If you’ve ever thought “what is the best lunch box to keep food cold?” (or hot for that matter), read on for our top picks for kids.
As much as we’re dreading packing school lunches for the next 9 months, these cool lunch bags and lunch boxes lessen the blow. Because these aren’t any ordinary lunch bags. Na-uh mama. We’ve examined and tested them all and rounded up only the very best to hold your child’s PB&J. We’re talking easy-to-clean, super insulated, and pushing the boundaries of what a lunch box can be (think converting into a placemat or becoming a freezer pak!).
Note: if you’re looking for the perfect lunch/snack box for your Preschooler (or even daycare or kindergarten), check out our Preschool Back-to-School Guide
about our sponsor
We’re incredibly proud that our 2018 Back-to-School Guide is brought to you by our amazing sponsor, TeacherLists.com, who make back-to-school supply shopping a complete breeze (seriously, we kid not).
Here’s how this genius technology works: Simply search for your child’s school using your zip code to get access to their EXACT school supply list, then click to have everything placed directly into your favorite e-retailer’s shopping cart (including Amazon, Target and Walmart!). Now you can simply purchase all your supplies from your online cart – no trips to the store searching for the specific fine-point chiseled no-odor markers or purple quick-dry medium-sized glue sticks.
But hey, if you do like the whole back-to-school supply shopping experience, you can still use TeacherLists.com to access an easy-to-read copy of your exact list to print out (or view it from your mobile device when you inevitably forget it at home).
We’re all about making your life easier, and TeacherLists.com is seriously simple. A few minutes and you’ll be checking “buy school supplies” off your list – and who doesn’t love the feeling of that?!
Please note: this post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for full details.
FOR GRADE-SCHOOLERS
TINYME PERSONALIZED LUNCH BAG
We love a personalized lunch tote, and tinyme does them right. They offer a huge range of modern designs to suit the taste of both little kids (animals, trucks, dinosaurs) and big kids (cool retro graphics). You can even get your child’s likeness on it so there’s no question whose lunch is whose!
PACKIT FREEZABLE LUNCH BAG
You’ll never forget the freezer pack with this lunch bag, because this lunch bag IS the freezer pack. Simply fold up the bag, pop it into the freezer overnight, and then pack it up in the morning. The built-in freezable gel liner will keep your kid’s lunch cool for up to 10 hours – perfect for kids’ with after-school sports and activities that require an extra drink or snack. Lunch bag innovation!
PackIt also comes in a more classic silhouette and other size/shape variations.
SOYOUNG LUNCH BAG
We can’t get enough of this incredible raw linen lunch box from SoYoung – it not only looks totally unique, but also has unique features like a removable messenger strap that can be looped through the handle to wear as a backpack! There’s also an interior liner that is easily detached so spills and crumbs can be fully wiped without gunk getting trapped in the corners. Beautiful and smart – a killer combo!
POTTERY BARN KIDS COLTON LUNCH BAG
The color blocking on this this Pottery Barn Kids lunch bag is right on trend, but the zipper compartments, padded insulation and ability to add custom reflective patches will never go out of style.
WILDKIN MUNCH ‘N LUNCH BAG
Your kids will love the variety of patterns and easy-to-open flap of the Wildkin Munch ‘n’ Lunch Bag. You will love the easy-to-clean interior and the fold flat design for easy storage each night. Winner winner.
SUGARBOOGER ZIPPEE! LUNCH TOTE
This fun lunch tote has hip retro designs and a waterproof exterior, making the whole bag easy to wipe clean. There’s an interior mesh pocket for silverware or an ice pack, and an exterior pocket for extra snacks, napkins or seriously cheesy mom-jokes.
CROCODILE CREEK ECO KIDS INSULATED TWO COMPARTMENT LUNCH BAG
These brightly colored lunchboxes feature a “secret” 2nd compartment that will make lunchtime extra fun. Both sections are fully-insulated and the extra padding keeps your sandwiches from getting squished. And there’s no nasty toxics here – all of the Crocodile Creek bags are PVC, Phthalate, BPA, and vinyl free.
For a quick overview of just how easy back-to-school supply shopping can be, take a peek at how TeacherLists.com operates:
FOR MIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOLERS
PBTEEN ESSENTIAL LUNCH BAG
Your big kid will love the look of this reusable tote, with a neat zip-around closure and fun graphic prints. Get it personalized so it won’t get mixed up with their bestie’s.
NIKE GYM BAG LUNCH BAG
Your kid will be the talk of the cafeteria when they pull out their mini Nike duffel bag. But this is no ordinary gym bag because instead of holding stinky socks, it’s shrunken and insulated to keep their lunch cool as a cucumber. Cool indeed.
SOLVETTA FLATBOX LUNCHBOX
How cool is this? A lunch bag that converts into a placemat. Just unzip down the 4 edges and your child has a germ-free surface on which to eat their lunch. Perfect for kids with allergies and germ-a-phobes alike. And no need to wipe-clean, just stick it in the washing machine.
VIOLET MIST NEOPRENE LUNCH BAG
There’s no bells or whistles with this lunch bag, but your tween or teen won’t be able to resist the super trendy prints.
LUCKIES OF LONDON BROWN PAPER LUNCH BAG
At first glance this may look like a plain ol’ brown paper lunch bag. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find an insulated, tear-proof, durable container that closes with a double-magnet. Your no-frills kids will love this one.
FIT AND FRESH
With a modern “hand bag” design, your budding fashionista will feel right at home toting their lunch in this Fit and Fresh bag. It’s wire top frame makes for easy packing (no collapsing!) and opening, and it comes in a variety of fun prints.
LUNCHBOTS DUPLEX INSULATED LUNCH BAG
This handsome looking LunchBots bag is designed specifically to hold their awesome bento containers (check them out in our Lunch Containers guide). The dual compartments help keep your child’s lunch organized with the bottom section sized to fit a large LunchBots, and the top to hold a waterbottle and extra snacks. There’s also a shoulder strap that can snap on for easy carrying to and from the caf.
Thanks again to our incredible 2018 Back to School Guide sponsor, TeacherLists.com, for making the annual back to school supply chore simple and convenient for parents. Visit TeacherLists.com to complete your supply shopping in a few simple clicks.
Check out all of our Back-To-School guides:
The Hottest Backpacks For Grade Schoolers, Tweens & Teens
Everything Your Pre-Schooler Needs For Back-to-School, In Just The Right Size
The Best Bento Boxes, Supplies & Tools To Take Your School Lunch From Boring To Blast-Off!
The Coolest Star Wars Back-to-School Supplies For Your Jedi-in-Training
AND DON’T MISS NEXT YEAR’S GUIDES (we’ll be updating, adding and highlighting all the best products) by signing up for our Newsletter. You’ll be the first to know when they’ve launched, and we’ll also hook you up with our full library of freebies which includes 10 Screen-Free Toys For Guaranteed Quiet Time, Printable Birthday/Holiday Coupon Book For Kids and 35 Subs & Swaps for Healthy Family Meals:
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