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Average Ratings (from 204 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
Vanish is a brand I trust
I would purchase Vanish Gold again
I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
Vanish Gold is easy to use
Vanish Gold :
4.56 out of 5 based on 236 reviews.

As busy mums, there is one thing we know for sure … there is always a pile of clothes to be washed, and plenty of stains to be removed. 

Which is why we are thrilled to announce the Vanish Gold product review.

We’ll be sending selected mums a Vanish Gold stain removal kit to try and review in their very own laundries.

Introducing Vanish Gold …

New Vanish Gold is the gold standard in stain removal. It’s a superior and versatile product that removes stains in just 30 seconds. 

With it’s super-boosted oxi action formula, each dose of Vanish Gold is bursting with stain removal power – instantly releasing millions of bubbles to lift and dissolve stains away in no time!

For gold standard results – no matter how you use it:

  • Apply directly on tough stains for maximum speed and powder.
  • Soak to dissolve and lift out even dried in stains.
  • Add on top of your detergent in the wash, for stains you may miss.

Watch Lisa’s review of Vanish Gold …

Find out more about Vanish Gold …

For more information about Vanish Gold, click here.

Where to buy Vanish Gold …

Vanish Gold is available from Coles, Woolworths, pharmacies as well as online.

Vanish Gold product review …

Vanish_GOLD_product_image_253x300In the Vanish Gold product review, selected mums will be asked to put the Vanish Gold stain removal kit to the test in their very own homes, before posting their reviews and ratings on this page.

Applications to participate in the Vanish Gold product review have now closed. If you missed out this time, don’t be discouraged. There’ll be lots of opportunities for you to take part in a product review in the future. If you’re not a member, join Mouths of Mums here to receive invitations to participate in future reviews. 


Published 27th April 2015


  • Vanish Gold

    We often need to soak our baby’s clothes as he can make quite the mess! We have found that Vanish works particularly well and removes even the toughest food stains. Also my husband’s shirts often build up unsightly stains in the underarms and Vanish seems to do the trick. I will definitely buy again.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Vanish Works

    Vanish Gold has become the number one stain remover in our house as it works so well. We have continued to use it as we get some pretty grubby clothes around here and it always does a good job of getting rid of the nastiest stains. I always recommend it to people.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Couldn't live without it

    Great product

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • great product

    Hello. I think that vanish is a little bit pricey to buy in the shop, even with a discount. I think that the amazing way that this works, justifies the cost though. You only really need a little of the product for spot stains but i use the recommended amount in the washing. This actually works well and does what it says it will do on the container!. This is a great size to store in the laundry and is very versatile to use. This gets out a wide variety of stains and it does not wreck or damage the clothes in any way. overall i am pretty impressed with this product and it’s amazing range of cleaning ability especially with my three young children always messing up their clothes or sheets etc. Thanks for taking the time to read my review on vanish.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Great stain remover

    I have 3 kids and a big kid (husband) that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this! They are now bright and clean clothes. This makes me a happy mum!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Won't buy any other stain remover!

    I have a baby, 2 kids and a big kid (husband) that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this! They are now bright and clean clothes. This makes me a happy mum!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Won't buy anything else

    I have a baby, 2 kids and a big kid (husband) that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this! Such bright and clean clothes. This makes me happy.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Top product

    I have a baby, 2 kids and a big kids that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this! Such bright and clean clothes. This makes me happy.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • This is the best stain remover on the market

    I have a baby, 2 kids and a big kids that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this! Such bright and clean clothes.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • The best stain remover

    I have a baby, 2 kids and a big kids that all must enjoy messing up their clothes. Since using vanish gold it has been so easy to get the stains out. From spew and vegetable stains to dirty grass stains to grease stains. It’s never been easier. Won’t use another stain remover since using this!
    The best stain remover I have ever used!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Waste of money does not work

    Bought vanish gold to remove. Food stains on my son’s white t shirt I’ve scrubbed I’ve soaked I’ve put it in the wash with vanish at 60 it hasn’t removed the stains so far used a quarter of a tub washed it 4 times Do Not Buy get something that does remove stains

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Love this as my only stain remover.

    I use this on a daily basis as I have a 3yo it removes all food dirt and especially his reusable nappy stains in so little time. My fiance is a mechanic and it brings out anything that he gets on his shirts before I had to soak them overnight now I just make this into a paste apply it to the stain and put it through the wash Brilliant!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Quick & Effective

    I have always been a Vanish user & was keen to try the Gold & have been pleasantly surprised by how quick & effective it is. It has removed most of my husbands stains from his grubby farm work clothes, I have no idea how he gets so much grease on him! This will be a staple in my laundry now.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • A regular purchase

    I love Vanish gold stain remover. This, and other vanish varieties are staples in our house. I can not imagine doing a load of washing without using it – especially with YOUNG BOYS who like to play in the dirt and give their clothes a work out. If they ever took this off the market I would be lost.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • vanish great for stains

    this is a product great for mums with bubs that like to make a mess and get gruby. there is no fuss and this product is easy to use. I recommend this product and try it for your next load of washing im sure you will be happy, also leaves the clothes fresh. Very effective on stains. give it a go.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Very Pleased

    I was generally happy with the quality and results when I used Vanish Gold. I am a busy mum of 5 young kids, and they are always getting dirty. Grass stains and mud are my biggest enemies, but I found that Vanish Gold worked really well in removing these stains without too much effort from me. I did find that I needed to use a pre-stain remover on some of the tougher grass stains. I will certainly be buying this product again

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Vanish Gold works!

    I wasn’t part of the trial team but i was looking for a new stain removal product so i gave it a go. Works really well at removing tough stains but i love it most as an in wash booster, removing stains in tandem with my laundry detergent. Look how bright my washing is!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Miracle product

    Absolutely superb for soaking all those nasty toddler and school age child stains! Guaranteed effectiveness of spaghetti bolognaise and grass stains! Had tried a cheaper version but is not worth the small saving. Vanish Gold also works great added to the weekly wash. I won’t be purchasing a different stain removing brand. Vanish Gold all the way…

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Pretty good but not yet magic!

    I use this most of the time and it does a good job on the boys’ cricket whites, futsal and soccer uniforms and their general grubby clothes. However even Vanish Gold hasn’t been able to restore my boys’ yellow sports shirts to pristine condition. Nothing I have tried has worked for those shirts!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Vanish Gold

    We often need to soak our baby’s clothes as he can make quite the mess! We have found that Vanish works particularly well and removes even the toughest food stains. Also my husband’s shirts often build up unsightly stains in the underarms and Vanish seems to do the trick. I will definitely buy again.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • This is ridiculously easy to use, and insanely effective!

    I cannot stress enough, just how messy my life is with three boys! There’s mud, blood, grass, food, and something I don’t even want to hazard a guess at what it might be! Vanish Gold is the first product I’ve tried, that ACTUALLY WORKS on all of them! Anything my boys throw at it, it throws back twice as hard. 😀 Add this to your arsenal MoM’s, you won’t regret it!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Vanish Works

    Vanish Gold has become the number one stain remover in our house as it works so well. We have continued to use it as we get some pretty grubby clothes around here and it always does a good job of getting rid of the nastiest stains. I always recommend it to people.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • whites are getting whiter

    i use Vanish gold mostly for my partners cricket whites as he generally comes home with green grass stains, dirt stains and discoloration around the collar from sun cream. i have been using Vanish for about a month now and although the stains still show i do see a difference in the whites getting whiter. i soak his whites with vanish to help get those tough stains out. sometimes its effective other times not so much. i would buy again as it does work.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Not that effective

    I bought the 500gm jar of Vanish to try as my son plays cricket and wanted to test on his white cricket uniform which normally comes back black and green from playing on the fields . Despite being a good quality powder , I found after soaking the clothes for an hour only certain stains were removed and I still needed to scrub out the rest with a brush . I didn’t find it was strong enough to remove the really tough marks at all . I would only use it on lighter less stubborn stains .

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Couldn't live without it

    Great product

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Love it

    I could not live without this product! My daughters clothes are always dirty and stained and this never fails to get the stains out. I always have a bucket made up ready to chuck clothes or nappies straight into. It is gentle and never bleaches my colours but makes the whites super white. I find other brands dont work as well as this product. I recommend this to all of my ffriends! Thanks to Mouths of mums for another great review

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • Works like magic

    I have previously used vanish products and thought that the results didn’t really match up to the adverts, so when I heard about vanish gold I thought stains vanishing in 30 seconds? This can’t be true! But to my surprise it was. The instructions were simple and easy to follow, and the process was completely mess and hassle free. I used the paste method which was

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • It Works!

    Vanish Gold, whether it be making a paste, soaking clothes or adding it to the washing, it is incredibly simple to use.

    Vanish Gold certainly lives up to all the claims it makes however, I’m not easily convinced that it deserves its higher price tag, compared to other stain removers on the market.

    I do like Vanish products in the laundry however, I will only purchase Vanish Gold if it is on sale and cheaper than other choices.

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use


  • work well if put into a wash a soaked

    When I used Vanish Gold… I found it to work well in a wash on soak. When I tried to soak cloths in a bucket I found the cloths needed longer then 30seconds, but I did find over time soaking for too long did weaken the material in my bibs making the button clip pull out of the material.



  • Great on ageing stains

    I took some baby clothes out of storage the other day and they had lots of yellow stains on them that weren’t there when I put them away. I threw them in the wash but it didn’t remove them so I decided to soak them for a couple of hours in Vanish Gold. After washing again all the stains had come out and they looked like new again!

    Vanish Gold is effective in removing stains in 30 seconds
    Vanish is a brand I trust
    I would purchase Vanish Gold again
    I would recommend Vanish Gold to other mums
    Vanish Gold is easy to use

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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.

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  • 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.

    Reply

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