Practical Parenting magazine is Australia’s number 1 magazine for parents.
Catering from pregnancy to preschool, readers will gain expert tips and advice, real life stories and informative content so that you can be the parent you want to be.
Practical Parenting is the only monthly parenting magazine in the market and available in all leading supermarkets and newsagents. Cover price $5.95 including GST. Subscriptions available for 6, 12 and 24 months. Visit www.isubscribe.com.au to find out how to subscribe.
In the Practical Parenting Magazine MoM Product Review, we’re sending mums a copy of the June 2012 Practical Parenting Magazine.
We’re asking them to read and enjoy Practical Parenting as they would their other favourite magazines and then post their review and ratings.
Love It! Have been subscribed to Practical Parenting for the past 7 years and love it, love the articles, competitions, questions, answers, advice, tips, life stories, funny photo's. Anything and everything you need to know about parenting. Can't wait each month when it comes out, read every page from beginning to end over and over and over again!
I really enjoying reading Practical Parenting Magazine, It has a lot of great ideas and plenty of helpful tips and suggestions. I get to find out about useful new products that are advertised. I've found it answering questions I might have, and is great for first times mums like myself. This is one of my favourite magazines.
this mag is a very good read for mums or mums to be. I have found it very good for answering questions and helpful tips. things that I just hadn't thought of. I want to subscribe this year , it is a mag that I would very happily recommend to mums.
i really enjoying reading this parenting mag has a lot of good ideas & some help full hints to use as well i will buy these books again & got a few friends on to reading this mag as well it is a good mag for all mothers to read & fathers as well
I have always loved buying and reading this magazine. I find so many useful articles that help with day to day life. I can relate to so many of the stories so it is always helpful and interesting to read. Its a great magazine for parents and I would recommend it to all my friends.
This magazine, and Pregnancy have been my most favourite magazines EVER. I buy it for all expecting mums in the family/friends circle, and recommend it to everyone. I still buy it now, just to have a read.. I also collect them, so I never throw them away, just so I can have the entire collection..
Love It! Have been subscribed to Practical Parenting for the past 7 years and love it, love the articles, competitions, questions, answers, advice, tips, life stories, funny photo's. Anything and everything you need to know about parenting. Can't wait each month when it comes out, read every page from beginning to end over and over and over again!
A great magazine. This magazine is full of lots of practical helpful tips. Great for parents of children of all ages as there is always content that any parent can relate to; including great real stories and also being able to put experiences together and reflect on how we parent.
i have had a few people buy me this magazine after having my eldest and i must say it is a good, relatable read if you get the spare time to get stuck into it (which like me would probably be hardly ever).
the magazine has good content, a nice mix of stories and a few other good bits and pieces too. it is not something i would usually read or necessarily buy for myself but i do not feel disappointed in it when i actually do pick it up for whatever reason. i just tend to like to have a bit more adult time when the kids are asleep so i don't really like the idea of more children related things haha
I fell pregnant with my daughter and I was freaking out. I've never had much to do with kids or babies so having my own scared me as I had no idea what I was doing or what the coming years had in store for me. I started buying these magazines and over time I felt reassured that i could do these. It gave me awesome tips and advice. Im pretty sure without this magazine I wouldnt be the parent I am today.
I always bought this when my children were younger, I am at the stage now that I think I know to much!! but the magazine is always good quality and the covers are always bright and cheery, a couple of these on the coffee table at a family home is quiet appropriate and it is always nice to sit with a cuppa if you can find the few minutes, not to many stories are heavy so it is something that you can read over a period of time, article by article, I highly recommend this product especially for newer parents, as sometimes we do not have family support, nor want it.
I was given a pile of Practical Parenting Magazines by a co-worker prior to having my child. I read them all cover to cover. This is a great magazine with interesting articles that are well written and relevant.
However, once my child was born, I referred to the internet for assistance/ reference rather than the magazines. If you are likely to read the magazine and remember what you read or keep the magazines and refer back to them on a regular basis then I would recommend buying Practical Parenting Magazine.
I really enjoying reading Practical Parenting Magazine, It has a lot of great ideas and plenty of helpful tips and suggestions. I get to find out about useful new products that are advertised. I've found it answering questions I might have, and is great for first times mums like myself. This is one of my favourite magazines.
This is a great magazine for parents of all age children. It has some great information for pregnant ladies as well as everyone else with children. The articles are great and easy to read. The magazine is a great price and I like how I can pick it up with the grocery every month. Would give this magazine to a new mum in hospital. Great read
I was given this magazine 12 months subscription when I was pregnant, the articles are fantastic and have real stories and ideas. I love how it caters for all different stages from pregnancy to toddlers. My daughter is now 6 mon the and I love the recipes, and when she is older I'll be more interested in the toddler section. I can keep going back through these magazines depending on how old she is.
I won't purchase this again! I found it awful! To me it was so untrusting, I even gave it to my mother to look over and she thought that It was also awful. The cover to me isn't a big deal as it's not about how it looks, but the information, stories and tips on the inside. I wrote to the magazine and recieved a rude reply back I n regards to my enquiry. I do not appreciate this magazine at all and I would prefer to come online and look for hints, tip tricks and advice.
I have found this magazine has given me so many answers to questions I had when I was pregnant and it gave me an idea of what birth and motherhood was all about. I also enjoy reading the real life stories about other women's pregnancies and births because it gives you a real perspective of what can happen good and bad while pregnant and giving birth. I highly recommend all women who are pregnant or who have already got kids read this magazine because it can help you and give you great answers ano ideas of what to expect.
First I had a chance to have a look at the book in one of my friend house, it was good, then I bought the book from one of the leading supermarkets, It was worth purchasing the magazine, there was nice topics and the cover lines were clearly given and interesting topics about parenting and the contents were clearly articulated. It is a amazing guide book for the parents. I would recommend it for others as well.. Have a good experience with the book.
I love this magazine and get it when I get the chance to! Filled with lots of information in a nice layout and is easy to read and understand! I definitely recommend to any friends that are becoming mums for a first time, if I don't buy them one myself =) Great magazine!!
I love this magazine, I have a sciption to it, it has been great to know that I am feeling the same as other mothers out there, I always buy a copy for friends who have newborns, sometime it is just nice to read the articles or even things that may happen in the future. I still buy t even with a 5 and 2 yr old.
I love this magazine. I have read this for the past few years as I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. I found many articles to have helpful information. It has great articles for already parents as well as parents to be and I have also gifted a subscription for this magazine.
I have got this magazine for years now, it is a great read, also at a cheap price when comparing to other baby pregnancy magazines. It has tips, advice, articles, facts, new and reviewed products. Also special offers that are going on. Also sometimes comes with free samples or vouchers for stores. It helped me a lot while my children were younger, I have 4 and oldest is now 6 youngest is 2, and they are still helpful to me and always have new tips or ideas that are usefull. I will keep buying it for another year or two but will definatly refer to friends with small children.
This magazine is very good for new mums to be. I bought several issues while pregnant and after I'd had my first child. There are heaps of informative articles and real life stories inside. Plus competitions and recipes too. The only thing I would say is that there are alot of ads but that's how every magazine is now.
This magazine is great for new mums and mums with young children. It's most cost effective to get a subscription - which I did for a few years. I really enjoyed reading the articles but am finding as my kids get older there is less relevance to them. I would like less advertising and more samples in the magazine. Samples are the best form of advertising - I'm more likely to buy if I've tried first.
To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.
Article
12 Best Kids’ Lunch Boxes For School In Australia
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.
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.
MontiiCo
B.Box
Frank Green Lunch Container
Yumbox
Sky Gazer
Bentgo Modern
The Somewhere Co. Mini
EcoCocoon
Bright Star Kids
Stuck On You
Country Road Elysia
OmieBox
Style
Bag
Bento
Box
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Colour variations
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Material
Fabric & aluminium lining
PP & silicone
Stainless steel & silicone
ABS, tritan & silicone
Fabric & PEVA lining
BPA-free plastic
RPET & aluminium foil lining
Stainless steel & silicone
Fabric & insulation lining
BPA-free plastic
100% cotton canvas & insulation lining
Stainless 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 forits
Roomy size & machine washable design
Custom divider
3-in-1 design
Portion-controlled sections
Unique designs
Removable sandwich divider
Shoulder strap
Dishwasher-safe parts
Personalisation
Leak-proof silicone seal
Internal name label
Storage 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.
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)
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)
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)
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
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!
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.
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
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)
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!
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!
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
9:39 pm
Reading over and over and over again!
11:51 pm
A really good buy
1:18 pm
Great for mummy time out!
12:35 pm
pregancy mag
11:48 pm
very helpful mag.
8:48 pm
great to read
5:25 pm
Very Practical
5:40 pm
One of the BEST magazines!
3:16 pm
great magazine for new parents
There was lots if useful information.
I think this magazine is perfect for new parents, and a subscription would make the perfect present.
There was lot of information about new born and young kids .
There is lots of great competitions and great advertising on new baby products. :)
3:15 pm
great magazine for new parents
There was lots if useful information.
I think this magazine is perfect for new parents, and a subscription would make the perfect present.
There was lot of information about new born and young kids .
There is lots of great competitions and great advertising on new baby products.
9:39 pm
Reading over and over and over again!
3:25 pm
Interesting and informative
10:30 pm
a good spare time read
the magazine has good content, a nice mix of stories and a few other good bits and pieces too. it is not something i would usually read or necessarily buy for myself but i do not feel disappointed in it when i actually do pick it up for whatever reason. i just tend to like to have a bit more adult time when the kids are asleep so i don't really like the idea of more children related things haha
would recommend
4:08 pm
its an amazing magazine
8:53 am
Enjoyable time out
9:37 pm
Practical Parenting Magazine
However, once my child was born, I referred to the internet for assistance/ reference rather than the magazines. If you are likely to read the magazine and remember what you read or keep the magazines and refer back to them on a regular basis then I would recommend buying Practical Parenting Magazine.
11:51 pm
A really good buy
3:18 pm
Love it
4:05 pm
Best magazine from pregnancy to toddlers
2:04 pm
Not Impressed.
1:27 am
Great magazine for every mum
4:24 pm
Amazing guide book
1:36 pm
Great, helpful!
9:58 am
Amazing magazine
11:27 am
Great for any parent or parent to be.
11:58 am
great read
7:24 pm
Great read
11:30 pm
Practical Parenting magazine is a great mag for parents to be!
5:40 pm
Pretty Good
10:45 am
Great for new mums
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 19
- »
Click here to post a reviewReviews on this page have now been disabled.
To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.