Almost every day on Facebook I share the school lunches that I pack for my daughters and almost every day there are a lot of questions about these lunches. Everything from “Where did you get that container?” to “Can I get that recipe?” to “Where’s the protein?” But lately I’ve been noticing quite a few questions asking what these carefully prepared lunches actually look like come lunchtime – especially after they’ve been tossed all around while in their backpacks and since “liquidy” foods like yogurt or applesauce are involved. Let’s face it, no child keeps their lunch bag or box in one perfect position all day, and that is certainly something I would never expect of my own children. So when I was having lunch with my daughter at school yesterday I (risked looking like a lunatic and) took a bunch of pictures for you! :)
So that’s all there is to it! And since I know some will be wondering :) ….
- Those are Ziploc brand divided lunch containers – super cheap, lightweight, BPA-free, and available online. I have no relationship with Ziploc whatsoever. We just really like these lunch boxes.
- I got the muffin cups here. Here are the Thermos cup, the flexible ice blanket, and the fun character ice pack.
- I bought the fun toothpicks at Party City, although I’ve found cute ones at several different places including Martha Stewart Crafts, and cute Meri Meri Toot Sweet Cupcake Picks.
- The lunch bag is by Lands End and we have the matching backpack that goes with it. This is the brand my older daughter has been using for almost 3 years now and it is still holding up great.
For more school lunch ideas check out my most recent School Lunch Roundup post.
Thanks for a great blog! Are the muffin cups the standard size or the jumbo size? The above link takes me to the jumbo size. Just want to make sure the jumbo size fits the ziploc container.
I have both sizes, but usually use the jumbo b/c it’s tall enough to reach the lid and therefore keep food in it’s place :)
This is so nice to read I use a bento box to achieve the same look.
http://brownenglishmuffin.blogspot.com/2011/11/snowed-in-feelingten-on-tuesday.html
We use these same Ziploc containers and found ours at Kroger–they put them on sale regularly AND there are coupons. I got each pack of two for $1.50… making them $0.75/each!! And, after two years of steady use, they’re holding up great. Even if I’d had to replace them after a year, for that price, I can afford it. (i.e. if someone left it at school or whatever)
This seems to work great for little girls, but I have to wonder about it being able to hold enough food for a 14 year old boy. His typical lunch might include a full sandwich, half a cucumber, grape tomatoes, carrot sticks, a yogurt, a string cheese, an apple or an applesauce, and a bottle of 100% juice plus his 32 ounce water bottle. Would this container be even close to big enough? With two PE classes plus sports he never comes home with any food, so cutting down his portions isn’t really an option.
Sounds like my husband when he’s training for a marathon!
I would have him put cut up items in the container, buy a sandwich sized container for those, and pack everything in an insulated bag.
Hi Sallie. You might just need bigger containers for a bigger appetite. I know that my containers vary from day to day depending on what I’m packing for my boys. Here are some other options: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/09/product-review-lunchboxes/. ~Amy
http://www.containerstore.com/videos/index.htm?videoId=68
First of all, I just shop at container store and whole food, I have no financial connection. I watched this video and got the cube for my 8th grade twins. It works great! They pack their own lunch and I think they really love the container. I thought I’d pass it on. Also, I think their lunch boxes are very reasonably prices.
Thank you so much for this post it was exactly what I was looking for! my son just started kindergarten and this answered a lot of questions and anxieties i had about sending him to school with a packed lunch. Thanks again!
I think overall these are one of the best choices for lunches, because they are lightweight, easy to store (stack) and easy to wash. Plus, when they start to get dinged up, you can recycle them. :) Just got myself a fresh 2-pack from amazon yesterday!
I know this is late, but I am, finally, giving Primal Pit Paste a shot. Just got it today and am crossing my fingers that it works for me. Is your husband still using the product and does it still work well?
Hi Alicia. While I do not keep track of their grooming habits :), I’m fairly certain that the Pit Paste is being used and loved. ~Amy
Went over to the Land’s End website to see about purchasing the lunch boxes you use. It seems like every commenter says that within 6-8 weeks the lining in these bags starts to come apart at the seams. I was just wondering if you had every experienced this happening with the ones you’ve purchases? I’ve bought many of the other products you’ve recommended, all of which were fabulous, so I trust your opinion, but just wanted to double check since so many people seem to be having such a big issue with these lunch boxes.
Hey Joanna – We are on our second set of these lunch boxes in about 3 years, and that’s because Lisa washed the first set in the washing machine. The label states not to do that, and the liners did come apart at the seams as a result. If you follow the cleaning instructions I’d assume much longer life (years). Perhaps the other commenters used them differently then we do (stretching to accommodate larger items maybe?), but regardless I wouldn’t totally discount their opinions. Hope that helps! – Jason
What an awesome idea to have her clean her own lunch box when she doesn’t put the lid back on! I have to wash my daughter’s a few times a week. Why have I been doing it???
Think this post is great but needs an update as these awesome ziploc containers are no longer available (sadly). I even wrote the company to beg them to bring them back, but there are no plans to do so. They were inexpensive and lasted forever and, like you said, were leak proof.
Primal Pit Paste is a fabulous product! Just ordered my second batch, one jar, one stick. I like that it comes unscented, and it works so much better for me than the “industrialized” deodorant. Another product I found on this website is Branch Basics cleaning soap. It was 25% off for Earth Day so I was able to order the large starter kit. I could not believe how it cleaned my (very dirty) bathroom floor in minutes and then I could use the same solution to wash my hands. This product is the best I’ve ever seen in plant-based cleaning products. Just mix with water. INCREDIBLE!! Thanks, Lisa for sharing products that you try out then review!!!
Ok where is the cute napkin from?
Hello. You can find similar reversible napkins on Etsy.
I bought the same container for my son as you guys and love it. However just watched a Facebook live from another blogger and use of plastic. Now I worry!