch box is effective in preventing this spillage or mess, both between compartments and out of the box itself. While the exterior is made from BPA-free materials, it scratched fairly easily.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Material: BPA-free plastic and rubber

What We Like
  • Gel liner can replace ice packs

  • Spacious interior

  • Collapsible for easy storage

What We Don't Like
  • Heavy, especially when frozen

Who needs ice packs when you have a freezable lunch box? The unique PackIt Freezable Lunch Box has freezable gel built into its walls, so all you have to do is pop it into the freezer the night before. In the morning, it will be ready to use. In tests, the frozen walls were highly effective at keeping food insulated and fresh for longer—we didn't have to use any ice packs, even for food like yogurt.

This lunch box comes in a wide range of fun patterns to appeal to children, and it’s large enough to fit a sandwich, snack, and 12-ounce drink. We never wanted more space, even when packing for little ones with hefty appetites. There is a zip pocket and a mesh pouch on the exterior of the bag, and the whole thing is made from canvas with a water-resistant lining, so we found it easy to wipe clean.

If there’s any downside, it’s that it was relatively heavy—even when not frozen—making it difficult for smaller children to comfortably tote on their own.

Dimensions: 10 x 4.25 x 8.25 inches | Weight: 1.28 pounds | Material: BPA-free materials and gel liner

What We Like
  • Comprehensive lunch set

  • Range of colorful patterns

  • Dishwasher-safe containers

What We Don't Like
  • Containers can be tricky to open

The Bentology Lunch Bag and Box set comes with everything you need to pack a delicious meal for your kids. The set includes an insulated lunch bag, a plastic bento box, a five-piece set of containers with leak-proof lids, and a matching ice pack, and you can choose from a dozen bright, colorful patterns to suit your child’s style.

This affordable set is made from BPA-free materials, and the lidded containers can go in both the microwave and dishwasher—something we found to be key for simplifying lunch prep and cleanup. You can mix and match the containers inside the bento box for versatility, and it all fits inside the insulated lunch box for easy packing. There’s even a mesh pocket on the side of the bag where you can slip a water bottle for your kids.

In tests, food stayed fresh for a long time—even without the extra ice pack. There was one sacrifice to be made for these conveniences, though: the containers are a bit tricky to open for both adults and kids.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Material: Polyester and BPA-free plastic

What We Like
  • Removable thermos for hot foods

  • Large compartment fits a sandwich

  • Can be fully disassembled for cleaning

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't come with utensils

  • Must be hand-washed

If you're looking for a great segmented lunch box to send to school, look into the unique OmieBox Bento Box. Part of the reason bento boxes have become increasingly popular is because of all the different foods they can accommodate. This one features two temperature zones, which allow you to store both hot and cold foods in one box.

The OmieBox Bento Box comes in five bright colors, and it includes a built-in insulated food jar. This keeps entrees like soup warm until lunchtime. The lunch box itself is double-walled and leakproof, so you don't have to worry about spills, and its contents will stay cool and fresh.

We like how securely it closed and that we didn't have to worry about spills (even with apple sauce packed in the thermos). Plus, it's easy for kids to carry, thanks to the handle. The main downsides are that it doesn't come with utensils and it's a bit difficult to clean. Regardless, it's a quality bento box and one that's stood up to the test of time—along with the Bentgo, it's still in regular rotation.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 1.75 pounds | Material: Stainless steel and BPA-free plastic

What We Like
  • More than a dozen patterns

  • Insulated interior

  • Fits standard bento boxes

What We Don't Like
  • Interior pocket doesn't have closure

Sending your little one off to school for the first time? Make sure they have everything they need to conquer preschool with the help of the Wildkin Lunch Box. This kid-friendly lunch box is designed for ages 3 to 15, and it comes in more than a dozen fun patterns to showcase your child’s personality. It's slim enough to fit inside a backpack-style diaper bag easily and light enough that little kids can carry it.

This insulated lunch box is spacious enough to accommodate a bento box or several plastic containers, and it includes a mesh pouch on the interior where you can tuck an ice pack, napkins, or utensils—this part doesn't close, but that isn't a deal-breaker. We were able to fit half a PB&J, a fruit pouch, a cheese stick, a snack pouch, and a water bottle—with room to spare. Plus, at the end of the day, you can simply wipe down the interior with a washcloth, and it will be ready to go again the next morning. We found there were no lingering odors, either.

There’s a zippered front pocket where you can hide an encouraging note for your preschooler, and the insulated interior helps maintain a hot or cold temperature to ensure their food is always fresh. We found that without an ice pack, food stayed cool for one to two hours, but with an ice pack, food can stay cold for four to five hours.

Dimensions: 7 x 3.25 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 0.13 pounds | Material: Polyester and BPA-free liner

Final Verdict

The Bentgo Kids' Lunch Box is our top choice, particularly for younger children, thanks to its durable and leakproof design. Foods stay in their designated compartments during travel, and the box comes in a variety of bright colors that kids are sure to love. For a classic lunch bag, we recommend Wildkin's insulated box. It comes in a wide variety of bright designs, including dinosaurs, horses, butterflies, safari animals, and more.

How We Tested Lunch Boxes for Kids

We tried out more than a dozen lunch boxes and packed a variety of kid-friendly food items—everything from sandwiches and salads to fruit, yogurt, smoothies, and snacks. Adults thoroughly examined the lunch bags and even tested how long they kept food hot or cold; while kiddos also lent a hand to try out the boxes during lunchtime.

We Observed

  • How easy the lunch boxes were to clean: After each wash, we noted any lingering odors or food left over in hard-to-reach spaces. We liked a dishwasher-safe product, or at the very least, a water-resistant lining that was easy to wipe out.
  • Whether anything leaked: We looked for features like drop-proof edges and latches that are strong enough to avoid spills while thrown around in a backpack, yet easy enough for kids to open. Likewise, we noted if food stayed separated in the different compartments.
  • What kids thought: We tested these lunch boxes with real kids to get their thoughts as they brought them to school multiple times, paying special attention to the design and color schemes, how easy they were to carry, and overall convenience.

We Rated

  • Design: Although most of the lunchboxes on this list were designed with kids in mind specifically, we focused on products that featured smaller compartments for child-sized portions. Likewise, we highlighted lunch boxes with a selection of different patterns, colors, and styles available to fit all types of personalities and preferences.
  • Insulation: For lunch boxes that advertised insulating materials, we tested them with hot or cold meals to see how well they maintained temperature and kept food fresh. We also focused on lunch boxes that included their own ice packs and awarded bonus points to lunch boxes with two temperature zones, allowing you to store both hot and cold foods simultaneously.
  • Versatility: We looked for lunch boxes and lunch sets that could fit a range of needs as a child's dietary restrictions or portion sizes change and grow. Some of the lunch boxes on this list could even work for adults in a pinch.
  • Size: We focused on lightweight lunch boxes that would be easy for kids to carry on their own and tested each to make sure it was large enough to fit a typical lunch (such as a sandwich, snack, and 12-ounce drink).
  • Value: We measured value against quality, especially since a child is more likely to leave their lunch box behind at school or even toss components in the trash by accident.
lunch boxes for kids

The Spruce Eats / Brigitt Earley

About Our Testers

Brigitt Earley, a writer with almost 15 years of experience researching the best home and kitchen items for various publications, tested a majority of the items on this list with her own children's lunches. She has a culinary degree from The French Culinary Institute in New York City and previously worked as an editor for Real Simple.

Other Options We Tested

  • Opux Insulated Dual Compartment Lunch Bag: During testing, we found that this one is well insulated and has a lot of usable compartments, but ultimately decided it's too big and bulky for kids. "I think this lunch box is much too large for children. It's really more of a mini cooler. You could pack a full day's worth of food in here for one person," our tester said.
  • LunchBots Large Trio Stainless Steel Lunch Container: This is expensive for a lunch box, and it doesn't provide any real insulation. It also doesn't have room for a drink, and the compartments are fixed. As a result, it's not super versatile and it doesn't have a handle for carrying. This is a long-lasting bento box that would definitely work for some people, but we decided it's not necessarily the best lunch box for kids—particularly given the price.
Hands holding the LunchBots Large Trio Stainless Steel Lunch Container full of food

The Spruce Eats / Brigitt Earley

What to Look for in a Lunch Box for Kids

Material

Many kids’ lunch boxes are made of BPA-free plastic, which is lightweight and typically dishwasher-safe. However, stainless steel is a common plastic-free option that’s both durable and easy to clean, even though it’s heavier. You can also find lunch boxes made of lightweight fabric. However, these tend to be more difficult to thoroughly clean and typically require additional inserts for food.

Design 

No matter what type of lunch box you’re eying, you’ll first want to make sure it fits in your child’s backpack. Some lunch boxes may have a clip that allows you to tether it to the backpack; others simply have a carry handle. In general, we find it most convenient to pack the lunch box inside of the backpack but make sure it’s rigid enough that the lunch won’t get crushed inside. 

You’ll also want to consider what type of mechanism opens the lunch box. Some lunch boxes have tricky clasps that small fingers can’t manage, and some hot food containers have to be screwed on tightly to prevent leaking. These types of issues can make it hard for your child to get to their food without help from an adult, which isn’t always accessible in a crowded lunchroom. 

Insulation

Many fabric lunch boxes are constructed with some type of insulation to help keep food at a palatable (and safe!) temperature until lunchtime. Some even have built-in ice packs or gel linings. If a lunch box you’re considering has minimal insulation or no insulation at all, you may want to buy one with enough room to add your own. On the flip side, kids who eat hot lunches—soup, pasta, or oatmeal, for example—will need a thermos or other insulated container that can keep food warm for several hours.

Pottery Barn Kids Astor Lavender Navy Aqua Lunch Boxes

The Spruce Eats / Brigitt Earley

FAQs

What is a bento lunch box? 

A bento box is a boxed meal with compartments—typically somewhere between three to five—that separate the various courses or toppings inside. Bento is derived from a Japanese word meaning "convenient,” which is fitting because a bento lunch box is one that’s packed to be eaten on the go. 

How do you wash a kid's lunch box?

Like any other dinnerware, you should wash your child’s lunch box after each use. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specifics, but some lunch boxes are dishwasher-safe. It’s worth noting, however, that many lunch boxes take up a significant amount of room in the dishwasher. If your kid’s lunch box isn’t dishwasher-safe or you’d rather hand-wash it, use warm, soapy water, and be sure to get into any nooks and crannies with your sponge or brush. Then, let it air dry on a rack or dish towel. 

What reusable gear is good for packing lunch?

In addition to the lunch box itself, there are a variety of accessories that can expand upon what you can realistically pack. Others simply make the meal a little more fun for kids. A Thermos is a worthy investment for kids who prefer a hot lunch, while thin ice packs are great for those who like cooler items in their lunches.

We also recommend small 1-ounce lidded containers for condiments like ketchup for chicken fingers or dressing for a salad or sandwich. Reusable bags let you pack items like chips without buying single-use packs or using less environmentally friendly zippered plastic bags. Silicone lunch box dividers can serve a similar purpose. Food picks are another worthy investment—they’re inexpensive, add an element of fun for kids, and also make it easier to pick up small items, like cut fruit, without having to use their hands. 

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This article has been updated by Brigitt Earley, a writer who has spent nearly 15 years researching the best home goods and kitchen items for various digital publications, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Brigitt also frequently contributes to parenting sites like What to Expect, plus has four of her own children, including two preschoolers she regularly packs lunches and snacks for. She personally tested seven lunch boxes for this roundup.

Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bisphenol A (BPA) factsheet.

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