Best Lunch Boxes For Kids

Packing your child’s lunch each day can feel like a puzzle: fitting the right foods into the right compartments while keeping them fresh, appetizing, and mess-free. With so many lunchbox styles on the market, it’s tough to know which one is best for your child’s needs. That’s why I’ve rounded up some of the best lunchboxes for kids, with our tried-and-true favorites. From leakproof bento boxes and durable stainless steel options to compact snack containers and soft insulated lunch bags, this guide is here to make lunchtime a little easier for everyone.

Once you’ve picked out the best lunchbox that suits your family’s needs, check out these simple lunchbox ideas for daycare and these fun bento lunch ideas your kids will love.

How To Choose The Best Lunch Box

Choosing the right lunch box depends on your child’s age, school environment, and personal habits. Here are a few key factors to consider:

• Your Child’s Age and Appetite: Younger kids and toddlers typically need smaller, easy-to-open containers with a few compartments to keep foods separated. Look for lunchboxes with 3 to 5 compartments to help pack a variety of small portions. Older kids or big eaters might prefer a larger container that can hold more food with larger portions.
• Types of Meals You Usually Pack: If you send warm meals often, like pastas and soups, a lunch box with a built-in thermos is a great choice. If you tend to pack sandwiches, fruits, and other items that can be eaten cold, a bento-style plastic or stainless steel lunchbox may be all you need.
• Leak Resistance: If you’re packing foods like yogurt, applesauce, or dips, a leak-resistant container is essential. Many bento boxes offer tightly sealed compartments to prevent spills, while some are better suited for dry foods only. Always check whether the box is fully leakproof vs. leak-resistant.
• Material: Options include BPA‑free plastic, stainless steel, or silicone. Durability will vary depending on the material type.
• Ease of Use: Kid-friendly latches, removable trays, and dishwasher-safe parts simplify packing and cleanup.
• Overall Fit in Lunch Bags: Make sure your lunchbox fits inside your child’s existing lunch bag or backpack. Some larger boxes are bulkier and may require a more spacious bag. Also, consider whether you’ll need space for a water bottle, ice pack, or utensils.

Plastic Lunchboxes

1. Yumbox Panino Leakproof Bento Lunch Box

This 4-compartment bento-style lunchbox includes one large sandwich section, two smaller sections, and a dip/treat compartment. It has a silicone-sealed lid that locks food in place. The tray is removable and dishwasher safe, and the outer shell is durable and lightweight.

Pros:

• Leakproof design prevents spills
• Great for meals with 4 compartments, and the large compartment accommodates wraps or whole sandwiches
• Removable tray for easy cleaning
• Durable and well-made

Cons:

• May be small for older kids
• Not ideal for liquids like soup
• Outer shell is not dishwasher safe

2. Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box

This original version offers six compartments, making it great for variety. The illustrated tray encourages eating and makes lunch fun for little ones.

Pros:

• Leakproof for wet foods like yogurt
• Illustrated tray makes mealtime more engaging
• Easy-open latch for young kids
• Removable tray for easy cleaning

Cons:

• May be small for older kids
• Not ideal for liquids like soup
• Outer shell is not dishwasher safe
• Small compartments are too small for items like full sandwiches

3. Bentgo Chill Kids Leak‑Proof Lunch Box

This bento box features a removable built-in ice pack to keep lunches fresh and cool. With 4 compartments, it’s great for packing a balanced meal.

Pros:

• Built-in ice pack keeps food chilled
• Microwave and dishwasher-safe removable tray
• Leak-resistant compartments
• Kid-friendly latches and compact design for ages 3–7

Cons:

• Ice pack adds slight weight
• Ice pack requires refreezing daily

4. Bentgo Kids 5‑Compartment Lunch Box

This classic Bentgo box has five compartments, designed for younger kids. It’s durable and leak-resistant. It comes in a variety of styles and colors and is often rated the top-rated Bento lunchbox for kids.

Pros:

• Perfect size for toddlers and preschoolers
• Durable and impact-resistant outer shell
• Leak-proof seal between compartments
• Dishwasher-safe inner tray
• Simple latch for kids to open themselves

Cons:

• Outer shell must be hand-washed
• Too small for older kids
• May stain with certain foods

5. GoBe Kids Lunch box with Snack Spinner

A fun 2-in-1 lunchbox that includes both a lunch compartment and an interactive snack spinner. It’s great for variety and keeps kids engaged during meals.

Pros:

• Combines a snack spinner and a lunch box
• Includes 5 small compartments plus 1 large one, large enough for a full-sized sandwich
• Snack spinner is removable and can be used on its own for snacks

Cons:

• The snack spinner portion can be harder to clean
• Not leakproof for liquids
• Bulkier than standard bento boxes and does not fit standard soft lunch bags

6. Bentgo Pop Leak‑Proof Lunch Box

Designed for older kids and teens, this lunchbox has a sleek design, leakproof seal, and adjustable divider to accommodate bigger appetites.

Pros:

• Great for tweens and teens
• Leak-resistant with secure seal
• Customizable layout with removable divider
• Microwave and dishwasher-safe tray

Cons:

• Can be too big for smaller lunch bags
• Outer case must be hand-washed
• Slightly heavier than other plastic options

Stainless Steel Lunchboxes

1. Elk and Friends Stainless Steel Bento Box

This kid-friendly stainless steel lunchbox comes with a soft silicone lid for a snug, leakproof seal. It’s lightweight, safe, and perfect for little hands. The four compartments make it easy to pack a balanced meal.

Pros:

• Leakproof silicone lid
• Made from food-grade stainless steel
• Lightweight and durable
• Easy for young kids to open

Cons:

• May dent if dropped
• Silicone lid latches can break easily if overstretched
• Limited capacity for older kids

2. Yumbox Prêt Stainless Steel Bento Box

This sleek stainless steel version of the popular Yumbox is ideal for older kids. It’s leakproof, easy to clean, and perfect if you’re looking to avoid plastic.

Pros:

• Durable stainless steel design
• Leakproof lid with silicone seal
• Easy to clean and odor-resistant
• Largest compartment can fit a full-sized sandwich

Cons:

• Heavier than plastic options
• Higher price point
• Fewer compartments than the plastic Yumbox

3. PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Bento Box

PlanetBox Rover is a 5-compartment stainless steel lunchbox known for its eco-friendly design and large capacity. It’s perfect for packing a variety of food items.

Pros:

• Includes 5 compartments for a well-balanced meal
• Extremely durable and long-lasting
• Dishwasher-safe

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other lunchboxes
• Not leakproof without optional containers
• Heavier and bulkier
• Doesn’t keep food warm

4. LunchBots Large Trio Stainless Steel Lunch Container

This simple, 3-compartment stainless steel lunch container is great for sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. It’s perfect for older kids and extremely durable.

Pros:

• Simple and lightweight design
• Three compartments for easy portioning
• Made from high-quality stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean

Cons:

• Not leakproof (best for dry foods)
• No built-in insulation or seals
• May be small for large appetites
• Lid can pop off if not placed on properly

Lunchboxes For Hot Lunches

1. Original OmieBox Bento Box for Kids

The original OmieBox is a unique bento-style lunchbox that includes a built-in vacuum-insulated stainless steel food thermos to keep hot foods warm. It’s a great all-in-one option for packing both hot and cold items in one box.

Pros:

• Includes a removable insulated food thermos
• Easy-to-open latch for kids
• Keeps food warm for hours
• Leakproof and durable
• Can pack hot and cold foods together

Cons:

• Heavier and larger than standard lunchboxes
• Thermos always has to be preheated with boiling water to work effectively
• Not dishwasher-safe (handwash recommended)
• Pricier than typical lunchboxes

2. OmieBox UP Bento Box for Kids

The OmieBox UP bento box is a new, updated version of the original OmieBox. It has improved insulation and better leak protection, making it great for packing warm meals or a mix of food types.

Pros:

• Enhanced insulation for warm foods
• Upgraded leakproof technology
• Lightweight compared to the original
• Easy-to-open latch for kids

Cons:

• Still bulkier than standard bento boxes
• Thermos always has to be preheated with boiling water to work effectively
• More expensive than most lunchboxes

Snack Boxes

1. B.box Snack Box

The b.box snack box is a compact, two-compartment snack container designed for younger kids and toddlers. It features an easy-to-open latch and a leak-resistant silicone seal, making it perfect for dry snacks and dips.

Pros:

• Two compartments for variety
• Leak-resistant seal
• Kid-friendly latch
• Compact and easy to pack

Cons:

• Not fully leakproof for liquids
• Small capacity, better for snacks, not meals

2. Bentgo Easyboxes 4-Compartment Snack Containers

This budget-friendly set includes four snack containers, each with four compartments and custom-fit lids to keep contents fresh. Great for batch-prepping snacks for the week!

Pros:

• Affordable set of 4
• Great for weekly meal prep
• Easy to stack and store
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

Cons:

• Not leakproof (best for dry snacks only)
• Lids may be tough for small kids to open
• Thin plastic can stain or warp over time

3. Yumbox Snack Box

A compact, leakproof snack box that has three compartments, a tight silicone seal, and a fun illustrated tray for younger kids.

Pros:

• Fully leakproof design
• Three compartments for variety
• Kid-friendly latch
• BPA-free and dishwasher-safe

Cons:

• Small for bigger appetites
• Not suitable for full meals
• Can be hard to clean inside the lid gasket

4. Bentgo Kids 2-Compartment Snack Box

A smaller version of the classic Bentgo lunchbox, this snack-sized bento has two leakproof compartments. It’s ideal for small meals, fruits, or a main snack and dip combo.

Pros:

• Leakproof and durable
• Easy-open latch for small hands
• Compact size fits into any bag
• BPA-free and dishwasher-safe

Cons:

• Only two compartments
• Limited capacity
• May not fit larger snack items like whole fruit

5. LunchBots Medium Trio II Snack Container

This stainless steel snack container is divided into three sections and is ideal for dry snacks. Its durable design is perfect for eco-conscious families on the go.

Pros:

• Made from high-quality stainless steel
• Three compartments
• Durable and plastic-free
• Dishwasher-safe

Cons:

• Not leakproof (dry snacks only)
• Lid can be difficult for small kids to open
• No insulation for hot or cold items

Best Kids Water Bottle

Contigo AutoSpout Kids Water Bottle with Pop-up Straw

I’ve tested out many different water bottles for kids and this one always wins. This stainless steel water bottle features a one-touch AutoSpout lid with a pop-up straw, perfect for young kids. It’s spill-resistant and keeps drinks cold for hours.

Pros:

• Spill-resistant with pop-up straw
• Keeps drinks cold for hours
• Durable stainless steel body
• Easy for kids to use one-handed

Cons:

• Straw can be tricky to clean thoroughly
• Slightly heavier than plastic bottles