School Year-End Survey: Lunchboxes and Backpacks

[Anonymous]

Hi -- My twins will be starting K in the Fall and I'd love some recommendations of the lunch boxes and backpacks your kids used this year and if you and DC liked them.

I've heard a lot about the Bento boxes but I'm confused where the drink goes since the boxes I've seen take up the whole lunch box.

Like these for example: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/

And open to any other ideas too of course.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

LL Bean backpacks are great. My son used to go through at least 2 cheap backpacks a year before we got him an LL Bean, and it doesn't even look used after a year.

[Anonymous]

We have an LL Bean lunchbag. It's worked great but it stinks! I try to keep it clean but ugh. Not to hijack the thread but any suggestions on how to keep those nylon lunchbags clean?

[Anonymous]

LL Bean backpacks are very sturdy, they do free shipping, and I think that the store replaces old or broken backpacks for free.

For lunch bags, we used a Wildkin lunch box for awhile, which has held up ok, though I've had trouble cleaning stains off of it:
http://www.amazon.com/Wildkin-Olive-Trains-Planes-Trucks/dp/B004NWLYRO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1368479176&sr=1-1&keywords=wildkin+lunch+box

But then we started sending DC with a thermos of food, which didn't fit as well in the rectangular Wildkin. So we switched to this lunch "sack," which is more unstructured and has held up well but doesn't seem as well-insulated as the Wildkin:

http://www.amazon.com/Sugarbooger-Laminated-Lunch-Sack-Matryoshka/dp/B004KSRNNU/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1368479087&sr=1-2&keywords=sugar+booger+lunch+bag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have an LL Bean lunchbag. It's worked great but it stinks! I try to keep it clean but ugh. Not to hijack the thread but any suggestions on how to keep those nylon lunchbags clean?

Maybe wash it with a vinegar/water mixture?

[Anonymous]

Another vote for LLBean. For containers, we have different sized Sistema containers. You can get them at Container Store and a few other places. Also at TJMaxx on occasion for less money.

Good luck in K!

[Anonymous]

I usually wipe out the lunch bags everyday with a Lysol wipe or with a similar cleaner and a paper towel. Never have had a stink problem but also never have had a major spill.

[Anonymous]

OP, my kids just drink water at lunch. They don't need some special drink.

[Anonymous]

OP didn't say a special drink. She just said "drink." My kids take bottles of water which must fit in their lunchboxes. Geez. Lighten up.

[Anonymous]

My child has an LL Bean bag, lunch bag and water bottle, and we use a bento box. There is a slot for the water bottle on the book bag. At one point, I was sending in boxes of plain milk, and they fit in the lunch bag with the bento box, but now we stick to water. The lunch bag fits in the book bag with room to spare for most days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP didn't say a special drink. She just said "drink." My kids take bottles of water which must fit in their lunchboxes. Geez. Lighten up.

You send them with disposable water bottles everyday??

[Anonymous]

My kids love target and dinsey store character backpacks. We have had success with them lasting too. It's a good conversation starter for kids. We recycle plastic gocery bags for lunches for my older child and the younger kids eat school lunch.

[Anonymous]

My child has been using Crocodile Creek lunch boxes ages 3 - 6. Still using them.
http://www.amazon.com/Crocodile-Creek-Classic-Lunchbox-Robots/dp/B004N2XHO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368480181&sr=8-1&keywords=lunch+boxes+kids+robot

for water: Rubbermaid Litterless Juice box - get these at Giant Food
http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091206

backpack - LL Bean, it is 2 years old now, expect to get another year or 2 out of it.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62851?feat=511727-GN3&page=original-plus-book-pack

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP didn't say a special drink. She just said "drink." My kids take bottles of water which must fit in their lunchboxes. Geez. Lighten up.

You send them with disposable water bottles everyday??

Nope, BPA-free plastic or metal Sigg bottles. Any other Qs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP didn't say a special drink. She just said "drink." My kids take bottles of water which must fit in their lunchboxes. Geez. Lighten up.

Uh okay. My kids just go use the water fountain.