Whether your kid is at home, attending daycare, starting out on their school journey, or a fully-fledged school kid, there is a lunchbox that is the perfect fit for them. To help you decide, read through the b.box lunchbox buying guide below!
different types of lunchboxes explained
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of lunchboxes you’re likely to come across in your search.
traditional lunchboxes
The typical picture that pops up for traditional lunchboxes is that of an old metallic or plastic rectangular box where all foods and snacks are stored. These traditional lunchboxes don’t feature multiple compartments that allow variety, and you usually have to pop everything in one shared space. This can make it a bit of a nightmare when you want to give your kids dry snacks, a sandwich, but also a slice of watermelon or other juicy fruit.
bento lunchboxes
Bento lunchboxes, inspired by the Japanese bento box, have grown in popularity significantly over the years, and this is the very type of lunchbox that b.box is known for. This lunchbox is divided into a number of compartments that are well-suited to a variety of dry and wet foods. These include a whole fruit section, leakproof compartments, that are suited for snacks or lunch meals like a sandwich or pasta.
mini lunchboxes for younger children
The b.box mini lunchbox is another bento-style lunchbox, designed for younger kids, with less compartments that are designed for smaller appetites.
which lunchbox features are worth paying for?
When it comes to lunchbox features, there are a few we’d say are an absolute must to account for. From food-safe materials to easy-clean compartments, these are the features to prioritize.
leakproof compartments
Having your kid return home from daycare, kindergarten, or school with a lunchbox full of soggy crackers and sticky compartments is never a fun experience. This is why leakproof compartments are so important. The lunchbox range at b.box includes leakproof compartments, as well as accessories such as snack and lunch tubs that can add even more leakproof compartments to the lunchbox.
BPA-free and food-safe materials
You want your child’s lunchbox to be both kid-safe and food-safe. That’s why b.box lunchboxes are made from BPA-free, food-grade materials, so you can pack their lunch with confidence.
easy-clean materials
However neatly you pack it, a lunchbox rarely comes home as clean as it left, which is why easy-clean lunchboxes are worth their weight in gold. Whether you go with a b.box lunchbox or mini lunchbox, you’ll be happy to know they’re a breeze to clean. They’re dishwasher safe on the top rack - otherwise you can easily clean an entire lunchbox quickly by hand at the end of the day.
fits whole fruits
If you want a lunchbox that can truly support a well-balanced selection of foods, then you’ll want one that can fit whole fruits. This is especially true for fruits like apples and pears, where having to cut the fruit up into smaller pieces leads to them browning. All b.box lunchboxes feature a flexi seal over the large compartment, so it can fit a whole apple or pear, and they don’t need to be cut up ahead of time.
choosing the right lunchbox for everyday use
Not sure which lunchbox is right for your kid? Here are a couple of pointers to keep in mind.
school versus daycare requirements
For kids who are in school, especially first grade onwards, b.box’s school lunchbox is a good match for their needs. It offers plenty of space for whole fruits, wet foods, snacks, and proper lunchtime meals like a sandwich or pasta.
For younger kids who are in daycare or kindergarten, we recommend the mini lunchbox. It’s a little more compact and easier for smaller hands to carry, and has enough compartments for a variety of foods that would satisfy smaller appetites.
choosing a lunchbox designed for repeated use
The right lunchbox isn’t just about how they’ll be used at different ages, but also how long they’ll last. And should you accidentally lose or break a lunchbox part, you want to know it’ll be hassle-free to replace it.
At b.box, not only are our lunchboxes designed to withstand daily use, but we have an extensive range of replacement parts for our products - so whether a piece goes missing, breaks, or you just want to give it a fresh look, you can swap it out with ease.
how to create a complete lunch system
A lunchbox on its own is a great start, but a complete lunch system is where the magic happens! Surrounding your lunchbox with the right sidekicks turns morning prep into a breeze and keeps mealtime fun, fresh, and mess-free for your kids.
matching lunch bags and water bottles
Why split up a dream team? Pairing your lunchbox with a matching b.box insulated lunch bag and water bottle creates a tidy, grab-and-go kit kids love carrying. Our insulated lunch bags feature flexible sides specifically designed to keep lunchboxes locked in place, with plenty of room to pack a snackbox or water bottle right alongside it.
With matching colors and iconic character prints, your kid can show off their style while making lost-and-found mix-ups a thing of the past!
keeping food cooler for longer
Freshness is the secret to keeping food delicious. Slotting a b.box jumbo gel cooler right into the inner mesh pocket of your insulated lunch bag creates an instant chill zone around the lunchbox, keeping yogurts, cheeses, and dips cooler for longer.
Want to pack warm leftovers on a chilly day? Swap in a b.box insulated food jar. It keeps meals warm for up to 6 hours (or chilled for up to 8), is leakproof, and features easy-grip handles and a lid that doesn’t overtighten, making it easy for kids to open it all by themselves.
accessories that make packing easier
At b.box, we’ve got lunch accessories that make packing an absolute breeze. Along with our easy-to-pack and prep lunchboxes, accessories like our bento buddy silicone inserts drop straight into your lunchbox to create additional compartments for more variety for picky eaters.
Our snack tubs, lunch tubs, silicone snack cups and silicone lunch pocket bring even more variety to the lunchbox. The leakproof snack tubs are made for small portions of wet foods like yogurt, dips and dressings, with a hinged lid that stays attached so it never goes missing.
Need more room?
- The lunch tub fits in the sandwich compartment and is leakproof with cold foods, so saucy pastas, salads and juicy fruit salads can come along too.
- For bite-size and dry snacks like crackers, nuts and grapes, the foldable silicone snack cups create extra compartments for added variety, and they’re oven safe for baking take-and-go muffins and mini quiches.
- The silicone lunch pocket easily fits into the sandwich compartment of the lunchbox - and its versatile size allows you to fit sandwiches, rolls, wraps, or mini pizzas.