Raising Kids Toddlers & Preschoolers Feeding & Nutrition School Lunch The 7 Best Lunch Boxes for Kids It’s time to ditch the brown paper bags! These top-rated lunch boxes will keep your kid’s food cold throughout the school day. By Nicole Harris Nicole Harris Instagram Nicole Harris is the Editor at Parents. She joined the team in 2018 as a Staff Writer and was promoted to SEO Editor in 2021. She now covers everything from children's health to parenting trends. Nicole's writing has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Good Housekeeping, The Knot, BobVila.com, and other publications. A graduate of Syracuse University, Nicole currently lives in New Jersey with her husband. our editorial guidelines Published on June 17, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Does your student prefer bringing packed lunches to the cafeteria? They should have a reusable container that lasts throughout the academic year, whether they're in preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school. Lunch boxes have many benefits over brown paper bags. For starters, they're more sustainable; if your child uses a paper bag for every school lunch, you'll contribute 180 of them to your local landfill by summer. Some containers also have features to keep food cold—like insulated liners and ice pack pockets— so you don't need to worry about warm vegetables or spoiled sandwiches. Getty Images. 8 Healthy Packed Lunches Your Kid Will Actually Finish What's more, many lunch boxes today come in adorable designs and patterns, ranging from dinosaurs to butterflies to camo. Your child can choose one that expresses their personality, which might make them more excited to eat the healthy meals you pack (fingers crossed!) The Best Lunch Boxes for Kids Are you in the market for a new lunch box? To help you find the best lunch box for kids, we rounded up seven highly-rated options from multiple retailers. Our top picks keep food cold throughout the day, and they're also spacious and durable—perfect for withstanding bumpy bus rides! 01 of 07 1. PACKIT Freezable Lunch Bag with Zip Closure Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW Non-toxic freezable gel is added right into the walls of this lunch box, so when you stash it into the freezer overnight, the entire container freezes! The built-in ice packs will keep sandwiches, prepared meals, and produce cold throughout the school day. It's available in lots of designs and should fit any kid's taste. 02 of 07 2. Bentgo Kids Children's Lunch Box Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW Recommended for kids ages 3 to 7 years old, this leak-proof bento box has five separate compartments to store food. You can safely put the removable compartment trays into the microwave and dishwasher. 03 of 07 3. Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Classic Lunch Bag Courtesy of Amazon. Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW No matter your child's style, there's a Mackenzie lunch box to match it! Choose from multiple patterns, including hearts, glitter, trucks, unicorns, glow-in-the-dark solar systems, and more. The spacious lunch box holds enough food for the hungriest students, and the molded interior allows for easy cleaning. As a bonus, you can get the lunch box personalized! 04 of 07 4. L.L.Bean Insulated Lunch Box Courtesy of L.L.Bean BUY NOW Keep your kid's lunch cool with this insulated lunch box, which boasts a BPA- and PVC-free lining and a mesh pocket for ice packs. Although there's plenty of room inside, the lightweight lunch box is easily portable—and it's made with the same packcloth nylon material as L.L.Bean's durable backpacks! 05 of 07 5. Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box Bag Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW You can't deny the cuteness of this lunch box for kids, which comes in patterns such as butterflies, ballerinas, horses, dinosaurs, camo, and fish. The simple design—with an interior mesh pouch and a zippered front pocket—is ideal for preschoolers or elementary school students. Parents also approve of the wipe-clean surfaces and insulated interior. 06 of 07 6. Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW This Bentology lunch box comes with everything you need: an insulated tote bag, a bento set with five containers, lids that resist leaks, and an ice pack. You can rest assured knowing that all components are made without lead, BPA, PVC, or phthalates, and it's available in six different styles! 07 of 07 7. Skip Hop Kids Lunch Box Courtesy of Amazon BUY NOW If you have a toddler or preschooler, you can't go wrong with the zoo-themed Skip Hop Kids Lunch Boxes! They have a spacious main compartment, insulated wipe-clean interior, and a top handle for easy carrying. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit