Plastic containers in lunch boxes-What do you use?

[sue_g]

What plastic containers do you use in your children's lunch box? I would like to know which brands are safe and easy for children to open and close.

[Tondi G]

you could try the stainless steel funtainers for hot foods

http://www.thermos.com/product_catalog.aspx?CatCode=GIFT&SubcategoryID=25&ViewAll=true

or I just use the glad or ziploc disposable containers and wash by hand for other stuff.

I know a few moms who love these containers... say they are easy for the kids to open and don't leak!

http://www.amazon.com/Airtight-Food-Storage-Container-Set/dp/B000O3PZ0S

[lizajane]

tupperware!!! LOVE IT. i got some new stuff for this school year and have gotten the chance to use it for day camp. love love love. and BPA free. dishwasher/micro safe and lifetime warranty.

(no! i don't sell it! lol!)

they have sandwich holders that are awesome, with or without characters. and they have "midgets" for little tiny stuff and then just small containers that have been great for cut fruit.

[WatchingThemGrow]

I was turned onto the laptop lunch kit here, and we're only packing lunch 1-2times/wk at this stage in the game. Everyone loves it! You can buy extra inserts, which seems handy. We just got 2 whole sets. Someone posted the links to Flickr searches om another thread, which gave me so many fun lunch ideas. It has opened up a whole new world for us!

[kransden]

For my dd in kindergarten, I just had to use ziploc bags or the disposable gladware. She really couldn't open anything else. Now I use all sorts of stuff. Target had princess sandwich holders in the dollar spot, so I bought her a couple of those. She loves them. She can use almost anything now.

[sue_g]

you could try the stainless steel funtainers for hot foods

http://www.thermos.com/product_catalog.aspx?CatCode=GIFT&SubcategoryID=25&ViewAll=true

or I just use the glad or ziploc disposable containers and wash by hand for other stuff.

I know a few moms who love these containers... say they are easy for the kids to open and don't leak!

http://www.amazon.com/Airtight-Food-Storage-Container-Set/dp/B000O3PZ0S

Do they sell the lock containers at any B&M stores?

[Tondi G]

Do they sell the lock containers at any B&M stores?

I believe I saw them in our local target, in the section with the ziploc bags and rubbermaid kitchen containers.

[Kyras mom]

I will echo that the Lock 'n' Lock, Snapware, & Sistema Klip it containers are great. Their lids are held on with tab-like plastic things that are semi-easy for little fingers to open.
The Lock 'n' lock and snapware are available at Target and Walmart, but I have noticed that they can be a little more difficult to open at times, but they are definately leak proof and have an excellent seal.
The Sistema containers (I found them at the Container Store) are easier to open. The tabs are connected to the bottom part of the container, not the lid on the ones I have.

[dhano923]

I use the Foogo food jar for hot/warm foods, and was using mini rubbermaid containers last year for DS's lunch, but he had a hard time opening them sometimes. When I was in Singapore a few weeks ago, I found little plastic containers meant for bento boxes so I got several of those in different sizes. They are tight fitting but open easily. I usually use the containers for salads, sauces, fruit, etc. I put chips in snack size sandwich bags.

[deannanb]

another very satisfied Laptop Lunch user here
http://www.laptoplunches.com/

we have 3 of them - and some extra containers -
I love the ease of making a lunch - and the presentation when DS opens his lunch.

[elizabethkott]

The Laptop Lunch sets look awesome! I just ordered one for me and one for DS... Thanks for the link, Deanna. I'm actually considering using this as the fundraiser for my club at the high school this year! :)

[sue_g]

The Laptop Lunch sets look awesome! I just ordered one for me and one for DS... Thanks for the link, Deanna. I'm actually considering using this as the fundraiser for my club at the high school this year! :)

Where did you buy the laptop lunches from? I just looked and the shipping would be $33 for two inner container sets and two Laptop Lunch Bento Box Set. That seems pretty excessive.

[hillview]

Another vote for laptop lunch here. We have 2 sets. Pack lunch every day. I try to usually hand wash the plastic otherwise it goes into the top rack.
/hillary

[elizabethkott]

Where did you buy the laptop lunches from? I just looked and the shipping would be $33 for two inner container sets and two Laptop Lunch Bento Box Set. That seems pretty excessive.

I got them from the site... I ordered the Laptop Lunch System, the Lunch Date in hemp, a bento sleeve with ice pack and an extra set of the inner container set, and my shipping was only $13.47 by UPS Ground. $33 does sound a bit high for what you want to order... perhaps the distance, shipping weight or shipping method is different? I'm in NY and they're coming from CA...

[sue_g]

I got them from the site... I ordered the Laptop Lunch System, the Lunch Date in hemp, a bento sleeve with ice pack and an extra set of the inner container set, and my shipping was only $13.47 by UPS Ground. $33 does sound a bit high for what you want to order... perhaps the distance, shipping weight or shipping method is different? I'm in NY and they're coming from CA...

Thanks. I must have picked the wrong shipping method or something because now I am getting $11.78. I am still deciding though and did not order yet.

Does a whole sandwich cut in two fit in this?

[caleymama]

Thanks. I must have picked the wrong shipping method or something because now I am getting $11.78. I am still deciding though and did not order yet.

Does a whole sandwich cut in two fit in this?

Just wanted to add that reusablebags.com also carries Laptop Lunches and I've often found 20% off codes online that offset the shipping cost.

[CiderLogan]

Hi all -- I've been thinking about the Laptop Lunch system more and more. I see that the box is 9"x7"x2" -- does this fit in a normal lunch box for kids (we have a Hanna one and a PBK one -- neither of which measures quite 9", but I'd be open to buying a new lunchbox)?

[WatchingThemGrow]

Hi all -- I've been thinking about the Laptop Lunch system more and more. I see that the box is 9"x7"x2" -- does this fit in a normal lunch box for kids (we have a Hanna one and a PBK one -- neither of which measures quite 9", but I'd be open to buying a new lunchbox)?

We have this one which hooks onto the backpack
http://www.landsend.com/pp/DeluxeLunchSack~186761_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ZTU&CM_MERCH=SRCH_00001&origin=search
backpack http://www.landsend.com/pp/RugbyBackpack~175065_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::TVY&CM_MERCH=SRCH_00001&origin=search


but I've read (on here) they work well in this one also...http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=47982&sc1=Search&feat=sr

and I'm pretty sure they work in the Crocodile Creek ones also...
http://www.shopatron.com/index/476.0.17349.0.0.0.0

I think the Laptop Lunch book is pretty good as a reference also, FWIW.