Sending your kiddo to school with a healthy lunch is a top priority for parents. While preparing the portable meal often feels like a dreaded chore, reusable containers like bento boxes and insulated lunch bags are designed to make the practice a little less painful. So, whether your kiddo prefers hot soup or cold cuts, here are the seven best bento and lunch boxes for kids.
Table of Contents
7 Best Kids’ Bento and Lunch Boxes (2025 Reviews)
The Best Kids' Bento and Lunch Boxes
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1. Bentgo® Kids Brights – Leak-Proof Bento-Style Kids Lunch Box
(Most leak proof — $$)
Why it’s great: Available in three vibrant color schemes, this bento lunch box includes five compartments of varying sizes. Designed to be drop-proof, this lunch box has rubber-coated edges and sturdy latches that are easy for little hands to open and close on their own. Made from BPA-free food-grade plastic, this bento box is praised by parents for being leak- and mess-resistant.
Keep in mind: Some customers say this bento box is smaller than they expected.
Good for: Kids 3-7 as this lunch box’s compartments are designed for smaller-sized appetites.
![Bentgo® Kids Brights – Leak-Proof Bento-Style Kids Lunch Box]()
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2. VASCHY Lunch Box Bag for Kids
(Easiest to carry — $)
Why it’s great: This kids’ lunch bag includes lots of useful features to make your little one’s lunch break a breeze. Stain-resistant and machine washable, this lunch bag is available in 10 bright and whimsical patterns featuring astronauts, flamingos, dinosaurs, and unicorns. This lunch bag is lightweight and has a flat bottom to keep contents upright during transport. Made from sturdy neoprene, this lunch bag also includes a zipper closure and detachable shoulder strap.
Keep in mind: Some customers say this bag is tough to clean thoroughly.
Good for: Packing bigger lunches as this lunch bag has an extra-large capacity.
![VASCHY Lunch Box Bag for Kids]()
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3. kinsho Bento Lunch Box with Water Bottle & Icepack
(Most versatile — $$$)
Why it’s great: This bento lunch box kit comes with everything your little one needs to enjoy a meal on-the-go. Available in a variety of fun and colorful patterns, this set is sold with a bento box, water bottle, icepack, and reusable, insulated lunch bag. The included bento box features five compartments and an easy-to-use spork. Designed to be extra durable, the bento box also has drop-resistant corners and a rubberized trim. Meanwhile, this set’s 16-ounce water bottle has a pop-up spout and carrying handle while the lunch bag is made from heavy duty nylon fabric with extra thick insulation.
Keep in mind: Some customers report that the bento box sold in this kit can be tricky for younger kids to open and close without help.
Good for: Kids who like their food items extra cold as this lunch kit includes an icepack and a reusable bag with extra thick insulation.
![kinsho Bento Lunch Box with Water Bottle & Icepack]()
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4. MINI Bento-Box Lunch Set of 2
(Best portion sizes — $)
Why it’s great: Sold as a set of two, these bento boxes are simple, affordable, and easy to use. Made from BPA-free silicon and plastic, these bento boxes include a spork utensil for added convenience. This lunch box has three compartments and can hold up to 2.25 cups of food. Each section is individually sealed, which not only keeps food extra fresh but helps prevent unnecessary leaks. Customers praise these bento boxes for being easy to clean and easy to transport.
Keep in mind: Some customers say these bento boxes don’t have enough compartments, but this brand also sells larger products with sections for additional portions.
Good for: Anyone as these bento boxes are popular among kids and adults.
![MINI Bento-Box Lunch Set of 2]()
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5. Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box
(Best insulation — $$)
Why it’s great: This adorable lunch box is one of the more popular options on the market. Available in twenty kid-friendly patterns, this lunch box is lightweight but still big enough to hold everything your little one will need at lunch time. Made from high-quality fabric that’s free of PVC, BPA, and phthalates, this lunch box is designed to be durable and easy to clean.
Keep in mind: This lunch bag is not sold with a plastic container or icepack despite the promotional photos featuring those items.
Good for: Kids who want to keep their lunch options open as this lunch bag can accommodate a bento box full of snacks or larger items like pizza and bagels.
![Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box]()
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6. Bento Box Lunch Box Kit
(Easiest to clean — $$)
Why it’s great: This bento box lunch kit comes with a thermos, a lunch box, two dip dishes, a fork and spoon, and a reusable bag. The included lunch box features three stackable compartments and is made of high-density wheat fiber material that’s eco-friendly and free of BPA. Microwave and dishwasher safe, this lunch box kit is designed to be convenient and easy to use.
Keep in mind: Some customers say the lunch bag is a little small, but all the included items should fit snugly inside.
Good for: Parents who want a comprehensive lunch kit that’s easy to clean and easy to transport.
![Bento Box Lunch Box Kit]()
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7. 3 Sprouts Lunch Bento Box
(Best value — $)
Why it’s great: This bento box includes three well-portioned compartments and is available in six different animal themes, including bear, deer, fox, lion, owl, and llama. Dishwasher and microwave safe, this bento box is made from material that’s free of lead, phthalates, PVC and BPA. Parents praise this bento box for its cute and durable design.
Keep in mind: Some customers say it’s tricky to get this bento box’s lid on correctly.
Good for: Families looking for a simple and affordable bento lunch box.
![3 Sprouts Lunch Bento Box]()
Best Overall
Bentgo® Kids Brights – Leak-Proof Bento-Style Kids Lunch Box
The Bentgo® Kids Brights – Leak-Proof Bento-Style Kids Lunch Box is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
FAQs about Kids' Bento and Lunch Boxes
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1. What should I consider when shopping for a lunch box for my child?
The first thing to consider when shopping for a kids lunch box is the type of food you plan to pack inside it. If your child prefers having a variety of small snacks to take on-the-go, you may want to buy a bento box with lots of different sized compartments. If your kiddo is partial to bigger foods, like sandwiches or wraps, a larger lunch bag may be a better option. If you plan to pack food that needs to be kept cool, you’ll want to choose a lunch box that’s compatible with an icepack. For kids who like to keep their options open, a lunch box that’s sold as a set might be your best bet. Lunch box kits often come with multiple containers to store different types of food and can include a bento box, thermos, and reusable, insulated bag. A good lunch box will also be compact, portable, leak-proof, and easy to clean.
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2. What’s a bento box?
Historically, a bento box refers to a Japanese meal that features small servings of several different types of food. This concept can be applied to kids lunches that include small portions of a variety of snacks to make up a balanced and nutritious meal. Bento box containers are typically plastic dishes with lids and small compartments that make packing and transporting this type of meal easier.
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3. Is it safe to store food in plastic containers?
Yes, the plastic used in most bento and lunch boxes is considered safe for food storage. Plastic food containers are constructed with material that’s free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, and other harmful substances. That being said, some lunch boxes should not be put in the microwave or dishwasher. Always read the instructions that come with your lunch box to ensure you’re using it properly and safely.
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4. How can I tell how much food will fit inside a lunch box?
Bento and lunch boxes are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes. Bento boxes typically feature multiple compartments to accommodate different sized portions. Some lunch boxes are designed for smaller snack foods while others will be able to fit larger lunch items. Most products will include size specifics in their item description, so check those details before ordering to ensure your lunch box can hold the food you intend to pack inside it.
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5. Can I use an icepack to keep food cold inside a lunch box?
There are plenty of lunch boxes that are compatible with using an icepack. Reusable lunch bags are often made from an insulated material designed to keep items extra cold. Many of these lunch boxes will have a special slot or space for an icepack inside. Some lunch boxes even come with an icepack included.
Conclusion
Bento and lunch boxes provide a portable, portion-controlled place to store snacks for your kiddo’s lunch away from home. Available in many different sizes, bento and lunch boxes can include a wide range of features and functions. For example, a plastic bento box usually comes with multiple compartments and is a simple and effective way to organize snacks of varied shapes and sizes. For larger, more complex meals, parents may opt to use a reusable, insulated lunch bag, which can often accommodate a bento box, thermos, and icepack, among other things. Above all else, lunch boxes should be made from material that’s free of harmful ingredients. They should also be easy to transport and easy to clean.
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