DD2's backpack is too heavy

[robinsmommy]

Sigh - I had been wondering if DD2's (6.5 yr old) backpack was too heavy, and today she tried to have DD1 carry it, along with her own - which is way too much for DD1 (almost 11 yr old). They walk about a mile and a half to school, and home again.

She has one of the basic LLbean packs, so not very heavy, but not very supportive either, in terms of a chest clip or anything else. She had 2 library books, both picture book paperbacks, and her lunch. I'm sure it's the lunch - we use Planetboxes. I think it is just too heavy for her when loaded with food. I like the easy maintenance of it - no lids to lose, dishwasher safe, no plastic, but it just weighs too much. I like all the compartments, too, in terms of getting a main dish, veg, fruit, and maybe crackers or silverware in there - the containers for dip are lovely,too. She is small for her age, too, so that doesn't help any.

What else do you all suggest? I'd like to avoid plastic if I can, and I would love it to be dishwasher safe. I was wondering about getting the smaller Planetbox, and perhaps reusable snack bags to store crackers or such in. Not sure if the weight difference would be enough, though. Other compartmentalized stuff out there I should check out? It needs to keep stuff separated during the walk, or if the lunchbox tips in her bag.

Thoughts????

[hillview]

Could she have a rolling backpack?

[robinsmommy]

The walk to school is mostly on a beautiful, treed, grassy median of a boulevard. And we get snow in winter, too. I think the wheels wouldn't work. I looked and the weight difference between the two sizes of Planetbox is not that big - I think a lot of it is the food, icepack, utensils, etc.

[georgiegirl]

Does she carry a water bottle? Those tend to be heavy. If that's the problem, maybe she can fill the bottle at school.

DD (7) uses a PBK retro lunch bag with a lunch bot in it (and I use silicone muffin cups to for smaller items.). I feel like her water bottle makes things very heavy.

[robinsmommy]

Does she carry a water bottle? Those tend to be heavy. If that's the problem, maybe she can fill the bottle at school.

DD (7) uses a PBK retro lunch bag with a lunch bot in it (and I use silicone muffin cups to for smaller items.). I feel like her water bottle makes things very heavy.

She usually doesn't have a water bottle, unless they are doing a special trip - then I do use a light weight plastic one, and try not to cringe.

Do your DD's foods stay separate with the silicone muffin cups in the lunchbot?

Only other thing I'm turning up are stainless steel with plastic lids, as a compromise:http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Clicks-Stainless-Containers-Medium/dp/B008AYYEHI/ref=pd_sim_k_22

reviews are kinda mixed, though.

Otherwise, I guess I could find some sandwich wraps that don't have PUL.

[infomama]

I would get her a carrier for her PlanetBox and use a small water bottle. Let her carry that separately. The new carrier bags are really nice...padded handles and everything.

[robinsmommy]

I would get her a carrier for her PlanetBox and use a small water bottle. Let her carry that separately. The new carrier bags are really nice...padded handles and everything.

Actually, this seems like the simplest solution. We'll give it a go, though I will try it first with the older style of carrier - I had ordered a new one for DD1 a week or so ago just waiting for the package, we can see what the new vs old works like. I hate paying the shipping twice.:irked:

[kep]

I have my money on the PlanetBox too. We have 5-6 of them, and I pack them for 3-4 people every day. Love them. However, for my 6 and under crowd I usually only send the divided Ziplock lunch containers. They are SO lightweight, and one piece like the PB. We have Laptop Lunches too, and while they are lightweight, they have 1474838 little containers. Plus lids. I'm so lazy.

Another plus to trying the Ziplock ones for a while is the price. 2/$3 at Target. Nice. Maybe try those for a while until she gets bigger...?

[abh5e8]

i didn't realize the planet boxes are metal. can you really put cut fruit in the section and not have juice drip all over everything else?

[robinsmommy]

As much as I don't care for plastic, the ziploc ones look tempting - can your 6 and unders get them open on their own? I was horrified with DD1 had a laptop lunch in K and couldn't get it open and got no help with it.

As far as cut fruit, it depends on the fruit. Also helps if you cut it just before it goes in. We've done ok with apple, kiwi and some others - pear did not work - too delicate, as it was a ripe pear - greener might be ok. I don't know if melon would work either, in terms of juicy mess.

I do like that the Planetboxes aren't as fiddly as some lunches - Laptop lunches, or lots of separate containers, in terms of time to get at the food - I don't think my kids get enough time at the lunch table, no point in something that needs a lot of work, or has parts to lose if you're in a rush.

[Gracemom]

We have the ziploc ones and my kids have been able to open them since preschool. They seal really well and I put wet fruit in them all the time. There is a lip that is easy to grab and open. I would use that until your DD gets bigger/stronger.

[wellyes]

We use Lunchbots. I send 1-2 per day. DD has no problem opening them and they are really lightweight. Her lunches are so small I think planetbox would be overkill.
http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Trio-Stainless-Steel-Container/dp/B006T5BLNA/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1379078286&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Duo-Stainless-Container-Orange/dp/B001OIX5H2/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1379078286&sr=1-2

[KpbS]

We love the ziploc divided containers. Strong and light. My 2 yo can open them on her own.

Or an alternative she could buy her lunch everyday. But those items shouldn't be too heavy for her to carry with a lighter lunch container--esp. without a drink.

[egoldber]

I usually use separate containers, but younger DD has a tendency not to get around to everything. Opening containers being one extra step may be too much for her. Today I sent her lunch in one of the divided Ziplock containers. We'll see what comes back....

[ECMom]

We use Lunchbots. I send 1-2 per day. DD has no problem opening them and they are really lightweight. Her lunches are so small I think planetbox would be overkill.
http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Trio-Stainless-Steel-Container/dp/B006T5BLNA/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1379078286&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Duo-Stainless-Container-Orange/dp/B001OIX5H2/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1379078286&sr=1-2

Do these leak? I'll looking for a container that doesn't leak with watermelon & other juicy fruits. The ones I currently use leak even with the lid on good.

[squimp]

Easy lunchboxes are like a simpler plastic version. Very light.

[ECMom]

I know you said no plastic, but I just got the Spencer Bento Box from PBK. I haven't tried it yet since I had already ordered lunch for DD the past 2 day. I'll see how it goes next week & let you know.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/?pkey=e%7Clunchbox%7C63%7Cbest%7C0%7Cviewall%7C24% 7C%7C62&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Top_Marketing_Rule-_-


Also, do you think reorganizing the things in her backpack so it's distributed the full length of the pack (vs. just a the bottom) would make a difference for her?

[KrisM]

Just throwing out another plastic option, in case you change your mind. We use Laptop Lunches. There weren't as many choices 5 years ago when I bought my first one. At least, I didn't know of that many :). Anyhow, I like that one lid opens it, yet I can add another lid inside if something is juicy/messy. Today, one of the small containers has applesauce, so I put the lid on. DS2 can open them without a problem. There's a spot for silverware, too.

[justlearning]

Throwing out another plastic option. I've written about these on here before so a search would pull that up. I've been using these since DS1 was in 1st grade and he's in 5th grade now and we still love them. http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodStorage/leftoversPlastic?productId=10025083

[new_mommy25]

I think lunch in general makes the bags really heavy. I noticed my 7 year old DD's backpack was really heavy yesterday. She had a composition book, a folder, 2 library books and a planner in her GH backpack. A Funtainer was in the water pocket. Her lunch box was clipped on the front and had a Sistema lunch cube with a sandwich and fruit in it, a small Sistema water bottle, and an ice pack. She doesn't usually take lunch and it really added weight, despite her containers being lightweight. I think it might have been better if she just carried the lunch in her hands rather than clipping to the bag. Which is my long winded way of saying I think ordering a carrying case for your planet box is a good solution, rather than buying a new lunch container. :)

Here are DD and DS' containers if anyone is looking for a lunch solution. I heard about them on the BBB and I love them!! I use the lunch cube and salad ones depending on what I'm packing. The salad container has a little cup for dip.

http://sistemaplastics.com/products/lunch/1.4l-lunch-cube

http://sistemaplastics.com/products/to-go/1.1l-salad-to-go

http://sistemaplastics.com/products/to-go/530ml-breakfast-to-go DD likes yogurt and fruit in here.

http://sistemaplastics.com/products/hydration/460ml-squeeze We also use the Rubbermaid juice boxes for water.

[robinsmommy]

I'm digging in the house to find a tiffin container we had - don't remember why we stopped using it, might be too hard for a kid to open. Otherwise, I'll probably check out the stainless wear our co-op has this weekend, just to see. I may end up getting a small one (a lunchbot or something similar) and using a snack bag for the rest. I am trying to think of strategies to make both the girls' baggage less heavy - DD1 has papers, often a book to read, lunch, water, etc and today she had to haul her violin as well. I love that they walk to school, but the amount of stuff they carry is too much. I think we'll store shoes at school once the weather changes, they can keep sports sneakers there for PE - of course, that only works if they remember to put the snow boots back on before leaving.