A good thermos can be a lifesaver when it comes to packing a healthy school lunch. Finding the right thermos container for kids? Not so easy.
In this post, you’ll find 8 thermos containers that will help you utilize leftovers and pack lunches like a pro! I included thermos for kids of all ages and even 2 that keep the food hot and have a wide opening like this one!
Nowadays, nearly all thermos containers are double-walled and made of stainless steel. You’ll also find them as “insulated food jars” since “Thermos” is a brand.
If a food container is made out of plastic but promises to keep food hot, don’t waste your money. The containers below have been tested by many parents and will last a long time.
Kids Thermos for Food
If you’re looking for a thermos to put food in that keeps hot food hot for hours and cold until lunchtime, below are our tested and most loved thermos containers.
Hydrapeak Wide Mouth Thermos
Features & Price
I recommend the 18oz size.
- Wide opening that makes it easy to access the food (favorite feature).
- Holds 18oz of food, perfect for big and small kids.
- Keeps food hot for up to 10 hours.
- Keeps food cold for up to 16 hours.
- Durable & has a lifetime guarantee.
- Odor-free & top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Price: $20
*the most affordable wide-opening thermos.
Thermos Foogo
Thermos Funtainer
Features & Price
- Holds 10 ounces (about 1.5 cups) of food.
- Keeps hot for up to 5 hours.
- Keeps cold for up to 7 hours.
- KID-FRIENDLY.
- Easy to fill and eat out of.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Solid colors & characters.
- Price: $15
If you’re relatively new to packing lunches inside a thermos container, read this post that explains how long food stays good in a thermos.
Stanley Classic
Features & Price
- Holds 18 ounces (2+ cups) of food, perfect for bigger appetites!
- Keeps hot for up to 12 hours.
This is the best-performing container in our tests. - Keeps cold for up to 12 hours.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Deeper than most thermoses.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Stainless steel color only.
- Price: $22
Lunchbots Wide-Mouth
Features & Price
- Holds 16 ounces (2 cups) of food, perfect for bigger appetites!
- Keeps hot for up to 5 hours.
- Keeps cold for up to 5 hours.
- The wider opening is easier to eat out of.
- The wider opening = harder to open & close for smaller hands.
- Handwash only.
- Comes in 4 colors.
- Price: $32-$36
Watch this video to see my favorite hot food thermoses for kids reviewed and in action!
Lunchbots Thermal Food Jar
Features & Pricing
- Holds 16 ounces (2 cups) of food, perfect for bigger
- Triple-wall insulation is perfect for hot and cold foods.
- Keeps hot for up to 6 hours.
- Keeps cold for up to 16 hours.
- Dishwasher safe.
- 3 colors.
- Price: $18-20
Mira Food Jars
Features & Pricing
- Available in 9oz and 14oz (1 cup & 1 ¾ cups).
- Perfect for kids of all ages.
- KID-FRIENDLY & easy open.
- Keeps hot for 5 hours.
- Keeps cold for 10 hours.
- Comes in a variety of colors.
- Price: $15-$18
Thermos Lunch Box: All-in-One
Tired of sending multiple containers in the lunch bag? This thermos lunchbox has it all! Compartments and a built-in thermos container kids love.
Omiebox Hot & Cold
Features & Pricing
- All-in-one lunchbox with a built-in thermos.
- Keeps food hot up to 4 hours.
- Ultimate flexibility for packing cold and hot foods in the same lunch.
- It can be used with or without the thermos insert.
- Handwash & dishwasher safe.
- Perfect for younger kids.
- Price: $45
Check out our top lunch boxes comparison
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child's lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
Keeping Food Hot for 7 Hours
If your food is not staying hot in the thermos container for more than 7 hours or until lunchtime, make sure you are using the thermos to its full potential.
Amanda says
Hi! Regarding the Lunchbots thermos: I love it! My daughter has already used it for two school years (kindergarten and grade 1) and it is in great condition. She did not find it hard to open (even with little kindergarten hands). I just make sure that I do not twist the lid on too tightly. I fill with boiling water for a minute, dump out the water and then add the hot food and it is still nice and warm for lunchtime. I also very often put yoghurt in there. While the manufacturer’s instructions may say not to put in dishwasher you definitely can put the bottom piece in. I do it all the time and as I mentioned, it is in great condition. I hand wash the top piece, but that’s just a flick! I think I will actually order the size up (1 1/2 cups) for my grade 2 daughter now, and give the smaller 1 cup one to my little one starting kindergarten.
SHUMAILA says
Hi
Which lunchbox exactly you bought for your daughter?