Best Lunch Boxes for Kids in 2024

Kelly R:  Lands' End lunch boxes hold up and they don't feature characters that my kids will end up outgrowing. We got a few years use out of ours. This insulated lunch box has a generous capacity, and I like that there is an external pocket that can fit the drink if necessary. It also has a clip handle that can be attached to the outside of a backpack. Tested to ensure safety from lead and phthalates.

Kelly R:  The Pottery Barn Kids lunch box options come in a variety of designs to coordinate with their popular backpacks, and they can be personalized with your child's name or initials. The classic style has a molded interior that can be wiped clean, and food storage accessories and water bottles are available to add on.

Katie G.:  The Ziploc divided lunch containers are the best lunch boxes for kids when you're looking for an economical reusable option. With three separate compartments, you can pack a healthy school lunch for your kids at a fraction of the cost for similar boxes. The big plus about these containers is that they are leak proof! You can fill it with watermelon or yogurt and not worry about it spilling in the lunch bag.

Kelly R:  Many bento-style lunch boxes for kids come with a multitude of little plastic parts and pieces, but the all-in-one stainless steel PlanetBox can be washed directly in the dishwasher. If you need leakproof capabilities, 2 smaller sealable food containers are included. The Rover style has 5 compartments to divide a sandwich or main dish, fruits, veggies and more, and few additional styles are also available. The sleek stainless steel design can be customized with colorful magnets, and you can add an insulated lunchbox bag that's sized just right to keep the PlanetBox cool.

Kelly R:  I'm a little embarrassed to admit how much time I spent researching insulated lunch bags before I landed on this one, but trust me when I say it ticks all the boxes. The zippered bottom is perfectly-sized to hold the LunchBots stainless steel container (our favorite!) or another bento-style box with an ice pack. Another zippered compartment at the top can hold snacks, napkins, smaller water bottles, etc. I love that the top portion is separate, so there's no confusion about what's for snack and what's for lunch. It's durable enough to stand up to the occasional machine washing, and the style is approved by both my elementary schooler and my middle schooler.

These adorable insulated lunch bags come in multiple design options, and can be paired with Skip Hop backpacks, thermoses and lunch jars. Perfect for toddlers or younger kids, they are the best lunchboxes for kids to take to preschool!

STATE offers the best lunch boxes for kids when you're looking for a trendy modern design. These bags even have a little see through pocket inside the flap for notes or pictures to your kiddos. As a bonus, the purchase of every STATE product supports an American child in need.

Kelly R:  LunchBots lunch containers are made of sturdy stainless steel and built to last. The trio configuration will fit a sandwich and two sides, and other sizes and styles are available as well. I love that these are so versatile, dishwasher safe, don't have a lot of pieces, and the sleek design will grow with our kids. We've been using ours for 2 years and they are still going strong.

Kelly R:  Yumbox bento lunch box containers have a simple 2-piece design, keep food separated without the need for individual containers, and hold plenty of food while still fitting into a standard lunchbox. They are leakproof for wet foods (think applesauce, not soup), but make sure to hand wash to preserve the seal. The labeled compartments keep me honest and help me to pack a balanced lunch when I'm rushing to get them out the door in the morning. A variety of other sizes are also available.

Alexandra F.:  These decidedly more grown up lunch bags have served our kids well as they enter their tween years and are no longer interested in their old patterned lunch boxes. They come in a variety of solid colors (and also fun patterns for the littles!), are insulated, and large and flexible enough to easily fit most lunch items and accessories. Plus, the material makes them easy to wipe clean! They are also lead-safe, BPA-free and phthalate-free.

Kelly R:  The walls of PackIt lunch boxes are filled with freezable gel. Store them in the freezer overnight, and they'll be ready to keep your child's lunch cold for hours at school the next day. No additional ice packs required! We had the Classic style, which is shaped like a traditional lunch box, but a variety of styles and smaller snack sizes are available. The gel does make them pretty heavy, so keep this in mind if your kids are younger.

Kelly R:  BUILT lunch bags are made from neoprene (like a wetsuit), with the big advantage being that they are machine washable! That's hard to find in a lunch box. The material will stretch to accommodate a variety of containers, and it will keep food cold or warm for 4 hours. This is a nice choice for older kids who don't want a traditional-looking lunch box.