The Best School Lunch Boxes for 2024

Check out these highly recommended lunch boxes for school in 2024! Let us help you choose the perfect lunch box for your child’s needs. Find durable, eco-friendly stylish, and practical solutions.

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Why the Right Lunch Box Matters

Choosing the right lunch box is crucial for keeping your child’s meals fresh, organized, and appealing which ultimately leads to your child actually eating the lunch you pack. GOALS! Here we’ll explore everything you need to know about picking the best lunch boxes for school in 2024. Let’s dive in and find the perfect lunchbox for your little one (or maybe not so little anymore one).

Freshness and safety

Making sure you choose a lunch box that will keep food cold and fresh is one of the most important things. If your kid gets to lunchtime, but their food has been sitting in a warm cubby, it won’t taste as good and could also be harmful since bacteria grows quickly in warm environments! Make sure you consider the following when choosing which lunch box is best for your little one!

• High end insulation and freezer packs
• Quality materials that don’t quickly grow/harbor bacteria
• Compartmentalizing food in a lunch box is great for helping keep food separate and fresh.
• Leak-resistance is important for any age, but especially school age children!
• Better quality materials usually means fresher food! You want your food to stay as yummy as when you packed it.

Influence on eating habits

• Portion Control: Compartmentalized lunch boxes like bento style boxes help with balanced meal planning and appropriate serving sizes
• Food Variety: Offering compartmentalized boxes like bento style boxes encourage packing more variety in foods which will likely lead to a more balanced diet.
• Visual Appeal: An organized, attractive lunch presentation can make healthier foods more appealing to kids, making even. the pickiest eaters more willing to try new things!
• Independence: Easy-to-open lunch boxes and storage containers promotes confidence by allowing kids the control of their own lunches.
• Mindful Eating: Selecting a compartmentalized lunch box like bento style boxes is a great way to slow down eating and help remind kids to be more mindful of their eating habits.

Environmental considerations

By packing a homemade lunch with eco-conscious containers and lunch boxes, you actually are making a positive impact on our environment! See just a few specific ways below!

• Helps reduce waste by re-using instead of purchasing disposable bags and containers.
• Many popular lunch boxes are made with sustainable materials such as silicone, stainless steel, or bamboo.
• Encourages homemade meals which in turn reduces the consumption of highly processed foods.

Cost-effectiveness

As seen in the section above, choosing a durable and sustainable lunch box can actually save money in the long run by reducing the need to purchase single use materials for lunches. A single durable lunch box can last years, meaning you don’t have to keep investing in a new lunch box every time a new school year starts. Keeping food fresh for longer also helps to eliminate food waste, meaning less money on tossed goods! It may seem like a heft investment at first, but when you weigh the pros and cons, durable and eco-friendly lunch boxes are actually cost-effective when chosen wisely!

Key Features to Look for in a School Lunch Box

Insulation

Good insulation means your child’s food is staying fresh longer! This is a must for health as well as enjoyable food. Who want’s squishy or soggy food because it sat out for too long? Not adults, and definitely not kids! Don’t forget to throw in some high quality ice packs as well that will ensure the lunch box stays cold until lunch time rolls around.

Durability and material quality

Higher prices might scare you at first, but it usually signals better quality materials and durability. This is what you want in a lunch box! Consider it an investment for school that can actually pay for itself in the long run by keeping you from buying single-use containers and bags over and over again. Don’t let the price scare you away since a high quality and durable lunch box can easily last you for years!

Size and compartments

Consider the age of your child and what size portions they should be/normally do eat. You don’t want to purchase a lunchbox that encourages you to over-fill with food as this could lead to food waste or overeating. Choosing a lunchbox with separate compartments is great for kids and teens of all ages and can even make lunching more fun!

Ease of cleaning

Choosing an easy-to-clean lunch box and accessories makes packing lunchboxes that much easier. Think about materials that can easily be washed with warm dish soap and water (glass, silicone, stainless steel, etc.) These materials also tend to be durable, so you want to ensure they last as long as they are supposed to by cleaning daily.

Child-friendly designs

Think easy to open and close latches, zippers, tabs, etc. Especially for younger children, it may be very difficult to open things. So, when you are purchasing a lunchbox, make sure they can open it independently. You also want them to be able to close it by themselves. If they do not finish their lunch, we don’t want the remaining food spilling out everywhere! I suggest letting your children practice opening and closing the lunch box itself as well as any containers you may be sending with them. If you find something they struggle with, consider holding off on sending it for their lunch.

Top Lunch Box Types for Different Age Groups

Best lunch box options for elementary school kids

As your little ones go off to school and learn to be more independent, they need lunch boxes that are easy to use/open, durable, and of course, fun! Check out the list below for things to look out for when selecting the right lunchbox for your elementary aged child.

• Bento lunch boxes – these offer separate compartments and is a great way to pack easy-to-eat foods for even the pickiest of eaters. Check out this blog post for creative ways to fill this lunch box!
• Insulated and soft lunch boxes – These help keep food cold and don’t weigh too much so they are great for the littlest ones! You can also purchase fun insulated lunch boxes and place a bento style lunchbox inside to help with temperature control.
• Movie/TV character lunch box – When school is about to start back, Walmart and Target are usually FULL of TV/movie character themed lunch boxes. I still remember my favorite lunch box from kindergarten that had Clifford the Big Red Dog on it. Help your kids get excited about taking their lunch by letting them pick out a design they love! This can also help your child quickly identify which lunch box is theirs in a crowded classroom.
• Easy-to-open – The last thing you want is your child not being able to get into his/her lunch box! Make sure you choose a lunch box that offers easy-to-open latches, tabs or zippers!

Best lunch box options for middle schoolers

• Bigger lunch box – First things first, middle schoolers are hitting those growth spurts which means their appetites are growing too! Keep up with their food intake by offering a larger sized lunchbox that gives them the option of packing a large meal or even multiple snacks.
• Simple design – We all remember those dreaded middle school days where insecurities creep in all too quickly. So instead of flashy colors or favorite movie characters, simple designs are usually a good idea! Again, let your child choose a design that they are comfortable with and will enjoy showing off to their friends (or at least one they don’t feel embarrassed to tote around.)
• Foldable lunch box – The less middle schoolers have to remember, the better! So offering a lunch box that they can just fold up when they are finished and slide it into their backpack is a great option. This way, they are less likely to forget it in their locker at the end of the day. Foldable Bento style lunch boxes are perfect for this.

Trendy and practical lunch box options for high school students

• Eco-Friendly lunch box – Teenagers are starting to enter the age where they are more conscious of the environment around them. Choosing an eco-friendly lunch box and food storage containers is a great way to encourage them to do their part in reducing waste.
• Keep it Simple – Similarly to middle schoolers, the less flashy the better usually. High schoolers are on their way to adulthood, so offer a lunch box design that you as a parent would feel comfortable and proud of taking to work. Adult – style bento boxes are great for this since they offer more room for large appetites and typically come in neutral colors.
• Thermos Options – High schoolers are more likely to enjoy soups or other warm foods like pasta that might be harder for the littles to manage. Packing these soups or pastas in a thermos help keep them warm without needed a microwave.

Eco-Friendly Lunch Box Options

Sustainable materials

Choosing eco-friendly and sustainable lunchboxes and food storage containers is a must! It’s a great way to care for the environment, but also save a few bucks in the process. Who doesn’t want that? Check out the list below for some materials that are generally more sustainable and eco-friendly options.

• Stainless steel
• Food grade and BPA free silicone
• Bamboo
• Compostable materials
• Recycled plastics
• Glass
• Beeswax wraps

Check out this blog post for more detailed information on sustainable products, recommended brands, and further benefits of choosing eco-friendly materials.

Benefits of reusable containers

1. Save Money – You may spend a few extra dollars investing in sustainable food storage containers up front, but these products will likely last you years. So, instead of having to purchase plastic products multiple times, you can re-use your sustainable products and save money over time.
2. Keep Food Fresh for Longer – Glass containers and beeswax wraps keep your food fresh for longer periods of time than plastic. An added bonus is your food doesn’t absorb the taste of the plastic either! This means less food wasted and more money saved again!
3. Health Benefits – Many plastic products contain harmful chemicals which then expose your food to the same harmful chemicals. On the other hand, many sustainable products are made from non-toxic materials, meaning your food (and therefore YOU) are not absorbing those harmful chemicals either. Chemicals don’t seep out of glass and food grade silicone even when hot so you can feel good about using them for many reasons!

Top 4 eco-friendly lunch box and accessory brands

• Bentgo – Bento style lunch boxes with separate compartments for easy meal prep and storage!

• Klean Kanteen – Stainless steel containers and water bottles for kids AND adults.

• Bee’s Wrap – Re-usable storage wrap made from bee’s wax (can be re-used for about a year if properly cared for)

• Stasher – Re-useable silicone bags and storage options

Personalization for a fun lunch box

Customization

Customization is a great way to make a lunchbox tailored to your child’s personal style, but it is also a great way to make it easier to spot their lunchbox in a pile of other lunchboxes in a classroom! (this can be super helpful for the younger littles who may share cubby spaces with other students). Check out the following list of unique options for customizing your child’s lunch box.

• Monogramming – Monogram your child’s name or initials on their lunch box!
• Stickers – let your child get creative by choosing which stickers they want to decorate their lunch box with!
• Name Labels – These could be stick on or iron on labels, but again, it’s a great way to help your child quickly recognize their lunch box. Let them decorate the labels to make them more fun!
• DIY decoration – If you choose a plain lunch box, let your child bring out their inner creativity by decorating their own lunch box with markers, paints, etc.

Popular themes and characters

Looking for a lunchbox that will be the envy of most kids in elementary school?! Try a character themed lunch box! See the list below for some of the most popular characters of 2024.

• Disney Princesses
• Marvel Superheroes
• Minecraft
• Fortnite
• Soul
• Sports Teams
• Nature themes (this is a great option that can grow with your child)

Lunch Box Accessories

Decoration is important, but accessories for ensuring fresh food is something you can’t forget! Take note of the list below to ensure your kiddos have everything they need!

• Re-useable ice packs
• Re-useable utensils (forks, spoons, and kid-friendly knifes)
• Reusable silicone snack bags
• Silicone dividers for easy compartmentilization
• Matching water bottle

For more detailed information on sustainable food storage options to go along with your child’s lunch box, check out this post!

Maintaining and Cleaning Your Child’s Lunch Box

It is important to ensure your child’s lunchbox remains clean! Take a look at my favorite tips below for keeping a clean and healthy lunchbox!

• For most glass, silicone and stainless steel sustainable food storage containers, you can keep them clean using equal parts warm water and white vinegar.
• For tough stains, use baking soda, water and mild dish soap for a deeper clean. Soaking the containers in these cleaning solutions will help release odors and keep them cleaner.
• When washing bamboo lids, DO NOT SOAK. Just wipe off with a cloth dampened with soap and water.
• Replace bamboo products if you notice mold or splintering.
• Replace glass containers if you notice cracks or chips and replace silicone if you notice tears or odors that won’t go away after thorough cleaning.
• Wipe out lunchboxes daily with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly before storing.
• For beeswax wraps, wash with water and a mild dish soap. Make sure you let them dry completely before re-using them or storing. These should last you about a year, but replace if damaged or when they no longer cling to your containers or food.

These tips go a long way in making sure your lunch box and storage containers last as long as they were made to!

Budget-Friendly vs. Premium Lunch Box: What’s Worth It?

Cost & quality

You may see a higher price at first on some lunch boxes and accessories and wonder if it is really worth the investment… But when you think of it as just that, an investment, you may just realize it IS worth it and you might actually end up saving money in the long run! See how below.

• Higher prices often mean the company used better/more sustainable materials that offer durability and will last longer.
• Better materials often include better insulation meaning your food stays fresh for longer.
• Better materials may also mean better design which keeps your foods from leaking all over your lunchbox or backpack.
• It may be a higher price, but if it is a well known brand, you can often get better customer service if you do run into an issue down the road.

If you’re still not sure, read the reviews on some of my favorite items before purchasing. I am that person who reads too many reviews before making a purchase, but sometimes it really pays off! So don’t be afraid to look at what others say, too!

Best value picks for different budgets

If you’re on a tight budget or have a few extra dollars to spend, there is something for everyone! See my favorite options below from a trusted brand!

• Budget Friendly (LESS than $15)
  • Bentgo Kids Tray (Not an actual lunchbox – it is a replacement tray that can be placed in a Bentgo lunchbox, but if you are on a budget, this $10 option is a great place to start! Just toss it in a lunch box you already have lying around or straight into a backpack!)

• Mid Range ($15-$30)
  • Bentgo Kids 5 Compartment & Leakproof lunchbox

• Premium ($30 and up)
  • Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Leak Resistant Lunch Box

• Bentgo insulated lunch bag

Expert Tips for Packing a Nutritious and Appealing Lunch

Balancing nutrition and fun

It doesn’t matter how old your kids are, the more fun a meal looks, the more likely they will be to want to eat it all! Check out some fun ideas below for ways to make healthy foods more fun!

• Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes in whole wheat bread, cucumbers, etc.
• Create themed lunchboxes : For example, you can plan a rainbow day where you incorporate as many colors into the lunchbox as possible. You can also plan themes based on holidays by cutting shapes into the food that represent it, such as using cookie cutters to make heart shaped foods for valentines day.
• Including small treats or notes – My mom wrote notes to me in my lunchbox EVERY day all the way through high school. I still remember it and loved opening my lunch to see what she had written. This is a great way to get kids excited to see what is inside!
• Give kids something to dip – they love it! Let’s be real… adults do too! Think guacamole or hummus for veggies, and yogurt dips for fruit, etc.
• Make it like a homemade lunchable – This is an easy way to get kids involved and interested in their own lunch. Just pack the ingredients you want them to eat and let them assemble it when lunchtime rolls around. For example, you can pack whole grain crackers, cheese, lean proteins and fruits/veggies and let your child put it together.

Creative packing ideas

When it comes to packing a lunch, you want to keep the food itself as interesting and engaging as possible. The more you can do this, the more fun it is for your child to actually eat the food! Who doesn’t want their kid to be excited about eating a home-packed lunch especially if it is made with healthy options?! Keep the following tips in mind when packing your child’s next lunch box!

• Fun colors – try out colorful silicone cupcake liners as food separators.
• Engaging food – Let the kids build their own tacos or dip their fruits and veggies. Let it be interactive! I know my little one loves just about anything that can be dipped so this is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients! Try greek yogurt sweetened with honey or maple syrup for a protein packed fruit dip or hummus and guacamole for veggie dips.
• Themed food – Pick a theme for the day and choose food according to that theme. For example, you can do a rainbow theme and choose a wide variety of foods of different colors. Separate them in the colorful silicone cupcake liners for even more color!
• Want more ideas and recipes for healthy and creative lunch box meals? Check out these 15 Nutritious Lunchbox Ideas Kids Will Love in 2024!

Involve your child in the process

Get your kids involved in the preparation process! Letting them help with age-appropriate tasks will help peak their interest in what goes into their lunchbox, and therefore into their bodies! They will be more likely to eat something they have helped make. This is also a great way to spend time with your children and to teach them the importance of consuming a variety of nutrients. Don’t underestimate a child’s ability and desire to help! Who knows, they may even come up with more creative ideas than you!

Conclusion

Choosing the best lunch box for school doesn’t have to be stressful! You’re now equipped to make an informed decision that’ll keep your child’s meals fresh, organized, and exciting. Remember, the perfect lunch box is an investment in your child’s health and happiness. Whether you go with an eco-friendly option, a personalized design, or a budget-friendly pick to get started, the most important thing is finding something that is functional and confident boosting for your child. So, go on and get shopping so you and your littles can get packing! Best wishes for an amazing 2024-2025 school year! And best of luck to all you parents sending littles to school for the first time. You’ve got this!

Do you have a favorite lunch box or accessory? I’d love to hear. Leave it in the comments below along with any questions or concerns!