Best Kids' Lunchboxes for Back to School: Side-by-Side Comparison

A side-by-side comparison of the top-selling lunch boxes that we have experience with:

I have been making lunches for 14 years and I’ve learned a thing or two. Here are the lunch boxes that we use and have used for a long time. I am giving you the pros and cons of each.


PLANET BOX

  • Sturdy and lasts forever

  • Dishwasher Safe

  • Leak Proof

  • Makes packing lunches really easy- just fill the compartments, no fiddling with lids and wraps.

  • Does not fit a standard lunch box case. You have to order theirs.

  • It is simple to control portion size and add variety.

  • Very Pricey. I would be very upset if this got lost. I held off on buying one for many, many years for this reason. Now I have one for each kid.

THE YUMBOX LUNCHBOX

Screen Shot 2019-07-25 at 11.07.05 AM.png
  • Super easy to open and close for even the littlest hands.

  • Compartments are completely airtight and I have never had a leaking issue.

  • Makes packing lunches really easy- just fill the compartments, no fiddling with lids and wraps.

  • It is simple to control portion size and add variety.

  • Comes apart easily and all goes right in the dishwasher.

  • Fits inside a standard lunchbox case.

  • This is the lunch box I reach for time and time again.

  • The only con here is that it is too small for my 13 year old. (He would bring the entire refrigerator if he could).

OMIEBOX HOT AND COLD BENTO LUNCHBOX

Screen+Shot+2019-07-25+at+11.08.22+AM.jpg
  • Multi temperature compartments with the use of the insulated thermos insert allows you to take warm and cold food in the same bento lunchbox.

  • The sections are custom, so you can remove the thermos leaving room for a large sandwich instead.

  • Fits a standard lunchbox case OR you can take it on it’s own using the handle. It is insulated, so you don’t need to add ice packs. The side compartment fits a juice box well.

  • Durable. We have had these lunchboxes for YEARS and they’ve been dragged and dropped. The might look a little worse for the wear but they still work great.

  • Dishwasher safe on the top rack.

  • The Thermos is only keeps food hot or cold for four hours, making it ideal for half-day preschoolers, but not so great when lunch time is after that time frame.

  • I love that you can customize the smaller compartments, but I don’t love that they are not leak proof.

EASY LUNCHBOX

Screen Shot 2019-07-25 at 11.10.51 AM.png
  • Inexpensive and durable. These were the first bento we ever used, and we continue to use them today.

  • I am not upset if they get lost because they aren’t as expensive as the other bento boxes we own.

  • They fit easily in a standard lunchbox case.

  • You can add these silicon muffin liners to make more sections in the large compartment.

  • Holds a sandwich with room.

  • The plastic discolors over time and needs to be replaced.

  • They are hand-washable. The dishwasher will warp them… I speak from experience.

  • The compartments are not leakproof.

FAVORITE LUNCHBOXES AND ACCESORIES

Click the button below for all of our tried and true lunch box and snack accessories. If you reached into our cabinet, this is exactly what you would find.

*These are affiliate links, meaning that I get a small kickback from Amazon, but it costs you nothing.


Check Out Our Ebooks!

PlayPlanMockup2-01.png

THE PLAY PLAN

The Play Plan is an ebook containing play invitations that are easy to set up, inexpensive, and apply children of all ages. The 25 play prompts are divided into five categories and use  items that you most likely already have at home. These play prompts consider children of all ages, all developmental stages, and all learning capabilities. Each prompt can be tailored to fit your unique child’s needs. Play is meant to be simple.

$28

QTIPMockUp_smallfile.png

QUIET TIME AND INDEPENDENT PLAY EBOOK

This downloadable ebook is your personal guide to Quiet Time and Independent Play.  This ebook will teach you the basic steps to implementing a Quiet Time and Independent Play strategy that works. The guide teaches you my proven 5 step method for implementing a daily break without using screens. (Guide includes 5 bonus invitations to play.)

$27