This fall will be the 4th year for my daughter's Lands End backpack and lunchbox. Although the lunchbox is getting a bit worn inside, the backpack is still perfect.

Just make sure you don't get a little back pack. Get one that's a Medium at least.

My kids' Lands End lunchboxes and back packs are now heading into their 4th year of use. No significant signs of wear. FWIW.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do not buy a cheap backpack from Target or wherever. Did for oldest's K year and it barely lasted to the end. Bought Land's End for 1st and she is now entering 3rd and it is still going strong.

Depends on the backpack. We got a Toys R Us backpack and lunch box last year and both still look very good. The lunch box is a little more worn but easily has another year. We got the free lunch box deal.

Definitely do not buy a cheap backpack from Target or wherever. Did for oldest's K year and it barely lasted to the end. Bought Land's End for 1st and she is now entering 3rd and it is still going strong.

I go back and forth on lunch boxes. In K and 1 DS never lost his and I would recommend one that would last. This year he had recess right after and they brought their lunch boxes outside. He frequently left his lunch box and water bottles at school. Sometimes they were found. Don't spend too much at first and buy a back up.

We've had a random backpack from Target and the big student Jansport. Both are good.

Very happy with our Yumbox. I put it inside a Skiphop Lunch bag.

The backpack is just a light fabric, standard-size one we saw at Staples or Target or something. Easy to wash and has stood up well through KG.

My kids use Built neoprene lunchboxes. They are roomy enough for multiple containers and wash in the machine like breeze but mostly we use them because they often take a container or a Thermos that needs to stand upright. Another bonus is when empty they squish down to easily fit in a backpack pocket.

artic zone lunchbox from costco. They hold up REALLY well. Jansport big student backpack (also hold up extremely well). We use a bigger backpack because my kids had to share cubbies with another child each year. You really need to be able to put your winter gear inside your backpack at school (boots, hats, gloves, scarves). Otherwise there is no room and it's all of the floor by the cubbies (kids would lose stuff constantly that was being kicked around in the back of teh room).

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.

+1

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

Get a cheap fun one they like.

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.

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.

I know it's early but I want to start shopping around for a new backpack and lunch box for my son who is entering K in the Fall. Please let me know what brands you like best and which to avoid. Thanks!