Packing a school lunch that is both nutritious and appealing to kids can be a daily challenge for any parent. The goal is to provide a balanced meal that will actually be eaten, all while navigating picky eaters and ensuring everything stays fresh and mess-free until lunchtime. A well-designed lunchbox can make this task significantly easier and more successful.
Bento-style lunch boxes, with their clever compartments, are a game-changer for kids’ lunches. They help with portion control, prevent food from touching (a common kid complaint), and make the meal visually interesting. Among the many options available, Bentgo has established itself as a leader with its durable, kid-friendly, and thoughtfully designed containers. This roundup will help you find the perfect Bentgo lunch box to simplify your morning routine and make your child excited for lunch.
Our Top Picks for Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes
- Bentgo Classic – Adult Bento Box
- Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl
- Bentgo Classic Bag (Gray)
- Bentgo Glass All-in-One Salad Container
- Bentgo Kids Prints Leak-Proof Lunch Box
- Bentgo Kids Leak-Proof Lunch Box
- Bentgo Kids Prints 5-Compartment Lunch Box
- Bentgo Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box
Bentgo Classic – Adult Bento Box
For parents who need a reliable and convenient lunch solution for themselves, the Bentgo Classic offers all-in-one functionality. It comes with a built-in utensil set, three separate compartments, and a durable nylon strap to keep everything securely together. This eliminates the need to pack multiple containers or search for forks and spoons, making it perfect for a quick, hassle-free meal at the office or on the go.
Crafted from high-quality, BPA-free materials, this lunch box features a sleek and modern design available in several stylish colors. Its compact, stackable design is a major space-saver, as the top container nests inside the bottom for easy storage in your kitchen cabinet or bag. It provides an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics and traditional lunch boxes without sacrificing style or convenience.
Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl
Take your healthy lunch habits to the next level with the Bentgo Salad Container. This all-in-one set is designed for salads and other nutritious meals, featuring a large 54-oz bowl, a 4-compartment bento tray for toppings, a leak-proof sauce container, and a reusable fork. The airtight lid and secure locking clips work together to seal in freshness, ensuring your ingredients stay crisp and never get soggy.
Cleanup is simple, as all parts are dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance. The large bowl is also microwave-safe, allowing you to warm up proteins like chicken or whole-grain pasta. Made from durable, BPA-free materials, this container is a practical and reusable option for anyone committed to healthy eating away from home.
Bentgo Classic Bag
Complete your lunch-packing system with the Bentgo Classic Bag, an insulated lunch bag designed to keep food at the ideal temperature. Its specially designed insulation helps maintain the temperature of cold or warm items, giving you peace of mind that the meal will be enjoyable hours after leaving home.
The bag features a spacious interior that is perfectly sized to fit the Bentgo Classic lunch box, a cup, sauce dippers, and an ice pack. It is also compatible with many other food storage containers. Crafted from food-grade, BPA-free materials that resist stains and odors, it is built for daily use. For best results and to preserve its lifespan, it is recommended to hand wash the bag.
Bentgo Glass All-in-One Salad Container
For those who prefer glass containers, the Bentgo Glass Salad Container offers a premium and versatile solution. This large, 61-oz stackable bowl comes with an airtight lid and secure locking clips to seal in freshness. The included 4-compartment tray and separate leak-proof sauce container keep all your toppings and dressings perfectly separated until you are ready to eat.
This container is not just for cold salads. The durable glass bowl is safe for the microwave, freezer, and oven, making it an excellent choice for heating up meals or for advanced meal prep. It’s a robust food storage option that is equally suitable for students or professionals needing a reliable container for a variety of meals.
Bentgo Kids Prints Leak-Proof Lunch Box
As the #1 lunch box brand for kids, Bentgo Kids is thoughtfully designed with children in mind. This version features fun prints, like the popular dinosaur design, and five compartments that are perfectly portioned for a child’s appetite, with a total capacity of 2.4 cups. It is ideally suited for children between the ages of 3 and 7.
The lunch box utilizes reliable leak-proof technology, with separate compartments and a tightly fitting lid to keep meals fresh and prevent messes in a backpack. Two kid-friendly latches make it easy for small hands to open and close. Built with durability as a priority, it has rubber-coated, drop-proof edges that protect the box from the inevitable bumps and drops of an active school day.
Bentgo Kids Leak-Proof Lunch Box
The classic Bentgo Kids Leak-Proof Lunch Box is a parent-favorite for its straightforward and effective design. It features five practical compartments in a bento-style layout, helping you pack a balanced and visually appealing meal for your child. The portion sizes are designed to be just right for a young appetite.
Its key feature is the leak-proof seal, which ensures that sauces and wet foods stay contained. The secure lid, with its easy-to-use latches, provides confidence that the lunch will arrive at school mess-free. Made from safe, durable, and PFAS & BPA-free materials, this lunch box is built to withstand daily use.
Bentgo Kids Prints 5-Compartment Lunch Box
Another excellent option in the Prints series, this Bentgo Kids lunch box combines functionality with fun aesthetics. The vibrant designs are a hit with children, making them excited to open their lunchbox at mealtime. Inside, the five compartments provide an organized way to serve a variety of foods without them touching.
Like its counterparts, this model is engineered to be leak-proof, thanks to its snug-fitting lid and separate compartments. The construction is durable and designed to be drop-proof, with features that help it survive the rough-and-tumble of playgrounds and school hallways. It’s a reliable and cheerful choice for everyday use.
Bentgo Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box
For lunches that need to stay cool for extended periods, the Bentgo Chill offers a unique and effective solution. This lunch box features a removable cooler wall that can be frozen overnight and inserted into the lid, providing built-in temperature control to keep perishable items cool and fresh until lunch.
It doesn’t sacrifice the popular bento-style layout, offering multiple compartments for a variety of foods. The design is also leak-proof, ensuring that no liquids seep out and that coldness is retained effectively. This makes it an ideal choice for field trips, long days at school, or any situation where access to a refrigerator is limited.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Bentgo Lunch Box for Your Child
As a parent, I know that packing a lunch every day can feel like a chore. Finding the right container is half the battle. When I started looking at the best Bentgo lunch boxes for kids, I realized there are a few key things to consider to make sure you get one that works for your family’s routine.
First, think about compartmentalization. This is the main feature of any Bentgo box. The divided sections are fantastic for keeping foods from touching, which is a big deal for many kids. But not all compartments are created equal. Some boxes have deep, generous sections perfect for a main dish like pasta or salad, while others have more numerous, smaller sections ideal for a variety of snacks. Consider what your child typically eats. If they love a little bit of everything, a box with five or six smaller compartments might be perfect. If they prefer a larger portion of one or two things, a simpler three-section design could be better.
Next, durability is non-negotiable. Kids are not gentle. I look for lunch boxes made from sturdy, BPA-free materials that can survive being dropped on the cafeteria floor or tossed into a backpack. The lid is a critical point of failure. A good Bentgo will have a secure, reliable locking mechanism that won’t pop open easily, preventing messy leaks. For younger children, ease of opening is also a factor. You want it to be secure enough to not spill, but not so complicated that your first-grader can’t get it open at lunchtime.
Leak resistance is another major factor. While many Bentgo boxes are “leak-resistant,” few are fully waterproof. If you plan on packing yogurt, applesauce, or soups, you need to pay close attention to the design. Some models come with individual sealed containers for the wetter foods, or a central lid that seals each compartment independently. For truly liquid foods, you might still need a separate, dedicated thermos.
Finally, consider the size and overall capacity. Is the box the right size for your child’s appetite? Is it too bulky for their lunch bag? Also, don’t forget about cleaning. All those nooks and crannies can be tricky. Most Bentgo boxes are top-rack dishwasher safe, which is a huge time-saver, but I always double-check this feature. Taking a few minutes to think about these points will help you find the perfect Bentgo lunch boxes for kids that makes your morning routine smoother and your child’s lunch more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bentgo lunch boxes truly leak-proof?
In my experience, most standard Bentgo boxes are leak-resistant, not completely leak-proof. They are fantastic at preventing spills from dry snacks or slightly moist foods like cut-up fruit. However, if you turn them upside down or pack very liquid-heavy foods like a runny yogurt or soup, there’s a good chance it will seep through the cracks between the lid and the base. For those kinds of items, I highly recommend using a separate, sealed container or looking into Bentgo’s specific models that come with individually sealed dipping cups.
Can I put my Bentgo lunch box in the dishwasher?
Yes, the vast majority of Bentgo products are dishwasher safe, but there’s an important catch. You should almost always place them on the top rack. The high heat from the bottom rack’s heating element can warp the plastic over time, which might compromise the lid’s seal and lead to leaks. Always check the specific product’s instructions to be sure, but the top rack is your safest bet for a long-lasting box.
How do I get the smells out of the plastic compartments?
This is a common issue, especially after packing foods like tuna or hard-boiled eggs. My go-to method is a simple paste made from baking soda and water. I spread it inside the compartments, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, and then wash it as usual. You can also try wiping it down with a mixture of vinegar and water, or leaving it in direct sunlight for a few hours, as the sun is a natural odor neutralizer. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as they can retain their own strong smell.
What is the best way to pack a Bentgo box to keep food fresh?
Packing strategically makes a big difference. I put the driest foods, like crackers or cookies, in the smallest compartments. For moist foods like berries or cherry tomatoes, I use the medium-sized sections. If I’m packing something that I don’t want to sweat, like a sandwich, I might put a lettuce leaf between the bread and the container. For the best results with cold items, I pre-chill the entire empty Bentgo box in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before packing, and I always include a small ice pack in the lunch bag. This system helps keep everything at a safe and tasty temperature until lunch.
Are Bentgo lunch boxes worth the price?
From my perspective, absolutely. While the initial cost is higher than a basic plastic container or a brown paper bag, the value comes from its durability and functionality. A well-cared-for Bentgo can last for years, eliminating the need to constantly buy disposable bags or replace flimsy containers. The compartment design also encourages me to pack a more varied and healthy lunch, which is a big win. When you factor in the reduced waste and the convenience, I find it to be a very worthwhile investment for my family’s routine.
Which Bentgo size is right for my toddler?
For toddlers with smaller appetites, I’d point you toward the Bentgo Kids or the Bentgo Prep. The Bentgo Kids is their classic 5-compartment box and is a great size for little ones. The Bentgo Prep is another fantastic option as it’s designed for on-the-go snacks and smaller meals, making it perfect for a preschooler’s lunch. Both are manageable for small hands to carry and open with a little practice. It’s one of the key reasons parents seek out the best Bentgo lunch boxes for kids in this age group.