Lunch bags / boxes for me and my kid
July 19, 2017 12:49 PM Subscribe
We will have to start packing kid-lunches for school this year, and I might as well get on the bandwagon too. Kid doesn't have a lunchbox at all, and mine is old, gross, and utterly unfashionable. Difficulty level: I detest lunchboxes that require you to put the food in sideways.
Me: I want something that can carry a lot of stuff and still close - like, if I decided to pack breakfast and lunch, I'd like it to accommodate that. I'd like to be able to bring leftovers with sauces, and I hate lunchbox leaks. I want a lunchbox where the containers can stay upright, without too much room to flop around and fall over if they're stacked. Most of the containers in our house are Snapware style glass containers, which can be large-ish. I prefer bringing my lunch in glass containers because they are refrigerator- and microwave-safe, and don't absorb odors. I have access to a refrigerator and a microwave, so no special insulation needs. I could just do a six-pack cooler, but surely there's something a little more stylish? Also sometimes I run out of height room in those.
Kid: Aged 6. School makes a big deal about waste-free lunches. He probably will not carry glass containers for weight reasons. We do not already have good containers for him. He will not have access to a microwave, so will need either containers that can keep food warm, or plastic containers for room temp stuff. However, dishwasher safe is a big plus, as are containers that are easy for a kid to open without spillig. He does have a small bento box from Japan, but it's sized for a preschooler and would require supplementation. I'd also prefer his lunchbox to keep containers upright - even if you swear on your grandmother's grave that $container will NEVER EVER LEAK it's still going to bug me :)
Bonus question: how many sets of lunch-packing-containers do you keep for your kid?
Bonus bonus: I'm new to packing kid-lunches, so if you have any words of wisdom or warning, please share.
Me: I want something that can carry a lot of stuff and still close - like, if I decided to pack breakfast and lunch, I'd like it to accommodate that. I'd like to be able to bring leftovers with sauces, and I hate lunchbox leaks. I want a lunchbox where the containers can stay upright, without too much room to flop around and fall over if they're stacked. Most of the containers in our house are Snapware style glass containers, which can be large-ish. I prefer bringing my lunch in glass containers because they are refrigerator- and microwave-safe, and don't absorb odors. I have access to a refrigerator and a microwave, so no special insulation needs. I could just do a six-pack cooler, but surely there's something a little more stylish? Also sometimes I run out of height room in those.
Kid: Aged 6. School makes a big deal about waste-free lunches. He probably will not carry glass containers for weight reasons. We do not already have good containers for him. He will not have access to a microwave, so will need either containers that can keep food warm, or plastic containers for room temp stuff. However, dishwasher safe is a big plus, as are containers that are easy for a kid to open without spillig. He does have a small bento box from Japan, but it's sized for a preschooler and would require supplementation. I'd also prefer his lunchbox to keep containers upright - even if you swear on your grandmother's grave that $container will NEVER EVER LEAK it's still going to bug me :)
Bonus question: how many sets of lunch-packing-containers do you keep for your kid?
Bonus bonus: I'm new to packing kid-lunches, so if you have any words of wisdom or warning, please share.
I can't answer the you part because my lunchbox needs are different than yours (though you might want to just jump on Amazon and sort by four-star-and-up reviews and see what's good and pick one that looks like it would meet your needs), but I can address the kid part maybe. Don't spend a ton of money on this because there will always be a chance that something won't come home. Instead of purpose-bought containers, I just reuse empty yogurt containers for things like carrot sticks, pretzels, and the like. I wouldn't pack anything that could be really bad if it spills, like soup. Typically my kid's lunch contains a sandwich, a yogurt, an apple, some carrots, a fruit leather, and pretzels/chips. I know a lot of people like to use juice boxes to keep things cold but since I'm not a fan of juice, I just use an icepack in the bottom of an insulated lunch box. (It's just the one that came with his backpack, similar to this one).
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:02 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:02 PM on July 19, 2017
So, I have tried a lot of lunch boxes over the years. Right now, I am using a Built specifically because it can accommodate glass Snapware, and I tend to re-heat leftovers. They have many different sizes and styles.
posted by instead of three wishes at 1:02 PM on July 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by instead of three wishes at 1:02 PM on July 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Adding more lunch details! We use these containers, which fit right in the lunch box no problem and are dishwasher safe. I also got a set of the silicone cupcake liners that I use for additional portioning of snacks. I don't use them very often, but I couldn't resist when I was at your stage in lunch-packing and bought some of those bento picks, which are actually kind of useful for melon or fruit pieces.
posted by LKWorking at 1:05 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by LKWorking at 1:05 PM on July 19, 2017
We use this flip top lunch box from L.L.Bean - basically a soft-sided insulated version of the old working man's lunch box. The space in the lid will hold a thermos for hot food, if you want to do that. Handle is at the top.
I've tried A LOT of fancy food containers, and the ones I've stuck with are from the Sistema line that you can get a lot of places (I buy mine at Homegoods, but Amazon has them as well).
I get the most use out of the bento cube (the bento box is really too big for lunch box use, and the "lunch cube" flips open and closed, leaving something upside down or spilling out), the basic sandwich box, the 200 ml snack container, and the split containers. I bought sets of three when my son was in 1st grade and now going into 6th grade they're still going strong. (Note that glass is probably prohibited in school anyhow, for safety reasons.) (Also, Amazon prices are CRAZY and you'll do better at Target or other. Shop around.)
My only tip is to develop five lunches he likes and just make them every week. Trust me that it will make your life so much easier.
posted by anastasiav at 1:19 PM on July 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've tried A LOT of fancy food containers, and the ones I've stuck with are from the Sistema line that you can get a lot of places (I buy mine at Homegoods, but Amazon has them as well).
I get the most use out of the bento cube (the bento box is really too big for lunch box use, and the "lunch cube" flips open and closed, leaving something upside down or spilling out), the basic sandwich box, the 200 ml snack container, and the split containers. I bought sets of three when my son was in 1st grade and now going into 6th grade they're still going strong. (Note that glass is probably prohibited in school anyhow, for safety reasons.) (Also, Amazon prices are CRAZY and you'll do better at Target or other. Shop around.)
My only tip is to develop five lunches he likes and just make them every week. Trust me that it will make your life so much easier.
posted by anastasiav at 1:19 PM on July 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
For the kids, we are on year 4 of using solvetta lunch boxes which can we thrown in the wash and unzip for use as a placemat or folding for flat storage during their off-season. They don't go in the dryer, just air dry overnight if they had a messy day. The older kiddo's may make the jump to middle school.
posted by childofTethys at 1:25 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by childofTethys at 1:25 PM on July 19, 2017
My preschooler uses a Lunchbots divided stainless tin for her lunch. We have two of them and wash them in the dishwasher. They will not hold liquids without leaking. She also sometimes uses a to-go ware condiment tin for dip or sauce. It does not leak.
posted by adiabatic at 1:32 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by adiabatic at 1:32 PM on July 19, 2017
I like U Konserve's stainless steel containers (they have plastic lids and don't leak; they're also lighter than glass). The square ones fit upright in all my lunchboxes.
posted by marfa, texas at 1:53 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by marfa, texas at 1:53 PM on July 19, 2017
I don't have any good comments on adult bags; I just throw my lunch into my work bag and put it in the fridge.
Bento containers perfectly fit into the form factor of lunch box that you don't like, which is why we use them. We use this style, which is a little smaller than standard adult size, for the kid's lunch. Kid finds it easy to open with a rubber band holding it together. We usually add a beverage and something additional (fruit, granola bar, something in the dessert/treat sphere), usually in this type of container. The bento isn't leak proof but we don't pack many liquids. We usually have 3-4 of each kind of container in rotation at any given time.
Kid has needed a packed lunch since 3 months when it was only bottles, so we have it down to a science. Our default approach is to fill one half of the container with veggies and/or fruit and the other half with protein/starch. It's usually leftovers; we cut extra veggies when prepping dinner and put them in, and make about 50% more food than we would if we didn't want any leftovers. It's usually enough for one kid lunch and 1-2 adult lunches, depending on how we did. On leftover-free nights, I'll make a sandwich or put in some crackers and cheese, or a hardboiled egg.
posted by tchemgrrl at 2:04 PM on July 19, 2017
Bento containers perfectly fit into the form factor of lunch box that you don't like, which is why we use them. We use this style, which is a little smaller than standard adult size, for the kid's lunch. Kid finds it easy to open with a rubber band holding it together. We usually add a beverage and something additional (fruit, granola bar, something in the dessert/treat sphere), usually in this type of container. The bento isn't leak proof but we don't pack many liquids. We usually have 3-4 of each kind of container in rotation at any given time.
Kid has needed a packed lunch since 3 months when it was only bottles, so we have it down to a science. Our default approach is to fill one half of the container with veggies and/or fruit and the other half with protein/starch. It's usually leftovers; we cut extra veggies when prepping dinner and put them in, and make about 50% more food than we would if we didn't want any leftovers. It's usually enough for one kid lunch and 1-2 adult lunches, depending on how we did. On leftover-free nights, I'll make a sandwich or put in some crackers and cheese, or a hardboiled egg.
posted by tchemgrrl at 2:04 PM on July 19, 2017
We use a Hanna Andersson lunch bag with those slim ice packs with the hole in the center.
We use the First Years Take & Toss snack cups and bowls. Despite their name, we've used them for years. Also the Light My Fire Spork Little.
And Reduce WaterWeek Kids bottles. It makes things colorful!
I also want to plug this Boon Span silicone dishwasher net. You stretch it across the top rack to keep all these containers from flipping over and filling with water. Two nets are enough to contain the entire top rack. Game changer!!!
posted by kittydelsol at 5:06 PM on July 19, 2017
We use the First Years Take & Toss snack cups and bowls. Despite their name, we've used them for years. Also the Light My Fire Spork Little.
And Reduce WaterWeek Kids bottles. It makes things colorful!
I also want to plug this Boon Span silicone dishwasher net. You stretch it across the top rack to keep all these containers from flipping over and filling with water. Two nets are enough to contain the entire top rack. Game changer!!!
posted by kittydelsol at 5:06 PM on July 19, 2017
Almost forgot! Lunchskins sandwich bags and snack bags.
posted by kittydelsol at 5:12 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by kittydelsol at 5:12 PM on July 19, 2017
Glass containers are verboten at our school. Each kid has one of these Thermos with folding spoon (oldest has lasted 6 years and still going strong) and one of these beverage containers (two years). I have tried quite a few beverage containers over the years and the others either leaked or were a pain in the butt to clean. These have been great so far.
As for the bag, the favourite at our place is the BUILT rolltop, as it can be as big or small as you need it to be. However, it looks like it has been discontinued. The crosstown looks OK with that strap on the top, but maybe too difficult for little fingers.
posted by Cuke at 5:13 PM on July 19, 2017
As for the bag, the favourite at our place is the BUILT rolltop, as it can be as big or small as you need it to be. However, it looks like it has been discontinued. The crosstown looks OK with that strap on the top, but maybe too difficult for little fingers.
posted by Cuke at 5:13 PM on July 19, 2017
For our new Kindergartener last year, we got a soft-sided zipper top lunchbag from Target for about $5. It's vertical as opposed to horizontal. I can't tell you the brand but I can tell you that it's blue. I saw one there last week.
For waste-free lunch containers we got round Nuk (plastic) containers. We've been using them for five years now and they definitely hold up. I got them at BRU but I think Target has them now too. Amazon too, though I think for a couple bucks more. It's a set of four, each bowl a different color, which is handy because...
We have two kids now and we pre-make meals on Sunday nights. So we have ten (!) sets of Nuk containers. We color code meals for easy lunchbag assembly in the morning. For example, breakfasts go in orange bowls, lunches go in blue bowls, morning snack in another color, afternoon snack in another color. We toss them in the dish washer at the end of the day. Like I said, they hold up. You don't need so many sets if you don't mind making lunches more than once a week.
We heat breakfasts in the plastic bowls right before we leave the house, and lunch for my toddler is heated in the bowl at school. 6yo's lunch is some version of sandwich, which at his age is just a half sandwich (or mini bagel) and still fits in the bowl. You could get a slim ice pack or mini ice lack if cooling is a concern.
For cold days we send a warm lunch for 6yo in a small Thermos brand thermos, which has a foldable spoon that fits into a nook in the lid. 6yo reports that lunch, having been heated in the morning, is still at a good temp by lunchtime. We got the Thermos at Target.
You didn't ask but we have found Contigo flip-top bottles to be excellent leak-proof water carriers.
For the adults - our commutes are short so we use whatever Tupperware or glass container is handy and toss them in our work bags or maybe first in a plastic shopping bag.
posted by vignettist at 5:26 PM on July 19, 2017
For waste-free lunch containers we got round Nuk (plastic) containers. We've been using them for five years now and they definitely hold up. I got them at BRU but I think Target has them now too. Amazon too, though I think for a couple bucks more. It's a set of four, each bowl a different color, which is handy because...
We have two kids now and we pre-make meals on Sunday nights. So we have ten (!) sets of Nuk containers. We color code meals for easy lunchbag assembly in the morning. For example, breakfasts go in orange bowls, lunches go in blue bowls, morning snack in another color, afternoon snack in another color. We toss them in the dish washer at the end of the day. Like I said, they hold up. You don't need so many sets if you don't mind making lunches more than once a week.
We heat breakfasts in the plastic bowls right before we leave the house, and lunch for my toddler is heated in the bowl at school. 6yo's lunch is some version of sandwich, which at his age is just a half sandwich (or mini bagel) and still fits in the bowl. You could get a slim ice pack or mini ice lack if cooling is a concern.
For cold days we send a warm lunch for 6yo in a small Thermos brand thermos, which has a foldable spoon that fits into a nook in the lid. 6yo reports that lunch, having been heated in the morning, is still at a good temp by lunchtime. We got the Thermos at Target.
You didn't ask but we have found Contigo flip-top bottles to be excellent leak-proof water carriers.
For the adults - our commutes are short so we use whatever Tupperware or glass container is handy and toss them in our work bags or maybe first in a plastic shopping bag.
posted by vignettist at 5:26 PM on July 19, 2017
I bought my Arctic Zone lunchbox at Costco (I believe they're still in stock) and I really like it. It was inexpensive, it holds a lot, it cleans out easily, and the use of the ice packs means I don't even need to keep my lunch in the fridge for it to stay cold enough until lunchtime. Excellent quality.
posted by Autumnheart at 5:47 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by Autumnheart at 5:47 PM on July 19, 2017
If you're near a Container Store, they have a great selection of lunchbags and containers. You can take a look and see what works for you. For cracker storage, I usually hit up Daiso or the equivalent and get small stackable containers; they usually disappear throughout the year and I don't feel too bad, since they were so cheap.
posted by mogget at 7:21 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by mogget at 7:21 PM on July 19, 2017
Seconding U Konserve containers and thirding Built bags here. This is what we use for our 4yo (with a cold pack in the bottom). In both cases they're super durable and easy to wash (and the containers sit flat).
posted by marlys at 7:55 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by marlys at 7:55 PM on July 19, 2017
For yourself, consider a dry bag. They're designed to keep water out, but they'll work just as well at keeping water in. The item I linked is a set of three (2L, 4L, and 8L) so you can pick the size you want that day. You can find others in different shapes if your food containers aren't tall and skinny. (I use a stack of 0.5L Redditainers I get for free with my take out.)
posted by d. z. wang at 8:43 PM on July 19, 2017
posted by d. z. wang at 8:43 PM on July 19, 2017
I also have a Built lunch bag and I love it. I never have to put things in sideways (maybe a soda can).
posted by raccoon409 at 4:52 AM on July 20, 2017
posted by raccoon409 at 4:52 AM on July 20, 2017
My family's history with lunch containers is most of the ones for kids get destroyed inside of year.
At the time my kids were destroying lunch boxes, I had this one from Think Geek (no longer available). It lasted quite a while and at one point my daughter annexed it.
I bought myself the Think Geek Tactical Lunch Box which has served me quite well.
Generally speaking, avoid anything with vinyl and for kids, avoid zippers. Vinyl tears, zippers break.
posted by plinth at 6:03 AM on July 20, 2017
At the time my kids were destroying lunch boxes, I had this one from Think Geek (no longer available). It lasted quite a while and at one point my daughter annexed it.
I bought myself the Think Geek Tactical Lunch Box which has served me quite well.
Generally speaking, avoid anything with vinyl and for kids, avoid zippers. Vinyl tears, zippers break.
posted by plinth at 6:03 AM on July 20, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by LKWorking at 12:55 PM on July 19, 2017