The new school year is in full swing and back-to-school usually means you're seeking out new gear for your kids. You may be looking for the perfect backpack and lunch box to keep their meals hot or cold throughout the day. As kids start a new grade, these items can keep them motivated.
Picking out a backpack and lunch box used to be simple. These days, the options (and price points) seem to be limitless. The good news is that at least lunch boxes have gotten a major upgrade in recent years -- they can actually keep student lunches fresh all day. Whether it's storing their favorite sandwiches or healthy snacks, there's an option for kids of all ages.
To make finding the right backpack and lunch box a little easier for you and your child, we picked out some fun options that can work for kids of all ages. Take a look.
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Best back-to-school lunch boxes
Bento-style lunch boxes are where it's at for useful lunch boxes. The nifty compartments are great for making sure blueberries don't get smashed and end up all over your child's sandwich, ruining the entire meal. Plus, a bento-style box will actually stay closed after getting tossed around in a backpack all morning. We are fond of this Cat & Jack option from Target because of the fun shark design, divided main compartment and the fact that most of the parts can be thrown in the dishwasher. It's also more affordable when compared with some other brands.
This is a great, kid-friendly lunch box and the fact that it has Mickey Mouse all over it is sure to win over any Disney fans. If your student doesn't love Mickey, don't fret -- this same lunch box comes in more than 30 colors and designs. It can also be easily wiped clean and is big enough to hold lunch and plenty of snacks for school or pool days, road trips and picnics.
While the Amersun is a fairly standard-looking lunch box, it does have a few nice features. I love the front pocket, which can be used to store things separately from the food. My kids use it to store the dirty cutlery so it doesn't make a mess over all their snacks. The insulated main pocket is spacious and, if you use a freezer block, will keep your food cool well into lunchtime.
This box also comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Whatever your kid is into, there's likely a pattern to suit their style.
All of these lunch boxes so far have had some kind of insulation that will allow them to hold temperature well. This four-pack of reusable ice packs can be used to help keep food cool, and because there are four, you'll always have one ready when you need it.
If you have a toddler starting school or daycare, packing their lunches is a breeze for their tiny hands with the b.box lunchbox. These lunchboxes come in mini or standard size and have four compartments. You can pick from a variety of colors, plus a snack box to match your lunchbox in the same shade. A plus is that these are leakproof, which you know is important when you have a toddler carrying their meals around.
The Bentgo kids lunchbox are a great option for kids of school age. This bento box comes with separate compartments that can hold a sandwich and your child's favorite snacks. It's available in various fun, bright colors and options to choose from and it's completely leak-proof. If you want a separate snack container, you can find other options to complement your lunchbox. These are also dishwasher/microwave-safe and drop-proof (because kids aren't always graceful), which is a big plus for parents.
Having to buy hundreds of Ziploc-style bags irritates me. I don't like how much waste they produce and I don't like how much they cost. These reusable silicone zip bags save both money and, because they can be washed clean, plastic too.
I was initially worried the seal wouldn't be as good as on a standard bag, but it works great and keeps my kids' food fresh all day.
Yeti is well-known for its insulated water bottles, bags and coolers for the outdoorsy adventurer. It also has products that are perfect for school-age kids, like its Yeti 3L lunchbox. This lunchbox has ColdCell Flex insulation, an internal pocket to store utensils and a pocket to store a Yeti ice Sheet (ice pack) to keep your child's lunch cold. If you'd like, you can also purchase food storage containers that are compatible with the lunchbox or purchase a size up from the 3L to the 5L.
Best back-to-school backpacks
Target's Cat & Jack line has to be one of the best backpacks out there. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors and is sure to delight every student in the classroom, no matter their age. This novelty backpack also has a laptop pocket, great side pockets and is machine washable. Some styles even have a matching lunch box.
If you're looking for something a little subtler, then this simple, sophisticated Crate & Kids backpack may do the trick. We love that it has a water-resistant recycled polyester shell, two big side pockets for beverages, lots of foam padding on the straps (backpacks can be so heavy!) and can be personalized with a name or monogram (for an additional $12). It also has a matching lunch box and water bottle for a complete set.
If you're looking for a backpack for a student who doesn't need all the bells and whistles, this Vans book bag is an ideal pick. It still has an internal laptop case and front pocket with an organizer compartment so school items don't go missing, but from the outside it has the classic, no-frills aesthetic. We love the mellow yellow color but there are 10 other options to choose from if you're looking for a different vibe.
I hate that this exists. I hate that my child might need one of these someday. But they do exist, and some schools now require them to make it easier to spot weapons. So if your family needs one of these, this is a good one. The stitching is strong around the plastic so it won't come apart, and it has a mesh bag in there for pens and pencils. The straps are well padded too, so at least your kid can be comfortable.
Grogu, otherwise known as "baby Yoda," is still a big hit with kids. This fun backpack has plenty of room for your young Padawan to store all their books and notes, while the Chibi-style lunch box can be detached when it is time to snack. It's around a foot high, so it should be OK for anyone starting full school, though I think kindergartners might struggle a little if it's full.