The right lunch box keeps little humans nourished while making life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia in one handy spot.

Lunch boxes have come a heck of a long way. No longer just plastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are heaps of different styles 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 that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.

How to choose the perfect 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.

• Box, bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a great choice. Also, think about whether they prefer cut-up or whole fruit; a bento is better suited to cut food, while bags and boxes suit whole fruit. Bags are fantastic 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. Check out 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 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.

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 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 best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia.

Frank Green Lunch Container, $79.95

Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their water bottle. It comes in a gorgeous range of colours suited to all ages and uses 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel and quality silicone lids. Monograms, bumper guards and ice bricks are all available separately

Pros:

• Leak-resistant design for mess-free travel
• Comes with two microwave-safe removable containers
• Customisable with your choice of monogram (at an additional cost)

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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.

Pros:

• Top rack dishwasher-safe
• Includes five half-cup sections for portion control
• Sections are labelled to help parents with a balanced lunch

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Sky Gazer Insulated Lunch Bag, $37.99

If your little (or not-so-little) one wants a lunch bag everyone will comment on, this is it. Available in a range of stunning designs, they come with a long and strong handle and easy-use zippers. But good looks aside, what’s winning heart about these is their capacity – they hold up to seven litres of food!

Pros:

• Water-resistant
• PEVA internal lining
• Side pocket for a water bottle

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Bentgo Kids’ Leak-Proof Lunch Box, $32.95

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!

Pros:

• Kid-friendly latch
• Antibacterial silicone seal
• Includes four large compartments

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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 a range of styles.

Pros:

• Roomy and stylish
• Shoulder strap makes carrying easy (and great if schoolbags are too full!)
• Zip-front pocket handy for cold packs or notes from mum

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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.

Pros:

• Dishwasher-safe
• Every compartment is leak-proof
• Easy to open and close (suitable for younger kids)

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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.

Pros:

• Keeps food separate
• Dishwasher-safe (lunch box only)
• A fully attached lid means one less thing to keep track of

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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.

Pros:

• Machine-washable
• Internal mesh pocket for an ice brick
• With their name on it, you won’t need to visit lost property!

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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!

Pros:

• BPA and phthalate-free
• Top rack dishwasher-safe
• Separates into three parts for easy cleaning

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b.box 2L Kids’ Lunch Box, $32.95

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.

Pros:

• Leak-proof silicone seal
• Comes with a gel cooler pack
• Square section is big enough for a regular sandwich

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Country Road Bay Kids Lunch Pack, $49.95

Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these bags are perfect for busy kids who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a canvas outer, insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Perfect for starting school or upgrading the whole lunch setup in one go.

Pros:

• Easy-carry handle
• Internal name label
• Stylish design, great for kids who prefer muted shades

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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!

Pros:

• Keeps food hot for up to 6 hours
• Fabulous for ‘nude food’ lunches
• Awesome carry handle for younger kids

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We Might Be Tiny Snackies, $35

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. Each uses food-grade silicone and comes with a matching lid and a silicone strap for securing the top and base together – and they’re even great for cereal!

Pros:

• Doubles as a plate or bowl
• Adorable shapes make school or preschool lunches fun
• Safe for the microwave, dishwasher and freezer

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What to put in kids’ lunch boxes

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.

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