If there’s one thing I’ve gotten pretty good at over the years, it’s packing school lunches. Between four kids, different appetites, changing food preferences, and busy mornings, I’ve packed more lunches than I could ever count. While the food inside changes depending on the season (or whatever everyone suddenly decides they no longer like), there are a handful of lunch box items that I keep reaching for year after year. In today’s post, I’m sharing some of my favorite lunch box essentials that I’ve used year after year, from Thermos containers and Sistema bento boxes to reusable snack bags and a few newer favorites I’ve added to our rotation.
My Tried-and-True Lunch Box Essentials
These aren’t trendy purchases that end up forgotten in a kitchen drawer. They’re the products that have actually held up to daily use and made packing lunches a little easier.
Thermos Food Jar
Some days a sandwich just isn’t enough. When my oldest first started school, I would send leftovers like pasta, white rice, mac and cheese, or even pancakes in a thermos. A good food jar keeps meals warm until lunchtime and gives me way more variety than packing cold lunches every day. It also cuts down on food waste because I can simply pack leftovers from dinner instead of making something completely different.
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Water Bottle with the Lock Feature
This is one of those things I didn’t realize I needed until we started using one. The locking lid helps prevent accidental leaks in backpacks (I learned this the hard way with my oldest lol), so there are fewer soaked lunch bags and soggy homework. It’s easy enough for younger kids to use but secure enough that I don’t worry about it opening during the bus ride. I prefer the Thermos brand, but there are a few others that would work too.
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Reusable Silicone Baking Cups
These are probably one of the cheapest lunch box purchases I’ve made, and I use them constantly. Instead of buying disposable snack bags, I use silicone baking cups to separate fruits, vegetables, crackers, cheese cubes, or little treats inside lunch containers. They make everything look a little more organized, and cleanup is as easy as tossing them in the dishwasher. I keep several colours on hand because somehow they’re always in use.
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Sistema TO GO Bento Box
We’ve gone through plenty of lunch containers over the years, but the Sistema TO GO Bento Box has remained one of my favourites. The divided compartments help keep everything separated, and it’s the perfect size for a balanced lunch without needing multiple containers. Whether I’m packing sandwiches, wraps, fruit, veggies, or homemade snacks, everything fits nicely. They’re sturdy, easy for kids to open, and hold up well to everyday use.
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Sistema TO GO Cups
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably seen these pop up in my lunch packing videos. The little Sistema TO GO cups are perfect for dips, hummus, yogurt, berries, salad dressing, or even a handful of nuts and seeds. They’re small, stack easily, and save me from packing larger containers when I only need a small portion.
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Melii Spin Snack Container
A few years ago, I added the Melii Snack Spinner to our lunch routine after receiving one as a gifted item from the brand, and it’s been such a fun addition. Instead of packing multiple little containers, I can fill each section with something different. Crackers, fruit, pretzels, cheese, cereal, popcorn, dried fruit… everyone likes choosing what goes inside. It’s especially great for younger kids or for snack-heavy days like field trips or outings.
Gifted by Melii.
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Reusable Snack Bags
I made the switch to reusable snack bags when my 3rd started school last year, and I haven’t looked back. They’re perfect for packing crackers, popcorn, pretzels, homemade muffins, sliced fruit, veggies, or cookies without reaching for a disposable plastic bag every time. After school, I simply turn them inside out, wash them, let them dry, and they’re ready to use again. Not only have they helped cut down on waste, but they’ve also saved money over the years. When you’re packing lunches every single weekday, those disposable bags add up quickly. I always keep a stack on hand because they’re practical, eco-friendly, washable, and they hold up really well with everyday use.
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One thing I’ve learned after years of packing lunches is that you don’t need dozens of fancy lunch gadgets. Having a handful of containers that actually work, are easy to wash, and hold up to everyday use makes mornings so much smoother. These are the products I continue to reach for every school year because they’ve earned a permanent spot in our kitchen.
If you’re getting ready for back-to-school shopping or are already knee-deep in it, I hope this list gives you a few ideas. And if you’ve found a lunch box item your family swears by, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. I’m always looking for new favourites to add to our rotation.
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