Walk down any school lunch aisle and you'll find dozens of kids lunch boxes. Some come home with soggy sandwiches, some won't open for little fingers, and some are lost by week three. A good kids bento box fixes all three. Here's how to choose the right one for your child's age, appetite and school routine.
1. Choose the right size for their age
The most common mistake is buying a lunch box that's too big for a kindy kid or too small for a hungry Year 5. As a rough guide:
- Daycare and kindy (ages 3–5): a 400–710 ml box. Small portions, fewer compartments and easy-open clips matter most.
- Primary school (ages 6–12): 710–1160 ml, with room for a sandwich or wrap, fruit and a snack or two for recess and lunch.
- Teens and big eaters: 975 ml and up, or a box with an insulated food jar for leftovers and hot meals.
Our personalised kids bento boxes come in 710 ml (Funbox Medium) and 1160 ml (Funbox Large) sizes, and our kids snack boxes are 400 ml – just right for recess and crunch-and-sip.
2. Compartments: how many does your child need?
Bento boxes keep food separate, so crackers stay crunchy and fruit doesn't make the sandwich wet. Kids who are fussy eaters often eat more when they can see small portions of different foods.
- 2 compartments: ideal for snacks and recess.
- 3–4 compartments: a main, fruit, veg and a treat – the classic school lunch.
- 4/6 compartments (removable dividers): the most flexible. Take a divider out for a big wrap, or leave it in for little bites.
3. Leakproof seals matter (especially for yoghurt and fruit)
A leakproof bento box keeps wet foods like yoghurt, cut fruit and dips where they belong, and keeps school bags clean. Look for a silicone seal around each compartment, not just around the lid.
4. Stainless steel or Tritan – which is better?
Both are good choices. It comes down to your family's priorities:
- Stainless steel: plastic-free, very durable and doesn't hold stains or smells. Great for families cutting down on plastic. See our stainless steel bento box for kids (MunchiiBox 4), MunchiiBox snack boxes and the ThermoBox with insulated food jar.
- Tritan: a lightweight, BPA-free material that's shatter-resistant and comes in bright, fun designs kids love. Our Funbox range uses a Tritan tray.
5. Hot lunches? Get an insulated food jar
Soup, pasta and leftovers are a great way to mix up the lunch routine, especially in winter. A bento lunch box with an insulated food jar lets your child have a hot or cold meal plus snacks in one set. Our ThermoBox pairs a 975 ml, 3-compartment stainless steel bento box with a 250 ml insulated jar.
6. Can little hands open it?
Before you buy, check the clips. Kindy and daycare kids need to open their lunch box on their own, without asking a teacher. Easy-open clips and a lid that's light enough to lift are worth more than extra features.
7. Personalise it so it comes home
Lunch boxes are one of the most-lost items at school. A personalised bento box with your child's name on the lid means it's far more likely to find its way back to the right bag – and kids love having something that's theirs. Every PAK-AH-BOO lunch box and snack box includes free name personalisation, and our stainless steel boxes are engraved so the name won't wear off.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Right size for your child's age and appetite
- Enough compartments (or removable dividers)
- Leakproof seals for wet foods
- Material that suits your family (stainless steel or BPA-free Tritan)
- Easy-open clips for little hands
- Dishwasher safe or easy to hand-wash
- Your child's name on it
Find the right bento box for your child
Browse our full range of personalised kids bento boxes and kids snack boxes, made for Australian school days. Bundle a lunch box with a snack box to save, and enjoy free shipping on orders over $100. Need ideas for what to pack? Read our 10 easy school lunch box ideas.