Best Lunch Boxes for Kids for Back-to-School

The adorable Lunchies line now offers almost two dozen different animals to choose from, including cat, dog, elephant, and butterfly! Some of the lunch bags now come with a matching water bottle, and many coordinate with an animal backpack and other matching accessories, such as “ZOOtnesils” and reusable sandwich bags (sold separately).

Price: $14.00 & up

Buy on Amazon

Nobody likes a smooshed sandwich! This adorable butterfly lunch box comes with extra padding to protect that delicious lunch you packed, plus a sturdy outside pocket that’s perfect for holding snacks.

Price: $14.99

Buy on Amazon

The Zippee tote comes in some of the coolest designs you’ll find, such as jungle animals, hedgehogs, and sea creatures. It’s made of tough cotton canvas with a stain-resistant coating and is machine-washable. Win!

Price: $20.00

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Want to pack “green” school lunches? Bento boxes are the way to go! They are modular food storage containers of different sizes that eliminate the need for sandwich and snack bags. The Bentgo stackable lunch box comes with two containers (one divided container) that strap together and are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. It also includes a built-in plastic fork, knife, and spoon. With the various parts to keep track of, this lunch box is probably better for older kids.

Price: $29.99

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This lunch box is a hoot! It’s made from rugged, water-resistant polyester and can be personalized with your child’s name or initials. It has exterior straps on the back, which allow it to piggyback on the matching Mackenzie backpacks.

Price: $22.50

Buy from Pottery Barn Kids

This nifty pyramid-shaped lunch sack unzips on all sides to make a square placemat — protecting kids from cafeteria germs while they eat. (It’s also great for summer picnics!) Did we mention it’s machine-washable? Pretty neat!

Price: $29.95

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We love the classic lunch-pail shape of this lunch box — and the fact that it comes in more than a dozen cool patterns that will appeal to boys and girls. The dome-shaped lid has an interior pocket that can hold a water bottle or snacks. Plus, you can find matching L.L. Bean backpacks to keep your child coordinated!

Price: $24.95

Buy from L.L. Bean

As your child’s homework load grows, she’ll have less space for a bulky lunch box. That’s why slim lunch sacks, like this one by eBags, are great for your studious teen. The inside features a mesh pocket that’s great for utensils and napkins, and a snap-in panel that helps keep thermoses or water bottles in place. Choose from seven colors, including classic black.

Price: $19.99

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This sassy animal print lunch box is perfect for your fashionista tween. Monogramming it takes it to the next level! It’s well insulated and should keep lunches cold for up to five hours (with the help of an ice pack). The side mesh pocket and front zip pocket can hold snacks or milk money, and the straps on the back allow you to attach it to your child’s backpack for hands-free carrying.

Price: $19.00

Buy from Lands’ End

With several designs and themes to choose from, these lunch boxes are good for both boys and girls. The easy-to-clean inner and sturdy exterior make it a great choice for bumpy bus rides and locker storage, and the Phthalate- and BPA-free insulation keeps food fresh until it’s time to eat.

Price: $21.99

Buy on Amazon

If your child digs all things old-school, Lunchboxes.com and LunchBoxCollector.com are great sources of original and vintage-reproduction metal lunch boxes. (Prices vary.)