The best bento lunch boxes for kids are not only a practical and convenient way of storing school lunches but they are also great for the environment. But where to start? With so many different kids’ bento box options on the market how do you know which is the best kids’ bento lunch box to buy?
We’ve got you covered! We’ve gone through all the bestselling bento style lunch box options currently in Australia and came up with a list of our top picks for kid’s lunch boxes. Not only have we found what we believe to be some of the best bento lunch box options, but we also take you through some of the things you should be looking for when buying a bento box for your kid’s lunch box.
What is a Bento Box?
So, what is a bento box anyway? Well originating from Japanese culture, the idea of a bento box, is being a convenient way to store a range of food such as rice, meat and vegetables. This idea has now been adopted around the world and transformed to what we call the bento lunch box. A bento lunch box is basically a compartment lunch box with dividers that allows you to store different types of food in a single container.
Why you should use a Kid’s Bento Lunch Box?
Using a bento lunch box to pack your child’s lunch couldn’t be easier. Simply put the one container on the kitchen bench and start filling the compartments with different foods. There is no need for multiple containers or disposable plastics and paper. Simply fill the bento box, close the lid and viola you are done!
Its such a great way to use up small amounts of leftovers you might have in the fridge from last night’s dinner. And for fussy little eaters, they love seeing a range of bite size amounts of food on offer that they can choose from. Kids don’t need to be concerned with unwrapping different foods, nor do you need to be worried about various containers making their way home each day.
Over time it can also save you money as you won’t be purchasing plastic wrap anymore, which of course is far better for the environment too.
The Best Bento Lunch Boxes for Kids
The table below details all the awesome bento boxes that appear in this article. Use this table to easily compare the features of the kid’s lunchboxes side by side and decide which is the best bento box for your little one.
Name / Image | Size (cm) | Material | Number of Compartments | Leakproof | Price Range | Buy now |
Yumbox Orginal | 21 x 15 x 5 | BPA free plastic | 6 | Yes | $40+ | |
Yumbox Panino | 21 x 15 x 5 | BPA free plastic | 4 | Yes | $40+ | |
Yumbox Tapas | 24.5 x 17 x 5 | BPA free plastic | 4 or 5 | Yes | $40+ | |
Planetbox | 25 x 19 x 5 | Stainless steel | 5 | Yes | $80+ | |
Love Mae | 30 x 14.5 x 5.5 | BPA free plastic | 4 | Yes | $30+ | |
Easy Lunch Box | 24 x 15.5 x 5 | BPA free plastic | 3 | No | $30+ | |
Marvel | 9 x 10 | BPA free plastic | 2 | No | $15+ | |
Goodbyn Hero | 27 x 18 x 7 | BPA free plastic | 3 | No | $20+ | |
Goodbyn Bynto | 27 x 17 x 6.5 | BPA free plastic | 3 | No | $15+ | |
Ever Eco | 16 x 11.5 x 4 | Stainless Steel | 3 | No | $20+ | |
Bentgo Kids | 21.6 x 16.5 x 5 | BPA free plastic | 5 | Yes | $40+ |
Things to consider when buying a kids Bento Box
When looking at a bento lunchbox, keep the following factors in mind:
- Size: This will depend upon how much your child eats. I’d ensure you get a children’s bento box big enough to store both morning tea and lunch so there is no need for additional containers.
- Compartment Sizes: Following the last point, consider what your child usually eats and ensure the compartment sizes are big enough to store this. Younger children probably prefer lots of smaller compartments for bite size amounts of food, whilst older children probably prefer less compartments of a larger size.
- Leakproof: Given the bento box is likely to be packed away in an insulated lunch bag inside your child’s school bag, it’s a good idea to get a leakproof bento lunch box. The best bento box for school lunch is one that has rubber seals to prevent leakages.
- Easy to clean: I’d recommend getting a kid’s bento lunchbox that is dishwasher safe so you can simply pop it in the dishwasher each day.
- BPA-Free –Check that it’s a BPA free bento lunch box so it’s safe to store food inside.
How Much Does a Kids Bento Lunch Box Cost?
There is no denying it, the best bento box for kids certainly isn’t cheap. However, if you buy one of the super cheap bento boxes, chances are it’s not good quality nor is it going to last. The best bento lunch box for kids can easily last you for years and years.
We’ve been using my child’s Yumbox bento box for 3 years each day at school as well as on the odd day trip.  Now whilst it was an expensive outlay given it retails at around $40, in my view it’s well worth it.
Best Bento Boxes for Kids Lunch Boxes
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Yumbox Bento Box
These days, perhaps the most popular choice for the best kids’ bento box is the Yumbox. This classic bento box is so popular that usually you will need to go on a wait list to purchase! But I can assure you, the wait is well worth it.
With 6 small compartments, the Yumbox was made with toddlers to young children in mind, or really any child that prefers a little bit of everything rather than a few larger items. However, the Yumbox now also comes in the Panino Bento Box (4 compartments – 3 small and 1 large compartment) or Tapas Bento Box (5 compartments – 4 small and 1 large compartment).
The Yumbox comes in two pieces, the inner compartment tray and then the outer container. You can buy the compartment trays separately which is handy.
This leakproof bento lunch box container comes in a range of bright child friendly colours such as light blue, pink, green, and purple. Other features of the bento Yumbox include an easy to open latch, dishwasher safe and it’s BPA free.
If you’re looking for the best lunch boxes for kids, you really can’t go past the Yumbox. They make a great toddler lunch box right up to children in primary school.
Click here to purchase a YumboxÂ
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Planetbox – Stainless Steel Bento Box
The Planetbox bento box is a fairly popular choice among those families who prefer a stainless-steel bento box for their children’s lunch boxes.
This is a fairly large metal bento box which is one piece and contains 5 different compartments. The large bento box is made from BPA free material, is dishwasher safe and includes an easy to open latch that has been designed with young children in mind.
Additional accessories available to purchase separately for this stainless-steel bento lunch box include a carry bag and magnets.
Click here to purchase a Planetbox
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Love Mae Lunch Box
For children who like to eat a sandwich each day, the Love Mae lunch boxes are a great choice. These bento boxes have 4 different compartments, including 1 large enough for a sandwich, 2 small compartments and 1 mid-size compartment.
These bento boxes come in two pieces, the compartment tray and a lid. Also included is two small containers that are designed to fit into the two smaller sections. All parts are made with BPA free materials and are dishwasher safe.
These bento boxes come in 3 different designs, with all compartments being a simple pastel colour and the lids featuring designs such as cars, deer, tiger, fox or jungle animals. Â You can also purchase a Love Mae cooler bag specially designed to fit these bento boxes.
If you’re looking for the best kid’s lunch box for a sandwich and other snack, the Love Mae bento lunch box set is a good choice.
Click here to purchase a Love Mae Bento Box
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Easy Lunch Boxes
With 4 different bento boxes coming in each set, these Easy Lunch boxes offer great value for money. Perfect if you need to purchase lunchboxes for multiple children.
Each of the Easy Lunch boxes come with 3 different compartments. 1 compartment can easily fit up to 2 sandwiches, whilst the other 2 compartments are ideal for small amounts of fruit, muffins or biscuits.
These bento box containers come in 2 pieces, the compartment tray and a lid. Whilst these lunch boxes are dishwasher safe, they are not designed to be leakproof, so not ideal for wet type of foods such as yogurts or sauces. On the plus size they are microwave and freezer safe which most other bento boxes in this list aren’t.
These kids lunch containers are perfect for older children or kids that eat a lot. Their design is simple with different colour lids such as red, green, pink or purple.
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Marvel Mini Bento Box
For parents after a small toddler bento box to take on the go, or even a small preschool bento box, these Marvel mini bento box options are a good choice.
These little mini bento lunch box containers come in some super cute designs such as Captain America and Ironman and have a unique two-tiered design. The bottom compartment has a capacity of 270 ml, whilst the top tier has a capacity of 230 ml. Once the compartments are empty, they can easily be stacked inside each other to save room.
These cool bento boxes are made from BPA free material and are both microwave and dishwasher safe. They also include a small fork in the divider between the two compartments and have an easy to clip on and off lid.
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Goodbyn Lunch Boxes
Goodbyn make 2 different bento boxes perfect for kid’s lunch boxes, the Goodbyn Hero and the Goodbyn Bynto.
Both bento boxes come with 3 compartments. The Hero has 1 large compartment perfect for a sandwich and 2 smaller compartments for fruit or treats. The Hero also comes with two leak proof containers perfect for yoghurt and sauces. Note that the compartment tray itself is not leak proof.
Both bento boxes come in 2 separate pieces being the tray and a lid. These kids lunch boxes for school come in super bright and cheery colours such as blue, pink, red and purple. All parts are made from BPA free material and are dishwasher safe.
Either the Hero or the Bynto would make top lunch boxes for kids, particularly older children.
Click here to purchase Goodbyn lunch boxes
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Ever Eco Stainless Steel Bento
The Ever Eco bento boxes are another option for those parents after a kid’s metal lunch box. These are a relatively small bento box with 3 different compartments and are probably a better size for a young child or to be used for families on the go.
These stainless-steel bento boxes are a 2 piece with the compartment tray and lid. Both pieces are dishwasher safe, but being stainless steel are not suitable for the microwave.
Click here to purchase Ever Eco Stainless Steel Bento Boxes
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Bentgo Kids
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The Bentgo Kids bento box is very similar to the Yumbox, with its 5 different smaller compartments.
This bento box has all the great features you’d expect from a top-quality bento box such as being made from BPA free material as well as being both microwave and dishwasher safe. It’s also easy to open and close making it ideal for the younger children and has a tight leakproof seal so its perfect for wet foods.