The best lunchbox gear for kids (2026)
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Our quick picks
| Pick | Best for | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Bentgo Kids lunch box | Best all-round bento for young kids | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Yumbox Original | Best for portion-guided packing | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| OmieBox | Best for hot and cold food together | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| PlanetBox Rover | Best stainless steel box | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Thermos Funtainer 10 oz food jar | Best insulated food jar | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Stasher reusable snack bags | Best reusable snack bags | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Bentgo Chillers ice packs | Best slim ice packs | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
1. Bentgo Kids lunch boxBest all-round bento for young kids
- What we like
- Bentgo says it's leak-proof for foods like yogurt, applesauce and hummus, with five compartments (2.4 cups, about 570 ml, in total). The removable tray is microwave-safe, freezer-safe and top-shelf dishwasher-safe, and the brand says it's PFAS- and BPA-free.
- Watch out for
- The outer shell is hand-wash only. Bentgo designs it for ages 3 to 7, so older kids with bigger appetites may outgrow it.
A popular, reasonably priced bento that handles wet and dry foods side by side. A good first lunch box for kindergarten and early grades.
2. Yumbox OriginalBest for portion-guided packing
- What we like
- Six-compartment tray (five half-cup sections plus a dip well) with illustrated portion guides. Yumbox says the silicone-lined lid keeps wet foods like yogurt or dips separate from dry items, the tray is dishwasher-safe, and materials are BPA- and phthalate-free.
- Watch out for
- Yumbox describes the lid as leak-resistant: fine for yogurt and dips, but don't pack soup or thin liquids. Half-cup sections are small for big eaters; Yumbox sells a larger Tapas model for older kids.
The little pictures in each section make it easy to pack a balanced lunch, and kids can see what goes where. Great for younger kids and grazers.
3. OmieBoxBest for hot and cold food together
- What we like
- Combines a built-in insulated thermos (8.5 oz, about 250 ml) with cold bento compartments in one box. OmieLife designs it for ages 3 to 7, with a larger OmieBox UP (12 oz thermos) for ages 9 and up.
- Watch out for
- OmieLife recommends hand washing, and says each side compartment is leak-proof for only about a teaspoon of liquid, so runny foods belong in the thermos. Heavier and pricier than plastic bentos.
If your child wants warm leftovers and cold fruit in the same lunch, this solves it without a second container. Plan on hand washing it.
4. PlanetBox RoverBest stainless steel box
- What we like
- Five compartments in a box made from 49% post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel, per the brand. PlanetBox says its lunch boxes are 100% dishwasher-safe, and the set includes two leakproof Dipper containers.
- Watch out for
- The main compartments aren't sealed, so wet foods need to go in the Dippers. One of the more expensive options, and a hard metal box is heavier than plastic.
A no-plastic option built to last for years. It's an investment up front, but it's the kind of box that gets handed down to a younger sibling.
5. Thermos Funtainer 10 oz food jarBest insulated food jar
- What we like
- Thermos says it keeps hot food hot for up to 5 hours and cold food cold for up to 7 hours. 10 oz (290 ml), double-wall vacuum-insulated BPA-free stainless steel, top-rack dishwasher-safe, with a folding spoon included.
- Watch out for
- Thermos doesn't make a leak-proof claim on the product page, so pack it upright. Fits a modest portion; bigger kids may need a larger jar.
The simplest way to send soup, pasta or chili. Pair it with any bento box for a warm-lunch option without buying a special all-in-one.
6. Stasher reusable snack bagsBest reusable snack bags
- What we like
- Made from platinum silicone, which Stasher says is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe and freezer-safe, with a leak-proof seal. Sold in both the US and Canada.
- Watch out for
- Costs more up front than a box of plastic bags, and the bags need washing and drying between uses, so you may want a few on rotation.
A sturdy replacement for single-use zip bags, sized for crackers, fruit or veggie sticks. Over a school year, a few bags can replace a lot of plastic.
7. Bentgo Chillers ice packsBest slim ice packs
- What we like
- A 4-pack of slim ice packs, 0.6 inch (about 1.5 cm) thick and 6.5 x 4.25 inches (about 16.5 x 11 cm), that Bentgo says are PFAS- and BPA-free and backed by a 1-year warranty.
- Watch out for
- Hand-wash only. You'll want two per lunch to follow food safety advice, so a 4-pack covers one child with a spare set.
Slim enough to slide alongside a bento box in most lunch bags. Keep one set in the freezer while the other is at school.
The right lunch box doesn’t make a child eat their vegetables, but it does help: food that isn’t squashed, soggy or warm is more likely to get eaten. This guide covers the main pieces of lunchbox gear (bento boxes, insulated jars, reusable bags and ice packs) and what each brand actually claims, so you can match the gear to your child.
How we chose
We didn’t test these ourselves. We picked well-known products sold in the US and Canada and checked every feature, such as “leak-proof” or “dishwasher-safe”, against the brand’s own product page. Where a brand only says “leak-resistant”, or limits a leak-proof claim to certain foods, we say so. We looked for:
- Clear claims from the brand about leaks, cleaning and materials.
- Kid-friendly design: latches small hands can open, sensible sizes for the age.
- Durability and value: replacement parts, warranties or long-lasting materials.
- Honest limits: every pick has a “watch out” note.
Products and specs change. Check the listing before you buy, especially for dishwasher and age guidance.
Which type of lunch box?
Bento boxes with a sealed lid (Bentgo Kids, Yumbox) keep wet and dry foods apart in one container. They’re the easiest choice for younger kids who like a bit of everything. Read the fine print: most are designed for thick foods like yogurt and hummus, not soup.
Insulated all-in-ones (OmieBox) add a thermos for hot food next to cold compartments. Handy, but heavier, pricier and usually hand-wash.
Stainless steel boxes (PlanetBox) skip plastic and last for years. The trade-off is that the main compartments usually aren’t sealed, so you need small leakproof containers for dips.
A food jar plus any box (Thermos Funtainer) is the flexible option. Add warm food to whatever lunch box you already have.
Keep it cold, keep it hot
Gear only works if you use it the right way. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says bacteria grow quickly between 40 °F and 140 °F (about 4 °C and 60 °C), and recommends (USDA FSIS):
- Two cold sources for any lunch with perishable food such as lunch meat, eggs, cheese or yogurt. A frozen water bottle or juice box can count as one.
- An insulated lunch box or bag, not a paper bag.
- Preheat food jars. Fill the insulated container with boiling water, let it stand a few minutes, empty it, then add piping hot food. Tell kids to keep it closed until lunch so the food stays at 140 °F (60 °C) or above.
- Pack the night before and refrigerate the whole lunch, so it starts cold.
- Throw out leftovers after lunch rather than eating them later.
Cleaning and care tips
- Check what’s actually dishwasher-safe. On several picks above only the inner tray is; the outer shell with the seal is hand-wash.
- Take seals out to wash. OmieLife recommends removing the gasket and lid seal for cleaning after each use, and the same habit makes sense for any box with a removable seal.
- Replace worn seals. Several brands sell replacement parts, which is cheaper than a new box.
- Label everything. Lunch boxes, lids and jars all look alike in a classroom bin.
Picking the right size
A box that’s too big leaves room for food to slide around; too small and your child is hungry by afternoon. As a rough guide, the brands themselves design the Bentgo Kids and original OmieBox for ages 3 to 7, and larger models like the Yumbox Tapas and OmieBox UP for older kids, teens and adults.
What to put in it
Gear sorted? See our guide to healthy lunchbox snacks for packaged snacks that are lower in added sugar and nut-free where the brand says so, or try homemade options like strawberry fruit leather. Browse all our lunchbox ideas.
Sources
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Back-to-school food safety tips for parents and caregivers
- Brand product pages: Bentgo Kids lunch box, Bentgo Chillers, Yumbox Original, OmieBox and OmieBox UP, PlanetBox Rover, Thermos Funtainer 10 oz food jar, Stasher