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Average Ratings (from 52 ratings)
Overall star Rating
CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet
CERELAC Oats & Wheat :
4.66 out of 5 based on 52 reviews.

CERELAC is the #1 infant cereal brand in Australia^^ and has been crafted for babies since 1867.

CERELAC is made with wholesome natural grains, sourced from selected farmers. All products go through extensive quality checks to ensure the highest standards for babies.

  1. CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and help brain and cognitive development. Enjoy CERELAC as part of a varied diet.
  2. CERELAC is iron fortified, with each serve contributing on average 50% of recommended daily intake of iron for babies (aged 4-12 months). Enjoy CERELAC as part of a varied diet.
  3. CERELAC is the only infant cereal brand with probiotics, containing Bifidus BL, a probiotic similar to those found in the digestive system of breastfed babies.

CERELAC Oats & Wheat:

Nestlé CERELAC Oats & Wheat is another step forward in your baby’s journey of nutritional discoveries. CERELAC Oats & Wheat is a convenient and nutritionally adapted complementary food that contains two grains, making it easy to mix with a teaspoon of your baby’s favourite vegetable or fruit puree for a tasty variation. When prepared, it has a fine texture ideal for babies from 6 months. 

CERELAC Oats & Wheat is rich in iron, containing an average 69% of the RDI**, and contains probiotic Bifidus BL.

CERELAC Oats & Wheat with Prune:

After learning how to take solid food, Nestlé CERELAC Oats & Wheat with Prune is another step forward in your baby’s journey of nutritional discoveries. It contains oat and wheat grains, tasty prunes, is rich in iron, and when prepared has a fine texture ideal for babies from 6 months. 

CERELAC Oats & Wheat with Prune is rich in iron, containing an average 69% of the RDI**, and contains probiotic Bifidus BL.

**Recommended dietary intake for infants 6-12 months

Instructions for Use:

Wash your hands before preparing your baby’s food. Make sure all utensils (spoon, bowl) are thoroughly clean.  Boil clean drinking water for 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Measure 90mL and pour lukewarm water^ into your baby’s bowl. Add 21g of CERELAC, approx. 2.5 AU tablespoons. Stir until the cereal is a smooth consistency and feed immediately using a clean spoon. Discard any uneaten portion.

^ Water can be substituted with baby’s usual milk if desired. When prepared with breast milk, it may become more watery. Reduce quantity of breast milk added to achieve desired consistency. Extra nutrients will be provided if made up with breast milk or formula.

range of cereals in the cerelac infant cereals reviewWhere can I buy CERELAC?

The CERELAC Infant Cereals range is available at the Nestle Baby StoreAmazon, Coles, Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse.

More about this review

For the CERELAC Infant Cereals review campaign, we asked Australian parents with children between 4-12 months who have started on solids to trial the CERELAC range from home. Parents were then asked to come back to this page to share their thoughts and opinions with us. We’re excited to see what our MoM Members think.

Get social with CERELAC

Facebook: @cerelacanz
Instagram: @cerelacau

^^Nielsen Scan Track Service Data, Australian Grocery, Infant Cereal Sales. MAT 7.02.21

Published 16th April 2021


  • Our go to first food and dinner

    Cerelac has been the first good cereal for both my babies, I add a bit of breastmilk or water to it and can feed straight to bubs.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Goodness for my babe

    Transparent ingredients, and easy to make. My little guy enjoyed it and it did not cause an upset tummy for him. I would definitely recommend this cereal to others, and I will be purchasing this again for the quick, easy and efficient way of serving.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Best cerelac

    My baby loves all flavours. This is easy and convenient when I have no time to cook baby food.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Baby loved it!

    Baby loved this, I mixed it with some fruit and it was a real hit. Very nutritious and easy to prepare.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Amazing

    Amazing such an easy food for bub to eat

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • CERELAC OATS & WHEAT

    I would recommend this product to other parents as it was easy to make, a very smooth texture, it also tasted yummy and my bub absolutely smashed it and ate it all. The only downside was the package was not resealable, and had to be stored in a container.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Convenient healthy beakfast

    Celerac oats and wheat was so easy and fast to make for bubs breakfast. Great for those times when you need to feed them in a hurry because they’re staaaarrrving. Breaky was devoured too so he must love it.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Daughter loves it

    My daughter demolished this

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Quick, easy and baby loves it!

    My son loved this! It was so quick and easy to prepare as we constantly have cooled boiled water available. Have also tried mixing it with some mash banana, pear and a bit of yogurt. Great way to add it extra iron to their diets.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • My toddler Ioves it

    At 20 months old my little one is still loving the wheat flavour. We couldn’t be happier with this product! It’s super easy to mix up & she must absolutely love the flavour still!! Win win over here! Another thing my little one has had some allergies so this product has been gentle on her allergies & it’s the one thing we don’t have to worry about.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Yummy!

    Cerelac with prunes is one of my bub’s faves. Also nice to know how much iron is in it, so great for bub’s as they get older.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Our go to first food and dinner

    Cerelac has been the first good cereal for both my babies, I add a bit of breastmilk or water to it and can feed straight to bubs.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Awesome product!

    This was really appreciated by my little one! She gulped it down and actually cried when there was no more! I found it filled her up too and she was happier afterwards than with the other brand of cereal I was giving her. Thanks for the chance to try this!

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Bub loved it

    My little one really enjoyed the Oats with Wheat and Prune cereal. Used it on alternating days with other cereals and he enjoyed this one quite a bit. Very easy to mix up for him and straight forward in terms of storage in the cupboard. Very easy to find in the shops too so no risk of running out.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • We love Cerelac!

    Such a great easy to use product. My baby finds it delicious and always wants more. Perfect to keep in the pantry to always have something on hand. I would definitely recommend to other mums. It is located conveniently in the major supermarkets. We love Cerelac, and would definitely buy again!

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Goodness for my babe

    Transparent ingredients, and easy to make. My little guy enjoyed it and it did not cause an upset tummy for him. I would definitely recommend this cereal to others, and I will be purchasing this again for the quick, easy and efficient way of serving.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Best cerelac

    My baby loves all flavours. This is easy and convenient when I have no time to cook baby food.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Quick and easy breakfast

    Overall, very quick and easy to prepare. My daughter loved it on its own or with chopped bits of fruit and some yogurt mixed through it.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Fantastic

    Wow, I wasn’t expecting this to go down so brilliantly. Was keen to give it a try, but was unaware how much of a hit it was going to be. Bubs loved it. So easy and simple to make up. Perfect consistency each time. I even used some to thicken up my hot chocolates too haha. Ive bought and tried all versions now. I like the crunch on the pear flavor best

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Baby loved it!

    Baby loved this, I mixed it with some fruit and it was a real hit. Very nutritious and easy to prepare.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Cerelac oats & wheat

    We loved the oat & wheat cereal! It mixed up great, empty bowl everytime. We did mix it with some purée fruits for abit more flavour. Thank you for choosing us to review!

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Amazing

    Amazing such an easy food for bub to eat

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Baby approved

    My 7 month old really enjoys the wheat and oat cerelac and has been eating it every morning for breakfast. Pretty sure he’d eat it all the time if we let him! Previously he has always had the prune cerelac and I thought wheat and oat sounded a bit bland in flavour but actually he really enjoys it, it’s super easy to make and it doesn’t go off like those jars of food you buy. Highly recommend

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Taste so good

    My daughter enjoys her breakfast and this Cerelac tastes so good.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Trusted

    Loved this product for both my kids
    My son wasn’t too keen but eventually fell in love with it and it’s got a great texture too

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • A favourite

    The prune cereal has always been a favourite. My son loves the flavour. It’s really easy to make and great to have in winter as a warm breakfast. They’re a great texture and a must try for some of bub’s early meals.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Well Received

    This product has a surprisingly smooth consistency when made. It was very easy to prepare and my little man can’t get enough of it. I’ll definitely buy this product in the future.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Cerelac

    We have been using another rice cereal but comparing the ingredients we will definitely be switching to Cerelac, packed with so many nutrients and iron for my growing bub and a huge bonus she loved it too! It was very easy to make and could easily adjust the consistency to what your baby prefers without changing the flavour too much, we found the amount recommend to make was too much so just halved that and can make more when she starts eating more! The oats and wheat with prune was a huge hit.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • A good breakfast option

    The cerelac oats & wheat was happily accepted by my daughter. She seemed to prefer this one to the rice one. I also tried them both and preferred the oats & wheat one. I also found it a slightly thicker consistency which might have been why she preferred it too.The preparation and instructions are super easy to follow. The hardest part is making sure you have cooled boiled water if, like me, you don’t feed with formula. Overall it’s a good, healthy, breakfast product that’s easy to prepare and happily accepted by not just my daughter but also by my doggos helping to clean up afterwards.

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet


  • Easy

    Love this rice cereal. So easy and quick to give Bub for breakfast especially when you have 2 other kids to feed. Would be easier if came in a resealable bag though

    CERELAC was convenient & easy to use
    CERELAC was easily accepted by my child
    I would recommend CERELAC to other parents and carers
    I trust that CERELAC is packed with iron to support immune system function and helps brain and cognitive development as part of a varied diet

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Topics

The right lunch box helps keep 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.

Kids’ lunch boxes have come a very 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 drink bottle, or a machine-washable option that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.

The Star Patrol Mini Lunch Case.
The Star Patrol Mini Lunch Case. Image: The Somewhere Co.

Lunch Box Comparison Table

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to lunch box shopping, check out our comparison table below as a handy guide. (Use the bottom slider to see all brands)

The table below is a guide only. Products are subject to changes by brands.

MontiiCoB.BoxFrank Green Lunch ContainerYumboxSky Gazer Bentgo ModernThe Somewhere Co. MiniEcoCocoonBright Star KidsStuck On YouCountry Road ElysiaOmieBox
StyleBagBentoBoxBentoBagBentoBagBentoBagBentoBagBento
Colour variationsYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES
MaterialFabric & aluminium liningPP & siliconeStainless steel & siliconeABS, tritan & siliconeFabric & PEVA liningBPA-free plasticRPET & aluminium foil liningStainless steel & siliconeFabric & insulation liningBPA-free plastic100% cotton canvas & insulation liningStainless steel, plastic & silicone
Start price$42.95$27.95$79.95$49.95$34.99$39.95$38$84.95$39.95$54.95$59.95$89.95
Loved for itsRoomy size & machine washable designCustom divider3-in-1 designPortion-controlled sectionsUnique designsRemovable sandwich dividerShoulder strapDishwasher-safe partsPersonalisationLeak-proof silicone sealInternal name labelStorage for hot and cold food
Mouths Of Mums Kids’ Lunch Boxes Comparison Table. (The products above are featured in our shortlist below.)

How to choose the best lunch box for school

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.

12 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids In Australia

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.

Any included reviews come via the Mouths of Mums Facebook Page.

MontiiCo Large Lunch Bags, $42.95

MontiiCo Large Lunch Bags.

These award-winning lunch bags have sold over 200,000 units – and it’s clear to see why. The interior of each large bag measures 29cm x 23.5cm x 7.5cm, making them big enough to fit multiple containers and even many popular bento boxes. Each bag comes with an ice pack for up to eight hours of cooling – and you have a massive range of designs to choose from.

Pros:

  • Interior name label
  • Fabulous large size fits everything!
  • Comes with an ice pack for day-long cooling

“A vote for montii co lunch boxes, lunch bags and freezer bricks (they really do stay frozen all day!!” (Megan)

“Montii lunch bags are the best and the freezer brick can stay frozen for ages I forgot one day and it was still cold after 24hrs” (Sarah)

Where to buy it: MontiiCo, Lime Tree Kids


b.box 2L Kids’ Lunch Box, $27.95

B.box 2L kids bento 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.

Pros:

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

“B-box lunch boxes are the best…all parts come out so you can wash them super easy! So many awesome accessories available for them too!” (Kerrie)

“BBox lunch boxes are great and they fit in the large Montiico lunch bags. As someone has said, the ice brick that comes with it is amazing too” (Tash)

“I really like the B.Box lunch boxes.” (Kendal)

“Bbox is the winner in our community on repeat.” (Mums On A Budget)

Where to buy it: Kitchen Warehouse, Woolworths, b.box


Frank Green Lunch Container, $79.95

Frank Green coloured lunch containers.

Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their drink 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 bumper, ice brick and monogramming (at an additional cost)

Where to buy it: Frank Green


Yumbox Kids’ Compartment Lunch Boxes, from $49.95 

Yumbox Kids Bento Box shown in pink and purple options.

With the option of four, five or six compartments, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. They feature handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contain absolutely no BPA or phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy cleaning.

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: Biome, Yumbox


Sky Gazer Insulated Lunch Bag, from $34.99

Sky Gazer Insulated Lunch Bags.

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

Where to buy it: THE ICONIC, Sky Gazer


Bentgo Modern Bento Boxes, $39.95

Bentgo Modern Lunch Boxes.

After something a bit more mature? Bentgo’s Modern lunch boxes are a great option. They have a sleek matte finish in a choice of four stylish shades, including Mint Green, Orchid, Dark Grey and Navy. Each is cleverly designed with a removable divider that allows you to choose between using three or four compartments. Even better, they are leak-proof, microwave-safe and fine to pop in the dishwasher.

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: Kitchen Warehouse, Amazon


The Somewhere Co Mini Lunch Case, $38

The Somewhere Co. Mini Lunch Bags.

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 top-level carry handles and 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

Where to buy it: The Somewhere Co.


EcoCocoon Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box, $84.95

EcoCocoon Leak-Proof Lunch Box with a bagel and fresh food inside.

Large enough for the hungriest of school kids, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. 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.

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: Biome, EcoCocoon


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 five bag colours, and from there you get to choose from a huge range of designs and fonts to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, a 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!

Where to buy it: 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!

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: Stuck On You


Country Road Elysia Lunch Pack, $59.95

Country Road Elysia Lunch Packs in pink and green.

Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these contemporary bags are perfect for kids of all ages who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a 100% cotton canvas outer, an insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Just as great for preschool as they are for high school.

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: THE ICONIC, Country Road


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!

Pros:

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

Where to buy it: Biome, Woolworths


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.

Top image: MontiiCo

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

  • I do not know if anyone else has picked up on this or not, but every bag mentioned in the table above is a ‘designer’ brand. There are plenty of more affordable options that aren’t over $40. I have never spent that much on a lunchbox – even from Smiggle. The cheaper brands last just as well too.

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  • Getting ready for the return to school has started to kick in so this was a timely read. We have the yum box and i love it, it is so easy for my daughter to open and close on her own. I find the lunch cooler bags also a great idea however some days depending on what else needs to go to school, they can be quite bulky to include in the school bag. I need to do some more research this year as i like the idea of being able to watch it in the washing machine, that is a clever idea.

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  • Along with all of the other back to school products; there is also a good range of lunch boxes available for people to buy. It has been fun to see the wide range of bottles and lunch boxes that are available for the new year for school and for work.

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  • Lunch boxes have come such a long way since my eldest was a kid, he’s now 26! There’s really a solution to everything from food heating, cooling, dividers, pockets etc etc. Lunch boxes are a real fashion accessory and so on-trend these days. I personally love the Bento lunch boxes. They save on plastic and separate different foods.

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  • I am such a huge fan of Bento lunch boxes and Bento. Food should be so many wonderful things; including delicious, fun, colourful and nutritious too. Lunch is a favourite meal because the body is ready for some more calories and a boost of energy. Food looks so good in Bento lunch boxes.

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  • So so many fantastic options! We use the montii co ones for our kdis and swear by it. Its lasted 3 years so far and still standing strong, like new since the first day using it. They are so durable and i find cleaning them to be the easiest for us.

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  • There are so many great lunch box option out there indeed ! I’ve always liked the Bento style lunch boxes for my kids. It reduces the use of plastic lunch bags and packaged food which aren’t very good for the environment and it encourages to present a good variety of foods (which is not only better nutrition wise but lao to prevent our kids from getting bored with same foods all the time.

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  • There are some really fabulous options here. So many variations of colour, shape and size. I love the bento style lunch boxes, so handy to keep food separate and eliminate the use of plastic packaging. The machine washable bags are a great idea too. They can get grubby so fast, this would be so much easier to maintain

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  • This has gotten much easier since my kids hit high school – they have strong opinions about their lunch boxes, so I don’t have to think about it so much anymore! However, I am strongly in favor of bento style boxes regardless of their age. They’re easy to clean, easy to pack, and invite appropriate sized portions.

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  • Great article! Our kids are so lucky, when it comes to lunchboxes, they really are spoilt for choice. There are so many to pick from. Regarding sandwiches, my eldest son, used to hate sandwiches for school lunches. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that he’d throw out his sandwiches in the playground bins. My son’s an adult now and he still hates sandwiches. He only likes “hot” lunches. So glad he lives on his own now and can make his own “hot” lunches just the way he likes them.

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  • This is an extremely useful article!! 2 schppl going kids and third starting kinder soon means we are always on the lookout for lunch ideas and lunch boxes. This is a great list with features and prices listed to make the search easier and help with decision making for purchasing of the lunch boxes

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  • This is super useful article and thank you. I can see so variety of lunch boxes from every store. Always wonder which one would be more convenient to use by little hands. I love some of these lunchboxes to give it a try for this year. And then decide to go with suitable ones

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  • Wow, lunch boxes have really come such a long way from when I was taking a lunch box to school. Feel old, like “back in my day”, but we were lucky to have options like are available now. While I like some of these designs, I feel like they aren’t super practical.

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  • These lunchboxes are beautiful but are they really worth the expensive price tag? I have been through so many lunch boxes and bags over the years and found the best it to use an insulated lunchbox bag with ice brick and use small containers to keep individual items fresh and assessable.

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  • I love the bbox lunch boxes. They are so reliable and tough when kids throw their bags around. Easy to wash and store. I have used the we can be tiny snackies at home too. The boys love choosing a certain animal shape. They wash well, are durable and great quality.

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  • My kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches and I am so happy to see the great choices they are making. They take left over meals, cook food in the morning to take and now I am confident they aren’t throwing away sandwiches! I do have the chilly bags for them, I find they fit better into bags

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  • Love our bento b.boxes. So easy to pack. I do however worry that they’re made of plastic, not metal….

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  • My daughter uses a bento box now for work and sometimes an insulated bag in summer, but when she was at school it was a rectangular lunch box with no compartments. It was very easy to wash each day, just the box and lid, and it could still be filled with rolls/sandwiches and snacks.

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  • Lunchboxes are so important these days. Back in my day it was a brown paper bag or the exact same lunch box that everyone else had and there were three compartments. Today its such a fashion statement and as much as the lunchbox itself is judged so are the contents.

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  • I absolutely love the bb box quite sturdy. It took many lunch box to find one that would last. Before this lunch box we had a stuck on you. I found the stuck on you lunch box didn’t last when the hinge’s snapped they wouldn’t get back to me (only had for a short time and my youngest couldn’t open it so it wasn’t dropped. Just opened it after the 8th time and snapped). The bb box has lasted the last year and a half and still going strong

    Reply

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