A lot of these items have been shared at one time or another on the blog, but I thought it would be helpful to have everything together in one post. So below are the supplies I love to use when it comes to packing school lunches. Before I dive right into the school lunch products though I have one other back to school tip for you…and it’s our newest sponsor, Cozi. Cozi offers a pretty impressive (and free!) service, which is a shared family calendar that can be accessed from anywhere. It helps keep busy families organized by tracking different schedules (including sending appointment/activity reminders to your email or phone), shopping lists, to-do lists, recipes, and meal plans. Does anyone currently use Cozi? What do you think?
Okay, back to school lunch supplies…please feel free to share your favorites in the comments below:
- Ziplock Divided Lunch Containers. These are my favorite lunch containers because they are inexpensive, leak-proof, and easy-to-use with only one lid to open. For other lunch container options check out our recent lunchbox review post.
- Thermos Bottles. We love these bottles because they are insulated, leak-proof, durable, and they don’t sweat on the outside.
- Thermos Containers. These containers are great for sending warm lunches when you need a break from sandwiches …think oatmeal, soups or leftovers.
- Mini Round Containers. These happen to be the absolute perfect size for a single muffin and it also keeps them from getting smushed. When I send soup in a thermos I oftentimes send a muffin in one of these as well.
- Ice Packs. I don’t like to hold back when it comes to keeping my daughters’ lunches cold…so I usually add 2 – 3 ice packs. I like these flexible blue ones because they can be cut to any size (and they are light-weight), and I also like to throw in a fun animal ice pack as well.
- Lands End Soft Sided Lunch Bags. To ensure all these goodies will fit in one lunch bag you don’t want to mess around…not all lunch bags are created equal! We use the Lands’ End soft sided bags and love them. They will hold a lunch container and Thermos bottle along with several ice packs. Alternatively you can fit a Thermos bottle, Thermos container, and one other container (that will hold something like a side of fruit or a muffin) in these bags as well.
- Smoothie Pop Molds (a.k.a. Ice Pop Makers). We freeze smoothies, yogurt and applesauce in these molds and then wedge them into the Ziplock divided containers where they partially defrost by lunchtime. To learn more about how these molds work check out my recent post all about them.
- Reusable Napkins. When I first started packing lunches for my daughter I would look in her lunchbox at the end of the day and not even be able to tell if she used her napkin or not…and then it would go in the garbage. That seemed like such a waste so we started using cotton napkins that I wash with the rest of our laundry on the weekends. We bought some plain white, small cocktail napkins from CB2 and tie dyed them ourselves, which by the way is a great way to hide stains, but you can also get napkins that are already colorful and ready to use like these solid colored ones from Laptop Lunches.
- Reusable Silverware. If I am no longer going to throw away lunchbox napkins at the end of the day then why still use plastic, disposable silverware? For things like soups, cut up fruit, pasta, and oatmeal we’ve been using an inexpensive small set of silverware like this one and it works great because I don’t fret if a utensil gets misplaced.
- Fun Toothpicks. It’s hard to resist a sandwich if there is a bumble bee toothpick sticking out of it. I always keep my eyes open for cute toothpicks, and I usually have good luck finding them around the different holidays at Target or anytime at Party City. Here are some fun and colorful Martha Stewart picks that I found on Amazon.
- Cute Cookie Cutters. Whoever said “cookie cutters” only had to be for cookies! Now just imagine that sandwich with the bumble bee toothpick in the shape of a flower. You might just get the “Mother of the Year” award.
If you are worried about wasting the bread ends after you cut out a shape simply throw them in the freezer for things like croutons or breadcrumbs. You can also use the cutters on other lunchbox items like fruit and cheese.
- Biodegradable or Reusable Baggies. Yes plastic throwaway bags are quick and easy, but I am going to try to be better about not using them this year. Some great alternatives are “monster” Wexy bags, which are biodegradable, or these colorful fabric Appleberry Attic reusable bags. I just ordered some of the Appleberry ones so I can try them out…I’ll let you know how it goes!
- Silicone Cups/Muffin Liners. These liners are great for both baking muffins (because they are non-stick, colorful and reusable!) and also for adding some cuteness to your child’s lunchbox by holding side items like fruit or trail mix. Note we use both standard and jumbo sizes depending on our needs.
- Freezer-Safe Glass Jars. These jars are perfect for freezing individual portions of soups and other meals that can then be defrosted, reheated, and added to a Thermos container for your child’s lunch bag. I defrost my soups in the fridge overnight and then reheat them on the stove the next morning before school. Just be sure to leave some room at the top of the jar so the food has room to expand.
- Ice Cube Trays. These trays are the perfect way to freeze small portions of things like applesauce or tomato sauce so you can add a few cubes to your child’s lunchbox the night before school. Now you no longer have to worry about jars of sauces spoiling before you can use them all up.
For ideas on what “real food” to pack using these school lunch supplies the check out my recent “School Lunch Roundup” post!
I have been following your. Site for several months now and shared many of your ideas and products with my daughter and daughter in law for the grand kids. I bought some of you items for Christmas gifts. They all seem to especially enjoy the smoothy pop. I was wondering if you could post your pumpkin muffin recipe again. Thanks for all the great and healthy ideas. Deborah
So glad you enjoy the blog, Deborah. Here’s a link to the muffins: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/25/recipe-whole-spelt-pumpkin-muffins-and-other-spelt-recipes/
Enjoy. ~Amy
I enjoy your blogs and the suggestions are very interesting, but I have a question to pose for all of us to consider: If we are truly wanting to make a change and eat Real Food that is no processed and is organic, we have to look at the containers as well. Anything plastic starts to break down with repeated washings (yes, even hand washing) silicone isn’t any better. A reusable plastic baggy while producing less trash is also placing chemicals and bacteria on the food if not all the corners are cleaned and dried each time.
Possible alternatives: The thermos is great because it is stainless steel which has a natural anti-microbial surface. Pyrex containers, while a littler heavier are practically indestructible.
I was just about to ask what lunchbox you use with the containers when you reposted this on fb. Thanks so much! My daughter is much happier (and healthier) with the lunches we’ve been making her for school and using some of these items make it a lot easier to pack a variety of things. Btw, just went to Land’s End and they were having a sale plus 30% off until Feb 26, 2013. Bonus!
)
I love our reuseable lunch bags by repac. We wash them every weekend with our laundry. They are made in the USA and can be found at re-pacbags.com. I bought mine with groupons, so if you are groupons user, watch for them. I’ve had mine for 2 years now and they are still working like a charm. Plus they have cool designs.
I saw these and thought of you. I really enjoy your posts of your kids’ lunches on Facebook; thanks for sharing!
http://www.kitchenkaboodle.com/product_detail2.php?sku=80-7785%21ICI&multi=0
I just found this website and am so excited to get mine!!! That way I dont have to use plastic anymore. Just wanted to share!!! : ) Thanks for all your great ideas!!! Love your site!!!
http://www.planetbox.com/shop
Thank you so much for sharing this list. My daughter will be starting preschool in the fall and your blog is full of helpful ideas to pack and make nutricious lunches for my little munchkin. Thank you!
If I may start off by saying, I am so grateful for how much I’ve learned from your website and for how much it’s changed my family’s way of thinking about food as well as our eating habits. Thank you! As I continue to learn and delve in further, I am continually coming up with a consistent concern and can’t find an answer that I feel good about.
I’ve been searching for better ways to carry my kids’ lunches to school, but every morning, as I place fruits and veggies and power balls
into the lunch boxes, I wonder what the best solution is, to no avail so far. I’m not convinced that plastic or silicone is the way to go, especially when the silicone is brightly colored. In keeping preservatives and dyes out of our foods, I have to wonder how our foods may be affected when they are sitting in a bright pink or yellow silicone container for several hours. I have been looking for containers that are stainless steel (but small enough in size for a muffin or grapes), but have yet to find anything. Glass is not an option for school lunches, obviously. Any thoughts on this?
Hello Siobhan. Have you considered Lunchbots or other stainless containers? While they are pricey, they are very durable and would relieve your concerns about plastic and silicone. Here is our post: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/14/lunch-ideas-for-all-ages-with-lunchbots/. ~Amy
I often use small Pyrex dishes with plastic lids or the super small Mason jars like shown above for sending items in lunches. They are well cushioned in the lunch bags, and both are heavy glass. I have never had one break at school yet – and I have 3 kids!
Did you ever post a review of what you thought of those Appleberry reusable bags?
Thanks so much this list is perfect!
Hi Ashley. We did not post specifically to this product. We just listed it on our favorites. ~Amy
[...] School Lunch Supplies [...]
How awesome that your items listed above came up on Amazon as items purchased together! Your message is a great one and being heard for sure! I love it!
Hi
Thank you so much for your reviews! I helped alot in choosing a lunch container for my boys. I have 1 question, can you tell me the measurements on the ziplock divided dish? I have tried looking it up but no luck. I want to order the containers and boxes at the same time.
Thank you!
Hi Chantal. I don’t have one in front of me right now but I think it is 6.5 x 9.
~Amy
Greetings!
Your site is so very helpful and FULL of practical tips. Thank you! I just received the divided ziplock plastic container via Amazon and am wanting to now order the Lands End Soft sided Lunch box. Can you please tell me if the divided ziplock container will fit in the Lands End lunch box? I just want to confirm before ordering. Thanks so much for your help.
Lisa
Hi Lisa. It does! We use the soft sided rectangular ones. ~Amy
Been a fan of 100 Days for a while!
What do you have the girls don with their dirty silverware? Do you have them just pack it into their empty thermos, or do you have a baggie or something for them to put it in.
Hi Ashley. The silverware just goes back in their lunch box and is cleaned at the end of the day. ~Amy
[...] School Lunch Supplies [...]
[...] School Lunch Supplies [...]
Hi there – I’m exploring options for my daughter’s lunchbox supplies as she’s starting Kindergarten in the fall. I have what might be a silly question, but I’m wondering: When the food is placed in the ziplock divided containers, doesn’t it leak from one comparment to another when stood on end in the lunchbox? I’m particularly worried about putting something like mandarin oranges which are so wet and messy into one of the rubber muffin molds – doesn’t the juice end up all over everything? Thanks in advance for your feedback! P.S. LOVE this site!
Hi Saira. Not a dumb question at all.
The ziplock containers do a really great job keeping everything separate. I’ve not had trouble with leaking. Just make sure the lid is securely fastened. That said, the thinnest liquid I’ve used in the containers has been yogurt. To be safe, you might want to drain as much of the liquid as possible. Good luck. ~Amy
Hi, I am a new follower. So far I love the blog! I have been using the ziplock containers for a couple of year for school lunches. I love them. My question, have you found anything similar to ziplock containers that are not plastic and are inexpensive? We are eating a couple of our dinners on the go and I am looking for something that will work for holding warm food while the kids eat on the way to our evening activities.
Thanks for any ideas.
We just got the silicone muffin liners. My kids (3 and 5 yrs) immediately brought them into the bath tub as bath toys. The little cups are called “ga-ga’s” because they’re babies
. Maybe tomorrow I’ll wash and use them for lunch!