School lunch and bento box questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry--zip lock bags are messy, but I recommend them for a K kid. So much easier.

Totally disagree. Bento boxes or whatever you want to call them are easier and so much better for the environment. These ones were cheap and super convenient--I ended up loving that it's one shared lid rather than a bunch of small ones.

http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-3-Compartment-Bento-Containers-Classic/dp/B004S129AQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422387710&sr=8-1&keywords=lunch+containers+for+kids&pebp=1422387716244&peasin=B004S129AQ

Lunchroom helper here. These ones are fine, there's only one lid to deal with and kids can open and close them. Some of them though with multiple containers are nothing but a pain. Most of the kids can't open or close them on their own, stuff is getting spilled when they try to open them etc. The one in the link though has been easy for all of the kids I've seen with them.

Tupperware containers are a huge PITA. The lids are too tight.

My daughter is in K and we have the 3 compartment boxes and she can open them herself. I too volunteer and some of the bento boxes that stack and each have their own lid is a PITA and the kids barely get down to the bottom of the box anyway.

[Anonymous]

I'm OP and reviving my own thread. Lots of threads right now about lunchboxes, backpacks and other school supplies so I thought this might be helpful. FWIW, I bought a bunch of sistema stuff in the last few months and so far it's worked great for DH and me. DC has also used it on road trips and we think it's a winner for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm OP and reviving my own thread. Lots of threads right now about lunchboxes, backpacks and other school supplies so I thought this might be helpful. FWIW, I bought a bunch of sistema stuff in the last few months and so far it's worked great for DH and me. DC has also used it on road trips and we think it's a winner for us.

I second the Sistema containers. They are relatively inexpensive, extra savings with a BBB coupon, have great size options and are easy to open. My only issue with them is that they are not leakproof.

[Anonymous]

I buy plastic sandwich and snack containers at the dollar store. That way if she loses them, no biggie, but she really hasn't lost any of them. They have disney characters on them, which are kind of fun, and you just throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what you need...fits in lunchboxes, seals pretty well, easy to clean, cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-3-Compartment-Bento-Containers-Classic/dp/B004S129AQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1421526299&sr=1-1&keywords=easylunchboxes

+ 1 Used these every day for the last school year with 2 kids. wash & reuse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry--zip lock bags are messy, but I recommend them for a K kid. So much easier.

It's a lot of plastic to throw away though.

+1 and my kid actually can't open them (even at age 8). Sad, but true. We use a one latch compartmentalized box that fits in the lunch box. It has lasted 3 years so far.

This is a good documentary to watch: http://www.bagitmovie.com

[Anonymous]

Once you buy the containers, fill them with food and watch your kid open them. Can he do it by himself? Quickly? Without turning it sideways and spilling have the food all over the table and floor? I rarely send a thermos because the lids tighten up and i know lunch will be almost over before my kid remembers he needs to raise his hand and get the attention of the one lunchroom helper who is assigned to monitor 22 kids. Maybe in second grade, but not starting K.

[Anonymous]

Here's a dumb question from a mom of a rising K student--do most kids put their lunch box inside the backpack or carry it separately? I'm trying to figure out the appeal of those rectangular lunch kids which immediately dump all the food on its side for transport. I'm looking at square lunch boxes with handles--is that a mistake?

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for bento boxes that don't leak between the compartments? We eat alot of risotto-like consistency dishes at home, and I'd love to be able to pack leftovers. However, if the stuff just slides between the compartments, then that doesn't work. I looked at this for the easy lunchboxes, but they look too small for the main meal portion: http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-Dippers-Condiment-Containers-Leak-Resistant/dp/B00BBKTEDW/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what you need...fits in lunchboxes, seals pretty well, easy to clean, cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-3-Compartment-Bento-Containers-Classic/dp/B004S129AQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1421526299&sr=1-1&keywords=easylunchboxes

+ 1 Used these every day for the last school year with 2 kids. wash & reuse

Yup, these are great. Even my low-muscle tone, very uncoordinated K-er could open these himself last year. My older dc has used them for several years. They seem to last about two years with regular dishwashering before the plastic starts to crack, so I'm happy with the quality for the price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations for bento boxes that don't leak between the compartments? We eat alot of risotto-like consistency dishes at home, and I'd love to be able to pack leftovers. However, if the stuff just slides between the compartments, then that doesn't work. I looked at this for the easy lunchboxes, but they look too small for the main meal portion: http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-Dippers-Condiment-Containers-Leak-Resistant/dp/B00BBKTEDW/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y?

Thanks!

\

Why not buy a thermos for the days you send risotto and some easy lunchboxes for the days you send other stuff?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations for bento boxes that don't leak between the compartments? We eat alot of risotto-like consistency dishes at home, and I'd love to be able to pack leftovers. However, if the stuff just slides between the compartments, then that doesn't work. I looked at this for the easy lunchboxes, but they look too small for the main meal portion: http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-Dippers-Condiment-Containers-Leak-Resistant/dp/B00BBKTEDW/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y?

Thanks!

Yumbox!

[Anonymous]

I really like the lunch blox set. They are easy to open and I can find them anywhere. No need to wait 2 days for Amazon to deliver. When I pack hot lunch, I send a thermos.

[Anonymous]

Just buy him some Lunchables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations for bento boxes that don't leak between the compartments? We eat alot of risotto-like consistency dishes at home, and I'd love to be able to pack leftovers. However, if the stuff just slides between the compartments, then that doesn't work. I looked at this for the easy lunchboxes, but they look too small for the main meal portion: http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-Dippers-Condiment-Containers-Leak-Resistant/dp/B00BBKTEDW/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y?

Thanks!

Omiebox.