The right lunch box not only helps keep little humans energised and nourished, but it makes life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put Australia’s best kids’ lunch boxes for school in one handy spot.

Lunch boxes have come a heck of a long way. No longer just plastic-fantastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are a heap of different styles and types to choose from, and if you head to the bottom of this article, you’ll find more information on what to look for, how to choose the right one for your child and even what to put in it!

Whether you’re after a colourful lunch box to match that new water bottle, or a machine-washable option, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.

How to choose a good lunch box

When you’re searching for a kids’ lunch box, take the time to work out what will best suit their needs. If you make the right choice and invest in a quality one, it will last many years.

• Bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a fab choice. Also, think about whether they prefer a hot or cold lunch and cut-up or whole fruit. Bags are great if you like to pack separate containers, like smaller bento or snack containers.
• Freshness is a must: An insulated bag or box will keep everything cool and fresh until snack and lunchtime. But you can also get boxes that come with cold and ice packs. Remember, kids’ lunches often sit at room temperature for up to 5 or 6 hours before they’re eaten, so insulation and coolness are important. Take a peek at how to keep school lunches safe in the heat.
• Easy-to-clean design: Check if the box is dishwasher safe, or for lunch bags, if they’re machine-washable.
• Leak-proof: The last thing you want is a soggy mess at lunchtime, so if buying a hard lunch box, look for designs that are leak-proof with proper seals.
• Child-friendly: Depending on your child’s motor skills and independence, you may need to start with a product that’s simple to open and close.
• The right size: We do tend to pack way too much in our kids’ lunches, so think about how much realistically you’ll need to pack for your child when choosing the size of their lunch box. You may also need to consider the size of their school bags.

 14 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids

Ready to get back-to-school sorted? From stainless steel gems to beautiful bentos, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. So sit back and enjoy our curated Mom Guide of the coolest kids’ lunch bags bentos and boxes in Australia.

Yumbox Kids’ Compartment Lunch Box, $44.95 

With six compartments and a flip-top lid, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. It boasts handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contains absolutely no BPA or Phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy-peasy cleaning.

Crywolf Insulated Kids’ Lunch Bags, $39.99

Seriously stylish and ultra-practical, Crywolf Insulated Lunch Bags use 100% recycled materials – so they’re a tick for the planet and healthy bodies! Each comes with fully insulated lining, a carry handle, a Velcro-close internal seal AND a clip closure on the outside. The beauty of a bag style like this is that you can even squeeze a water bottle in it as well.

Hippo Blue Bento Lunch Box, $55

Super popular for good reason, Hippo Blue Bento Lunch Boxes feature five compartments with a handy removable divider for fitting a sandwich. The insert is removable for easy washing in the dishwasher (top shelf) and you can even swap out the central disc for a new design if you want to! Choose from base colours of pink, purple, navy, green, blue or yellow.

We Might Be Tiny Snackies, $34.95

We Might Be Tiny, from $32

Pretty as a picture and pint-sized for little hands, We Might Be Tiny Snackies are perfect for smaller meals. They come in a choice of colours and animal themes and each is safe to pop in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher. They use food-grade silicone and come with a matching lid and a silicone strap for securing the top and base together. Oh and psst! These also double as fabulous cereal bowls!

Bentgo Kids’ Leak-Proof Bento Boxes, from $27

These rather kids’ bento lunch boxes are cleverly designed with five compartments ranging from one cup right down to two tablespoons, so you can even pack sauces and dips! The removable compartment tray is top-shelf dishwasher and microwave-safe and the genius leak-proof technology keeps everything fresh and dry!

Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box, $84.95

Large enough for the heartiest of little eaters, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. Genius! No more soggy anything! There are five handy compartments to make sure all of the food groups are ticked off, with a large compartment perfect for sandwiches, and smaller ones for snacks. The latest iteration of these gems has a silicon cover on the latch.

Planetbox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box With Dippers, $99

With sustainability at its core, the Planetbox Rover is a smart bento-style lunch box with an attached lid suitable for kids three and up. It uses 100% recycled stainless steel and is completely free from lead, BPA and phthalates. This set includes two ‘dipper’ containers, perfect for taking sauces or dips along with lunch – and if the kids want to decorate their Rover, magnet sets are available separately.

The Somewhere Co Mini Lunch Case, $38

Colourful and easy to carry, these bags are insulated, eco-friendly and secure. It features aluminium foil lining that keeps food fresh all day long and it comes with not only top-level carry handles but also a shoulder strap, which is brilliant for those days when kids have a lot to tote. Choose from Buttercup, Stardust, Dino Daze and Sunburn styles.

Bright Star Kids Personalised Lunch Bags, $39.95

Practical and customisable with your child’s name, these insulated bags tick all the boxes. You have a choice of Black, Pink or Dark Blue bag colours and from there, you get to choose from a huge range of designs to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, secure zip closure and enough internal space to fit a medium bento box.

Stuck On You Large Personalised Bento Lunch Box, $54.95

With a leak-proof silicone seal, these colourful lunch companions keep sauces and dips right where they belong. They come with six compartments, which convert to three for easy washing on the top shelf of the dishwasher. They’re free from any nasties and customisation with your child’s name – no more lost property, yay! Choose from box colours of Matte Navy, Pink Lemonade, Dusky Blue or Seafoam Green- if you can!

b.box 2L Kids’ Lunch Box, from $27.99

Tired of apples not fitting in hard lunch boxes? B.box has solved this with its flexible ‘whole fruit holder’ that bends around the fruit rather than squashing it – genius! If you’re not keen on cutting up a fruit salad every day, this multi-compartment two-litre lunch box has handy homes for everything. It also comes with a gel cooler pack (a must for Aussie summer!) and it’s freezer-safe. Choose from a range of colours and characters – like Bluey!

OmieBox Hot/Cold Bento Lunch Box V2, $89.95

Finally – a kids’ lunch box that stores hot AND cold food in one place! Designed out of necessity by a problem-solving mum, the OmieBox encourages low-waste lunches and ends the need to use multiple clunky containers (which always get lost!). The spill-proof individual compartments mean no mixing of savoury and sweet, and the  280ml double-wall thermos keeps soups and pasta hot for up to six hours!

Monbento MB Tresor Kids’ Lunch Box, $44.95

French-designed and possibly one of the most beautiful lunch kits we’ve ever laid eyes on, the Monbento Tresor is dishwasher, freezer and microwave-safe (without lids). It boasts a unique ‘tower’ design that keeps food separate and completely air-tight once shut. Available in Forest, Blue or Blush, each box includes a main central container, two food cups and five tokens for personalising the lid. And as if all that wasn’t enough, a silicon seal and two locks keep everything secure.

Sachi Insulated Lunch Bags, $29.95

My boys have used this style of lunch box for most of their primary years. The thermal insulation keeps food cool, and it just needs to be wiped with a damp cloth inside and out to keep it clean. They each have a strong zip closure, a carry handle for easy toting and a zippered external pocket (great for flat ice bricks!). The latest themes include rainbows, sports and gaming – good luck choosing!

What should be in my child’s lunch box?

Health professionals agree that kids need a good balance of lean protein, grains, fruit and vegetables throughout the school day. Skip the processed food and try to reach for whole foods that pack a punch in the nutrient department. Here are some great ideas:

• Grilled chicken or turkey wraps with fresh salad
• Crackers and vegetable sticks with healthy dips like hummus
• Whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes and your choice of cheese
• Zucchini slice cut into rectangles for easy stacking in an insulated box
• Almond-meal slice with raspberries or blueberries – or both!
• Vegetarian sausage rolls – these freeze well and make a great meat-free lunch when cold.

Do your kids hate sandwiches? Check out these 10 sandwich alternatives that dial up the YUM!