13 tried and tested lunch boxes for kids of all ages

There’s a reason L.L. Bean has a stellar reputation. Their products consistently outperform the competition and they back each one up with a one-year return policy if you’re not satisfied. But if our experience is any indication, you’ll love this hard-working lunch box. It’s incredibly durable and easy to clean and is roomy enough for even adult-sized lunches. (That said, its soft construction means it still easily fits into a kid’s backpack.) The tough exterior is made from the same weatherproof fabric as their backpacks (which we also highly recommend) with a zippered mesh pocket that’s great for pre-packaged snacks or a note. Inside you’ll find another mesh pocket to house an ice pack or utensils. It comes in a variety of great colors and patterns and for an extra $8 you can have it monogrammed!

Leak-proof, stain-resistant and basically designed to survive the apocalypse, L.L. Bean’s Flip-Top Lunchbox is also a solid choice. It’s compact but impressively roomy inside and  flip-top design makes everything easy to access. A mesh panel in the lid keeps ice packs or extra snacks separate, making every inch usable space. It also has the advantage of a crossbody strap (in addition to a top carry handle) which is great for kids who walk to school or already have a lot to juggle.

Yes, $80 is a hefty price tag for a lunch box, but hear us out. For one thing, unless your kiddo loses it, you’ll never have to buy another. Also, they could hurl this thing off the top of a mountain and we’re pretty sure it would land unscathed. The firm (but not solid) design keeps food from getting crushed while the insulation power (including a magnetic seal around the edges) keeps food impressively cold for ages. We also love the chunky, no-stick zipper that’s easy for kids to open and close and the fact we can just as easily steal it for our own lunches!

It’s hard to overstate our love for STATE. Between their too-hard-to-choose selection of colors (25 in all this season including super rad metallics!), top-of-the-heap quality and give-back mission, we can’t help but fangirl about the brand to anyone who’ll listen. The insulated Rodgers Lunchbox is sizeable enough for all ages of kiddos and features a generous main compartment, mesh pocket for utensils, a clear window for notes and a detachable divider to keep things organized. If you really want to go all out, you can customize the outside with their name, initials or a selection of fun emojis.

Pair with a matching backpack and your kid will be waiting at the door at 6 am on the first day ready to show off their sweet gear.

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 and with an attached handle on the outside, is a one stop shop for lunch packing! It’s also 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.)

We’ve always loved Hydroflask’s bulletproof water bottles, so it’s no surprise we’re equally smitten with their durable kid-friendly lunch box! Not only does it keep things cold for hours, the sturdy but lightweight design also saves them from the dreaded smushed PBJ. (No one likes that.) As far as features, it’s pretty simple. Inside you’ll find a strap to secure an ice pack, and the zipper is smooth and easy for little hands to operate. Our favorite thing? The seamless interior means there’s nowhere for crumbs and detritus to burrow into and it can be spotlessly cleaned with just a simple wipe.

Go Green Lunch Box sets take care of all things lunch in one fell swoop. The four-piece set includes a five compartment lunch box, insulated carrying bag, 8 oz. stainless steel water bottle, and a reusable gel freezer pack, which all fit together perfectly. What’s more, inside the bag you’ll find a wipe-off board to write a message for the day and a pocket to stash napkins and utensils. Clearly, they’ve thought of everything.

Not only does Funkins have adorable designs your kid will love, but they’re a mom-owned company so clearly they’re designed with mom’s needs in mind. The clever insulated design is made from stain, tear and water-resistant neoprene which keeps food cold (or warm) for up to four hours. It’s expandable, allowing it to fit various containers and collapsible for storage in between. There’s an interior pocket to hold notes or utensils. But our favorite detail of all? When it’s totally disgusting, just throw it in the washing machine!

Another highly-rated favorite, the incredibly kid-friendly lunch boxes from Pottery Barn Kids. They offer dozens of colors and patterns that coordinate with their backpacks in two styles–the Classic and the Cold Pack. While they’re both pretty similar, made with weather-resistant fabric, have an exterior mesh pocket for water bottles, and sit upright so food or drinks won’t topple over, our vote goes to the Classic. Unlike the soft interior of the Cold Pack style, the Classic offers a stiff molded interior which is much easier to clean as well as better protection for softer foods. (You can also opt to add one of their removable bento boxes which nests inside perfectly.)

We also love that it can piggyback on other PBK backpacks for easy transportation. Oh, and we highly recommend getting your child’s name monogrammed for the ultimate personalization. Prices start at $24.50.

PackIt lunch bags fold up up flat and has cooling technology built in so it’s a freezer bag on its own—no need to remember to pack ice packs, mama! Simply place it in the freezer each night and it’ll be ready to go for your kids’ lunch. The buckle handle clips onto backpacks and it features a zip top to keep everything inside fresh.

For the younger kids, the Skip Hop Zoo collection features adorable animal designs that coordinate with the rest of their back to school collection. They’re roomy, insulated and easy to clean for those inevitable messes. It has an interior mesh pocket inside, great for storing utensils, notes from mama and dad, or napkins.

If a bento style lunch box is more their speed, the highly-rated Bentgo bento boxes, well, check all the boxes. (They’re also Amazon’s #1 best selling kids’ lunch box!) 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.

This 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. 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. 😝 And while they can totally tote it on its own, there’s insulated bags to slip it in as well.