Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ziplock makes a 'disposable' bento box with 3 compartments. They fit into the wide, flat lunch boxes sold at the Container Store. Work great for old and young kids, cheap enough to have a stack, don't leak.

They stopped making these last September. Not sure why. I know lots of parents were upset. The other similar option -easy lunch box I think is not leak proof.

We use the planet box. I love that it is easy to pack. We put it in the dishwasher each night and pull it out, dry it off and pack it right before we go to bed. It is easy for a 5yo to open by himself. Lunch is short enough. If the cafeteria aid has to open every lunch there is less time to eat. We are on our second year and the metal part looks great. The bag is a little more beat up but still usable. My child has only left it in his classroom once but it has never been lost. My SIL has one for her 5yo and swears she eats so much more than she did in her regular lunch box with ziplok bags.

There were lots of threads about this last year. Try searching for those as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not spend a lot of money. Be prepared for it to be left at school from time to time. Also, be prepared for parts to turn up missing. Are you also prepared to wash every night and have dry by a.m.?

How is washing these parts a chore? Don't you wash dishes?

Not that poster but I hand wash my kid's lunch containers all the time. Thermos and food thermos too.

Anonymous wrote:After 3 kids, and lots of money spent, I have perfected my lunches for the kids.

I use the 3 compartment ziplock containers but they are discontinued now. Once they run out (they each last a few months) then I will go to the other one on this page below. The zip locks are 100% leak proof. I have used yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits, applesauce, etc... and they do not leak in-between the other compartments.

http://www.easylunchboxes.com/blog/how-do-ziploc-3-compartment-lunch-containers-compare-to-easylunchboxes/

I use that and a thermos Funtainer bottle for a drink.

http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-12-Ounce-Funtainer-Bottle-Blue/dp/B00DAPQV0K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1421620614&sr=1-1&keywords=thermos+funtainer

and they both fit inside a Lands End lunchbox that is machine washable.

http://www.landsend.com/products/solid-classmate-soft-sided-lunch-box/id_269655

I also use Thermos Funtainer Food Jars for soups, reheated dinners like mac n cheese, spaghetti, casseroles ect... When I use that, I usually add a small rubbermaid container with fruit and the thermos bottle for a drink.

The key for young kids is that they should only have to open one item. Don't mess with lots of containers or drink boxes. Don't add a bunch of food. They have 20 minutes tops to eat and that is with talking to all of their friends. I do one major item, one fruit, one other item. All healthy but things they will eat.

My one rule is to NEVER throw anything away. I even want to see crusts. It isn't to get mad at them. It is know that they are truly eating, if I am under packing, over packing, etc... It works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not spend a lot of money. Be prepared for it to be left at school from time to time. Also, be prepared for parts to turn up missing. Are you also prepared to wash every night and have dry by a.m.?

How is washing these parts a chore? Don't you wash dishes?

Anonymous wrote:Do not spend a lot of money. Be prepared for it to be left at school from time to time. Also, be prepared for parts to turn up missing. Are you also prepared to wash every night and have dry by a.m.?

But if it is all one container with compartments, they won't lose it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:K teacher here...
Don't waste your money. Kids either leave them, lose them, or accidentally throw them away. I have a little one, so I'm sympathetic to parents who are understandably upset, but with 18 kids it's hard to keep track of where their lunch boxes are. Plus, there lunch period is my planning period, so I'm not around to double check.

Ziploc bags may seem wasteful, but I can't tell you how many reusable containers my DC has lost.

But if it is all one container with compartments, they won't lose it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But if it is all one container with compartments, they won't lose it.

Assuming they don't lose the container.

Your kid has to be a complete idiot to lose a 6"x10" container that is the same size as their lunch box.

Anonymous wrote:

But if it is all one container with compartments, they won't lose it.

Assuming they don't lose the container.