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December 7, 2023

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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.

Forest green Monbento Tresor lunch box on a table.
Monbento MG Tresor Lunch Box

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 

Yumbox Kids Bento Box shown in pink and purple options.

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.

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from Biome

Crywolf Insulated Kids’ Lunch Bags, $39.99

Crywolf insulated kids' lunch bags shown in two styles.

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.

MoM.Buy.Now.2023
from THE ICONIC

Hippo Blue Bento Lunch Box, $55

Navy and pink bento box lunch boxes for kids.

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.

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from Hippo Blue

We Might Be Tiny Snackies, $34.95

We Might Be Tiny Snackies

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!

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from The Stork Nest

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

Selection of kids' bento lunch boxes in different colours.

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!

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from Catch

Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box, $84.95

Ecococoon Leak Proof Bento Lunch Box filled with fresh food.

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.

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from Biome

Planetbox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box With Dippers, $99

Planetbox Rover stainless steel bento box shown open and with accessories.

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.

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from Biome

The Somewhere Co Mini Lunch Case, $38

the-somewhere-co-kids-lunch-bag

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.

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from The Somewhere Co.

Bright Star Kids Personalised Lunch Bags, $39.95

Bright Star Kids insulated lunch bags in a row.

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.

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from Bright Star Kids

Stuck On You Large Personalised Bento Lunch Box, $54.95

Stuck On You Large Kids' Bento Boxes.

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!

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from Stuck On You

b.box 2L Kids’ Lunch Box, from $27.99

Assorted images of the b.box 2L kids' lunch boxes.

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!

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from Catch

OmieBox Hot/Cold Bento Lunch Box V2, $89.95

Omiebox hot and cold kids' lunch boxes in pink and blue styles.

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!

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from Biome

Monbento MB Tresor Kids’ Lunch Box, $44.95

Monbento kids' lunch boxes in forest green and blue.

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.

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from Hard To Find

Sachi Insulated Lunch Bags, $29.95

Row of three Satchi kids' insulated lunch boxes australia.

 

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!

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from Lime Tree Kids

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! 

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • i love our bbox snack container for crunch and sip and for lunch we use our smiggle

    Reply

  • I think the world has gone crazy with the fancy lunchboxes- what’s wrong with just having a good size lunch bag and a couple containers of varying sizes? I don’t get giving kids so many options in all the little compartments. There’s no way they’re going to eat it all, so we’re teaching that waste is okay, and I can only imagine how long they take to prepare…

    Reply

  • Gone are the days of a plastic bag…

    Reply

  • These lunchboxes look fabulous! I wish they were cheaper though, my son broke 5 lunchboxes last year ????

    Reply

  • Bbox is great. We use the whole range. However, it is quite heavy for a kindergarten to carry in their school bag. Would be great if they came up with a lighter cooler bag. Also their ice pack doesn’t last long, would love to find a brand with a long lasting ice pack.

    Reply

  • Nice article and see the varieties. we got Bluey theme B.Box lunch pack. we love that

    Reply

  • We love our bluey lunch box!

    Reply

  • I have the Bluey matching BBox set and we really love it only downside is the water bottle said dishwasher safe however the Bluey and Bingo label has already washed off after a month

    Reply

  • I have a BBox small for my toddler when we go out and about and need to bring her lunch and snacks. I love the compartments and ability to add small dividers using snack cups. Sandwiches stay fresh all day. Would love to get an insulated cover though for longer trips

    Reply

  • This is great! We have just started our school.journey with our first and I had no idea what lunchbox would be best. So this list is great to help me start looking.

    Reply

  • Lunch is so much harder than I had realised, luckily with 3 children Ill have plenty of ideas soon.

    Reply

  • I’m so glad I don’t have to do school lunches anymore. It was so hard to keep it healthy, change things up and find food the kids actually ate

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing, the Bento boxes are in favour here :)

    Reply

  • Many of these are expensive. I already bought an insulated one from Kmart.

    Reply

  • The Somewhere Co strikes again with the cutest little lunch bags imaginable!!!

    Reply

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