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8 Best Lunch Boxes and Bags for Kids

From lunch boxes with thermoses to those with built-in ice packs, these clever picks will impress every kid.

By Jessica Hartshorn and Jamie Spain
a collection of the best kids lunch boxes tested by the good housekeeping institute
Mike Garten

Your kid's lunch box is a near-daily companion that will hopefully last quite a few years. With the back-to-school season around the corner, you want to find the best (and cutest!) box or bag that can fit that healthy lunch you made without squishing it. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab put some popular reusable lunch bags, bento boxes for kids and more to the test. The top performers keep sandwiches, snacks and fruits stowed safely throughout the whole morning, and many of them have special features like thermoses for storing soup or built-in ice packs to keep things cool.

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Freezable Lunch Bag

    Best Overall Kids' Lunch Bag

    PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag

    $21 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Bento Box

    Best Value Kids' Lunch Box

    Sistema Bento Box

    Read more
  • 3
    Lunch Bag

    Best Kids' Lunch Bag to Hold a Bento Box

    Bentgo Lunch Bag

    Read more
  • 4
    Lunch Bag and Box Set

    Best Kids' Lunch Box with Compartments

    Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set

    Read more
  • 5
    Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box

    Best Kids' Stainless Steel Bento Lunch Box

    Yumbox Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box

    Read more

When picking the best lunch bags and boxes, we considered things like style, weight, size and added features to find a variety of options that are great for all needs and budgets. These picks also boast glowing online reviews from parents who have used them.

Head to the bottom of our guide to find more information about how we test lunch boxes, as well as what you should keep in mind when shopping for them. And if you're in the market for one of these nifty bags for yourself, check out our favorite lunch bags for adults as well.

1
Best Overall Kids' Lunch Bag

PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag

On Sale
Freezable Lunch Bag
1
Best Overall Kids' Lunch Bag

PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag

Now 12% Off
$21 at Amazon
Credit: PackIt
Pros
  • Built-in freezable gel liner keeps foods cold for hours
  • Folds flat for storage
Cons
  • Gel liner adds weight (but no ice pack is needed!)

Who needs an ice pack when you have a bag that doubles as one all on its own? PackIt's built-in freezable gel liner means you no longer have to jam an ice pack in alongside all of your food — just pop the whole bag into the freezer to chill it directly. While the gel liner does mean it's a bit heavier than some other picks, this was the only bag to keep its contents below 40˚F (a safety benchmark for perishables) for 5.5 hours in our lab test.

Store the bag in your freezer the night before school, and it will be ready to rock in the morning. It folds flat, so fitting it in among your frozen foods is easy. When you unfold it, you'll find it's super spacious for packing lunches. It also comes with an optional long strap for toting and is available in dozens of fun colors and patterns.

MaterialsPolyester, PEVA
Dimensions9.75" x 8.5" x 6.25"
2
Best Value Kids' Lunch Box

Sistema Bento Box

Bento Box
2
Best Value Kids' Lunch Box

Sistema Bento Box

Credit: Sistema
Pros
  • Freezer-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe
  • Compact design
Cons
  • Drink has to be packed separately
  • You may not be able to chose the color online

Picky kids will adore this box that keeps all of their favorite foods separate from each other with no risk of touching or transferring tastes. Removable trays nestle together to form this compact, lightweight bento box for less than $12. The set makes it easy to pack your kid a sandwich and four sides. The round container includes a screw-on lid to keep up to 5 oz of foods like yogurt, hummus or fruit salad contained.

Every piece of this tidy box can be popped in the freezer or used in the microwave as well as safely cleaned in the dishwasher so it's ready to go again the next day. The outer box has a closure to hold everything in place, but this box does not come with a drink compartment so kids will need to store that separately. Take note that some online reviewers found that they were unable to pick out the color of their lunch box in advance.

MaterialsPlastic
Dimensions8.62" x 7.32" x 3.03"
3
Best Kids' Lunch Bag to Hold a Bento Box

Bentgo Lunch Bag

Lunch Bag
3
Best Kids' Lunch Bag to Hold a Bento Box

Bentgo Lunch Bag

Credit: Bentgo
Pros
  • Perfect for rectangular containers
  • Insulated and has exterior pocket
  • Optional long shoulder strap
  • Drink fits in lid
Cons
  • Bulky and may not fit in a preschool backpack

Store all your favorite bento boxes in this tote since the Bentgo bag was specifically designed to fit an assortment of bento boxes — and you can also use it on its own. You won't have to make sure your kid's lunch box is washed and ready each morning since you can cycle it out with a variety of other rectangular boxes that will all fit.

It's insulated, and though we have not tested it in the Labs, it claims to keep food warm or cold for up to four hours. There's even an interior mesh pocket for extras like a drink or an ice pack and an exterior pocket for napkins and utensils. The long shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, but this box is a bit larger and bulkier than some other options so may not fit in a small backpack.

MaterialsPolyester, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate
Dimensions10" x 7" x 7"
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4
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Compartments

Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set

Lunch Bag and Box Set
4
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Compartments

Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set

Credit: Bentology
Pros
  • Containers have individual lids
  • Use bento box with or without carrying case
  • Includes a matching ice pack
Cons
  • Tots may struggle to pry off container lids

This 2-in-1 pick has the best of both worlds: a bag and a box to keep your kid's food sealed and separated from all the other items in their backpack. Plus, it helps keep everything from getting squished before lunchtime! The Bentology lunch bag set is a particularly great pick for kids who like a variety of foods at lunch: The five separate plastic containers each come with a lid to give you options on solid vs saucy foods.

The bento box fits inside the carrying bag along with a matching ice pack, but it can be used on its own if you don't have space for the whole bag. A large zippered front pocket lets you pack napkins, utensils or a note. We did find that some younger kids had a bit of trouble opening the containers.

MaterialsPolyester, plastic
Dimensions10" x 4" x 10.7"
5
Best Kids' Stainless Steel Bento Lunch Box

Yumbox Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box

Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box
5
Best Kids' Stainless Steel Bento Lunch Box

Yumbox Presto Stainless Steel Bento Box

Credit: Yumbox
Pros
  • Keeps food nicely separated
  • Stainless steel cleans easily with dish soap
  • Easy for children to open
Cons
  • Stainless steel is a bit heavy

Just like its plastic counterparts, this stainless steel bento box is great for children because it gives them the opportunity to get a little taste of several things (with nothing touching, which is critical for some kids!). The Yumbox has only one latch, so little hands can open it with ease.

It's got four compartments plus a round spot for dip (or a cookie). This version is made of durable, easy-to-clean stainless steel with a silicone lid that's available in several colors. Since it is made of stainless steel, it is a bit heavier than plastic versions.

MaterialsFood-grade stainless steel and silicone
Dimensions9.8" x 9.5" x 7.8"
6
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Thermos

OmieBox Bento Box for Kids

Bento Box for Kids
6
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Thermos

OmieBox Bento Box for Kids

Credit: omie
Pros
  • Removable bowl for hot or cold liquids
  • Small and compact for a bento box
Cons
  • Sturdy but heavy

This bento box–style lunch box from OmieBox is insulated and comes with a removable, thermos-like container that works for hot and cold foods. It's perfect for toting last night's reheated leftovers — or pop it in the fridge to help keep milk or juice cold. When you're using the thermos, the lunch box is a bit heavier than some other options on this list.

If you aren't packing the thermos, its square compartment can be used for a sandwich. The rectangular compartment has a moveable divider that allows you to adjust the size to fit your foods.

MaterialsStainless steel, silicone, plastic
Dimensions7.5" x 8.5" x 3"
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7
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Drink Holder

Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box

Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box
7
Best Kids' Lunch Box with Drink Holder

Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box

Now 20% Off
Credit: Pottery Barn Kids
Pros
  • Rigid walls help it keep its shape
  • Can add your child's name
  • Many colors and patterns
Cons
  • Needs a cold pack to keep food cool

Personalize your child's lunchbox with this pick from Pottery Barn that lets you choose from 19 fonts and four colors when you add a name or monogram to the front. It's easy for your kid to spot, and it's perfect for a school lunch: The rigid walls keep delicate foods from getting crushed, and a drink fits neatly in the mesh side pouch.

There are zippered pockets inside and out, and its main double zipper won't come open if the bag is shaken or dropped. If you want to keep things cold in the summer, you'll have to add a separate ice pack to ensure that everything stays chilled.

MaterialsRPET polyester, PEVA
Dimensions7.5" x 3.75" x 6"
8
Best Easy-Open Kids' Lunch Bag

Flatbox Lunch Bag

Lunch Bag
8
Best Easy-Open Kids' Lunch Bag

Flatbox Lunch Bag

Credit: Flatbox
Pros
  • Opens flat to act as a placemat
  • Sturdy handles
  • Machine washable
Cons
  • Soft sides can lead to a squished lunch

Messy eaters will appreciate that this lunch bag can be unzipped fully to double as a placemat. It's particularly good for little ones since zippers can be easier to open with their tiny fingers than hard plastic boxes. It's also lightweight and easy to store since it can be folded flat once your child finishes their lunch. That said, the softness does mean that the food has a bit less protection than a hard box offers, which can lead to squished sandwiches.

The Flatbox has large, comfortable handles on top that are particularly sturdy. It's also machine washable.

MaterialsNeoprene
Dimensions6.5" x 6.5" x 10.5"

How we test lunch boxes

"
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a kitchen expert using thermocouples to track the temperature of foods in an insulated kids' lunch box
Philip Friedman

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of kitchen gear, including food storage containers and water bottles. For this lunchbox update, we reviewed our data from a previous test of 43 lunch boxes and lunch bags and also looked at the newest versions on the market. When testing kids' lunch boxes we considered the following factors.

✔️ Ease of use: We had adults — as well as a 6-year-old and a 5-year-old — open and close lunch containers to be sure they weren't too difficult. The 5-year-old had an easier time with zippered, soft-sided bags than with latched, rigid boxes. We also tried packing different amounts of food in each lunch box. Because of their defined compartments, bento boxes keep food separate but cannot be stuffed with extras, whereas the cloth lunch totes can fit larger or smaller lunches, plus different-sized ice packs.
✔️ Durability: We dropped each lunch box to be sure it stayed closed. We also tested for staining. All of the lunch boxes in this story can be satisfactorily cleaned, but we found that those with a smooth plastic or metal interior are easier to clean than those made of cloth.
✔️ Performance: To each lunch box, our pros added an apple, a juice box, a sandwich and an ice pack; they then performed a temperature-evaluation test for each box to determine how long each could maintain a safe temperature over a six-hour time period. They also added 2 tbsp of apple juice to each lunch box and held it up to determine whether the box was leak-resistant.

What to consider when buying the best kids' lunch box

"

✔️ Your child's age: The less there is to open, the faster a small child will be able to eat lunch. Have them try to open and close the lunch box before you send them off with it. In our tests, we found that younger children had an easier time opening soft bags than rigid plastic boxes.

✔️ Weight and size of bag: When shopping for a kid's lunch box, consider whether it needs to fit inside a backpack or if it will be carried separately. If it's going in a backpack, you'll want something compact and lightweight that can hold its shape to avoid being crushed. If your child will carry lunch separately, the bag or box can be larger. And if they don't have far to walk with it — for instance, you drive them to school — the weight might not matter as much.

✔️ Materials: Different materials will be better for different families. Some include thermoses so you can store your hot soups or leftovers; others double as ice packs and can be popped in the freezer the night before to ensure cold food until lunchtime. Stainless steel and hard plastic boxes can be easy to clean while insulated polyester boxes may be more lightweight and the softer fabric easier to open.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

"

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.

Jessica Hartshorn is a former editor with Parents magazine. She brings decades of experience evaluating products for babies and children, especially back-to-school gear, to her writing and editing.

GH Institute Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst Jamie Spain worked with Nicole and Jessica to update this guide and reflect new testing and research.

Headshot of Jessica Hartshorn
Jessica Hartshorn
Contributing Writer

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.

Headshot of Jamie Spain
Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

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