You’ll be packing around 190 lunches this school year (per kid!) so having lunch gear that’s durable, easy to clean and convenient is key to making things as painless as possible. We’ve rounded up our favourite lunchtime items to make your child’s packed lunches a success.
Bentgo Kids Chill Lunch Box
Why we love it: This lunch container will keep food cool and fresh all day long. Just put the removable ice pack in the freezer overnight and then pop it back into the lunchbox in the morning. The compartmentalized tray allows you to pack a variety of healthy choices in one box, giving kids plenty of snack options. A kid-friendly latch is easy for small hands to open and close, and the inner food tray is dishwasher safe for quick cleaning.
$35, staples.ca
Thermos FUNtainer Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Why we love it: Water bottles are a must for busy days in the classroom and on the playground. This durable pick keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours, making this the perfect option for getting through the school day. A carry handle makes it easy for kids to grab and go, plus the push button lid with pop-up straw makes this a hygienic choice. You can also purchase replacement straws for when they get worn down and chewed on.
$20, well.ca
Colibri Reusable Snack Bags
Why we love them: Disposable plastic storage bags are harsh on the environment (and your wallet) but these reusable bags are a great alternative. They come in small, medium and large sizes and have a variety of fun prints. They’re also easy to clean—just flip inside out to wipe down or toss them in the washing machine. And bonus, they’re made in Canada and tested and certified to meet both FDA and Health Canada food safety standards.
$9 to 10, colibricanada.com
L.L. Bean Insulated Lunch Box
Why we love it: Tweens and teens will love that these lunchboxes offer plenty of room while being compact enough to fit into a backpack (plus they come in lots of funky patterns!). Made of the same durable fabric as the iconic L.L. Bean backpacks, this lunch box is built to last. It has an internal mesh pocket for ice packs and a smooth easy to clean PVC-free lining. If your kids have a larger appetite and need some more room, L.L. Bean also has an expandable version which unzips to provide an extra two inches of depth.
$30 to 40, llbean.ca
Munchbox
Why we love it: This innovative bento is the world’s first and only lunch box with five interchangeable trays, allowing you to change up the configurations without having to buy another box. It holds five cups of food, and the silicone seal system keeps food fresh and prevents leakage between compartments. A child-friendly latch makes this a great choice for younger kids.
$45, chickadeekidsco.com
PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
Why we love it: This is coolest lunchbox in town (literally). It has freezable gel built into the walls of the bag to keep your food cold for hours. All you have to do is freeze the collapsible box overnight (it folds flat to fit easily into your freezer) and by morning the bag’s walls are completely frozen and ready to keep items cool all day long.
$40, amazon.ca
Bentgo Buddies Slim Ice Packs
Why we love them: Say goodbye to bulky ice packs! The slim design freezes quickly and keeps food cold up for to four hours. They come in fun designs and fit perfectly into the mesh pocket of your kiddo’s lunch bag without taking up too much room or making knapsacks too heavy.
$13 for a pack of 4, amazon.ca
