Packing school lunches week after week is time consuming enough without worrying about what you’re packing the lunches in! You want reliable containers that are truly safe and can take a beating. Today I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing the safest materials to look for and some of our personal favorites, to help you find the best non-toxic lunchbox gear out there.
What to look for:
- High quality stainless steel
- Untreated paper
- For leak proof containers, silicone lids or gaskets work well
- No plastic coming in contact with food inside
Non-Toxic Lunchbox/Bento Box
Some of the best options for materials for this category are stainless steel and silicone.
All of the ones below have no plastic coming in contact with the food inside, which is important. Even BPA-free plastic still contains a plethora of things that can leach into food, not to mention, what they replaced BPA with isn’t much better. (It may even be worse)
No glass is included on the list since it’s a no-go for practical safety reasons.
Our favorites:
3-in-1 Stainless Steel Bento Box
All pieces can be nested together or used individually. It’s handy since you have a lot of space and different options for how to pack the lunch.
Lunchbots Medium Size Trio and Medium Quad Snack Box
The first one holds half a sandwich and 2 sides, while the second holds 4 sides only. It’s great to pack with a sandwich on the side. Both have options for plastic lid covers that add color and can differentiate between kids, if needed.
These are pricier than just buying a plastic container but all have lasted us for years and stayed in great shape.
Some other options:
NomBox: leak-proof silicone lid and comes with a small side container
Ecozoi: Includes a silicone seal
I personally don’t feel it’s necessary to have one for each day of the week. We currently have about 2-3 bento boxes per kid and each night, I throw one in the dishwasher and pack a lunch in another.
Condiments/Small Sides
Our favorite:
I love these and use them ALL the time. Carson loves dips and condiments and these make them extra easy to pack! They also make bigger sizes for things like cut up fruit or other items that need a leak-proof container.
Some other options:
WeeSprout: These are slightly larger (and cheaper)
Insulated thermos cup
Another LunchBots item. (Maybe I should have reached out and asked them to sponsor this post haha) Ok, I am a huge LunchBots stan, but in fairness, this is one of the few (if only?) thermos cups out there that has no plastic touching the food on the lid. Which is especially important with warm/hot foods.
Keeps food at a very steady temperature for hours.
They have a few sizes and some wider versions- see the options here.
Bags/Sandwich Wraps
A variety of disposable and reusable baggies and wraps:
Stasher Bags– A great reusable option. Leak-proof, too!
Bee’s wrap– Perfect size for sandwiches. Washable and reusable.
Lunchskins– A great disposable option. It seals shut and has a place to write a name or cute note.
If You Care Sandwich Bags– Another disposable option. This one doesn’t seal shut, but the top easily folds over.
Hope some of these non-toxic lunchbox gear options help get your school year off to the right start!
For more kids products, check out our favorite natural bath products for kids.
*Some affiliate links used. All thoughts and opinions are always my own.
