With kids’ school lunches sitting for hours and hours before they eat it, having one of the best insulated lunch bags for kids is vital. But where to start? With so many different types on the market how do you know which kids insulated lunch bag to buy?
We’ve got you covered! We’ve gone through all the bestselling kids lunch bags currently in Australia and came up with a list of our top picks, so you don’t have to do the research. Not only have we found what we believe to be some of the best children’s insulated lunch bags, but we also take you through some of things you should be looking for when buying a new kids lunch bag.
What’s a kids insulated lunch bag?
Remember when we were kids and we just put our lunch straight in a lunch box into our bags? Then left it to sit in the hot Brisbane sun all day? Well luckily for us parents, you can now buy an insulated kids lunch bag which provides a much healthier and safer option for our kids.
The experts say that if our child’s lunch gets to temperatures of 5°C and above, that the chances increase of bacteria growing which can lead to an increase in the risk of food poisoning. With all the sickness our kids get these days, increasing their risk of food poisoning is the last thing we want to do!
The best insulated lunch bag for kids is one that keeps their lunch at a nice and cool temperature. Insulated lunch bags (or cooler lunch bag as they are also called) are made from multiple layers with an outside layer, inside layer and a layer of insulated material in the middle. The insulated material is usually some type of foam that is lightweight, whilst the inside layer is usually made from a waterproof material such as plastic or vinyl.
Whilst some insulated lunch bags for children may keep lunches cool on their own, in our hot Queensland weather it is best to also include an ice brick or ice gel pack inside. Combined, the ice pack and insulated lunch cooler bag works together to keep your kids’ lunch at a cool temperature.
Best insulated lunch bags for kids
The table below details all the insulated lunch bags that appear in this article. Use this table to easily compare the features of the lunch bags side by side and decide which is the best kids lunch bag for your little one.
| Name / Image | Size (cms) | Ice Brick Included | Shoulder Strap | Compartments | Designs | Price Range | Buy Now |
| Fridge to Go | 28 x 8 x 23 | Yes | Yes | Large Main Exterior Pocket Internal Mesh Pocket Zippered Pocket for ice brick | Plain colours & patterns | $30+ | |
| Sachi | 26 x 19.5 x 11 | No | Yes | Large Main Exterior Pocket Internal mesh pocket | Plain colours, lego, planets, rainbows and unicorns, dragon scales & more | $20+ | |
| Skip Hop | 19 x 23 x 8 | No | No | Large Main Internal Mesh Pocket | Llama, dalmatian, fox, cow, butterfly & more | $20+ | |
| Project Ten | 30 x 19 x 10 | No | No | Large Main | Retro, sail boats, cameo, stripes & more | $20+ | |
| My Family | 24 x 22 x 8 | Yes | No | Large Main Internal Mesh Pocket Zippered Pocket for ice brick | Space monkey, unicorn, penguin, fox, fairy or shark. | $20+ | |
| Bobble Art | 23 x 15 x 16 | No | Yes | Large Main | Dinosaurs, fairies, woodlands or safari | $20+ | |
| Penny Scallen | 20 x 24 x 10 | No | No | Large Main Exterior Pocket | Red, navy and white star | $20+ | |
| MontiiCo | 23.5 x 28 x 7.5 | Yes | No | Large Main Exterior Pocket Internal Mesh Pocket Zippered Pocket for ice brick | Dragon scales, dinosaurs, unicorns, flamingos & more. | $30+ | |
| Love Mae | 28 x 14 x 7.5 | No | No | Large Main | Simple colours | $20+ | |
| Keep Leaf Organic | 26 x 18 x 9 | No | No | Large Main Exterior Pocket | Planes, hearts, robots, fruit, plain retro shapes & more | $30+ |
What to consider when buying the best kids lunch bag
When looking at which kids lunch cooler bag to purchase, keep the following factors in mind:
- A lunch box bag that’s easy to clean.
- That accommodates your child’s lunch box. Before you buy any lunch bag for your child, double check the measurements of your child’s lunch box to ensure it will fit.
- Does the insulated school lunch bag come with any additional features such as a compartment for a water bottle or a strap, so your child can carry it over their shoulder?
- Design: There are some super cute kids lunch bags out there, so get one that your kid will just love. No matter whether you’re in need of a toddler lunch bag, something for a primary school child or even teenager, there is a design that they will just love! You can even get personalised lunch bags for kids that have their name printed on – which is great to help in ensuring they don’t get lost in the playground.
How much does an insulated lunch box bag cost?
There is no denying it, the best insulated lunch bags for school are certainly not cheap. However, if you buy a super cheap bag, chances are it’s not good quality nor is it going to last. A good quality kids cooler lunch bag can easily last you for years and years.
We’ve been using my child’s Fridge to Go 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, it also includes an ice brick and we are still using it.
Our picks for the best kids lunch bags that are insulated
Without further ado, here are our recommendations for the best kid’s lunch bags for school for 2021!
By the way you can purchase the below kids lunch bags online – just click on the link provided under each section.
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Fridge to Go Cooler Lunch Bag
If you’re looking for one of the best lunch bags for kids, I highly recommend the Fridge to Go. These make great school lunch bags for kids coming in an easy to pack slim line design and includes an ice brick that is the perfect size.
The Fridge to Go is the perfect size (28w x 8d x 23h cm) if you’re looking for a yumbox insulated bag as well as other similar size containers. Inside this kids’ cooler bag is a mesh open pocket which is great for popping in any utensils required and a specially designed zippered pocket for keeping the included ice brick. It also includes a front zippered pocket, top carry handle and a mesh side pocket for a water bottle.
These lunch bags come in simple colours and designs, making them ideal for teenagers who don’t particularly want the cutesy character designs. Colours include pink, black, red and blue as well as a few different patterns too.
This is also a children’s lunch bag with shoulder strap which I just love! The strap is adjustable and makes it super easy to be carried by your child when not in their school bag.
Whilst at $40, it’s certainly not one of the cheapest insulated lunch bags, it’s a top-quality lunch bag that will last your child numerous years.
Click here to purchase the Fridge to Go.
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Sachi Lunch Bag
The Sachi insulated lunch bag is a similar rectangle design to the above Fridge to Go, although a touch smaller (26 x 19.5 x 11 cm) and a fair bit cheaper at the price of $24.95.
Like the Fridge to Go, the Sachi lunch bag includes a front zippered pocket, interior open mesh pocket, top carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Whether you are looking for a young boys or girls lunch bag or something for a teenager there is the perfect design. Colours include plain grey as well as designs like lego, planets, rainbows and unicorns, dragon scales and a range of other funky modern designs.
Click here to purchase the Sachi Lunch Bag.
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Skip Hop Lunch Bag
If you’re after super cute lunch bags for kids, then you will love the range of Skip Hop lunch bag options. With design such as a Llama, dalmatian, fox, cow, butterfly etc etc, your sure to find the cutest girls or boys lunch box that your little one will go nuts over! And they are a pretty good price at $24.95
Whilst smaller then the above lunch bags (19 x 23 x 8 cm) this rectangle shape bag can fit the right amount of food for a little one. The bag includes a large main compartment as well as an interior mesh pocket for utensils. One thing I really like about this bag is how the top carry handle can click onto a backpack or even a parent’s bag making it easy to carry around.
Given the super cute designs of these bags as well as the smaller size, I think these bags would be ideal if you’re looking for an option for the best insulated lunch bags for toddlers.
Click here to purchase the Skip Hop Lunch Bag.
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Project Ten Kids Lunch Bag
For kids who eat a lot, check out the Project Ten lunch bags! These insulated lunch bags for boys and girls are massive at 30 cm x 19 cm x 10 cm. They can even hold 2 Yumboxes per bag, so even perfect if you’re just looking for a bag you can take out and about with you for two small children.
These bags are well priced at only $20 and come in some lovely designs. Designs include retro, sail boats, cameo, stripes and more.
These children’s insulated lunch bags have a simple design, with a zippered large compartment and top handle to carry.
RELATED: We have also reviewed the best bento boxes for kids.
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My Family Insulated Lunch Bags
The guys at Fridge to Go have teamed up with My Family to make these super cute lunch bags for girls and boys.
Whilst a touch smaller then the above Fridge to Go lunch bag (24 x 22 x 8 cm) these children’s lunch bags include most of the same great features including slim line design, large zippered compartment, interior mesh open pocket, top carry handle as well the included ice brick with its own zippered compartment.
Unlike the above Fridge to go it doesn’t include a shoulder strap or front pocket. On the plus side these kids school lunch bags are only $28 so much cheaper than the original Fridge to Go.
The kids will love the super cute designs these cute insulated lunch bags come in such as space monkey, unicorn, penguin, fox, fairy or shark.
Click here to purchase the My Family Lunch Bag.
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Bobble Art School Lunch Bag
These lunch bags for school kids from Bobble Art come in two different sizes – single tier (24 x 18.5 x 9 cm) or the double tier (23 x 15 x 16 cm). Note that the double tier does not fit a Yumbox.
Both sizes include a top carry handle, whilst the two-tier kids lunch box bag comes with an adjustable shoulder strap which is perfect for carrying. Both bags are easy to clean with hot soapy water.
This girls and boys insulated lunch bag comes in super cute designs including dinosaurs, fairies, woodlands or safari and reasonably priced at around $20.
Click here to purchase the Bobble Art Lunch Bag.
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Penny Scallen
These cool kids lunch bags from Penny Scallen are super trendy cool with their red, navy and white star design, which is suitable for boys and girls of all ages.
This lunch box bag for kids is priced at around $29.95 and have all the standard features including a front zippered pocket and a top carry handle. They also are good size at 20 x 24 x 10 cm.
Made from quality cotton canvas with a water repellent coating, these cool lunch bags for kids are easy to clear
Click here to purchase the Penny Scallen Lunch Bag.
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MontiiCo Insulated Lunch Bag and Ice Pack
The MontiiCo insulated lunch bag are yet another great lunch bag that also includes its own ice pack, which sells at around $39.95.
These lunch bags come in 6 great designs for kids of all ages including dragon scales, dinosaurs, unicorns and flamingos. The also include a front zippered pocket, an internal zippered pocket for the included ice pack, another internal pocket and a top carry handle.
These lunch bags are a great size too (23.5 x 28 x 7.5 cm) designed to accommodate a range of bento style lunch boxes.
Click here to purchase a MontiiCo Insulated Lunch Bag.
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Love Mae Lunch Bag with Ice Brick
The lunch bags from Love Mae are a really nice simple design coming with its own ice brick and a good price at around $24.95.
These lunch bags are a good size (28 x 14 x 7.5 cm) and have one large zippered compartment for your little one’s lunch bag and the included ice brick. They also include a top carry handle.
With simple colours and designs this is great for older kids who have outgrown the cutesy lunch bag designs.
Click here to purchase the Love Mae Lunch Bag
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Keep Leaf Organic
I just love the funky retro designs of these lunch bags from Keep Leaf Organic! With 8 different cool designs to choose from such as planes, hearts, robots, fruit and plain retro shapes there is certainly the perfect design for boys and girls of all ages.
These bags are sized at 26 x 18 x 9 cm and include an external zippered pocket and top carry handle.
Priced at $14.95, they are top quality made with 100% certified organic cotton which has a waterproof nontoxic coating.
Click here to purchase the Keep Leaf Organic Lunch Bag
More insulated lunch boxes for kids
Didn’t see what you wanted – check here for LOTS more!
