If there’s one thing about school lunchtimes that we miss, it’s the fact that the bell would ring to signify midday mealtime at noon on the dot.
In the working world, it’s neither entirely socially acceptable nor practical to tuck into our pre-prepared lunches so early – especially given that we must then stick it out sandwichless and snackless until 6pm or later.
Putting love into the ritual of lunchtime is also something we lack as adults, but it’s certainly something that we can re-embrace through our little ones. Packing nutritious lunches and delicious nibbles into perfectly organised bento boxes will not only make mealtimes at school a delight, but ensure that our kiddos have all that they need to grow and learn throughout the day.
A common tradition among parents sending their children back to school with packed lunches is including little notes of love and support. From food-related puns to reminders of how special they are, it’s another brilliant means of supporting kids’ mental and physical health after a long summer away from the classroom.
When it comes to lunchbox practicality, there are two main options on offer: a bento-style, compartmentalised box, and an insulated lunch bag. The ideal packed lunch set-up, however, consists of a combination of the two.
Bento boxes are a Japanese invention dating back to the 12th century and are thought to have been created by farmers and merchants in need of handy methods of bringing meals to work.
Today, contemporary bento boxes offer a fantastic combination of convenience and balance, offering ideal portion sizing and ample space for a variety of food groups. Thanks to compartments, different foods don’t need to touch either, avoiding the need for single-use plastics and wraps.
Pair a kids’ sized bento box with an insulated cool bag, and you can ensure that your little one will be enjoying supremely fresh lunches no matter the weather.
Keep scrolling for a selection of the best lunch boxes and bags for the back-to-school season.
Bento boxes
Monbento The kids' bento box
French specialists in the Japanese lunchtime classic, Monbento offer a myriad of adorable, customisable bento boxes for adults and children alike. The bento boxes for kids are available in four different sizes: 500ml, 800ml 950ml, 280ml and a 600ml snack box. Our personal favourite, however, is the mid-sized 800ml option.
The Capybara-adorned lunch box has two easy to lock and unlock clips, two food cups, an intermediary lid, a base container, and a silicone seal. It’s microwave-safe without lids, dishwasher-safe without the top lid, freezer-safe, airtight, BPA-free and made using food-grade materials. We particularly love the ‘tag hidey-hole’ at the top of the bento box, which comes with interchangeable designs and can be used as a name tag.
Buy now £18.90, Amazon
Munchkin Bento Lunch Box For Kids
An easy-to-spot, neon bento box complete with five handy compartments, this option from Munchkin features a kid-friendly design which accommodates smaller portion sizes. It’s top-shelf dishwasher-safe and comes with brilliant stainless-steel clip-in cutlery for the utmost convenience.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Sistema TO GO Bento Lunch
Sistema is a one-stop shop when it comes to value-for-money Tupperware. It’s home to a vast variety of innovative reusable containers for all sorts of leftovers, but this lunchbox Tupperware is our favourite. Equipped with moveable compartments and a seal-tight yoghurt/ fruit pot, it’s a fantastic choice for adults and children both.
Buy now £7.50, Amazon
3 Sprouts Kids Bento Lunch Box
Simple and effective, these bento boxes by 3 Sprouts come with various minimalistic animal designs. It’s a lunchbox that has been crafted with children in mind and features easy-to-open latches, BPA-free materials and a fantastic leak-proof design.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Bluey Multi Compartment Lunch Box
Children will take a vehement interest in anything adorned with characters from the hit Australian cartoon Bluey, lunchboxes included. This three-compartment option is a perfect option for younger kids thanks to its smaller size.
Buy now £9.50, Amazon
Lunch bags
Sistema Lunch Bag
A durable, insulated cool bag designed to fit the Sistema bento box, the inner lining is food-safe and wipe-clean. The ends of the bag also clip together to create a convenient carry handle while also ensuring a secure fit. It’s also freezer-safe for grab-and-go ease.
Buy now £9.00, Amazon
Pochacco Bento Bag
Adorned with the adorable Sanrio character Pochacco, this cool bag from MiniSo has been specifically designed for bento boxes. It’s a practical option for school, work, or a day out in the park which will keep your food and drinks cold until it’s time for you to tuck in.
Buy now £9.00, MiniSo
Cotopaxi Botana 6L Lunch Bag - Del Día
Consisting of bright and cheerful blue, purple, pink, and orange hues, the Cotopaxi 6L lunch bag is made with a 100 per cent food-safe liner and allows quick access to those all-important snacks thanks to the aluminium hook closure. The eco-friendly lunch bag is also made entirely from remnant fabrics.
Buy now £3.35, Cotopaxi
Lego Brick Lunch Bag
Enthusiastic Lego fans will rejoice for this brilliant dual-pocket lunch bag in the shape of a Lego brick. Suitable for ages three and up, it’s crafted from durable recycled plastic and has an insulated easy-clean lining.
What’s more, there’s an interior mesh pouch to hold reusable ice packs, utensils or napkins, as well as a Lego stud-style zip pocket at the front of the bag. It’s available in seven different colours, including purple, green, blue, turquoise, yellow and orange.
Buy now £22.99, Lego
Bluey Personalised Children’s Lunch Bag
Delight your little one with a personalised Bluey lunch bag this back-to-school season. This durable and insulated option is sure to keep meals fresh all day long while putting a smile on your child’s face. We’re big fans of the mesh water bottle pouch which keeps food and drink together with ease.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Homespon Insulated Kids Lunch Bag
Offered in a variety of fun, animal-theme designs, this spacious, water-resistant and insulating cool bag makes for a fabulous and convenient school accessory. The clip-together handle is also particularly useful for hooking onto bookbags and backpacks to ensure lunch is never left on the school bus.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
Smash Daisy Lunch Bag
A simply lovely lunch bag for the little one who loves daisies, this triangular option is surprisingly spacious and is made from wipe-clean materials.
Buy now £9.50, Argos
Valir Isothermic Lunch Bag
Gingham print simply never goes out of style. This caramel check lunch bag has hard-wearing canvas handles and an insulated inner lining.
Buy now £18.00, La Redoute
Baggu Hotel Stripe Lunch Box
Baggu is known for producing wonderfully kitschy, functional designs suitable for adults and kids. This stripey lunch box is made with 100 per cent nylon and has a lined, insulated interior to keep hot food hot, and cold food cold.
Buy now £34.00, Urban Outfitters
