My Must-Have School Lunch Gear for Kids

What to Look for in Lunch Gear for Kids

Packing school lunch is easier (and more fun!) with the right gear. Here’s what I always look for:

1. Durable and Long-Lasting: The best school lunch gear for kids can handle daily use, getting tossed in backpacks, dropped, or squished. Look for sturdy lunch boxes, leak-proof containers, and reusable water bottles made to last all year long.

2. Kid-Friendly and Visually Appealing: Kids are more likely to eat their lunch when it looks fun. Bento boxes, bright containers, and snack compartments help present food in a way that’s inviting and exciting, especially for picky eaters. Looking for some fun sandwiches to put in school lunch? Try a Monogram Sandwich or Turkey Pickle Roll Ups!

3. Easy to Clean and Reuse: No one wants high-maintenance gear. Choose dishwasher-safe lunch containers and water bottles that are quick to clean and simple to reassemble, because packing lunches is already enough of a task!

All of the lunch gear for kids featured below checks these boxes and is Weelicious approved, so you can shop below with confidence!

The Best Lunch Boxes and Lunch Bags

Bento-Style Lunch Boxes

1. PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box – These PlanetBox bento-style lunch boxes have been my go-to for years. The different compartments make it easy to add tons of variety. Plus, they last forever, are dishwasher safe and come with magnets to customize the front. I use the snack box two-compartment size for Gemma’s snack too.
2. Bentology Bento Lunch Box – Another great bento-style lunch box that I’ve tested over the years. This one has removable inner compartments so you can mix and match depending on what you pack.
3. Lunchbots Stainless Steel Lunch Container – Another stainless steel lunch box that I really like. This size is great for a sandwich and two sides.
4. Bentgo Chill Kids Bento Box – This one has a built-in ice pack right in the lid, so everything stays cool until lunch without needing to add a separate pack. The four leak-proof compartments are a nice size for younger kids and the whole tray is microwave and dishwasher safe.
5. Bentgo + Bluey Kids Lunch Set – If you’ve got a Bluey fan, this three-piece set is an easy win. It comes with a leak-proof bento box, a matching insulated lunch bag, and a 15-ounce water bottle, so everything coordinates and you’ve got the whole lunch sorted in one go. Great for ages 3 and up.
6. S’well Stainless Steel Bento Box – A sleek stainless option that fits one large entree or a smaller entree with a snack on the side. The removable divider lets you customize what goes where, it’s leak-proof, and it cleans up easily in the dishwasher.

Insulated Lunch Bags

1. Fulton Bag Co. Upright Lunchbox – This lunch box/bag is a great option for bigger kids who maybe need a little more space than what a bento-style lunch box may provide. Plus, it’s a hard shell so won’t get crushed and insulated to help keep food at the right temperature.
2. Bentology Insulated Lunch Box Sleeve – Another great insulated lunch bag that you can add whatever you want. It also fits the Bentology bento-style lunch box. They have tons of options for designs but Chloe always loved this cute kitty cat one!
3. S’well Insulated Lunch Tote – Roomy enough to hold a lunch box, a water bottle, and an ice pack, with insulation that keeps everything cool until lunch. The tote shape makes it easy to grab and go.

Lunch Box Accessories

1. Airtight Glass Storage Containers – These containers are the best. They come in every size you could ever want with air tight lids. Plus, not only are they perfect for packing school lunch but they’re wonderful for food storage and meal prepping in general.
2. Bentgo Stainless Steel Insulated Food Container – A leak-proof, 19-ounce jar that’s great for sending warm soup, pasta, or leftovers to school. The insulation keeps food hot for hours, and the wide mouth makes it easy for kids to eat straight from the container.
3. S’well Salad Bowl Kit – This salad container is so amazing. Your salad greens go into the main bowl, then other food items (like croutons or toppings) in the separate tray above with a leakproof canister for dressing. No soggy salads here!
4. Thermos Funtainer – This is my go-to for sending hot lunches to school. It keeps food warm for hours, the wide mouth is easy for kids to eat from, and it comes in tons of fun designs they’ll actually be excited to open.
5. S’well Leak-Proof Temperature Controlled Container – This container is a larger bowl shaped thermos that keeps food cold for 11 hours and hot for 7 hours.
6. Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag – I prefer to use these reusable silicone bags instead of disposable plastic bags when I’m packing lunch. These are dishwasher and microwave safe too!
7. Silicone Lunch Box Dividers – These reusable dividers are another great tool to have when packing lunch if you want to divide the bento box compartments up even more. This kit comes with adorable animal food picks for some extra fun!
8. Bentgo Buddies Reusable Ice Packs – Even ice packs can be fun! These are absolutely adorable and have tons of fun shapes like unicorns, dinosaurs and mermaids. Plus, their slim design makes them perfect for adding to lunch bags to keep everything cool.
9. Kids Stainless Steel Cutlery Set – This cutlery set is perfectly made for kids. It comes with a stainless steel fork and spoon plus a slim storage case so it easily fits in a lunch bag.
10. Bunny Badges Personalized Name Labels – Once you’ve invested in nice lunch gear, these waterproof name labels keep it from disappearing into the school lost-and-found. They stick to water bottles, lunch boxes, and containers and they hold up in the dishwasher!

Kid-Approved Water Bottles

1. Thermos Brand Flip Top Water Bottle – This has been Gemma’s go-to water bottle for the past year. Durable with an easy pop open and click shut top that’s easy to drink from and even easier to clean. 
2. Yeti Rambler – This insulated water bottle comes in tons of fun colors and is super durable. Keeps drinks cold until your last sip!
3. Pura Sport Mini Water Bottle – This is another great water bottle for kids because it’s the perfect diameter for little hands to be able to hold.
4. LifeFactory Water Bottle – I love that this water bottle is glass but comes with a silicone cover to protect it from breaking when dropped. The flip cap is perfect for kids too!
5. Owala Kids Water Bottle – This water bottle is great for kids since it’s a bit smaller and has a spill resistant straw. It’s also stainless steel and insulated to keep water cold for up to 24 hours.
6. Bentgo Kids Water Bottle – Any kid would be stoked to have one of these super cute water bottles. They comes in so many kid-friendly designs like rainbows and butterflies, dinosaurs and spaceships!
7. koodee Water Bottle – I have this water bottle for myself, but it’s a great one for kids and even teens too.
8. Simple Modern – This 40 ounce tumbler is perfect for older kids and adults. Chloe and I have matching ones we carry around the house like adult sippy cups. Add tons of ice to your water to keep it icy cold for 24 hours+.
9. S’well Stainless Steel Tumbler – Insulated to keep drinks cold for hours, with a sturdy build that stands up to being tossed in a bag. Great for older kids, and honestly I’ve been known to steal it for myself.

Backpacks for Kids

1. State Bags Backpack – I’ve loved these backpacks for a while now. They’re super durable, and with over 50 colors to choose from there’s something for everyone!
2. L.L.Bean Original Book Pak – These have been a tried and true for many families for as long as I can remember. They really are so strong and can be used for years! Here’s the larger version for big kids too!
3. Lavender Heart Tie-Dye Backpack – This backpack is absolutely adorable and can be customized with your kids name.
4. PBTeen NFL Backpack – For the kids who love sports and want to be a team player! This backpack is very durable as well and so much fun!
5. JanSport Backpack – JanSport backpacks are as classic as you can get! I love them because they come in tons of different colors and designs.