Products that Make Packing Lunches Easier

by Magic Beans

My youngest son is entering kindergarten, so I’ve got lunch boxes on the brain. While some of you are still years away from sending your child to school, many of these options are also great for toddlers heading off to daycare or just for packing a meal for on-the-go.

I’m going to be in charge of providing my son with a variety of tasty and healthy meals, and as with any parenting task, packing lunches will be much easier with the right gear. Here are a few of my favorites.

The stainless steel lunch boxes from PlanetBox have compartments of various sizes so you can separate protein, fruit, veggies and starch. I love using it because it’s such a great visual reminder to keep lunch varied!

Rover Lunchbox from PlanetBox

Using plastic and paper bags for packing lunches produces a lot of waste, so I prefer to use products that are better for the environment, healthier for kids and easy to clean. Spbang snack bags are made of silicone, and they’re a great alternative to packing your kids’ lunches in disposable plastic bags. And Wean Green food containers are made of glass, but don’t worry—they’re virtually indestructible!

Reusable Snack Bag from Spbang

Glass Food Containers from Wean Green

Packit freezable lunch bags are pretty genius. Just store your Packit in the freezer overnight, and it becomes a portable cooler that keeps items cold for hours. This is especially good if your child doesn’t finish lunch and brings it home with him—if he skips eating his yogurt, for instance, you might not have to throw it out.

Freezable Lunch Bag from PackIt

This cutlery set from OXO is a step up from your child’s baby spoon and fork set, and once again, you’re avoiding disposable products—they think of everything!

Cutlery Set for Big Kids from OXO

Many healthy foods are best served warm. If you want to send soup, stew or mac n’ cheese with your child, these adorable food jars from Skip Hop are a great solution. Just heat the inside of the container with some boiling water, pour it out after five minutes and then pour in the warm food. The insulated jar keeps warm foods warm and cold foods cold.