“As with most products geared toward kids, lunch boxes should be durable, easy to clean, and easy to transport,” says Cristie Besu, a certified sports nutritionist and founder of Eat Me Guilt Free. Our list includes a variety of designs and features to guarantee that your child will want to carry their lunch box around proudly and that its contents will stay fresh and safe throughout the day. We carefully considered design, material, ease of use, size, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products. From the cutest school bus lunch box for toddlers to teenage-approved designs, here are the best lunch boxes for kids of all ages. This six-piece set from Bentgo earns our top spot because it includes essential items for lunchtime: a multi-compartment lunch container, a lunch bag, and four matching ice packs. Available in a variety of stylish designs, like unicorns and rocket ships, the Bentgo lunch bag is lightweight and doubly insulated, so lunches stay fresh all day long. An exterior zippered pocket holds napkins or utensils, while ice packs fit inside the interior mesh pocket. For a hands-free option, the lunch bag also features an adjustable carrying strap for crossbody or shoulder portability. Plus, two D-hooks on the front of the lunch bag allow it to attach to a backpack with ease. Price at time of publication: $93 Material: Stainless steel, plastic, and silicone | Cleaning instructions: Hand wash only, dishwasher not recommended Price at time of publication: $30 Material: Polyester | Cleaning instructions: Hand washing preferred The lunch box is made with polyester and nylon, and it features reinforced zippers to ensure durability. A thermal leak-proof lining on the inside keeps food and drinks hot or cold. Price at time of publication: $31 Material: Polyester and nylon | Cleaning instructions: Wipe inside down with damp cloth The box completely disassembles for easy cleaning. It is top-rack dishwasher-safe, but the brand recommends hand washing. It’s made of stainless steel and food-safe plastic and silicone that’s free of BPA, phthalates, vinyl, lead, and PVC. Price at time of publication: $48 Material: Stainless steel, plastic, and silicone | Cleaning instructions: Hand wash only, dishwasher not recommended They lay flat and can be thrown into the washing machine to clean. Also, while these bags are on the smaller side, they still have enough room to hold a water bottle along with lunch. Price at time of publication: $28 Material: Neoprene | Cleaning instructions: Machine washable Price at time of publication: $45 Material: Coated fabric (specific fabric not listed) | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean Price at time of publication: $24 Material: Polyester and polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) | Cleaning instructions: Thoroughly wipe or hand wash the interior, spot clean the exterior, and dry completely before freezing To save space inside, the water bottle holder is on the outside. The bag also includes a removable ice pack that fastens inside. Even better, Pottery Barn has a full collection of lunch boxes and accessories to complete the lineup. Price at time of publication: $29 for classic Material: Polyester | Cleaning instructions: Spot clean with damp, white cloth The height can be adjusted and the bag is quite roomy—it can fit a water bottle and lunch with snacks at its tallest point. Price at time of publication: $18 Material: Cotton, paraffin wax, all-natural beeswax | Cleaning instructions: Hand wash with damp cloth, but do not soak or use soap The 10-ounce capacity is a good size for children and the rubber lid is easy for little hands to open and close. To maximize heat retention, warm the thermos with hot tap water or boiling water before putting your lunch entree in it. Price at time of publication: $17 Material: Stainless steel | Cleaning instructions: Hand wash (preferred), or top-rack dishwasher safe The lightweight lunch box is made from durable polyester that’s safe for spot cleaning only. You can choose from 13 different colors and designs, and you can also personalize the lunch box with a name, monogram, initials, or embroidery with the thread color of your choice. Price at time of publication: $23 for red Material: Polyester | Cleaning instructions: Spot clean only Price at time of publication: $20 Material: Canvas | Cleaning instructions: Not listed Price at time of publication: $13 Material: Polyester | Cleaning Instructions: Spot clean Price at time of publication: $20 Material: Polyester | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean interior, hand wash exterior Price at time of publication: $13 Material: Stain-resistant fabric (not specified) | Cleaning Instructions: Not listed Price at time of publication: $25 Material: Pack cloth | Cleaning instructions: Not listed For a simple option that can store all of your child’s food while keeping it cool throughout the day, the L.L. Bean expandable Lunch box is durable and will last throughout the school year. We also consulted with Cristie Besu, a certified sports nutritionist and founder of Eat Me Guilt Free, and DJ Mazzoni RD, MS, CDN, CSCS, a New York-based registered dietician, for more information. Additionally, we reviewed guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on food safety basics, including best food storage practices.
What to Look for in Lunch Boxes for Kids
Size
Before buying, think about how much room you’ll need for your child’s food items. If you want to be able to fit a bento box, an ice pack, and a water bottle inside a lunch box or bag, you will need a larger option. However, a larger lunch box may be too bulky for kids to carry and tough to fit inside a backpack or locker. Typically, older kids can get by with a smaller lunch box as they don’t need to pack several snacks for the entire day, while toddlers may need an option that can hold breakfast, lunch, and snacks. “Ultimately you want to get something that caters to your child’s eating habits while also making your life simpler,” Besu explains. “I like the LunchBots brand, which has different size options that can be easily tucked into your child’s current favorite themed/color lunch box. Those tend to be changed out yearly but these containers will last for a while. Bentgo is another popular brand. They are made from BPA-free plastic and come in fun colors.”
Functionality
What works for someone else may not work for your family, depending on what you typically pack for your child’s lunch. A bento box style gives your child lots of snack options, but doesn’t work well for perishable foods. An insulated box with room for an ice pack is better if temperature is a high priority for you. It’s also important that your child can open and close all their lunch and snack containers independently. Be sure to show them how, and practice at home before they bring the lunch box to school.
Cost
A single lunch box that can last a whole school year is important for some families, whereas others may prefer to have a few reusable boxes. Most options are priced between $20 and $25, but there are a few great budget-friendly choices available as well.
Material
Mazzoni recommends a plastic-free lunch box if possible, adding that there are other options for families who want to go plastic-free. “Silicone, stainless steel, and aluminum are all safe options. The chemicals that make plastics soft, called plasticizers, can leach into food, and developing bodies are especially sensitive to them,” he says. You’ll also want to make sure that the lunch box is easy to clean. “While food doesn’t typically interact with the inner lining of a lunch box, kids are messy, so it’s best to assume it will,” Mazzoni says. Additionally, he recommends avoiding a glass-style lunch container. “While this is an eco-friendly option, it presents too much of an injury risk were the child to drop it.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Deanna McCormack is a writer, copywriter, and creative consultant who specializes in beauty, parenting, and lifestyle products. A lunch box can be sanitized by taking out all the food and wrappers, and then wiping it clean with warm, soapy water. Let air dry before filling it again. Some lunch boxes can also go in the dishwasher or even be laundered in the washing machine. Check the label for washing instructions, as ideal cleaning methods vary among products. Besu is also in favor of insulated lunch boxes: “I personally like to have the option to keep things warm or cool, so I would opt for one with insulation.” As for storing her lunches, she opts for specific containers. “I am a big fan of the bento box style containers with dividers because it’s an easy way for me to portion out food,” she says. “There are several on the market made from different materials. I tend to gravitate toward the ones made from metal as they do a better job of insulating, are easier to clean, and last longer—not to mention it’s one less piece of plastic.” Items like fruit, nut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, pretzels, crackers, dried fruit, and jerky all keep well. Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism and helping others led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. When she’s not writing and researching, you’ll likely find her outdoors with her husband and their thrill-seeking toddler son.
