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From pleasing picky eaters to cutting back on single-use plastics and eliminating cabinets full of mismatched containers, bento boxes are a lunch-packing parents’ BFF. These all-in-one lunch boxes are a genius way to offer up a nutritious and perfectly portioned lunch for kids of all ages all while keeping foods separate and safe from leaking. (And as a bonus, can even help kids visualize what a healthy lunch should look like!)

The best kids’ bento boxes should offer a leak-proof design that’s easy to clean and easy for little ones to operate. (Seriously, who has time for a backpack full of yogurt?) Because there are tons on the market today, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. We’ve rounded up the best BPA-free, durable and kid-friendly bento boxes that are guaranteed to last at least a couple of school years. (And certainly longer than whatever “favorite food” they’ll soon blacklist for reasons undetermined.)

Most are compatible with our favorite lunch boxes but they can also do the work solo. And to be clear, you’re not obligated to go all SuperMom and cut fruit and sandwiches into flowers or sculpt rice and fish into scenes from their favorite Disney movie. (Unless you want to, of course.) No one ever needed therapy for being sent to school with bread-shaped sandwiches and pre-packaged yogurt. Promise.

If you’re sending your littles off to camp, school or daycare, these are the best bento boxes for kids you can buy! (Throw in a stainless steel water bottle and you’re all set.)

Best Bento Boxes for Kids

Bentgo - Motherly

$29.99

Bentgo bento boxes check all the boxes. (It’s Amazon’s top-selling Bento box for a reason.) They’re perfectly sized for kid lunches, easy-to-clean (the insert is top-rack dishwasher safe), blessedly leak-proof and manage to keep all food from touching even when banged around in their backpack. This style is best suited for the younger set since the latches are easy to open and it doesn’t hold as much food as some competitors. As a bonus, it comes in a variety of bright, fun colors and prints. (There’s also a version with a built in ice pack if you need to keep things cold!)

Munchkin Lunch Bento Box with Utensils 1 - Motherly

$20.99

From a great brand at a great price, the Munchkin Lunch Bento offers a real one-stop shop in the lunch packing department. It’s got five separate leak-proof compartments to easily pack a healthy meal along with a tot-sized spoon and fork that attaches inside the lid. Close it up and carry it by the attached handle–no need for a tote!

 

Rover Stainless Steel Lunchbox

$54.95

This durable stainless steel beauty has multiple compartments for those kiddos who love variety. It also comes with two leak-proof containers for any liquid or wet food (ketchup! yogurt!) you may want to include. It is the priciest on our list, but unless your kiddo loses it, chances are it will last through elementary school and beyond. (Note: The dimensions make it tricky to fit in standard carry bags, so it’s recommended to snag one from Planetbox .) The best part is that the design is fully customizable with magnets you put right on the box. Makes it so easy to swap when your kid is done with dinosaurs and wants to move onto emojis.

Miniware GrowBento

$42

For tiny tots who are headed to daycare or preschool, we love the mix-and-match option of Miniware’s GrowBento. The made-to-last 3-piece set includes two leak-proof silicone silipods which are perfect for baby and toddler portions of applesauce or berries and a stainless steel box to nest them in alongside a half sandwich. And since the pieces are all separate, you can easily use it for things like salad and salad dressing or pita and hummus for your own lunches! The only downside is that little ones may need a bit of assistance getting the lid off.

Yumbox

$31.99

If you’re in the market for something designed specifically for kids (and their lunch-stressed parents), Yumbox is an ideal solution. It’s sized for younger kiddos with easy-to-operate latches and features six perfectly portioned sections labeled with food groups to easily craft a nutritious meal. Made from BPA-free materials, it’s equipped with a leak-proof silicone seal to keep food separate and safely inside. Like the Bentgo, the insert is top-rack dishwasher safe. It’s also a bit bigger than your standard lunchbox carriers, so be sure to check measurements! (It is too big for the ever-popular Pottery Barn lunchbox.)

 

Yumbox Panino - Motherly

$30

Like its younger sibling, the Yumbox Original, the Yumbox Panino is a leak-proof design made from BPA-free materials. It’s great for older kiddos with bigger appetites but still lightweight and compact for easy transport.

 

Screen Shot 2022 05 24 at 4.56.50 PM 1 - Motherly

$49.95

If your little one is anti-sandwich, preferring hot lunches like soup or pasta, look no further than the Omiebox. The super cool design integrates a removable cold/hot thermos right into the tray and keeps lunch at just the right temp through lunchtime and beyond. (When left out, the thermos section can easily accommodate a sandwich or larger snacks.) It’s one of the most versatile bentos on the market, BPA-free and made from high-quality impact-resistant materials that can withstand the inevitable drops and bumps. And because they thought of everything, the long compartment is designed to fit any brand of box drinks. (Be advised, this one is best for daycare through kindergarten as the portions are quite small.)

 

b.box Mini Lunch box 1 1 - Motherly

$22.95

Designed for younger kids or smaller portions, the versatile Mini Lunch Box from b.box offers a couple unique features. On one side you’ll find a dedicated wet food compartment with a silicone seal that’s perfect for things like yogurt and dips. Below that, a section that can hold a whole piece of fruit thanks to the stretchy silicone seal in the lid. Along the other side you can fit a full sandwich or slide in the removable divider to separate foods. Overall it’s easy to clean (just be sure to pop out the silicone seal and wipe down to prevent mold) and we love how easy the clasp is for little hands to open!

Screen Shot 2022 05 24 at 4.59.15 PM 1 - Motherly

$16.99

When it comes to bang for your buck, Kinsho delivers. At less than half the price of most leak-proof bento boxes on our list, the six-compartment design hits all the required marks. (And since it’s designed by a mom and award-winning mindful cooking author, are we surprised?) Super-tight seals keep foods where they should be, portions are just right for kids and it even comes with utensils that nest right inside. It is recommended that you hand wash to maintain the integrity of the seals, but it’s a small price to pay to keep applesauce out of their backpack, right?

Stojo Jr. Box 1 - Motherly

$10 $25

This one isn’t exactly a bento box since there is no division inside, but we can’t help but include it for the sheer brilliance. From Stojo, a brand that has mastered sustainable food containment with their uber-packable collapsible designs, the Jr. Box offers a leak-proof solution to carting everything from sandwiches to fruit salad. It’s made from BPA-free silicone with a BPS-free polypropylene lid that snaps into place with a leak-proof seal. When they’re done, just collapse it down to half it’s original size and toss in their backpack!

A version of this story was published August 31, 2021. It has been updated.