Best Lunch Boxes

Roomy, sturdy, affordable, adorable…we could go on and on with all the reasons to love Wildkin lunch boxes. With tons of bright, cheerful patterns to choose from, there’s a perfect style to complement your tot’s turkey on wheat. A few key features: the large, insulated interior has tabs to keep water bottles and ice packs in place, there’s a front pocket for extra snacks and a carrying handle. Short on kitchen cabinet space? Instead of the lunch box, go for Wildkin’s equally awesome lunch bag that folds flat for easy storage.

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Nothing says, “I have arrived” (to daycare or preschool) quite like an awesome personalized lunch bag. From rocket ships to rainbows, animals to ballerinas, Star Wars to Disney Princesses, the Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie collection boasts a huge range of designs to delight every child. Made of durable, thick polyester, it’ll last through several school years. The interior stands up to wear and tear thanks to the molded PEVA lining (an eco-friendly, food-safe vinyl), while messes can be simply wiped away. Plus, the carrying handle comes in handy for easy toting from cubbies to the lunch table.

A nice perk is the outside mesh pocket for water bottles and thermoses, which allows a lot more food to fit on the inside. Pottery Barn food containers are a perfect fit, or you can use the storage of your choice. Tuck in utensils and napkins in the little pocket, and your kiddo is ready to chow down.

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No brand knows packed lunches better than Thermos (we bet you had one of their character lunch boxes in elementary school, too!), and these simple, cartoony designs are perfect for the primary-colored preschooler aesthetic. Choose from vehicles like a fire engine or a taco truck, or find your kiddo’s favorite character from Batman, Super Mario, Barbie or Star Wars. These lunch boxes wipe clean easily, and some parents said it will even last through the gentle cycle in the washing machine (just in case you can’t scrub out that funky old food smell by hand).

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If your little one has a big appetite, they’re going to need a bigger box. Cult-favorite Bentgo (makers of the leakproof bento boxes we also recommend on this list) makes an insulated lunch box that’s about three to four inches longer and wider than other toddler lunch boxes. We also love that there are three carry options: a vertical short handle (like most lunch boxes), a horizontal short handle and an extra long vertical handle for over-the-shoulder carrying.

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Whether for multiple meals or just big appetites, a double decker lunch box can come in handy for packing large amounts of food. The dual sections are perfect for keeping cold foods separated from hot foods or keeping squishable foods safe from harder, heavier objects (like water bottles). And the whole thing comes with two carry options: a short handle on top or a longer strap for shoulder carrying.

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If you’ve got a tiny Disney fan on your hands, we’ve got the perfect lunch box for them. With options ranging from classic Disney like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Lion King and princesses to more modern favorites like Encanto, Cars and Grogu (AKA Baby Yoda). Keep in mind: this lunch box is on the larger side, so there’s likely enough room for a bento box, a water bottle and additional snacks.

We also love the non-Disney designs from Simple Modern.

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No need to sacrifice food space for an ice pack with this lunch bag. Instead of using ice packs to keep things cool, the bag itself is insulated with freezable gel, and the whole thing pops right into the freezer. After just 12 hours in the freezer, it’s ready to keep food cold all. day. long. It’s got the same capacity as most other lunch bags, but it can also fold flat for easy storage. We also love the buckle handle that allows you to clip it to a backpack, stroller or diaper bag (no more accidentally leaving lunch behind!).

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Lunch boxes keep your kiddo’s food contained while inside the box, but once lunchtime starts, there’s no telling what kind of mess might be made outside the box. Meet the lunch container that solves for messes both before and during mealtimes: just zip the four sides down and unfold it flat onto the table and voila, a placemat! And it’s made from 100% neoprene (scuba suit material), so it can be tossed in the washing mashine after it’s done catching all of your toddler’s crumbs.

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There’s something about bento boxes that magically get kids to eat their vegetables. (Carrots and snap peas just look more delicious in a tiny compartment.) Families love Bentgo’s bento boxes for the pre-portioned tray, making food organization that much easier—and mess free for those who don’t like their food touching. The five-compartment box is great for toddlers and preschoolers who like a little bit of everything, and the varying compartment sizes make for perfect portioning of snacks while leaving enough room for a small sandwich, too.

Although there’s just one lid for all compartments, it’s secure, leakproof and keeps each food bucket separated. Hummus making its way to cheese stick territory? Not a chance. The whole thing is made with food-safe materials and is free of BPA and phthlatates. Keep in mind: This bento box isn’t insulated, so if you want to keep food cold or hot, you’ll need to put it in an insulated lunch bag (be sure to check the dimensions!).

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Looking for a little more freedom in your toddler’s lunch organization? Individual food storage containers like these ones from Béaba are a more customizable option compared to bento boxes, so you’re not restricted to the same compartment sizes every day. These interlocking modules are perfectly portioned for toddlers and little kids and can be configured into the perfect lunchtime setup. Even better, they’re microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe.

Aside from connecting them all for bigger meals, the small snack containers are great on their own for keeping crackers, pretzels, yogurt, fruits and veggies safe in your diaper bag. And the lids are universal size, so there’s no worrying about matching each container to a certain lid.

These ice packs are so slim, we’d be surprised to find a lunch box they don’t fit into. And with four in a pack, you can double up on them to keep lunches extra cold and leave the other two in the freezer for the next packed lunch.

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Slim, colorful and totally whimsical—toss these fun little ice packs into your toddler’s lunch box to bring a smile to their face (and keep their food cool, too). We love all the fun shapes they come in, including penguins, butterflies and dinosaurs!

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Space for an ice pack isn’t always guaranteed, especially if your kiddo is a big eater, so a stiff and solid ice pack may not do the trick. Thankfully, these coolers from Fit & Fresh are flexible, so you can shape them to fit around the apple slices and cheddar cubes.

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