making sandwiches on a cutting board with Stasher sandwich bags Credit: Stasher
` View Series Why Kids Don’t Eat Enough Seafood and How They Can Enjoy It 5 Easy Snack Ideas You Can Pack in a Mason Jar The Number of Teens Diagnosed with Prediabetes Has Doubled in the Past 2 Decades—Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Know Kids Who Don’t Eat Meat Are Just as Healthy as Kids Who Do, New Research Says
making sandwiches on a cutting board with Stasher sandwich bags Credit: Stasher
making sandwiches on a cutting board with Stasher sandwich bags Credit: Stasher
making sandwiches on a cutting board with Stasher sandwich bags
Credit: Stasher
At EatingWell, we have packed countless lunches for kids in the Test Kitchen and at home for our own kids. With all that packing comes the benefit of testing out a lot of products—the great, the not-so-great and the ones we just can’t live without. Here are some of our favorite containers, bentos and bottles for packing kids’ lunch boxes.
Tips for Choosing Your Containers
Bentology lunch box Credit: Bentology
When you’re choosing what products to use to pack a healthy lunch and snacks for your kids, here are a few things to consider.
Bento vs. Individual Containers
Individual containers allow for more flexibility. But we love bento lunchboxes for school-aged kids, because you can still keep foods separate, but there are fewer containers for kids to open (and for you to clean). Not all bentos are leakproof, and so you may still need to have some individual containers for dips, yogurts and dressings.
Is Plastic OK?
Even if plastic is labeled “BPA-free” you might be wondering if any plastic is safe to use for packing your kid’s lunch. The truth is, BPA-free plastic does not necessarily mean chemical-free. If you are concerned about plastic, look for alternatives, such as stainless steel, glass and silicone. Also, to avoid chemicals leaching into your food, never heat food in any type of plastic container.
Glass vs. Stainless Steel
Glass is a great alternative to plastic storage containers. It’s easy to clean, won’t stain and can go in the microwave for easy reheating. Before you make an investment in glass, though, you might want to double-check to make sure your school or daycare allows glass containers. Look for tempered glass, which has been treated to be much stronger and resistant to breaking. Stainless steel is another great plastic-free alternative. It’s safe, easy to clean and you don’t have to worry about breakage. However, one downside is that it can’t go in the microwave.
Food Safety
Perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables, that are left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours may enter the Danger Zone-the unsafe temperatures between 40° and 140°F, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. If your child does not have access to a fridge at school, pack lunch in an insulated lunch bag or container and include an ice pack to keep the food fresh and cold.
Bento Lunch Boxes
Bentology Bento Box Sets
Bentology bento Credit: Bentology
LunchBots Trio
LunchBots Trio Credit: LunchBots
See Our Full Guide: The Best Bento Boxes
Sandwich Bags & Wraps
Stasher Storage Bags
Stasher bags Credit: Stasher Bags
Bee’s Wrap Sandwich Wrap
Beeswrap sandwich wrap Credit: Bee's Wrap
Food Storage Containers
Wean Green Snack Cubes (set of 4)
Weangreen snack containers Credit: Wean Green
U Konserve Round Nesting Trio with Silicone Lids
U-Konserve nested trio with silicone lids Credit: U-Konserve
These stainless-steel food storage containers feature leak-resistant, plastic-free silicone lids. The three containers nest within each other for compact storage and are the perfect size for packing up snacks or single portion meals. U Konserve is a member of 1% for the Planet, a network of environmentally conscious companies and brands, and has pledged to donate 1 percent of sales to nonprofit organizations that benefit the environment. Buy U Konserve Round Nesting Trio with Silicone Lids from Target, $29.
Hydro Flask Insulated Food Jar
side view of yellow insulated container with lid Credit: Hydro Flask
These insulated food jars will keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold until lunchtime. They’re made with professional-grade stainless steel, so they don’t retain or transfer flavors. These containers are great for bigger school-age kids, since the lid size is a bit wide for small hands to open. Available in three sizes and dishwasher safe, these food jars also come with a limited lifetime warranty. Buy the Insulated Food Jars from Hydro Flask, starting at $35.
Jarware Snack Pack
Jarware snack pack Credit: Jarware
Accessories
Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Hydro Flask water bottle in both the 12 oz and 20 oz Credit: Hydro Flask
A new product addition from my favorite water bottle brand, Hydro Flask now offers a flip-and-sip Kids Wide Mouth 20 oz. bottle for bigger kids (also available in 12 oz. size). The water bottles come in four island-inspired pop colors with an easy-to-clean straw cap for easy access and protective boot that helps small hands grip better. As with the food jars, these water bottles come with a limited lifetime warranty. Note: The straw cap is not leak-proof, but the bottle is interchangeable with any of Hydro Flask’s wide mouth lids. Buy Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle from Hydro Flask, $38.
Pura Kiki 11 oz. Water Bottle
Pura water bottle Credit: Pura Stainless
Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Lunch Ice Packs (set of 4)
Freezer packs
Don’t Miss: Our Top Picks for the Best Lunch Boxes
Bentology lunch box Credit: Bentology
Bentology lunch box
Credit: Bentology
Bentology bento Credit: Bentology
Bentology bento
LunchBots Trio Credit: LunchBots
LunchBots Trio
Credit: LunchBots
Stasher bags Credit: Stasher Bags
Stasher bags
Credit: Stasher Bags
Beeswrap sandwich wrap Credit: Bee’s Wrap
Beeswrap sandwich wrap
Credit: Bee’s Wrap
Weangreen snack containers Credit: Wean Green
Weangreen snack containers
Credit: Wean Green
U-Konserve nested trio with silicone lids Credit: U-Konserve
U-Konserve nested trio with silicone lids
Credit: U-Konserve
side view of yellow insulated container with lid Credit: Hydro Flask
side view of yellow insulated container with lid
Credit: Hydro Flask
Jarware snack pack Credit: Jarware
Jarware snack pack
Credit: Jarware
Hydro Flask water bottle in both the 12 oz and 20 oz Credit: Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask water bottle in both the 12 oz and 20 oz
Pura water bottle Credit: Pura Stainless
Pura water bottle
Credit: Pura Stainless
Freezer packs
Freezer packs
` View Series Why Kids Don’t Eat Enough Seafood and How They Can Enjoy It 5 Easy Snack Ideas You Can Pack in a Mason Jar The Number of Teens Diagnosed with Prediabetes Has Doubled in the Past 2 Decades—Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Know Kids Who Don’t Eat Meat Are Just as Healthy as Kids Who Do, New Research Says
` View Series
Why Kids Don’t Eat Enough Seafood and How They Can Enjoy It 5 Easy Snack Ideas You Can Pack in a Mason Jar The Number of Teens Diagnosed with Prediabetes Has Doubled in the Past 2 Decades—Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Know Kids Who Don’t Eat Meat Are Just as Healthy as Kids Who Do, New Research Says
View Series
View Series
