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Sep 01, 2023

8 bento lunch boxes for kids

We've got you Bento Box Roundup right here. If you’re feeling uninspired by the

We've got you Bento Box Roundup right here.

If you’re feeling uninspired by the school lunch packing process or eager for your kid to branch out from PB&J sandwiches, look no further than #bentobox on TikTok. Bento boxes are Japanese-style lunch boxes that are divided into multiple partitions, although the number of sizes of those compartments can vary wildly. While not just for little ones, bento boxes are popular for kids’ lunches because they can hold and keep separate several different food items at once. They also make it easy to get creative with what goes inside them, as "bento box queen" Jessica Woo makes clear.

I’m no Tiktok sensation, but as the mom of a one-year-old and the aunt of five kids aged four and under, I’ve done a good deal of bento box experimenting and comparing in recent months. Here are eight great options that just may inspire you to add your own ideas to the "what I packed my kid for lunch" conversation.

Austin Baby Co silicone bento box

A family favorite, the silicone bento box from Austin Baby Co is as cute as it is functional. It's dishwasher- and microwave-safe and has five leakproof individually sealed compartments: one big one, one medium one, and three small ones. I regularly pack ours with hummus, yogurt, fruit, and roasted veggies, and I have yet to notice any escaped moisture. With outer dimensions of 8.5" x 7" x 2", I find it to be the perfect size for growing kids who like to munch on a bunch of different things at each meal.

The Austin Baby Co silicone bento box costs $28.99 and is available in eight designs that range from wildflower chambray blue to safari faded black.

LunchBots stainless steel food container

One of the most popular bento box brands I see on Instagram and in real life is LunchBox, which offers several different stainless steel models. The Medium Quad Snack Container, which measures 6" x 5" x 1.75" and has four identically-sized sections, is a nice size for my one-year-old's lunches when we’re going heavy on the sides rather than one main item. It's also indestructible, dishwasher-safe, and small enough that it easily fits into a backpack or purse. The only downside is that the stainless steel option (without a silicone cover) is not leakproof, and even mildly wet foods like roasted bell peppers can leave a bit of a mess.

The LunchBots Medium Quad Snack Container costs $25.99-$26.99 and comes in plain stainless steel as well as stainless steel with colorful silicone (read: leakproof) covers.

Bentgo Kids leakproof lunch box

The "#1 Best Seller in Kids’ Lunch Boxes on Amazon," with more than 53,000 ratings and a 4.7-star average, the Bentgo Kids leakproof lunchbox is also a heavy hitter among the lunch-packing parents on TikTok. It measures 8.5" x 6.5" x 2" and has five compartments that hold 1 cup, 1/2 cup (x 2), 1/4 cup, and 2 tablespoons—ideal for one entrée, two bigger sides, one small side, and a tiny treat or dipping sauce. The Bentgo box, which is made of BPA-free plastic, is dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe, as well as leakproof, with two kid-friendly latches on the outside. As a bonus, it's drop-proof, too, designed to withstand the drops that are inevitable with anything regularly handled by kids.

The Bentgo Kids leakproof lunch box is currently on sale for $29.99 and is available in 25 fun patterns such as dinosaurs, mermaids, and submarines.

OmieBox insulated lunch box

Some foods — like those needing to stay hot or cold, or those that are prone to leaking — are harder to pack in school lunches than others. With its bento box for kids, OmieBox offers a great solution. Featuring an 8.5-ounce insulated Thermos and two side compartments, it allows you to pack both hot and cold foods, and keep them at their respective temperatures until lunchtime. It's made of stainless steel, silicone, and plastic, and measures 8.5" x 7.5" x 3". The OmieBox lunch box can be paired with compatible utensils and dip containers from the same brand, which also makes bento boxes for bigger kids and adults.

The OmieBox insulated lunch box with Thermos runs $44.95 and comes in pink, blue, purple, green, and yellow/orange.

Your Zone plastic bento box

By far the cheapest of this bunch, the plastic bento box from Your Zone is simple and effective. It has three compartments — one large one and two smaller ones — within its 8.25" x 7.1" x 2.5" frame, making it a good choice for a main item like a small sandwich plus two side dishes. It also comes with one interior sealed lid that you can use to keep wet foods like yogurt and dips from leaking. This bento box is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe (top rack), and, weighing just over half a pound, light enough for very little ones to carry around themselves.

The Your Zone plastic bento box costs $4.98 and is currently offered in a blue "Dream Big!" design.

Yumbox leakproof lunch box

Spend a few minutes scrolling through #bentobox on TikTok and you’ll almost certainly come across the Yumbox leakproof lunch box. Arguably the most fun-looking option out there, this one has six compartments, each of which has a colorful illustration on the bottom such as an animal or space object. The container is made of silicone and plastic and measures 8.5" x 6" x 1.8", plenty big for a kid's meal or a day's worth of snacks. It's leakproof and easy to clean, with just two parts—tray and exterior shell—to deal with. You technically can put it in the dishwasher but handwashing the outer shell is recommended.

The Yumbox leakproof bento box runs $28.99-$31.99, with the following in-stock models: bamboo green jungle, Malibu purple paradise, Neptune blue, and safari orange.

Edtsy bento box for kids and adults

Most of the bento boxes on this list are specifically meant for kids, either because of their size, their design, or both. The Edtsy bento box is an exception; its neutral look and spacious interior would look just at home in a conference room as it would in a school cafeteria. Measuring 8.3" x 3.9" x 3.5", it's comprised of three stackable compartments and includes a fork and spoon that fit inside a dedicated little compartment on top. This bento box is BPA-free, leakproof, microwave and dishwasher friendly, and very affordable—making it about as family-friendly as it gets.

The Edtsy bento box for kids and adults costs $9.99 and is available in beige, green, and pink.

Munchkin toddler lunch box

Munchkin has a good reputation in the baby and kid gear industry, so it's unsurprising that their toddler bento box has 6,354 ratings and a 4.6-star average on Amazon. On the larger end of the bento box spectrum, it measures 9.25" x 8.9" x 3.25", weighs 1.3 pounds, and has five separate compartments: one large square, two narrow rectangles, and two mini sections for smaller bites. As a perk, it also comes with a stainless steel spoon and fork that snap right into the inner lid of the box. BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, the Munchkin bento box features one latch on the outside and a handle on the top made just for little hands.

The Munchkin toddler lunch box costs right around $20 and comes in green and yellow options.