When my children were in elementary school, carrying the right lunch box was just as important as having a "cool" backpack for the first day of school. Because so many schools require uniforms now, lunch boxes and backpacks are often the only things that allow students to show their individuality. In our family, one of our favorite adventures before school started each year, was selecting a new lunch box.
Favorite featured "characters" change with each year so it is important to let kids select what they want when you can. Like Halloween costumes, whatever video game, cartoon or movie character is a hit, that is often the most sought after character design for a lunch box.
There were years when my children wanted dinosaurs, animal or space related "everything" regardless of what else was popular. While my children were most concerned about the pattern on the fabric, I was concerned about the closure, pockets, straps, weight, size and whether or not it was sturdy enough to last the school year.
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I preferred a lunch box that had a separate interior pocket for an ice pack. I always liked to include a dessert like a fruit cup or a pudding cup along with a sandwich in their lunches. Because those choices must be kept cold, I added a reusable ice pack to their lunch boxes. I wanted the ice pack in a pocket so it would not get thrown out with their food packaging trash. Even juice boxes need to be kept cool, as well as any sandwich that has lunch meat or refrigerated condiments, so those ice packs were imperative.
I also wanted their lunchboxes to have a zippered external pocket for napkins or a separate morning snack, which was allowed in kindergarten and first grade. I didn't want them to have to search inside of their lunch box for the snack.
Back then, we were limited to what was available in our local stores. Today's generation of school-age children have a plethora of online stores to search for just the right lunch box or lunch bag.
Parent and Student Approved Lunch Boxes or Bags
Depending on the age of the child, the size will be a big part of what a parent will need to check before purchasing a lunch box for their student. For instance, a kindergarten student could not easily carry an adult size lunch tote filled with food. A small child will most likely need a lunch box that measures approximately 8.5" x 9.5" x 3.25" while an older child can carry a larger lunch box.
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- Insulated
- Shoulder Strap & Handle Options
- Size & &Weight
- Interior Pocket for Ice Packs or Separation
- Water Resistant
- Exterior Pocket for Bottles or Thermos
- Exterior Pocket for Napkins
- Easy to Wipe Clean Interior
- Easy Zipper
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As kids get older, they will most likely prefer specific artwork, or a solid color lunch tote. However, they will still need the same lunch box construction features itemized above.
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Today's lunch boxes for children have come a long way since my kids carried them. Theirs were simple boxes with no outside pockets or places for an ice pack. Favorite designs remain the same I see. :) Lovely to see so many choices available for kids today.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of lunch boxes, my son-in-law has a collection of the vintage hard metal lunch pails from the 40s and 50s. Your review reminds me of them. :)
I don't think there were pockets for the ice packs the first year our daughter started to school. There may have been and I just didn't know it until I experienced the need for it and started looking for an interior pocket with our next lunch box purchase. I have heard that some collected the old lunch boxes. I remember them well! Seems like a really cool collectible idea. The artwork on some of them was/is really awesome.
DeleteYour helpful lunchbox selection tips will be a boon to any parent!
ReplyDeleteWe always think of school age children and lunchboxes, but I was reminded of them when my husband served jury duty a few months ago. He had to borrow one our son previously used at work. It is solid black and more conservative, but still a necessity to carry a lunch and water.
DeleteGreat ideas for lunchboxes. I remember how they were a big deal for my granddaughters....that and backpacks.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see how many there are now online, I suspect it is much harder to choose one, but I do know how important they are to children. At least now, you are more likely to have one no one else has :)
DeleteI used these when the kids were young. And for other purposes as you mentioned, like for their jobs. They’re very handy and practical. Even for a short picnic at the park when the kids were little too.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so right, Barbara! We have used them when we travel for bottled water. I hadn't even thought of that when I was writing the article. They really do have many uses. Picnic time :)
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