The best kids’ lunchboxes and lunch bags, tried and tested
Whether you’re packing lunch for a toddler or teenager, make sure to do your research on the best kids’ lunchboxes around. Although style and functionality can come down to a matter of preference, top of everyone’s priorities tends to be something leakproof that fits easily inside a school backpack.
We’ve also included a selection of kids’ lunch bags in addition to kids’ lunchboxes, in case you’ve already got smaller pots in the cupboard for containing sandwiches and snacks.
Trying to get your kids to eat their lunch while you’re not around can also be a real struggle, too, so choosing a lunchbox that’s fun and colourful may encourage them to eat. Discover a host of lunchbox ideas for kids and all ages for making packed lunches more delicious and fun for school, picnics, or the office.
The options are plentiful, but your choice ultimately comes down to personality and priorities. Do you want to offer kids variety at lunchtimes and need a box with different compartments? Or perhaps space inside your child’s backpack is limited and you need something slimline, or even with its own handle for carrying separately to school and back.
There’s no right or wrong type of lunchbox to buy, but try to make sure you get one that’s made without BPA – and one that doesn’t leak is crucial. Need a water bottle too? Check out our best personalised water bottles for ones that won’t get lost in the playground.
Best kids’ lunchboxes at a glance
Best kids’ bento box: Monbento kids lunchbox, £18.90
Best budget kids’ lunchbox: Rex London lunch bag, £4.95
Best kids’ lunchbox with compartments: 3 Sprouts lunch bento box, £12.99
Best small kids’ lunchbox: Sass & Belle Alma narwhal lunch bag, £14.95
Best divided kids’ lunchbox: Smiggle kids’ lunchbox, £20
Best playful kids’ lunchbox: Fringoo lunch bag, £16.99
Best lunchbox for older kids: Sistema bento lunchbox, £10.50
Most stylish compartment lunchbox: Fairies In The Garden lunchbox with tray, £6.95
Best lunchbox for toddlers: Munchkin kids’ bento lunchbox, £22.99
Jump to:
Best kids lunchboxes to buy in 2024
How we tested kids’ lunchboxes
Best kids’ lunchboxes to buy in 2024
Monbento kids lunchbox
Available from Amazon (£18.90)
Best kids’ bento box
Pros:
Compact size
Efficient and study design
Can be personalised
Cons:
Removable pots could easily be lost
Brilliantly designed, this bento box has one main compartment that’s ideal for a sandwich or main dish, a separating tray on top, and two smaller containers – great for snacks such as fruit, nuts or crisps. They all slot neatly on top of each other and seal tightly inside an efficiently sized tub that locks on both sides.
It feels sophisticated for a children’s lunchbox, steering away from inefficient gimmicks. The dismantling and reassembling of each container takes a bit of getting used to, so perhaps it’s best suited to older children. Otherwise, make sure you sit down together and show them how to use it.
It also has a customisable little window on its lid for popping pictures behind, accessible below a see-through spinner. Spec-wise, the box is BPA-free, microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Available from:
Amazon (£18.90)
Rex London lunch bag
Available from Amazon (£4.95)
Best budget kids’ lunchbox
Pros:
Made from 50% recycled materials
Super-lightweight
Insulating
Foldable when empty
Affordable
Cons:
Being a bag, you still need a kids’ lunchbox for holding sandwiches
Testing revealed that few are immune to the smile-inducing power of a happy sloth design. This lunchbox will appeal to all ages. But in case your child is an exception to this statement, lots of other designs are available from the Rex London brand.
This foil-lined lunch bag will be fought over and is insulated to help keep its contents cool until lunchtime. You can easily fit a standard sandwich box, two small snack boxes, a piece of fruit and a small water bottle inside here so it’s a practical size for visiting for snacks throughout the day.
The recycled material used in this lunch bag is equivalent to one average size plastic bottle, which is a nice eco credential.
Available from:
Amazon (£4.90)
3 Sprouts lunch bento box
Available from Amazon (£12.99)
Best kids’ lunchbox with compartments
Pros:
Three compartments for sandwiches, snacks and little surprises
Dishwasher-safe in top shelf
Cons:
Moisture could leak from a small compartment into its other sections
This is an endearing lunchbox with three compartments that packs in practicality. There was a slight plastic smell on opening, but this disappeared after being washed with warm soapy water. The box itself is BPA-free and safe for putting in the top rack of the dishwasher so an initial blast in there without the lid would be ideal.
Its dividers are immovable but you can easily fit a sliced-up apple and a whole satsuma peeled in just one of the small sections. We slotted a yogurt and chocolate into the other, whilst a chunky-filled sandwich filled the main section.
It seals well and has clips on all sides, meaning it would take a fair amount of shaking around inside a school bag. With a variety of designs to choose from, this is a nice children’s lunchbox.
Available from:
Amazon (£12.99)
Sass & Belle Alma narwhal lunch bag
Available from Amazon (£14.95)
Best small kids’ lunchbox
Pros:
Compact design
Useful inner pocket
Cons:
Smaller capacity than tall bags or boxes
Won’t fit a water bottle
For a narrow lunchbox that will fit easily into a school bag or rucksack, this Sass & Belle lunch bag is perfectly designed. It has a wide zip that unzips the whole top section, enabling the lunch bag to sit flat on the table. There is space for a sandwich and snacks, although the flat shape means it can’t fit a water bottle inside (it is 8cm high).
There is a handy net pocket in the lid for keeping cutlery, a napkin or more snacks secure without getting squashed by other items rolling around. The fabric handle is short but comfortable to hold. The compact design also means it is lightweight to carry and squashes flat when empty.
Available from:
Amazon (£14.95)
Smiggle kids’ lunchbox
Available from M&S (£20)
Best divided kids’ lunchbox
Pros
Practical hybrid design
Matching school accessories available
Lots of patterns to choose from
Wipe clean
Cons
Bulkier shape
A hybrid shape between tall lunch bags and flat box designs, this practical lunchbox is split into two compartments. The smaller top zipped pocket has a label for writing your child’s name and relevant contact details if the lunchbox is lost, and is useful for keeping morning snacks in.
The larger base compartment is practical and wipe-clean. It won’t fit a water bottle inside but will fit a juice box and plenty of food for lunch. It has a simple double-zip to open and comfortable short fabric handle to hold.
A water bottle, backpack and pencil case are all available in matching prints for a complete new school year set.
Available from:
M&S (£20)
Fringoo lunch bag
Available from Amazon (£14.99), John Lewis & Partners (£16.99)
Best playful kids’ lunchbox
Pros
Insulated food-safe lining
Convenient mesh pocket
Adjustable, detachable shoulder strap
Space for a name tag
Cons
Single compartment
Wipe clean but not dishwasher safe
Add a touch of excitement to lunchtime with Fringoo’s fun and colourful design. It is part of an extensive range of school equipment such as a drawstring bag, pencil case, water bottle and more, so your child can show off their style.
The bag’s insulated food-safe lining ensures that your food stays cooler for longer and keeps fresh. With a generously sized single compartment, this lunch bag provides ample space to carry your lunch essentials. You won’t need to compromise on space by requiring it to fit a water bottle, as it has a helpful mesh pocket on the side.
The lunch bag has an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap for added comfort and flexibility. This feature lets your child comfortably hold their lunch bag, leaving their hands free for playing and exploring.
Inside the bag is a slot to add a name tag, great for personalising your child’s lunch bag, but also highly important to ensure it returns home with them at the end of the school day.
Available from:
Amazon (£14.99)
John Lewis & Partners (£16.99)
Sistema bento lunchbox
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£10.50)
Best lunchbox for older kids
Pros
Effective food separation
Dishwasher safe
Microwave friendly
Suitable for fridge and freezer use
BPA free
Cons
Not possible to request a colour
Simple design – not very exciting for a child
This bento lunchbox is designed to excel in keeping your child’s lunch items and snacks neatly separated and maintaining their freshness until they’re ready to enjoy them. With a spacious central compartment featuring a top tray and divider, this lunchbox provides ample space for your child’s main meal.
It also includes a seal-tight yogurt pot and two smaller compartments, perfect for accompaniments like dips, spreads, nuts, and other snack items, perfect for ensuring your child gets a healthy and varied diet. The fridge and freezer-safe design allows for top organisation as you can prepare your children’s lunch the night before to prevent a hassled morning rush, and the fact it is dishwasher safe means your end to the day will be as hassle free.
Available from:
John Lewis & Partners (£10.50)
Fairies in the Garden lunchbox
Available from Amazon (£6.95)
Most stylish compartment lunchbox
Pros
Stylish design
Optimal depth for food storage
Easy-to-use clip
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Not microwave compatible
Only three storage compartments
This lunchbox has a removable tray with two handy compartments, making it easy to separate your food items. The lunchbox is not only functional but also visually appealing. It’s part of the enchanting Fairies in the Garden collection, adding a touch of beauty and charm to your child’s mealtime routine.
The subtlety of the design means that it could suit both younger and older children as it won’t be seen as ‘childish’. The lunchbox’s lid has a user-friendly clip mechanism that securely seals the contents. This feature guarantees that your food stays fresh and contained during transportation. The lunchbox’s dishwasher-safe design makes it ideal after a long day when you want a minimal cleanup.
Available from:
Amazon (£6.95)
Munchkin kids’ bento box lunchbox
Available from Amazon (£18.29), John Lewis & Partners (£22.99), Munchkin (£22.99)
Best lunchbox for toddlers
Pros
Divided compartments for freshness
Integrated stainless steel utensils
Stylish bento-style design
Durable with kid-friendly touches
Dishwasher safe
Backpack friendly size
BPA free
Cons
Not possible to request a design
Space for juice but not a water bottle
Munchkin’s lunch bento box provides a perfect stepping stone for toddlers and older kids eager to embrace more sophisticated meal options. It empowers them to enjoy a snack box while keeping their food fresh and delicious.
Addressing the picky eating habits of preschoolers, this bento box is designed to cater to their preferences. Its layout and compartments are carefully constructed to accommodate small portions and little hands, making it easier to entice them with a variety of foods. With five thoughtfully sized compartments, this bento box supports the creation of balanced, kid-friendly meals. It allows for a diverse selection of sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and snacks, ensuring a nutritious lunch.
The toddler bento lunchbox has its own stainless steel utensils that conveniently snap onto the lid. This clever feature encourages independence and guarantees that utensils are always at hand for a complete eating experience.
Crafted with durability in mind, this lunchbox is designed to withstand the rigours of kids’ daily activities. The handle enhances its portability, making it a convenient choice for youngsters.
The bento box is dishwasher-safe, ensuring effortless cleaning after every use. This feature saves time and effort for busy parents and caregivers. As a reliable choice for children’s meals, this lunchbox is made from BPA-free materials, prioritising the safety and well-being of young eaters aged 18 months and above.
Available from:
Amazon (£18.29)
John Lewis & Partners (£22.99)
Munchkin (£22.99)
How we tested kids’ lunchboxes
We tested a representative range of children’s lunchboxes and scored them against the following criteria:
BPA-free: the lunchbox, especially if it contains plastic, should be completely safe to store food inside.
Size and storage: we searched for boxes of all shapes and sizes to suit different needs, excluding anything that seemed a poor use of space.
Cleaning properties: we looked for boxes that were easy to clean. Dishwasher-safe was preferable, but for those that weren’t, we made sure they could be cleaned easily by hand.
Aesthetics: a lunchbox allows your little one to express their personality, so we looked for boxes with a bit of character and style. Any additional features such as cutlery, separate compartments, or cooling packs were also taken into consideration.
Leak test: every lunchbox must withstand the jiggling
Lunchbox recipe inspiration
Inspirational lunchbox recipes
Healthy lunches for kids
Healthy lunches for teenagers
How to pack the ultimate lunchbox
Top 10 things to put in your lunchbox
School packed lunch inspiration
The best personalised water bottles
If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at [email protected].
Do you have a trusty kids’ lunchbox to recommend? Leave a comment below…
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