Back-to-school season means it’s time to find the best lunch box for kids. One that’s durable, easy to clean, and actually keeps lunch fresh until the bell rings. Whether you’re shopping for a preschooler, elementary school student, or tween, choosing the right kids’ lunch box can make lunchtime something your child looks forward to.
To help narrow down the options, we’ve rounded up the best lunch boxes for kids, including insulated lunch bags, leakproof bento lunch boxes, and smart accessories that make packing school lunches a breeze.
This school year, we have you covered with the best lunch box roundup plus tools that make this task a little easier and a lot more fun for everyone!
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How We Chose the Best Lunch Boxes and Accessories
With so many lunch boxes, insulated lunch bags, and bento lunch boxes on the market, it can be hard to know which one is worth buying. The best lunch box shouldn’t leak, squish fruit, or leave sandwiches soggy by lunchtime. It should keep food cold or warm, fit easily in a backpack, and be simple to wipe clean after a busy school day. And let’s be honest, it also has to look cute enough that your child is excited to carry it and that it fits in their backpack!
Whether your child prefers everything separated or needs plenty of room for larger portions, there’s an option here for every age and lunchtime routine.
A great lunch box is only part of the equation. Pair it with reusable ice packs, leakproof food containers, reusable utensils, and water bottles, and you’ll have a school lunch setup that makes busy mornings much less stressful.
To find the best lunch boxes this year we evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Leakproof design: Prevents spills and keeps backpacks and lunch bags mess-free.
- Insulation: Keeps cold foods cold and warm foods warm until lunchtime.
- Durability: Built to withstand daily drops, bumps, and a full school year of use.
- Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe components or smooth surfaces that wipe clean quickly.
- Right size: Fits comfortably inside a backpack while holding enough food for your child’s age and appetite.
- Kid-friendly closures: Easy for little hands to open and close independently.
- Thoughtful compartments: Helps keep foods separated and prevents sandwiches, fruit, and snacks from getting squished.
- Safe materials: Made from BPA-free, food-safe materials for everyday use.
- Fun designs: Colors and patterns kids are excited to carry to school.
- Value: High-quality construction that lasts for multiple school years and is worth the investment.
Lunch Boxes & Lunch Bags
The high-density thermal insulation included in this lunch box will keep your child’s food and drinks super cold. Plus, this option features a hard liner designed to keep soft foods separate from hard containers.
10+ colors and patterns available
You can always count on Bentgo for all your lunch box needs, including this bag that has double insulation, water-resistant fabric, and a thermal compartment.
30 colors and patterns available
This Hydroflask lunch box makes clean-up easier with a fully-lined interior. It comes in multiple colors and is easy for your little ones to carry around at school with an adjustable handle.
3 colors available
This classic lunch box comes in lots of great colors and is durable for the school year. The inside has enough room for hard containers and an outer pocket for things like utensils.
10 colors available
option to personalize
This lunch box features an insulated and wipeable interior, an easy-to-clean exterior, and the most adorable patterns to choose from.
40+ c0lors and patterns available
With various designs and colors—plus a personalization option—your child can make this handy lunch box uniquely their own. It also comes in a mini size for your littlest ones (or for snacks!).
30+ colors and patterns available
This lunch box from Amazon comes in a bunch of cute patterns and has enough room to fit all of your kid’s yummy lunch items without being too bulky. It’s made of a neoprene material to keep food insulated until lunchtime.
10+ colors and patterns available
This ultra-durable lunch bag is both roomy and adorable for your little ones! Plus, it’s water-resistant, easy to clean, and has a mesh pocket on the inside.
option to personalize
This eco-friendly lunch box is a great option for older kids or for any child that likes things more minimal.
10 + colors and patterns available
Built with space for lunch, snacks, and their water bottle, your kiddo will love the adorable patterns on this lunch bag. The main compartment is also super easy to wipe clean!
10+ colors and patterns available
This insulated lunch bag features the classic LEGO brick shaping kids know and love. With a mesh pocket inside, it will fit all the snacks your kiddos need to get through the day.
7 colors available
This insulated lunch bag has a back pocket for utensils and snacks, a mesh pocket on the inside, and a roomy main compartment that is easily wiped clean.
7 colors available
Bento Lunch Boxes
An editor-favorite for preschoolers and early-elementary students, the Bentgo lunch box features five compartments that are perfectly designed for kids. Plus, it’s also leak-proof so your little ones don’t have to worry about spilling while carrying it around.
Read our full review of Bentgo lunch boxes here!
30+ colors and patterns available
This jumbo bento lunch box is designed to fit a full, well-balanced meal for older kids or any with a bigger appetite. It has a silicone stretch feature, leak-proof compartments, and includes a large, easy-grip clip.
10+ colors and patterns available
Ideal for smaller meals, this mini lunch box is the perfect size to hold snacks or toddler lunches. And you won’t have to worry about spillage!
10+ colors available
A highly-rated bento box for young kids, the OmieBox can help keep food hot and cold in the same lunch box. Plus, it’s designed to be easily opened by little hands.
7 colors available
Billed as the only lunch box you’ll ever need thanks to its stainless steel construction, Planet Box lunch boxes are dishwasher-safe and offer a five-year guarantee. The Shuttle Box is the smallest of their lunch boxes, which makes it perfect for preschoolers.
10 colors and patterns available
This container has five compartments to make packing meals easy as ever. And to make it even better, it includes stainless steel toddler utensils that snap directly into the lid for easy storage.
2 colors available
You’ll never have to worry about a lunch spill again with this durable, leak-proof bento box. You can easily slip a cold pack inside, and it has a removable insert that makes for hassle-free cleaning.
10 colors and patterns available
Bentgo really is worth all the hype it gets! Their divided lunch box is perfect for older kids and adults, and will keep everything organized all day long.
6 colors available
Another divided lunch box made to store what kids actually eat: a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to clean.
10+ colors and patterns available
Lunch Box Accessories
These durable stainless steel containers come in a pack of five different sizes to fit everything you need inside.
5 colors available
Whether hot or cold, the Thermos Funtainer will keep food secure and ready to eat. It keeps food hot for up to five hours and cold for up to seven hours. The exterior also stays cold no matter what’s inside.
30+ colors and patterns available
Grab a sandwich bag kiddos can use again and again, eliminating the need for plastic baggies.
This thermos is easy to pack, and it has enough room to fit an entire meal! Plus, it comes with a spoon, so there won’t be any stress if you forget to pack utensils.
10+ colors available
Perfect for munching on-the-go, this mini snack box can easily travel with them to make snacking hassle-free.
10+ colors and patterns available
This two-piece silverware set is perfect for traveling from home to school. It comes with a small storage case that you can easily stick in your child’s lunch bag before they head out the door.
4 colors available
This kid-friendly utensil set features non-toxic stainless steel, a stackable design, and is super lightweight.
4 colors and patterns available
Ice packs, but make it fun! This pack of small ice packs will help keep your kid’s food cold until it’s time to eat, and are available in multiple fun shapes!
8 styles available
Create more space in their lunch box by adding these convenient multi-purpose snack containers in the mix. They can also store dipping sauces!
Lunch time has never been easier than with this reusable sandwich pouch that allows you to pack a nutritious meal everyday without needing single-use plastic wrap or bags.
3 colors available
Elevate your lunch box game by placing a sweet and inspiring message for your little one to open at lunch time. Trust us: it’ll make their day!
10+ styles available
Each of these 500 notes is unique and funny, perfect to add to your kiddo’s lunch box to make them smile and laugh. The back of each note also includes a blank space for a personalized note.
These adorable cutters can help shape fruits, veggies, cookies, and biscuits for your kiddos’ school lunches. They can even help you with the prep!
2 colors available
With 24 reusable silicone dividers and animal food picks, this set will make daily lunch packing an organized (and headache free) experience.
If your kids are anything like me, they love their sandwiches in a fun shape! This cutter and sealer set will help you take the crusts off, shape, and pack their sandwiches easily.
These dual sided snack containers are tightly sealed and easy to throw in a lunch bag for a long day at school. They’re also great for storing dipping sauces!
2 styles available
For their fruits, veggies, or chips, this spinning snack container is your next go-to organizational hack. It will encourage your kids to enjoy every part of their meal.
5 colors available
Best Kids Lunch Boxes FAQs
What is the best lunch box for kids?
The best lunch box for kids is one that’s durable, leakproof, easy to clean. Many parents prefer insulated lunch bags for keeping food fresh, while bento lunch boxes are a great option for separating different foods and reducing the need for disposable containers.
Are bento lunch boxes worth it?
Yes, bento lunch boxes are worth it for many families. They’re reusable, reduce waste, and can encourage picky eaters to try a greater variety of foods.
How do you keep a school lunch cold?
To keep a school lunch cold, use an insulated lunch bag along with one or reusable ice packs. Packing refrigerated foods straight from the fridge and freezing items like yogurt tubes or juice boxes overnight can also help keep everything chilled until lunchtime.
What size lunch box does my child need?
Preschoolers and younger elementary students usually do well with compact lunch boxes or smaller bento containers, while older kids and tweens often need larger lunch boxes with extra room for bigger portions and additional snacks.
What should I pack in a kids lunch box?
Sandwiches, wraps, pasta salad, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, sliced vegetables, crackers, and homemade muffins are all popular options. But in reality, add items your child will actually eat!
How often should you replace a lunch box?
A high-quality lunch box can last several school years with proper care. However, it’s time to replace it if the insulation no longer keeps food at a safe temperature, the zipper or closures stop working, leaks develop, or mold, odors, or stains can’t be removed completely.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
Alina Orozco, Commerce Editor
Alina Orozco is the Commerce Editor at The Everymom, where she combines her editorial experience with a love for finding products that make everyday life easier and more stylish. To The Everymom, Alina brings over 10+ years of editorial publishing and digital storytelling experience, as well as snippets of her real-life mom style, making fashion trends accessible and fun for every mom. She now lives in a cozy beach town in Southern California with her husband and their two boys, but she’ll always be a Philly girl at heart.
Feature graphic image credited to Amazon. Products included in graphics linked within the article.
