Stepping into the seemlingly mystical world of kids' lunchbox packing doesn't need to be daunting. We've uncovered some simple ways to find your lunchbox mojo!
“I will get my shizzle together and start planning what I put into the kids’ lunchboxes.” Were we the only ones to add this to our list of new year’s resolutions? Well, it’s halfway through the year and we’re yet to get there with the Insta-worthy lunchbox prep. As such, we thought we’d do some investigating to find easy ways to up our lunchbox game. We’ve got some winning kids’ snack ideas as well as cool lunchbox options to pop that fab fare in.
Where to buy lunchboxes in Singapore (andditch the plastic wrap!)
Ditching the plastic food wrap, ziplock bags, BPA containers and individually wrapped portions is a significant step you can take towards being more environmentally conscious. And it’s a great excuse to go shopping for a new lunchbox! We’re big fans of lunchboxes with separate compartments so have rounded up some of our faves that should inspire your little one to open up and see what’s inside. Not to mention earning street cred when they proudly show them off at school. Bon Appetit!
1. Sistema
If you’re anything like us and currently holding the world record for ‘most amount of stuff lost to the school black hole’, this is the lunchbox for you. Wallet-friendly and sturdy, but still a smart way to store food, Sistema lunchboxes do what they say on the tin – they offer a nifty system for food storage.
Where to buy: Tangs, Spotlight
2. Yumbox Original
So many good words right here: leak-proof, easy-clean, perfect for picky eaters. We hadn’t thought about this too deeply before, but there’s actually a philosophy behind this lunchbox: five half-cup compartments tick off the five food groups and there’s a bonus sixth ‘treat’ or ‘dip’ hole to encourage fussy eaters to cover their nutritional bases.
Where to buy: Bumwear, Pupsik, Tangs
3. Smiggle
You can’t miss Smiggle stores. Its bright and cheery designs are iconic and the brand has stores located all over the island. Smiggle has a few varieties of lunch boxes to choose but we love the animal-themed ones from gorillas to zebras and lions. Lunchtime’s gonna be wild!
4. Blafre
Classmates will be keen to check out your little one’s lunch when they see the adorable owl-shaped lunchboxes from Blafre. This Norwegian brand clearly knows what kids want: their lunchboxes are all eye-catching and unique. We are so excited that they ship internationally!
Where to buy: Babyshop
5. Cath Kidston
Keen on vintage looks? Check out Cath Kidston for a blend of English old-school charm and earthy designs. No matter what print is on their lunchboxes, each design is quaint and endearing, and perfect for a family picnic in the park.
6. Stuck On You
This online store offers bento boxes in great primary colours such as navy and red. Have your little one’s name emblazoned on the front in bright, bold font for an extra special touch. These lunchboxes are roomy and the bento cooler bags will keep food fresh. Orders are couriered in bulk to the local Singapore office and will reach your doorstep in four weeks.
7. Dabbawalla
Eco-friendly goes cutesy with Dabbawalla lunch bags. Made with eco-sponge, a neoprene-like fabric that is stain-resistant, these clever items keep hot food warm and are machine-washable. Dabbawalla is a great choice for families who want to go green.
Where to buy: Amazon
8. LunchBots Stainless Steel Lunchbox
This stainless steel beauty is perfect for kiddos who like to graze on different snacks. With four separate compartments, it’s easy to pack a variety of healthy foods to make sure the kids don’t get hungry.
Where to buy: Amazon
9. Stephen Joseph
Lunch tantrums might be appeased with these zippered lunch bags covered with colourful scenes. US brand Stephen Joseph offer a wide variety of boys, girls and unisex designs, such as a pirate-themed lunchbox or a cute monkey-shaped snack sac, and the best bit is you can personalise it with the addition of your child’s name when you place your order, at no extra cost. Shipping charges apply to both local and international orders.
10. Wildkin
Colourful prints and motifs are the mainstays in Wildkin’s lunch box designs. They have sensible features like inner tabs to secure water bottles and ice packs, and they’re durable and easy to clean. Aspiring athletes will love this cheery baby blue design or opt for a mermaid design that will go down swimmingly with the kids.
11. Cartoon characters
If your kids are big fans of Sesame Street’s Elmo and Cookie Monster, or Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma, online stores Qoo10 and Rakuten have a good selection of lunchboxes decorated with these characters in every shape and size. They also sell matching cutlery. Local shipping fees apply.
Lunchbox ideas: easy recipes and inspiration!
Finding lunchbox inspiration can sometimes be tricky. Whilst some days we’re determined to nail the Russian Doll sushi we’ve seen on Bored Panda, mostly we just need some achievable, affordable lunchbox fodder. Seek and the glorious internet shall provide. There are some seriously clever people (who are also apparently time-management goddesses) with amazing websites, blogs, and Instagram feeds just waiting for you to forage. On Instagram alone, you only need to type #lunchboxideas and voila, you’ll find over 140,000 posts for plenty of daily inspiration!
1. School Lunch Box
We love the fact that this is a dad who posts snaps of his kids’ healthy lunchboxes. We do think it’s sometimes easier to get inspiration via a picture, so Instagram is the perfect place to find lunchbox inspo and this dad’s ideas are always simple and effective.
2. Lunch Box Ideas Singapore
This Facebook group is Singapore-based and is billed as a community to share recipes and lunchbox ideas. We’ve been part of the group for a while now, and it hasn’t seen much activity of late, but we reckon a few new members could shake things up a lunchbox treat.
3. All About Kids UK
Sometimes you just need someone to jog your memory, right? Oh yeah! A boiled egg… why didn’t I think of that? This Instagrammer takes loads of snaps of everyday foods, which is great for when you’re doing the weekly shop and need a bit of inspiration.
4. Easy Lunchboxes
Kelly Lester aka Easy Lunchboxes on Instagram is one lady who has nailed the quick-and-easy lunchbox game. She posts daily snaps that to us regular folk look pretty achievable. She promotes healthy, simple lunches that don’t take ages to prepare. Bravo, Kelly, and thank you!
5. Lunchbox Dad
If ever there was a way to entice fussy eaters into eating a host of healthy options they might otherwise turn their small noses up at, it’s the, frankly, outstanding lunchbox ‘art’ ideas Lunchbox Dad comes up with. You’re never too old to rock up at the office with a Chewbacca or Jurassic World themed lunch spread, we say.
6. Two weeks no sandwich lunchbox ideas
Stuck and stressed on what to put in your kid’s lunchbox? Parents, we know how you feel… The Pinning Mama has compiled a two-week lunchbox ideas list that does not involve any sandwiches! If you still want more inspo (and we don’t blame you), here’s a roundup by Super Healthy Kids that features over 90 healthy lunch ideas.
7. Landry’s Lunches
Landry Lunches is Lauren, a mum to two picky eaters. But with the colourfully visual feasts that we see on her Instagram, we doubt that she’d have any difficulty feeding her kids! We’re definitely going to follow the themed lunchbox ideas, they’re too rad.
When in doubt, write a list
When sharing the burden joy of school lunches with a hubby or helper, we find it can be really useful to have a printed list in the kitchen of foods that the kids love. Packing lunchboxes while half asleep is so much easier with visible guidance!
Looking for more lunch box ideas? Here are these fave fam-friendly recipes even fussy eaters will love!
