MOMables® Healthy Lunches for Kids

  • MEAL PLANS
    • Weekly Family Meal Plan
    • Teaching Your Kids to Cook
    • 7-Day Family Reset
    • Meatless Meal Plan
    • Pantry Staples Meal Plan
    • Free Picky Eaters eCourse
  • Cookbooks
    • 101 Packed Lunches
    • Chicken. It’s What’s for Dinner
    • Intermittent Fasting eBook
    • Meal Prep’d
    • More Cookbooks
  • Recipe Index
  • Healthy Lunches
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Lunch Ideas
  • 101 Lunches
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Lunchboxes
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Lunch Ideas
  • 101 Lunches
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Lunchboxes
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
×
Home » School Lunchbox Containers & Supplies

The Best Kids Bento Boxes

By Laura Fuentes Updated Jul 25, 2024

No ratings yet

This post explains how to choose a kids’ bento box for school that meets your lunch packing needs.

From stainless steel, built-in ice packs, affordable bento boxes, and even one with a built-in thermos, you’ll find the best one for your child.

a collage of kids bento boxes

What to Look for in a Bento Box

If you’re on a mission to shop for a cool bento box for your child, there are a few things to remember when browsing online. Here is what to look out for before you buy:

  1. Size: the size of the bento box will determine how much food you can pack inside.
  2. Number of compartments: choose a design that fits your child’s packing needs.
  3. Cost: purchase a bento that fits your budget and consider having a spare.
  4. Leak-proof: a good seal prevents messy leaks.
  5. Material: plastic, stainless, or a combination of both. This will also determine price and durability.
  6. Dishwasher safe: this makes cleanup easier; some are top-rack only, and other bentos are hand wash only.
  7. Design & colors: from colorful options and characters to neutral colors, there’s a bento for everyone.
  8. Durability: sturdy bentos should last through the school year and more! My stainless steel bentos have lasted nearly a decade!
  9. Lunch bag: larger bentos might need a bigger lunch bag, so keep both dimensions in mind!

Best Bento Boxes for Kids

One of these bento boxes is sure to be the right size for the amount of food you need to pack, has compartments to keep foods separate, and is durable enough to last through the school year or many years to come. Wondering what to pack? Learn more about school lunch Bento Box ingredients and combinations here.

Durability: Lunchbots Trio
The 3-compartment shape is perfect for a younger kid's lunch. As they get older, it will become their go-to snack box. Perfect for cut-out sandwiches or half-sandwich + sides!
The stainless steel material is made to last -I've owned a few since 2007!
While it's not leakproof (no yogurts or apple sauce), I highly recommend it for kids of all ages!
Available in 5 colors.
Pick a Color
Affordable + Versatile: Easy Lunchboxes
These simple lunch containers are a long-standing favorite for families with kids of all ages. The 3 compartments allow you to pack a variety of foods under one lid.
Available in classic, brightly colored, and neutral sets.
Check Amazon
Durability: Lunchbots Quad
This 4-compartment shape is perfect for adding variety and keeping things separate.
It grows with your child and will become a snack box for teens. For kids of all ages.
The stainless steel material is made to last -I've owned it since 2007!
Not leakproof (no yogurts or apple sauce), I highly recommend it!
Available in 5 colors.
See Color Options
Built-in Ice Pack: Bento in One
You can pack anything inside this bento-style lunch box. It includes a freezable tray that keeps lunches cool. 
The edges are rubberized and drop-proof, minimizing cracks -the #1 reason lunchboxes break with younger kids. 
It's completely leak-proof, so you can pack yogurt, sauces, and fruit, eliminating soggy messes. Great for 3-8-year-olds.
It comes in 10 different colors!
Browse Color Options
Bento Snack Box
This bento-style snack box is a must-have for daily snacking.
The 4-pack is affordable and comes in a variety of colors, and it's dishwasher-safe! 
A terrific option for a reusable snackbox for all ages.
Grab a Set
Most Compact: Yumbox
This bento-style lunchbox lets you pack a variety of foods without sacrificing the lunch bag options.
You can buy extra tray inserts in several configuration options and sizes.
This was the first leak-proof bento-style lunchbox I purchased for my son and continues to be a parent-favorite for kids kindergarten-2nd grade (original size), 3-7th grade (panino), 11 & up (tapas size).
Pick your Size & Color
Large Bento
Build charcuterie-style lunches inside this larger 5-compartment bento lunchbox.
Affordable, dishwasher-safe, and practical for kids of all ages. Drawback: not the best option for sandwiches or wraps.
Available in classic and bright colors.
Grab a 4-Pack
blue lunch container with veggies, fruits, snacks and pasta
Omie Box – Hot + Cold Foods!
The built-in thermos insert is perfect for sending your kids' favorite warm meals or cold foods (like yogurt) to school without worrying about ice packs or a separate container.
Remove it, and use that space for sandwiches, cold pasta salads, and more!It's sturdy and high quality, so it will last! Hand wash only.
Available in 4 colors.
Check Amazon
All-Day Food + Ice-Pack!
The Lunchblox makes packing food for the day easy.
One large compartment at the bottom for sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more and multiple containers for snacks and sides on top.
The locking, built-in ice pack keeps everything in place inside a lunch bag. Great for bigger kids, 11 and up!
Check Amazon
Bigger Bento Box
Bentgo Pop lets you pack more food, so it's great for kids ages 8 and up.
It's leakproof + microwave-safe, and the 3 compartments can handle anything from yogurt to goldfish, juicy fruit, sandwiches, and wraps.
Available in 4 colors.
Check Amazon
Screw-Cap Dip & Sauces
The easiest way to pack salad dressings and dips without the mess!
Fits inside all bento boxes, it's dishwasher-safe, and holds 2 tablespoons inside. I recommend these to everyone.
One color option.
I Need These!
Stainless Dips
A durable and affordable option to pack salad dressings and dips.
Fits inside all bento boxes, dishwasher-safe, and holds 2 tablespoons inside.
I recommend these to everyone but make sure younger kids learn to seal the top bac on.
6 or 8 pack.
Grab yours Here!
by Laura Fuentes
onAugust 16, 2023

If you enjoyed the article, please share it with others. Thank you!

More School Lunchbox Containers & Supplies

  • a collage of the Best Lidded Dip Containers for Packed Lunches
    How to Pack Condiments and Dips for School Lunches
  • collage of toddler lunch boxes
    Best Toddler Lunch Boxes and Supplies
  • a collage of five refillable apple sauce poaches
    Best Refillable Applesauce & Smoothie Pouches for Kids
  • collage of lunch containers and water bottles for teenage girls
    Lunch Boxes for Teenage Girls

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




laura fuentes momables holding a lunch bag and lunch boxes

My name is Laura Fuentes
I’m here to help you simplify school lunches with fresh ideas your kids will actually eat.

Mom of 3. Certified in Integrative Nutrition. 5x Cookbook Author.

school lunch ideas! →

Fresh Favorites

  • collage o f four bento boxes
    Bento Boxes for Kids’ Lunches 101
  • stack of homemade PBJ uncrustables
    DIY Frozen Uncrustables
  • Quick Pepperoni Sandwich Recipe
  • a collage of healthy school lunch ideas for teens
    Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Teens

Popular Now

  • blue thermos with macaroni and cheese soup with vegetables
    How to Use a Thermos
  • an image collage of six peanut butter sandwich ideas
    Peanut Butter Sandwich Ideas
  • an image collage of healthy alternatives to lunchables
    Healthy Alternatives to Lunchables
  • Top Thermos Lunch Box Containers for Kids

 

Gold Bee – Pure Natural Products & Supplements for Sale

Gold Bee – CBD Gummies

Gold Bee – CBD Oil for Sale

Gold Bee – CBD Products

Footer

Lunchbox Builder

Download here!

Healthy Lunches

  • School Lunches
  • 101 Lunch Ideas eBook
  • Thermos Lunches
  • What's a Bento?

Resources

  • Contact
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • YouTube Channel

Privacy | Permissions | Membership Terms

COPYRIGHT © 2025 LAURA FUENTES

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required