Sending your kid off to daycare, preschool, or Kindergarten for the first time? Me too! I realized pretty quickly that I’m 100% unprepared in so many ways. The biggest hang-up, finding the best lunch bags and containers that won’t get wrecked within the first week of school.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve already spent countless hour scouring the internet trying to find best fit for what you need. You’ve asked girlfriends, the women in your mom’s group and you’re still not sure you’ve got the best lunch bag and container for back to school.
I’ve got you covered! What you’ll see below is the ultimate top 4 lunch bags and top 4 containers I could find. They have the best reviews, online and in person, and have a ton of other perks too.
Here’s what I was looking for when it comes to finding the absolute best lunch bags and containers for my twin boys:
- Durable – These kids should be professional product testers because “gentle” isn’t a word in their vocabulary)
- Easy to clean – Who wants to wash more dishes by hand? Not me. Anything I can throw in the dishwasher is a huge perk in my books.
- Non-toxic, BPA free
- Insulated
- Spill-proof, leak proof
- Right size – Not too big or small. I don’t want to have to keep on buying bigger versions every year.
- Compartments to keep foods separate (less, mixing, less chance of sogginess)
- Won’t break the bank – For a quality item paying more makes sense, but when it comes to items specifically for my kids their rock-em-sock-em tendencies make me leary of spending too much.
- Easy to open and use for kids – Fancy containers won’t help if they can’t open them by themselves at lunch time.
I’ve done the hard work for finding the best lunch bags and containers, so take a peak below and let me know which one will work best for you!
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links where I earn a teeny tiny percent of money, from Amazon, for any qualifying purchases.
Top 4 Lunch Bags
- PackIT Freezable Lunch Box
- Vaschy Lunch Box Bag
- Funkins Insulated Lunch Bag
- Hap Tim Lunch Bag
PackIT Freezable Lunch Box
A fully freezable lunch box to keep your kiddos lunch cold, longer!
Other details you need to know:
- PVC- free, BPA-free, formaldehyde- free.
- Large zipper opening.
- Buckle handle.
- Top-load design makes it simple to pack.
- Hand wash only (not really a perk).
- Comes in a lot of great colours and patterns.
- Good size (8.25 H x 10 L x 4.25 W inches)
Vaschy Lunch Box Bag
This neoprene lunch bag is stain resistant, washable, and is big enough to be used for years to come.
Other details you need to know:
- Comes with an adjustable shoulder strap.
- Holds a consistent food temperature for up to 4 hours; longer with an ice pack.
- PVC and lead-free.
- Did I mention it’s machine washable?
- Patterns are slightly more limited, but dinosaurs, astronauts, and flamingos are still on the list.
- The biggest lunch bag on the list (12.2 H x 12.6 L x 6.3 W inches)
Funkins Insulated Lunch Bag
Another neoprene dream, but slightly smaller and a bazillion more pattern options than the Vaschy. My boys already placing a request on which pattern they want!
Other details you need to know:
- Machine washable.
- PVC, BPA, lead and phytate free.
- Stretchy neoprene expands to hold a variety of containers.
- Stain, tear, and water resistant.
- The best size for kids but still big enough to grow with them (11 H x 13 L x 7 W inches)
Hap Tim Lunch Bag
Likely the most practical lunch bag on the list; but where this lunch bag loses points in style it makes up for in practicality.
Other details you need to know:
- Expandable side water bottle holder.
- Water repellant.
- Insulated to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold.
- Good size for kids (10 H x 9 L x 4.5 W inches)
- For a slightly bigger version, click here.
Top 4 Lunch Containers
- Tupperware Lunch-It Containers and Sandwich Keepers
- Sistema To Go Collection Bento Box and Food Storage Containers
- Bentgo
- Rubbermaid Lunchbox Kit
Tupperware Lunch-It Containers and Sandwich Keepers
If you want a container that will last you the next 50 years, look no further. Pricy, but well worth the money.
Other details you need to know:
- BPA free.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Spill proof.
- Large tab makes them easy open for most kids.
- Available in larger sizes too.
Contact your local Tupperware representative for more details.
Sistema To Go Collection Bento Box
These lunch boxes have it all! Lids easy enough for kids to lock and unlock, dishwasher safe, and a price that can’t be beat.
Other details you need to know:
- BPA-free, phytate free.
- Freezer and microwave safe (without the lid)
- Includes a removable sandwich tray, 2 hinged compartments, and a 5 ounce yogurt container.
- Tons of colours to choose from!
Bentgo
Leak-proof, drop-proof lunch boxes were designed with kids in mind. Parents rave about these lunch boxes, and for the price they better be good!
Other details you need to know:
- 5 compartments that stay sealed. No mixing of juices means dry foods stay dry, and wet foods stay wet.
- Kids friendly latches for a tight seal.
- Microwave and dishwasher safe.
- Removable compartments for eay clean up.
- 2 year warranty.
- 3 colourful designs to choose from.
Rubbermaid Lunchblox Kit
A cool design that keeps your kids containers locked in place. Containers snap and stack on each other and onto reusable ice packs.
Other details you need to know:
- BPA fee
- Silicone, airtight seal to prevent leaks.
- Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Choosing a back pack
You’ve bought the best lunch bags and containers, the next step is getting the right backpack. Apparently it’s not as easy as going to the store and picking a Thor, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, or Barbie backpack.
Choosing a bag that is the Goldilocks of backpacks, not too big and not too small, can make a huge difference to protecting your child’s back from undo stress.
My good friend, and Occupational Therapist over at Connect Therapy, Katherine shared some awesome insights into what to look for in a back pack.
Check out her post, Back at It: Choosing a Backpack.
Packing Lunches
If the idea of packing a lunch for your kids for the next decade gives your shivers down your spine, you may want to think about getting your kids involved in the process.
Sounds like even a worse idea? I hear you!
Having kids in the kitchen isn’t always the easiest, but with my Ages and Stages guide I lay out all the best tips and tactics to make having your kids in the kitchen the least torturous!
Click the picture below to read the blog.
Well, that about wraps it up. I know exactly which lunch bag and containers I’ll be buying for my kids. Which ones will you choose?
~L
Thank you for taking the time to research and prepare your blog post! My daughter is going in to Grade one and this year will be our first experience with packing lunches!
I myself am a Tupperware Executive Manager living in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Lunch-It’s that Lacey shares about in her post are currently on sale – a set of five for $36 OR a complete bundle set with 5 Lunch-It’s, 5 Ideal Lit’l Bowls And 5 water bottles for $56! If you are interested, I’d be happy to help you order!
Follow me on FB “Tupp it Up with Christine” for all things Tupperware! This month I have a special giveaway on the go – check my page out for more information!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2494080167478371/?ref=share
You can also shop my Tupperware website:
https://christinepolasek.my.tupperware.ca/
Thank you so much Christine for sharing your Tupperware contact info. So many fellow moms I talked to absolutely love, love, love the Lunch It’s for their littles.