Lunchbox Suggestions

I would worry about affordability over quality on this one. Kids generally only use them for a year, so you don't need it to last forever. Look for one that is insulated, simple,easy to open, not a whole bunch of different compartments, and easy to clean. In fact, get the cheapest possible, and if you little one loses it or messes it up you can just go get another one, and no one feels bad.

Goodbyn here's a pic http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/08/goodbyn.html.

We do cold lunches. I love the bento part. Ours has had 2 school years and will be on it's 3rd year next year.

A lunch box that is insulated to keep things cold, of course. I'd avoid any that you don't want to loose, or put anything in it you don't want to loose. I don't think a preschooler would do well with one of those with different sections and containers - even though they look so organized and easy to use. In K, my daughter went through 2 of them. The get dirty, the kids put half eaten food and drink back in it and it gets lost or forgotten. I wouldn't spend too much on a lunch box for a preschooler, b/c you'll likely be buying more than one over the course of the year.

I went with a PlanetBox. I'm thinking it will be easier to keep clean. ( I didn't think about the lunch box getting lost. My kids class is small and we will be driving him to school, so hopefully we can keep track of it!)

For DD (age 6) I got an Igloo insulated soft lunch bag for 5 or 6 bucks at Big Lots (it looks like a purse). It's pretty simple - we just throw in some Blue Ice and use the disposable plastic food containers to put her food in, set those on top, as well as a drink. We live in a very hot climate, and the ice is still partially frozen & cold when she gets home from a full day of day camp.

I think the kid specific Bento type lunch box sets are really adorable, but I'm not spending the kind of money something like that costs, because kids are notorious for losing & ruining things.

I think they're all pretty much the same, honestly, as long as you put the ice pack in them. I wouldn't pay too much if I were you.

You're better off buying cheap ones in case it gets lost or broken. I got these at Target for $2.99 (brings two) http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/ContainersSmartSnapS... and they're really good quality. Just find a lunch bag that it can fit into and you're set!

I like the old style metal ones since I don't like food stored in plastic. My kids have had the same lunch boxes all year and have old ones as well so they hold up fine.

I agree about going for affordability as if your children are anything like mine they will spill things on/in their lunch box you'll never get out. Like the smell of rotten milk. Ugh. Plus my oldest daughter who just finished 1st grade forgets her lunch boxes a lot at school. She forgot it over Christmas break with a cup full of milk in it...ya that was pleasant.

Right now, I love our soft insulated lunch boxes they could be igloo brand but not sure I got in the middle of the year. Best part is they are washable and easy to squish in backpacks. I HATED the metal ones I got as they picked up smells easily too. And my daughters handle broke towards the beginning of the year and i had to duck tape it to fix it.