August 9, 2018
updated
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Packing healthy school lunches is a breeze when you have the right lunch box for the job!
And while lunch boxes can be made of plastic or stainless steel; all parents agree that having multiple compartments in one lunch box is key for packing lunches fast!
The list of recommended lunch boxes below is updated yearly -and I’ve tested a lot since I’ve been sharing fresh school lunch ideas on this website since 2010!
Compartmentalized lunch boxes are perfect for packing multiple ingredients while minimizing the number of containers in the lunch bag. Some are fully leak-proof, others are not, it just depends on the ingredients you add to the bento lunch.
Need an ice pack for your lunchbox? Read about my top picks here!
Stainless steel lunch boxes are great for separating foods but are not leak-proof. While they’re a bit more expensive than their plastic counterparts, they’re built to last.
If you have multiple kids, pick a different one for each kid for longevity and flexibility.
More lunchboxes for Kindergarteners here!
Now that you have the right lunch containers, it’s time to fill them up with delicious food from my ebook, 101 Packed Lunches.
This video showcases some of the lunch boxes and explains the differences:
Sissi
Im struggling searching for a container that keeps the food hot and have compartments.. if you can help me you will save my life
MOMables - Laura
Hi Sissi, it looks like the Omie Box is what you are looking for. It has compartments and a removable thermos, so you can pack both hot and cold foods in one container. I hope this helps!
Sara franklin
Can you recommend a container that is also easy for kids to open? I got the easy lunchboxes, but the tabs broke off and they cracked about halfway through the school year. I bought sturdier Tupperware brand containers, but they were too hard for my kids to open. Help!
MOMables - Laura
Hi Sara, I’ve had EasyLunchboxes for years. Did you buy the brand name? Perhaps the Amazon brand? those knockoffs the tabs break. None-the-less, maybe opt for stainless steel (the Lunchbots) or the Yumbox.
Isla H Hunt
hi what lunch boxes do your kids use?
im 14
MOMables-Laura
Hi Isla, my family uses all of the options in this post, especially the EasyLunchBoxes. Those are a keeper.