New K Parent - Recommend your Lunch Box and Backpack

[Anonymous]

LL Bean backpack. For K she picked a fun Frozen lunchbox, but has asked to replace it this year for one that matches her backpack.

My thought is the backpack is lifetime guarantee and should last for years, so don't pick a childish character. Lunchboxes are relatively cheap and easy to swap out each year if your DC wants something new.

We've been very happy with the Sistema system of lunch storage options.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids and have perfected my system.

Lands End backpacks and matching lunchbox with their name appliquéd on the lunchbox.

Thermos Funtainer straw cups-with their name Sharpied on. These seem expensive at first but hold up so much better than any other kind of cup.

Easy Lunchbox containers-these hold up for years with daily use, go in the dishwasher, are easy for a young child to open, and are very inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

^^ETA, just looked these up on Amazon-I purchased 8 in August 2012 and 7 of them are still in our rotation. Have some even older ones. Seriously a great product.

https://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-3-Compartment-Bento-Containers-Classic/dp/B004S129AQ

With the Lands End backpacks, you want a medium sized. It will look big for your K-er but it will last for years and they bring home a lot of big artwork so it ends up working out fine.

[Anonymous]

I did Hanna Andersson with my Kindergartner. It was fine, I think it will last a few years and that's all I wanted. Kind of lightweight.

For her lunch things I will continue:
1. Rubbermaid Lunchblox.
2. Thermos Funtainer.
3. Thermos Container for hot foods options.

For her lunch things I would change.
1.Don't get a light colored lunchbox, shows dirt too easy.

2.Get one with a water bottle holder on the outside. My daughter didn't have this and I found if I didn't put the water bottle in her lunchbox she would forget it in her backpack when going to lunch. So I was stuck always having to cram it inside her lunchbox.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did Hanna Andersson with my Kindergartner. It was fine, I think it will last a few years and that's all I wanted. Kind of lightweight.

For her lunch things I will continue:
1. Rubbermaid Lunchblox.
2. Thermos Funtainer.
3. Thermos Container for hot foods options.

For her lunch things I would change.
1.Don't get a light colored lunchbox, shows dirt too easy.

2.Get one with a water bottle holder on the outside. My daughter didn't have this and I found if I didn't put the water bottle in her lunchbox she would forget it in her backpack when going to lunch. So I was stuck always having to cram it inside her lunchbox.

Both are excellent tips.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for lands end, although we also like the Pottery Barn Kids stuff, especially the lunch boxes and thermos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for lands end, although we also like the Pottery Barn Kids stuff, especially the lunch boxes and thermos.

I'm a PP who recommended Lands End. My older DD had 2 PBKids backpacks that broke. The first one I thought was just bad luck; the second one I returned and replaced with a Lands End one that has worn really well. The lunchboxes do hold up well though, although the square shape can be a bit awkward to fill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did Hanna Andersson with my Kindergartner. It was fine, I think it will last a few years and that's all I wanted. Kind of lightweight.

For her lunch things I will continue:
1. Rubbermaid Lunchblox.
2. Thermos Funtainer.
3. Thermos Container for hot foods options.

For her lunch things I would change.
1.Don't get a light colored lunchbox, shows dirt too easy.

2.Get one with a water bottle holder on the outside. My daughter didn't have this and I found if I didn't put the water bottle in her lunchbox she would forget it in her backpack when going to lunch. So I was stuck always having to cram it inside her lunchbox.

Both are excellent tips.

My kids like drinks cold so we put it in, but also make sure it is washable. I agree on the light color but we wash it every few weeks as well.

[Anonymous]

LL Bean backpacks and planetbox lunch boxes. We have the Rover

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After a tremendous amount of research last year my kid's kit consisted of a Lands End Classmate lunch box with Amazon's Easy Lunchboxes container insert and a Thermos Funtainer drink container, all of which fit inside. For a hot food thermos I like the Thermos Funtainer food jars because of the small size and I also like Rubbermaid's LunchBlox set but only the "Flat" one which has a flat freezer pack that fits the LandsEnd box and some tiny containers that are just the right size for little kids and not hard to open. You want to think about easy to open--that's why the Easy LunchBoxes are good--one tab opens multiple compartments.

Thanks for sharing this information. Researching this must have been agonizing.

[Anonymous]

Oh, FFS, go away snarky asshat poster. I have a kid who has multiple special needs starting K at a school where he was going to get minimal lunchtime help. He is at the bottom of the height and weight scales and has very poor fine motor skills. So yes I did invest quite a bit of time researching this, but hey, thanks for your super helpful post.

[Anonymous]

Anyone else have experience with PBKids? I like the designs and that the lunchbox attaches to the backpack. Haven't used them so wondering if they hold up as well as the Lands End or LL Bean brands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Garnet Hill backpack and lunchbox, Yumbox bento box. Love the Yumbox as its easy to open and leakproof.

+1

This is exactly what we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, FFS, go away snarky asshat poster. I have a kid who has multiple special needs starting K at a school where he was going to get minimal lunchtime help. He is at the bottom of the height and weight scales and has very poor fine motor skills. So yes I did invest quite a bit of time researching this, but hey, thanks for your super helpful post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have experience with PBKids? I like the designs and that the lunchbox attaches to the backpack. Haven't used them so wondering if they hold up as well as the Lands End or LL Bean brands.

We use the PBK bags. We are on year 2 of the book bag and lunch boxes for my DD and year 3 for DS. If you can convince your kids to go for the dark colors/patterns, it's better.

Get a full size bag for K.