New K Parent - Recommend your Lunch Box and Backpack

[Anonymous]

We really liked the Garnett Hill small backpack and matching lunchbox for K and 1, it wasn't overwhelmingly big. We do a new backpack every 2 years. The Thermos Funtainer because she likes soup for lunch. Also for sandwiches she really likes these cloth sandwich wraps we picked up at MOMs, she liked to use it a place mat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^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.

No!!! Easy Lunchboxes suck so bad. They are not leakproof and the covers don't even snap tight. They get good reviews on Amazon because someone is invested in burying the bad reviews. Unless you pack your kid all dry food each day, these won't work. Fruit causes juice by lunchtime. It's just not a workable container for normal lunches.

I use the Easy Lunchboxes and like them a lot. Our package of four made it through the school year no problem. They say that they are not leakproof or at least if you read enough critical Amazon reviews it's clear that the compartments don't seal individually but it's fine for dry foods. We often do have a sandwich with some pretzels in the big compartment, apple slices and m&ms.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for LLBean backpacks and lunchbags. I've had kids in school for 25 years, and have tried everything! They're sturdy. You waste time and money buying shoddy ones every year. The kids only need them replaced as they size up to bigger ones once they're in middle school or high school.

[Anonymous]

We have two LL Bean lunch boxes in circulation plus a bento box. I make lunch for my husband and daughter every day with few exceptions. When my daughter was in elementary school for a few years, she had a cute metal lunch box with her name on it and inside was a little chalkboard square that I used to write her notes every day. She really liked that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Similar to PP.

LL Bean back pack. LL Bean lunch box. Thermos insulated straw drink container, and a Funtainer for hot foods. Also used Klip It food containers by Sistema (Container Store). They are hard, keep food from getting squished, and were easy for my son with fine motor skill issues to open. They've all been going strong now for 4 years. Other than the straw in the drink container, which I've had to get replaced twice.

We have also used LLBean back packs and lunch boxes. We use the Sistema food containers for the same reasons as PP...my kids can open them on their own. They have held up great.

[Anonymous]

I just saw Land's End backpacks at Sears yesterday. The fabric seems thin -- much lighter weight than our PB Kids backpack. I know several PPs have said their LE backpacks have worn well, so I'm wondering.... Does anyone know if this year's LE backpacks are as sturdy as previous years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Similar to PP.

LL Bean back pack. LL Bean lunch box. Thermos insulated straw drink container, and a Funtainer for hot foods. Also used Klip It food containers by Sistema (Container Store). They are hard, keep food from getting squished, and were easy for my son with fine motor skill issues to open. They've all been going strong now for 4 years. Other than the straw in the drink container, which I've had to get replaced twice.

We have also used LLBean back packs and lunch boxes. We use the Sistema food containers for the same reasons as PP...my kids can open them on their own. They have held up great.

No water bottle holder on the LL Bean lunchboxes. Major downside.

[Anonymous]

The LE backpacks are light on purpose, they a re called "featherweight" or something.

We haven't had problems with leaking in our easy lunchboxes-what are you putting in that is leaking? Just curious so I can avoid. Usually we do sandwich, cheese stick, grapes or strawberries or apple slices, that sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

DS used his LL Bean backpack PK until 3rd grade--5 years, and he could still be using it but it got to be too small. His lunchbox he used from PK until now--summer before 5th grade--6 years, and the main reason why we are buying the Land's End one is because it is bigger and has a side mesh pocket for a water bottle. I am hoping that the Lands End one will hold up as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just saw Land's End backpacks at Sears yesterday. The fabric seems thin -- much lighter weight than our PB Kids backpack. I know several PPs have said their LE backpacks have worn well, so I'm wondering.... Does anyone know if this year's LE backpacks are as sturdy as previous years?

The issue isn't the fabric- it's the seams. LE backpack seams are welded shut, or something.

[Anonymous]

We haven't had any problems with the Easy Lunchboxes. They are not leak-proof - but they're up front about that. They do snap shut - just make sure you press down across the entire lid. We pack a sandwich, a fruit, and a vegetable, and the container fits in the Lands End lunchbox, with room for a napkin, fork, and milk box.

[Anonymous]

What size LE backpack did you guys get for your kindergartner? I don't want to buy something so big that he won't be able to carry it (especially since he's a little on the small side) - but also don't want to buy a backpack that won't last...

[Anonymous]

Resurrecting this post bc I have a specfic question about the LE lunch box and backpack.

I'm ordering online and getting the medium backpack for my small K.

There seem to be 3 choices for lunch bag: biggest with the water bottle net on the side, medium, and smallest which looks to be brown bag shaped.

If I get the biggest, will it even work with the medium backpack. Or will it fill the entire bag?

[Anonymous]

The medium bag is huge. The square lunchbox fits fine with plenty of room for other stuff.

Medium took a while for my average sized K kid to really grow into... I just bought a small LE backpack for my tiny PKer and I expect to use it for 2-3 years. I think the square box would fit, but without room for much else. I got the other soft lunchbox to go with it instead.