The 13 best kids lunch boxes for back to school 2023

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While the school bells haven’t rung quite yet, you know what August brings — back-to-school purchasing, dorm shopping and all things student-prep mode.

While you’re shopping for your next best back-to-school backpack for the season, we highly recommend adding a lunch box to your list. And, not just any lunch boxes — the very best, hand-picked by the New York Post Shopping team.

Much like adult lunch boxes, our top picks have some handy compartments (a huge plus for meal-prepped options to unbox in your cafeteria seat) and others are insulated to ensure your cold-cut sandwiches and home-cooked meals are temperature-regulated.

Ahead, find top options from Amazon, Target, Etsy and more for a stylish (and quite practical) purchase that you’ll be sporting year-round — and then some.

Additionally, check out our guide to the best back-to-school deals on Amazon to save money and stock up.

The Bentgo Kids Leakproof 5-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box comes in extraordinary kid-friendly patterns (seriously, click one of the buttons below to find out) and is the ultimate kid-friendly option. Our loved ones with preschool-aged children love it for making food compartmentalization a breeze, and it’s one of those leakproof options that’ll hold up for years.

With more than 56,000 applauding reviews on Amazon alone, this top-rated pick is also BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and — according to the brand — geared for ages 3 to 7.

Shop the FlowFly Insulated Soft Lunch Box if you’re seeking an Amazon essential for less than $25 that comes in a variety of colors and patterns for both boys and girls. Namely, this option has been bought by more than 6,500 happy shoppers sending their children off to school, all because of its eye-catching, soft-bodied exterior, food-safe PEVA lining and sturdy zippers.

Plus, it has more “give” than others — great for packing home-cooked meals and snacks.

For a “my first bento-style lunch box” feel, the b.box Mini Bento Lunch Box is the perfect starter option for any age, but especially for preschool- and kindergarten-aged students. It’s less than $20, has just enough storage to make it easy to carry and divide your balanced lunch well and boasts leakproof compartments to ensure everything stays clean and safe.

As adults, we salute the W&P Porter 3-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box, and its smooth-surfaced, compartmentalized style makes it truly exceptional for any age. It’s fairly priced, comes in chic pastel colors and comes with a silicone strap to make it easy to carry and to ensure all of your munchables stay intact.

More, it’s also dishwasher-safe — allowing you to toss it into your kitchen appliance after the school day ends.

For more of a bag-style lunch box, you can’t go wrong with the SUNNY BIRD Insulated Lunch Bag for any age. It’s backed by more than 4,000 cheerful reviews, comes in a wide array of colors and — drumroll please — carries a triple-insulated design to help keep your food fresher for longer. Its velcro accent is another nice, durable touch.

Etsy is notorious for its classic catalog of seller-listed, personalized options — and its Personalized Lunch Bag is no different. Thanks to seller ChicbabyStudio, your child will never lose their lunch pack, thanks to the on-trend, oversize block letters and embroidered personalization options. In short, order now before the school year starts.

What’s great about the Bentology Insulated Lunch Bag and Box Set with 5 Containers and Ice Pack is that it’s value-driven — coming at less than $30 to ensure your child has everything they need for a safely packed lunch. The best part? Its ice pack, to help keep this portable option cold (and also, to come in handy should an emergency arise).

We love Pottery Barn Kids’ lunch box options (see here for more!) and its Mackenzie Baseball 3D Lunch Box is ideal for the sports-loving student who wants to add some personality to their lunch box. Luckily, it’s less than $25 for the tried-and-true steal.

Even better, it’s water-resistant and has the ability to come with an included cold pack should you want to upgrade for a total of $29 at checkout.

Apt for younger students, the Pottery Barn Kids Little Critters Rainbow Sun Lunch Box is your pack of sunshine on demand. For an impressive price of $13 right now, it’s especially fitting for back-to-school photos and has the option to be personalized for even more radiant flair.

Though a splurge, the STATE Rodgers Lunch Box comes in a rainbow of colors and is one of the best options to transition from a kids’ lunch box to a young-adult (and even adult) lunch pack. Dubbed “the perfect sized lunchbox” by the brand, its insulated, wipeable lining design is one that’ll serve your child well through thick and thin.

MacKenzie-Childs has some of the loveliest home decor pieces, and her checkered Courtly Check Lunch Tote is no exception. For the student who prefers more of a compact tote as opposed to the standard box shape, the brand believes this is the ultimate option to “banish your brown bag.”

Great for elementary and middle-school students, the Zojirushi Classic Bento Lunch Jar is a travel-friendly option that not only makes for the perfect soup and pasta container but also comes with a handy travel bag. This helps ensure the jar’s stainless steel body remains safe-as-could-be, and we love its three microwave-safe containers to add to the mix.

For the shopper who’s looking for a versatile, kid-to-adult option, splurging on the Stoney Clover Lane Classic Lunch Tote is a quality investment to make. With dual zip-around closure and insulated lining, it’s a great unisex option (pro tip: parents and caregivers can use it on the weekends when school isn’t in session!)

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.