Pretty Little Apron

School Lunch

Best Lunch Boxes for Kids

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*The opinions expressed on the post Best Lunch Boxes for Kids are my own. I am not affiliated with any of the manufacturers of the lunch boxes. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission for referring purchases.

The Back to School shopping frenzy is upon us. That sentence makes me cringe, and also makes me happy all in a quick two seconds. I have three kids going to school this year, and two that will be going full day. Of course, being the lunch box connoisseur that I am, I have already been stalking Amazon trying to decided which lunch gear I will be using this year. I think I have found a nice list of the Best Lunch Boxes for Kids!


Side note: when I started this blog my son who is going to Kindergarten this year was a baby! I am totally unprepared for him to walk through that elementary school door and become a big kid this year.

In previous years I have used the Planetbox and the Lunchbots systems with success, but I like to switch things up for the kids so they don’t get tired of the same thing everyday. If you’d like to read all about those systems, click here. I have done some extensive searching on Amazon, looked at tons of reviews, and weighed the pros and cons of all the systems that I saw available. Here is everything that I found, in no particular order.

The Best Lunch Boxes for Kids

Lunch boxes for kids

The Planetbox Shuttle



What I LOVE about the Planetbox Shuttle is that it only has a few compartments. We used the Planetbox Rover for a couple of years, and while I love it, it has so many compartments that my son was coming home with a lot of food leftover. I felt like I had to fill everything, and that can be super time consuming and sometimes wasteful.

The design of the Shuttle is super cute! You can customize it with magnets, which my son always liked, and it is stainless steel which is a huge plus for me as we try to stay away from plastics as much as we can. You can grab the kit and have everything you need to start the school year.

Reviewers said things like “Good but small” and “Great little stainless steel lunchbox.” If your child has a big appetite, you might want to go for the Rover after all. Anything Planetbox is a win for me!

Pros:

  • It isn’t plastic, so it can’t grow mold. I saw a LOT of systems on Amazon that parents noted mold had grown under plastic parts.
  • On stop shop with a kit that includes everything.
  • Smaller and easier to transport then the Rover.
  • Super cute magnets and design.
  • A bit cheaper then the Rover.

Cons:

  • Some parents complained of leakage.
  • Not as versatile as some of the other systems.
  • Bag does not have a place for a water bottle.

Bentgo Childrens Lunch box


The Bentgo is perfect for preschoolers and younger kids! Bentgo recommends this bento box for children ages 3-7. It has five compartments, and is a plastic shell with a with an insert that is removable. The insert goes in and out of the plastic shell, making it easy to clean and durable. Bentgo claims the box is leakproof, and most reviewers said indeed it was! I love the design for use at home or on the go, because the colors are bold and enticing to a young child.

Pros:

  • Most reviewers said the box was indeed leakproof.
  • Durable shell.
  • Easy to open.
  • Bold kid friendly colors.
  • Good size to fit into a variety of different bags.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers noted the hinge broke on their box.
  • Some reviewers noted mold grew on the inside lid.
  • Too small for older kids.

Yumbox Panino Lunch Box


Let me start by saying the design on the Bijoux Purple box is absolutely adorable! I think any child would love to have it! Upon looking at all the designs that Yumbox offers, I am super impressed. They have a handful of different themed boxes that are well worth stalking on Amazon for an entire evening before deciding which one to purchase. The bright, colorful designs make this a super cool lunch option. Yumbox even has a set of Pro Bento Accessories that would make the most extra lunch in the cafeteria! This box has a large compartment for a sandwich and two small compartments for sides. It is very similar to the Bentgo box in that it has a silicon molded lid that comes down and engages with the food tray to prevent leaking. The food tray is removable, so you can take it in and out to clean. 68% of reviewers gave this lunch box 5 stars!

Pros:

  • Beautiful, bright designs.
  • Perfect if your child likes to pack sandwiches.
  • Most reviewers said the box was indeed leakproof.
  • Small circular section in the middle for a treat.
  • Most reviewers said their younger children could easily open the box.

Cons:

  • A couple reviewers noted the silicon part of the lid grew mold.
  • A couple reviewers said the tray was hard to clean, and not as dishwasher safe as Yumbox claimed it was.
  • The lunchbox is just over 1 pound, so some children said it was heavy.

Lunchbots


I have been using our Lunchbots containers for over 5 years, and all of them look exactly like they did when I first purchased them. That is quite impressive if you ask me! We have a wide variety of the Lunchbots line including the uno, duo, trio, quad, a large bento, side containers, and even an insulated thermos for hot foods. I find this to be the most customizable system because the containers are not super large. That means I can send one of the food containers along with a side or a hot thermos and have the appropriate portion of food for a child. My children love the colorful lids, and have always been able to easily open them. We have even used them for snacks to take on long car rides, to the park, etc. I have seen that Lunchbots has come out with a couple deeper containers, and they would be perfect for an older child or an adult. Overall we have gotten a ton of use out of our Lunchbots containers, and will definitely be using them again this school year!

Pros:

  • Stainless steel so no mold growth can occur.
  • Easily removable, colorful lid.
  • Fun to mix and match containers for appropriate portions.
  • Lunchbots sells their own lunch bags that are perfect for the containers.
  • Dishwasher safe, super easy to clean.
  • Plastic free.

Cons:

  • Containers are not leakproof. If I am packing something wet like fruit I use one of the round containers or thermos.
  • The smaller containers may be too small for older children (middle-high school).
  • Pricey to purchase multiple containers (although one container would work depending on what you pack).
  • Some reviewers said the lids came off.

Easylunchboxes 3 Compartment Bento


You guys…. this are so simple and easy they are almost too good to be true! Love, love, love the fun colors! I once had a speech teacher who loved to use the acronym K.I.S.S. aka keep it simple, stupid! I feel like this perfectly sums up these lunch boxes. They are no hassle, no fuss, no frills, and that can be a great thing some days.

Pros:

  • 3 compartments suited for a sandwich and two sides.
  • Dishwasher safe, easy to clean.
  • No frills makes for simple, easy packing.
  • Affordable
  • Comes with 4 boxes so you can pack ahead.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers noted the lids did not stay on.
  • Some reviewers suggested both the lids and containers cracked easily.
  • Not leakproof.

Rubbermaid Lunchblox


These Lunchblox have a 4.5 star review, and have been reviewed over 1,000 times! It is hard to beat that. The set comes with one sandwich container, two side containers, and two smaller side containers. It also comes with a blue ice pack that fits between the containers to keep your food cold. Genius design! The containers are simple and colorful. The lids press onto the top like most Rubbermaid containers, and are leakproof, waterproof, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and you can even freeze them. TAKE MY MONEY! 🙂

Pros:

  • Simple, easy to use design.
  • Cheaper then other options.
  • Containers click together.
  • Several different sets to choose from.
  • The ice pack in between, need I say more?
  • Able to take food to heat if you have access to a microwave.
  • Dishwasher safe, easy to clean.
  • Durable, no mention of cracking lids or containers.
  • Reviewers noted they fit in several popular lunch bags.
  • There is a Lunchblox bag  specifically for this set.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers noted they containers leaked.
  • Some reviewers said that the system was too big to fit into lunch bags.

With all of these options, I’m sure I will be able to find a few new pieces to add to our lunch packing collection! I’m also on the hunt for a new lunch bag for my son this year, and he is super excited to be going to school all day and able to eat lunch there. If you have a favorite lunch box, let us know in the comments!

Lunch Box Accessories

Products from Amazon.com

 

 

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas: Round 2

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I do believe I’ve discovered something my oldest son absolutely LOVES! Not only does he love it, I’ve heard through the grapevine…ok scratch that, he told me himself that his friend tried to trade him his watermelon jello (naturally flavored and colored) for a pack of fruit snacks. AND HE DECLINED! Hello most wonderful and healthy version of a lunchbox favorite that is now a new staple in my house. 🙂

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Truth is, it is so incredibly simple to make jello flavored with real fruit it is almost laughable that companies have ruined such a simple product with weird preservatives banned in other countries, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. Sure, the fake stuff may be slightly brighter and taste fake but, hey….IT IS! We know what comes along with that fake stuff and we aren’t havin’ it! Real fruit people.. because it is flavored and colored too. Ya diggg?

Fresh Watermelon Jello

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp unflavored gelatin (Grass-fed options are available! Check the jello isle to find these products)
  • 3 cups watermelon juice
  • 2 Tbsp honey (I use raw honey)
  • Juice of a lemon (optional for extra vitamin c goodness)

Directions: Take fresh watermelon (about 1/4 of a melon should give you the juice to do this. If you are short, no fear just add in some water!) and pulse it in a food processor. Pour watermelon through a mesh strainer to remove the pulp (there surprising isn’t a lot of pulp, hence the name watermelon). Take 1 cup cold watermelon juice and pour gelatin into cold juice. Allow to sit 5 minutes. Meanwhile, take the other 2 cups of watermelon juice and heat in a small saucepan on the stove just to the brink of a boil. Add honey. Pour hot juice over set gelatin. Mix until all gelatin is dissolved. Pour mixture into molds/glass baking dish and allow to set up for 2-3 hours.

Also featured in this lunchbox is my new favorite dip… White Bean Dip! Why is it my new favorite? Well because my oldest son thinks Hummus is too much for him to handle, and this dip is a little more subtle in flavor. It takes all of about 2 minutes to make if you used canned beans and it is packed with protein and nutrients to boot. Healthy? Check! Delish? Check! Customizable? Check. Would be awesome with cheese? Check. Would be awesome with veggies? Check. And that is all! Like I said, this is just like hummus but a little more subtle in flavor for those kids on the fence about bean dips.

White Bean Dip with Whole Wheat Pita Chips

Ingredients:

  • 1 can white beans
  • squirt of lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp paprika
  • whole white pitas (I use Food For Life brand. No weird ingredients, no preservatives.)
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions: Drain and rinse beans. Put in food processor with spices, lemon juice, and a Tablespoon or 2 of water. Process until smooth. For pita: brush olive oil on pita. Add seasonings (I recommend adobo seasoning. My kids LOVE those and it kicks the dip up a notch.) Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until crisp.

 

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Moving onto the DIY burrito bento…. can you tell my kids love beans? This is similar to my Chicken Nachos bento, but I switched out the chicken for some spiced black beans, and added lettuce and peppers to put in the pita as well. Kids love putting stuff together themselves, so this is the perfect solution to the “I want a Lunchable” problem! The best part is, this goes together super quick. It is one of those lunches that look like a lot of time was put into, but in reality it was all of about 5 minutes. On busy mornings this bento is a life saver!

Spiced Black Beans for Bento

Ingredients:

  • 1 can black beans
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder

Directions: Mix beans and seasonings. Voila!

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Last but not least we have another favorite lunchbox meal from my oldest. I love sending hot lunches throughout the week because it makes packing lunches seem so much less mundane. PLUS who doesn’t love some soupy, creamy, mac n cheese?! Sometimes I’m on the fence about sending certain items in his thermos because I’ve heard the “Nobody else takes that” line so many times from him, but not the case here. I knew hands down this thermos lunch would come home empty and it did! Maybe, just maybe I wanted some soupy, creamy, mac n cheese too. But shhhh! I totally made it just for him!

In this recipe, I use my own Homemade Chicken Stock but if your not feeling that adventurous look for a low sodium stock that does not contain any forms of MSG (yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, “natural flavors”). If you use a boxed stock you will have to adjust the salt accordingly.

Soupy & Creamy Mac n Cheese (15 minutes to make on stovetop!)

ingredients:

  • 8 ounces whole wheat shells or pasta of choice
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 4 Tbsp whole wheat white flour (I use King Arthur’s brand)
  • 3 cups milk (I use whole milk)
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 6-8 ounces cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 tsp-1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • frozen peas to top

Directions: Cook pasta according to directions on box. In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux, then slowly add milk little by little, stirring continually. When milk is incorporated, slowly add chicken stock, then cheese and salt. To serve, top with frozen peas.

If you like my lunchbox gear here is what I’m using:

Lunchbots Quad, Lunchbots Bento Cinco, Lunchbots 8 ounce thermos all available here:

Shop LunchBots
*By the way, I LOVE doing business with Lunchbots because they offer FREE shipping, which is always really speedy. Their products have far exceeded my expectations. They even have a new DOTS line that I’ve been eyeing up. Don’t tell my husand! 😉

LunchSkins reusable baggie: *Also available at Target!


Lunchbox Love Cards:

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas: Round 1

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Somehow we already have 2 weeks of school under our belts. How did that happen exactly? No idea! My son is in 2nd grade and here is what he has  had to say about 2nd grade so far:

  • They only get 5 minutes for lunch
  • They can’t refill their water bottles whenever they want to
  • The snacks are good (no I’m sorry they are junk food)
  • The gym teacher makes them walk laps around the gym and it’s huge!
  • He has already filled a whole stamp card and nobody else has (mom brag!!)
  • He doesn’t like it
  • He doesn’t like it
  • He doesn’t like it
  • It isn’t fun

Yes, apparently good old second grade is a big snooze fest. There are rules. They get homework. They can’t just walk around the classroom aimlessly. I mean really, what is this preparing them for? The real world? College? Life?  Ahhh… yes… life. When you can’t just do whatever you want all the time. How do you break it to a 7 year old that it only goes downhill from here?


schoollunch1

Please excuse the horrible middle picture. I know, I know, what is it? It looks like a bowl of nothing-ness but I promise it is one of THE BEST soups in the world. You’ve heard that before, I know food bloggers love to throw that term around. I’ve made fun of those words so many times in the past (The Best Ever ______). However, I promise I would not lead you astray on this one. This soup is amazing. It is so simple, so easy, and so yummy. My kids would literally funnel this soup into their little mouths everyday if I kept making it. I’ve tried time and time again to try to get good picture of this soup but it just never looks that great because it is a broth heavy. Yes, broth heavy is what we are calling it. I’d compare the consistency to Chicken and Stars soup.

I also haven’t posted this soup because I have struggled with what to name it. I believe it is something close to Pastina soup, so I looked up what Pastina meant and here’s what I found:

pastina
Web definitions
  1. Pastina is a variety of pasta consisting of tiny pieces of pasta available in a variety of shapes. It is the smallest type of pasta produced. It is made of wheat flour and may also include egg. Pastina is typically used in broth soups in Italian and Turkish cuisine, particularly for children.

Precisely. It is particularly for children, hence this post! 😉 Thanks Web definitions for having my back on this one! Ok, so I’m officially calling it Pastina Soup.

Pastina Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat Acini de Pepe pasta
  • 8-10 cups chicken broth (I used homemade. Learn how to make your own broth on my post Everything You Need To Know About Making Your Own Chicken Stock. If you use a pre-boxed broth you will need to adjust the salt content to taste, starting with 1 tsp and going from there.)
  • 4 eggs

Directions: Mince onions as smooth as you can get them in a food processor, or dice very fine. Put onions, butter, and all seasonings except salt in a large stock pot. Cook over medium heat until onions are fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add broth and bring to a boil. Add pasta and allow to simmer for about 8 minutes. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl. While stirring continuously add eggs in a slow and steady stream. Be careful not to dump all eggs in at once or you will end up with a huge egg clump.

Depending on what kind of stock you use you may or may not have to add salt. I used a homemade stock that I had not previously salted, so I used a whole tsp. of kosher salt. Taste your soup and salt to taste. 🙂

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On to the good stuff…. the puddin’ baby! In my cute and convenient LunchBots 4 oz. round I have myself some homemade vanilla puddin’ sweetened naturally with maple syrup and sprinkled with a little cinnamon. I kind of wanted to just keep this at home for myself and I’m sure you will too, but have no fear! This recipe will give you more then one portion so there will be enough to go around. Also featured in this lunchbox:

  • Oven Roasted broccoli and cauliflower with cheese to go on top (roasted in the oven ahead of time with salt and pepper, then served the next day cold)
  • Frozen blueberries
  • Ezekiel pita with almond butter to spread on top. I always send nut butters on the side so the bread doesn’t get soggy
  • In the top corner we also have some un-sulphered dried pineapple rings

Homemade Vanilla/Maple Puddin’

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat white flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • dash salt
  • 1 Tbsp butter (optional)

Directions: Mix maple syrup and flour in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly incorporate milk while stirring continuously. When milk is incorporated add vanilla, salt, and butter. Transfer to a heat safe container and cool in the refrigerator. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving if desired.

To make this chocolate: add 3 Tbsp cocoa powder to the maple and flour.

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In the other lunch we have:

  • Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad from 100 Days of Real Food
  • Mini Bell Pepper Rings
  • Brown bag popcorn tossed in olive oil, garlic powder, and onion salt to taste. Simply put 1/2 cup kernels in a brown bag and microwave approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds. THAT’S IT! No nasty chemicals or hydrogenated oils. Yes! 🙂
  • Pumpkin Spice Granola Clusters that weren’t so clustery because my kids ate all the chunks first!
  • Apple

As always if you like my gear, I am using LunchBots so check them out!

Shop LunchBots

Also pictured:

Back to School Lunchbox Preview: Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

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My son is going back to school next week, should I do a happy dance or cry? Maybe I’ll cry while I’m doing a happy dance! Have you seen the mom on youtube who posts videos every year of her kids riding away on that big yellow bus while she sings “Bye, Bye, Bye?” Yeah, I probably could have done that a few times this summer as well. Believe me, I’m kind of excited to go to the grocery store and Target with only 2 children during the day. Life is so much easier when all of your kids can ride in a cart. Plus, maybe then all the old people will stop staring at me like I have 3 eyes. I know, I know, I look young and well… I am young. But seriously the stares I can do without. I get it, I’m crazy, my kids are crazy, and you hate us all when we are screaming in the isle you are occupying. Sorry for disrupting your otherwise quiet day, excuse me while I reach around you to get that pack of diapers (not your kind of diapers anyway, try the pad isle lady). Ok now my crude humor is coming out, we better move on before things get ugly! 😉


Last school year I learned a lot about packing lunches, mainly I need a good lunchbox system and my son will not suddenly like something new because it was in his lunchbox with a cutesy pick stuck in it. I think many other parents were in the same situation because my son came home one day and proclaimed “The teachers told us to tell our parents only to pack things we like.” What’s that you say now? I should pack stuff you like? Hmmm… I’ll think about it and get back to you on that one, ok honey? Truth be told sometimes that old lunchy-lunch came home barely touched. I can’t blame myself though, because turns out my son is talker. Yeah, that means he never shuts up. Believe me I know, I’ve spent a whole summer listening to him re-enact every move he has ever made playing Super Mario on his Nintendo Ds, including the sounds, songs, and random Italian accented Mario voice he decided to make up. Sometimes I find Mario and Luigi in my freezer… frozen… I mean not frozen, we don’t say that word in my house unless we want to listen to that song… that damn song… let it go people, let it go. Ok I’m done.

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So here is my first batch of lunchbox recipes and guess what? They are ALL simple, easy, and lunchbox friendly. No soggy sandwiches, no disgusting lunchables… just real, nutritious food that does not take hours to put together. No, you don’t have to wake up at 5 am to do this!

Chicken Nachos (Lunchables alternative)

I’ve been told numerous times by my son the kids who take Lunchables everyday…..yes everyday! I always tell him “______’s mom probably just doesn’t know what the ingredients are in those things.” So he proceeded to try to tell his friend they were crappy. Not sure how that turned out, but I think it went something like “Lunchmeat is healthy.” Sure it is, sure it is. Anyway, kids love the idea of the Lunchable. It is fun, they can get creative, and they feel like their lunch is special. I thought chicken nachos would be a fun and easy way to create something that was deconstructed and my son loved it! Here is what you’ll need:

  • Shredded chicken (I make whole chickens frequently during the school year so that I always have a stash of chicken in the refrigerator to throw in pasta salads or use for meals)
  • Seasonings: adobo, cumin, and chili powder
  • Baked pitas: I used a Food for Life Ezekiel pita. I cut it into triangles, brushed it with olive oil, then sprinkled it with adobo seasoning. These are SO good plain and the pitas are loaded with nutrition and cheap! There is nothing in these pitas that doesn’t need to be there, and no mystery ingredients.
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Fruit/Veggie of choice

Simply season your chicken, season pitas and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, and your done!

Sweet Potato Matchsticks

These are awesome! My kids love sweet potato fries but they are kind of hard to send in a lunchbox because they tend to get soggy. I solved this problem by cutting the sweet potatoes really thin, and baking them until they are crisp. Remember those potato sticks in the can we all ate as kids? Yeah, this is them… except in sweet potato form minus that crappy oils and preservatives. You can make these up ahead of time and freeze them, or just make a batch and store them in the refrigerator until it is time to transfer them to a lunchbox. My kids eat them hot and cold, which makes them ideal for a lunchbox. Here is how I make them:

  • Slice sweet potatoes as thin as you can get them
  • Toss in olive oil and cinnamon
  • Turn out on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until crispy, about 30 minutes

Homemade Trail Mix

I LOVE homemade trail mix! It is so easy to put together and I find it to be cheaper then the pre-made mixes that sometimes contain hidden ingredients that don’t need to be there. Here is what I threw together for my homemade trail mix:

  • raw almonds
  • raw pumpkin seeds
  • raw sunflower seeds
  • dried cherries
  • Enjoy Life semi-sweet mini chips

Whole Wheat Banana Muffin with Cream Cheese Filling

Ok, you didn’t think I would do a lunch post without plugging another recipe, did you? Of course not! So here is my shameless plug. I made these amazing muffins. They are moist, they are banana packed, they are whole wheat and naturally sweetened, and last but not least they are sprinkled. Yes, muffins can have sprinkles too and I sprinkle muffins because them muffins need to feel pretty once in a while too now ya’ll! They have been sprinkle-less far too long people! My sprinkles were veggie dyed and my muffins loved them. Then they all lived happily ever after. The End. Now click this link to my shameless plug. 🙂

Whole Wheat Biscuit from 100 Days of Real Food

Yes, I do use other blogger’s recipes! I’ve been a long time fan of Lisa from 100 Days of Real Food and I love her Super Easy Whole Wheat Biscuit recipe. I followed the recipe as written, and sprinkled the top with a little cheddar cheese to jazz them up a bit. Generally I would send the lunch with the biscuit included with a hot thermos filled with a soup or pasta, but I didn’t feel like defrosting any of my thermos freezer stash so I will share a hot recipe next time, I promise!

Dat Other Stuff

  • oranges
  • frozen peas
  • spinach salad with dried cherries and goat cheese
  • carrots
  • watermelon (or watermelly as we call it in my house)

Well there you have it… my Back to School Lunchbox Preview just in time for lunch packing next week. Hope everyone’s little ones have a good first day! 🙂

*If you like my lunchboxes check out LunchBots.

Shop LunchBots


Planetbox Vs Lunchbots Lunchbox Review

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**The views and opinions expressed in the post Planetbox vs Lunchbots are my own. I am not affiliated with either company, I just love their products! This post does contain affiliate links and I receive a small commission for referring purchase. 

Planetbox vs Lunchbots review


 

***Review update 2018: I am completely revamping this post with new information as I feel what I wrote a couple years back is outdated now! I have also reviewed other lunch boxes and gear on my Best Lunch Boxes for Kids post. Go check that out for some other options!

**Review update 2017: Can summer slow down already? How is it even August? With “Back to School” back again I noticed this post was getting a lot of new traffic and I wanted to give an update. Last school year my son was in 2nd grade. We used the LunchBots system for the whole year. Just to clarify, I used the PlanetBox Rover during his 1st grade year. I  gained a ton of knowledge about both systems during my first two years packing school lunches! We learned what worked and what didn’t.

This coming school year I will be packing for my now 3rd grade son, as well as occasionally packing for my pre-school aged son who is starting pre-school in September. My family will also be welcoming a new baby boy so packing lunches will likely be done the night before. I will definitely be looking for time saving tips! Both companies have made a few changes over the past year that I should note:

  • LunchBots added a line of colorful Dots covers that fit over the lids. I believe this change was made due to color chipping complaints, as well as the logo wearing off the top of the lid. I do not own any of the Dots covers but they are SUPER CUTE and I must get my hands on one this year!
  • LunchBots also added a line of smaller, snack-sized containers called Pico, as well as two new “clicks” containers that are round.
  • PlanetBox changed their website completely and it is so much more fabulous then it was before. Bravo PlanetBox!
  • PlanetBox updated their bags, some appear to have prints.
  • PlanetBox also now offers a more “one-stop-shop” by offering their new “Bottle Rocket” water bottle with their kits. I really love that they made this update because the kits are pricey and the more you get for the price, the better! I would be interested to see if the new Bottle Rocket solves the water bottle issue I discuss below (water bottles not fitting into front pouch, slipping out of bag, getting lost continuously!) If anyone has an update on this, please share in the comments!

*Review Update 2016: We are still going strong with our Lunchbots! Started packing lunches again this week and saw this post was trending as it does at the start of every school year. This year is a very different start to the school year for us as we are moving into a new home shortly and things are a little chaotic!

I have noticed LunchBots has added a few new items including a deeper box and newly styled lunchbox. I did happen to get my hands on a dots lid this year and it is fabulous! We also added a few more of the rounds to our LunchBots collection as I provide snacks in them to my two younger boys. I noticed they did away with the plastic on the lid of the rounds, and that is awesome! All in all we still love our whole collection and our pieces are in great shape!

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While browsing at Target today I noticed the dreaded “Back to School” section has sprung up out of nowhere, ready to remind me that there are only a few short weeks of summer left. Am I the only one who is super depressed about this? Not only will I have to face the fact that my son is no longer a little 1st grader, I will also have to face the “Back to School” schedule. I wouldn’t mind it so much if pick-up time wasn’t smack dab in the middle of naptime, but that’s a totally different story!

Last year was my first year packing lunches and I have to admit it was a learning experience! The first thing I realized was that Ziplock baggies and little containers weren’t going to cut it. I can’t explain how disgusting my son’s lunchbox would be when it came home. Every night I would reluctantly unzip the lunchbox and find a slimy mess of half eaten food and wet baggies waiting for me.

Thoughts of dirty little hands would run through my mind as I touched the slime inside the lunchbox. One long weekend I forgot about the box of horrors in my son’s backpack and I had a nice moldy mess waiting for me on Monday morning. What a blessing in disguise that moldy mess was, because it prompted me to search for a better solution to lunch packing.

I had seen the Planetbox all over social media and knew I wanted to go the stainless steel route because I’m not 100% on board with plastics. Too many studies are now showing even BPA free plastics are laden with chemicals that can leach into food even if it isn’t hot. After I purchased the Planetbox I’ll admit, I became a lunchbox junkie! I found the LunchBots line and loved the look so I purchased a few of their boxes to switch things up once in a while.

Positives of Both Systems

  1. No more slime- My son would come home with just one thing for me to clean up that wasn’t covered in goo and other unknowns. Cleanup was a breeze, even if the lunchbox was forgotten about over the weekend. I didn’t have to dig around the box to pick up all the pieces that were left. It was simply one piece that I could easily wash up for the next day.
  2. My lunches got healthier- Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t packing highly processed junk food to begin with but with the food spread out nicely in front of me it was easier to see where I needed to add nutrition. I also got more creative and started packing hot lunches with a thermos. This was an awesome way to switch things up and not fall into a boring lunchbox routine.
  3. My son started eating more of his lunch- With all of his food right in front of him he could dig right in. He is a talker and I knew a lot of his time was wasted during lunch talking. I also knew having to open a bunch of containers and baggies wouldn’t distract him. I know that sounds silly but my son is easily distracted and their lunch time is short.
  4. No more plastics- When I started using the Planetbox and LunchBots lunchboxes I was also inspired to get rid of the plastic water bottles and utensils my son was using for lunch as well. I can now pack his lunch knowing there are no harmful chemicals that are leaching into his food and potentially hurting his growing body.
  5. It made the teacher’s job easier- I’m not actually there during my son’s lunch but I’ve heard from him that teachers on duty essentially spend their time opening things for the kids. There is one exception to this with the Planetbox, and I will get there later, but these lunchboxes eliminate frustrating packaging.
  6. No more throwing away baggies- If everyone cut those stupid plastic baggies from their routine think of how much landfill space we could save. It honestly feels really good to know that I’m sending my son to school with a lunch that contains no waste. No baggies, no single serve packets, no single serve containers. Just one box that I reuse everyday that creates zero waste.
  7. Speaking of single serve packets- Seriously, who hasn’t been begged by their child to purchase those lousy, expensive, and totally not worth your money single serve packets!?!? Can I just say I hate those things? Not only are they expensive, all you really are paying for is packaging. You get lots of packaging and a little product. But for some reason, there is a market for them. Not to mention 99% of those packets are filled with nothing but junk. These lunchbox systems eliminate the idea in your child’s mind that they NEED to have the single serve packets, and if they ask, you have a really reasonable reason why you don’t need them!

LunchBots

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Pricing

The LunchBots pricing differs from the Planetbox as it is more of a whole system of containers rather then just one box. The box sizes are great for mixing and matching, but that also means you have to buy more then one container. By all means, you could just purchase one box if that was all you were looking for, and Lunchbots has made it easier then ever by coming out with new boxes to suit the needs of just about everyone. Their recent addition, the small protein packer  is perfect for a mix of nuts, protein, cheeses, chicken, etc.

With that being said, I highly recommend getting at the very least a box and one rounds set. The reason I recommend a rounds is that the box is NOT leakproof, so if you’d like to send anything even slightly wet, you need a separate container.

I have several rounds sets and they are one of my most used kitchen items! They are easy to throw in a bag quick if we are going somewhere and I think the kids will need a snack. Both of my sons also took snacks to school daily, and we used the rounds instead of plastic baggies or a big thermos that was a bit too big for a quick snack. Our rounds are indeed leakproof and have a seal around the top.

What I have consistently seen from Lunchbots is that they are always expanding and improving based upon feedback from customers. They listen to what their customers want and they make it happen! I honestly haven’t followed a company that was as accommodating as Lunchbots!

Pros:

  • Customizable lunch with different pieces.
  • Fun design, perfect for adults or kids.
  • The durability of these containers has proven to be amazing over and over again. My kids abuse the heck out of these containers and they look nearly identical to what they did when I first purchased them. We have been using them for over 5 years now, and that speaks to how durable and loved our Lunchbots are. As I researched a couple of other lunch boxes I saw the word mold over and over again.
  • These are super easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. I have never had any issues with cleaning, mold, weird smalls, discoloration, etc.
  • Lightweight compared to other stainless steel lunch boxes.

Cons:

  • The LunchBots system doesn’t have an icepack specifically designed to go overtop of the boxes. However, they do offer an insulated carrying bag that can fit one or two boxes along with utensils and a drink container. To be brutally honey, I don’t love the look of the bag they offer, but their boxes are sized to fit into many many other lunch carrying boxes. Here is a look at their bag to make your own decision about i
  • The only other con I have as far as the Lunchbots system, is that watery food can transfer between sections. There is a really simple fix to this, and that is to use little silicone cups under anything that is wet (watermelon, pineapple). As I mentioned before,  I also use the rounds for wet food.

Planetbox

Products from Amazon.com

Pricing

The complete Planetbox Rover Set comes in at a hefty $79.99, which is up $20 from when I initially wrote this post. There are two other Planetbox options that run a bit cheaper, so don’t let the price stop you from checking these out. Planetbox has fixed their dipper lid issue, and has really updated their bags in a nice way since this post was originally written as well. I love the look of the sets and the fact that you can get a bag that matches your magnets. If you really want to get match-y you can also snag a water bottle that also matches.

Add Ons:

Cold Kit: The cold kit is an essential part of this system in my opinion. The icepack slips right into a mesh flap on the lid of the carrying case and lays against the whole top of the Planetbox. It is designed perfectly for the box, and I would highly recommend it!

Utensils: These aren’t quite as essential but they are an add on that we used and my son liked taking his own utensils. This utensil set also comes with a cold kit so you could purchase one or the other and still get a cold kit.

Pros:

  • The lunch box itself is super durable stainless steel. Planetbox offers 3 different boxes so depending on how much your child eats, you can find something to fit your needs.
  • The design is super cute and versatile. When I bought my sons set I grabbed a couple extra magnet sets and he really loved that. It is different and fun.
  • Planetbox offers the whole set together, which is basically a one stop shop.
  • The Rocket water bottle is designed to go with the system.
  • Planet box now offers little pods that go directly with the box to send even more food and prevent leakage from wet items.
  • Easy to clean, dishwasher safe.

Cons:

  • The Rover is quite large. I can’t speak for the rest of the systems because I don’t have them, however my son was kind of embarrassed about the size of the rover. The lid does not detach, rather it flips back and in turn takes up double the space. If your child is sitting across from someone else, their lid might be in someone else’s space.
  • The whole box is quite heavy.
  • I do have an outdated bag, but I kind of hated the bag to be honest. The pockets on the front didn’t really hold anything in good, and we lost several water bottles.
  • The dippers appear to have been fixed but my initial set was defective making it impossible to use. For the price that was disappointing.
  • No option to send any hot foods.
  • Feeling like I have to “fill” every compartment on the rover, which can be irritating to the parent packing.

Which System Is the Right For Me?

I can’t tell you which system will work better for me, however it really depends upon what you want to do with the lunchbox. If you ask yourself these questions, you can probably decide which option will meet your needs better:

  1. Am I going to pack hot lunches? (Go with LunchBots)
  2. Will my child be comfortable with a lunchbox that is slightly bigger then some others?
  3. How many pieces am I looking for?
  4. Do I really want to pay shipping for something I’m already spending an arm and a leg for?
  5. How much will I be packing lunches?
  6. Will I be making freezer lunches?
  7. Which carrying bag is more appealing to me?

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