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Average Ratings (from 732 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
PENNY THE PIRATE - OPSM KIDS BOOK :
4.41 out of 5 based on 734 reviews.

Introducing Penny the Pirate – OPSM Kids Book

Penny the Pirate allows you to read with your child whilst following three simple eye screenings that will help identify if your child may be having issues with their vision and would benefit from an eye test.

The Penny the Pirate book comes with a screening kit and full instructions to make screening your child’s vision at home a simple process.  The instructions also help you evaluate the results of your child’s screening and decide whether or not your child would benefit from a professional eye test with an optometrist.

Here’s what Mouths of Mums members are saying about Penny the Pirate – OPSM Kids Book …

Find out more about Penny the Pirate – OPSM Kids Book …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvkC3r2z9ok

Here’s what you need to do for this review …

Watch the Video & Read the Instructions

Please read the instructions inside the Instruction Booklet included with Penny the Pirate – these are very detailed and will tell you exactly what to do and how to get the most out of reading Penny the Pirate with your children.You should then watch the instructional videos for either the Penny the Pirate book or the Penny the Pirate App.

http://youtu.be/mOc0ryLmfYg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsvXGHed4ws

Read the Book & take the Screenings

We suggest reading Penny the Pirate and conducting the screenings in a nice quiet spot when you have some time to spare.  It’s also a good idea to focus on one child at a time. Follow the story and pay particular attention when you get to the pages that contain the screenings. Have a pencil handy and keep note of your child’s responses in your instruction booklet so you have them on hand when you enter them online.

Get your Results

Once you’ve read Penny the Pirate and completed all the screenings, click GET YOUR RESULTS. Then follow the prompts to enter your child’s answers from the screenings. Once you’ve completed this, OPSM will let you know what your child’s answers mean and what you should do next.

Post your Review

Once you’ve read the book and completed the screenings with each of your children, post your reviews and your ratings on this page.
Remember it’s important to post from a first-hand point of view – feel free to post one review for each of your children depending on your experience with each child.

Pass it On!

Penny the Pirate is very important to the eyecare of children across Australia, so please pass your copy on when you’ve finished with it and encourage others to do the same. There’s enough space in the instructions booklet to record multiple children’s results, so have a think of anyone you might know who might find this useful.

Find out more by visiting the OPSM Penny the Pirate website.

If you have any concerns about your child’s eye health, please contact your local OPSM store or Book an Eye Test Online.

OPSM is committed to improving the eye health of children across Australia and New Zealand. This product allows you to screen your child’s vision and will help discover whether they would benefit from a professional eye test with an optometrist. This product is the first step in understanding your child’s vision, but it does not replace a full eye test. If you have any concerns about your child’s eye health, please contact your local OPSM store.

OPSM offers for kids_OPSM Penny the Pirate Kids Book Review


Published 30th June 2014


  • Enjoys reading the book over and over again!

    My child loves to go back and read the penny the pirate book, use the eye piece just for fun. Its enjoyable even when your not testing the eyes and the eye piece can make you see 3D and my daughter loves it. Its good to keep your families eye health, healthy and am really glad that I have the OPSM Kids book handy, for myself, our family and friends.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Every Family should have one of these!

    We have Penny the Pirate OPSM Kids Book at home and I'd definitely recommend for every family to have one. Family's eye health is so important and to make sure your child has the right eye care is number 1. It was very easy to follow the written and video instructions and my daughter really enjoyed reading the story (with help) and screening her eyes to find out if she will need glasses. Its a very clever idea and really enjoyed it. Thanks.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • great tool and kids had no idea!

    brilliant idea, and the fact it was so interactive. The kids loved it and didnt have any idea it was like a test. i will be passing this on to my friends to benefit also
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • penny the pirate

    Kids loved the props and book done it one on one with them then they kept asking to read the book again
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • son loved it

    Excellent idea, much better than a abc chart we had as kids.

    We always remember to get teeth check ,well eyes are also important to check regularly. Have passed our pirate book on . Thanks mouth of mums
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • good idea ,eye test

    This book was easy to follow,our 4yr old enjoyed the story &eye activityOur 13 yr old joined in also ,the kids have good site .Great idea eye care is important.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • game changer

    My two boys aged 6&8 have varying degrees of dsypraxia and language delays and I found this book to be a game changer for me as my boys were totally engaged and enjoying reading and wanted to read it again and again.was easy to follow instructions and a thoroughly enjoyable story so many thanks
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Great fun

    My youngest was very keen to get into this. He sat still and done everything they he needed to do and loved it. And then my eldest wanted to give to a go. I have taken my youngest to an eye specialist and she was very pleased to know about the book and I had found etc. so thank you. Highly recommend.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Great book

    This is a great book. The story is great. The interactive part of the book is fun. My four year old wants to read the book each night. This week is book week so he went to school dressed as a private because this book is his favourite. We have booked to have his eyes checked as the book has identified an issue.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • great way to test eye health at home!

    This is a great book. Both my kids loved it! I was seriously going to take my son to get his eyes tested but this book arrived and now I am satisfied that I don't need too!!
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Enjoys reading the book over and over again!

    My child loves to go back and read the penny the pirate book, use the eye piece just for fun. Its enjoyable even when your not testing the eyes and the eye piece can make you see 3D and my daughter loves it. Its good to keep your families eye health, healthy and am really glad that I have the OPSM Kids book handy, for myself, our family and friends.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Lke it

    Lke it
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Every Family should have one of these!

    We have Penny the Pirate OPSM Kids Book at home and I'd definitely recommend for every family to have one. Family's eye health is so important and to make sure your child has the right eye care is number 1. It was very easy to follow the written and video instructions and my daughter really enjoyed reading the story (with help) and screening her eyes to find out if she will need glasses. Its a very clever idea and really enjoyed it. Thanks.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Worth it

    I really think all parents should do this before their children start their first year at school. It opened my eyes (pun intended) to watching my daughters sight.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Great book

    This was an easy to read book and helped a lot with screening at home of my sons eyes I would not do it younger then 6-8 yr old but I found that my 2 yr old loved the story too. Will be using this again latter when he is a bit older to help see if there is a problem that need so work.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Great book and lots of fun

    Overall the book was great. The kids loved the little test/activities in the book, but we would of loved a few more. The instructions were easy to follow. The story and illustrations were ok, the kids didn't really pay that much attention to them as they didn't find them "pretty". It was a bit hard for the kids to understand what was asked with the skeleton and the ring. Overall it was an interesting concept.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Awesome

    I got the kit and download the app The instruction video had no sound but it was easy to know what the instructions were. we loves it and thinks it is amazing. I still stick to thinking it could do a bit more with the idea as there are only a few areas to check the eyes. But it is a great interactive concept. would recommender to all friends and family
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Greats book for kids

    My little one loved this book it had great illustrations with lots of detail and makes it more fun for the little one. The chracters and the wording of the books was very age approiate for the 2-7 age group. I loved reading this book to my little one we both found it very interesting and best part the book was free. Great book.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • this is a great product to try and it was free!

    i just saw the other day, that i could grab a pack online and it was free. a lot of people haven't mentioned that on here but i was thrilled that i got to try this. my pack arrived pretty quickly and we decided to try it straight away. the pack actually came with a decent amount of stuff! a little box that you can put a lens into called a spyglass, a pirate patch, booklets and 3d glasses etc.

    the only thing that i would fault it on is that the pirate patch's cord was so short. my just 2 year old screamed and didn't want it on and there was no way that i was going to be able to put it on my other children. we ended up putting it on a toy.

    I wasn't able to test my two year old at this time of writing because he was tired and didn't want to co-operate and sit there-- which was a reflection of his state, not the test. also i don't think he would understand too much to be able to relay "results" to me but i was still curious to try. i don't see an age recommendation anywhere but my eldest child is in school and therefore has had her proper eye tests but this was still good to use with my three year old. she was very interested in it.

    there are three main aspects that this booklet tests for and they are distance, colour and depth perception. it was very easy to go through the process and it didn't take very long.

    the book was cute and my children liked looking at it. testing was easy and they are designed to give you an idea of whether you should take your child to an optometrist. it does remind you that you use this as a guide and not a substitute for the eye doctor.

    i think that you should grab a pack and give it a go or get a pack for a friend
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Not only good for kids!!

    I got this as I was concerned about my daughter squinting, what felt like, all the time. It was easy to use and Miss 3 enjoyed the story and participating in it. Thankfully, by completing the story it just showed that she was a squinter (follow up with our optometrist confirmed it.). What it also demonstrated was that I needed to get my eyes rechecked. The optometrist was impressed that such an easy concept was providing a start point for eye health.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • not just good for eyesight testing

    Abosolutely loved penny the pirate. It wasnt just good for testing eye sight but it also helped my younger girl to start reading. She enjoyed looking at the pictures and telling me everything that was in there. I highly recommend penny the pirate to everyone and make it fun for the kids not just a test. Its easy to follow the instructions and the tests are really easy to conduct. We had no issues with penny the pirate. Love love love it
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • great great great

    well today i had my friend around and give her son this book he though it was great he love the story and was interested in the illustrations. as they are great and come alive, i do show this book to all of my friends and now i am sending it up to my friend in queensland its just the best book story is great the pic come to alive and the illustrations and great once again thank you for such a great book
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Very good book for Kids

    My boy loved this story from OPSM and he was very interested in the illustrations.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • It still works

    Well I have had this book for a few months now. My son still lives reading this and testing his eyes and yes his eyes are great, but we have our friends kids to have a go and they just live it same needed to go and get there eye check and needed glasses is one great book and the kids love how it comes to life well done on this book
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • A great resource to share

    As I am a teacher, I took my copy into school and have used the book with many of the children in the class - particularly ones suspected of having vision difficulties. I have already spoken to a couple of parents about their child's results and they will be following up with an optometrist. I am currently organising a list of names of families who would like to borrow the book for a few days to test others in the family. This resource is amazing because it is so readily available to everyone and its free so the disadvantaged financially or due to remote location don't have to miss out.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Update - Son loves it now

    I got the kit and download the app for my son. The instruction video had no sound but it was easy to know what the instructions were. I did make a post before saying it was average. My son loves it now and thinks it is amazing. I still stick to thinking it could do a bit more with the idea as there are only a few areas to check the eyes. But it is a great interactive concept.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Eye checks so very important

    We have the penny pirate book at our place and has been used by a number of kids as eye testing is so important. The book is easy to follow and understand and is quite enjoyable for the little ones. They think its a lot of fun and they want to do it, which makes it so much easier for us mummies to administer the test. What a great idea.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Interesting, innovative and one way to test the kids eyes

    The boys loved this story from OPSM and read it a couple of times, it was a different, fun way to test their eyes to see if there were any problems. Loved this book, the idea is fantastic and the kids loved it too! Practical, yet interesting creation from OPSM, thanks!! Passed this onto one of my friends to test her sons eyes too.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Used the App ok

    I used the app for penny the pirate for my son - and it was just average - not many things to check the eyes in content of the story - my son was more interested in the patch and glasses. It is a very good concept and not sure if the app is different to the book.
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?


  • Fun & Educational

    I think this book set is a fantastic idea! Not only does it test children's eyes but it does so in a fun and interesting way. My nephews loved their story / playtime and it gave me piece of mind in a fun way to be able to test their eyes to see if there were any problems. I think it's good to encourage good eye health so to do it in such an innovative way is incredibly smart! Well done OPSM!
    Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
    Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
    Were the screening results clear and helpful?
    Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?

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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! 

  • That lunchbox comparison table is handy to have. It helped me make a decision on which lunchbox to buy next for my daughter who is starting kindergarten. I needed to upgrade her lunchbox but wasn’t sure which way to go. The table helped me with my decision. I ended up going with the BBOX and have found a cheaper lunch bag from a department store that it fits in.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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

    Reply

  • 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

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

  • 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.

    Reply

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