Which Hot Food Container Should You Buy for Your Kid’s School Lunch? Our Picks by Age

With two grippy handles and an easy-open (but still leakproof) lid, this 11-ounce container is the perfect choice for toddlers, whether you’re sending tortellini for preschool lunch or just giving your little one a snack in the car. And the eight cute colorways, like Passion Splash and Ocean Breeze, will appeal to their budding sense of style. The lid is designed so that it can’t be over-tightened, which means kids can open it themselves, and the wide mouth makes it easy for kids to get to every single bite using the attached spork, which fosters a feeling of independence.

With its smaller size and vibrant, cheerful colorways, the HydroFlask Kids’ Food Jar is an excellent choice for elementary school kids and even some middle schoolers. While the lid is leak-proof, it’s easy enough for a kid to open on their own, and it’s not as heavy as some other options, so it won’t weigh down kids’ backpacks. It’s also the perfect size for small utensils to be able to get in there and pick up every bite. We like this for the usual hot foods, but it’s also great for keeping cut fruit and yogurt parfaits cool until lunchtime.

Available in eight powder-coated colors and two sizes — 8-ounce or 16-ounce — the YETI Rambler Food Jar does a remarkable job of keeping tomato soup, ramen, and spaghetti with meatballs piping hot until my middle schooler’s lunchtime (and serviceably warm for hours longer than that). You’ll find YETI’s signature heat and cold retention powers in full effect in this dishwasher-safe, BPA-free container. Opening the two-piece lid was a little tricky at first, and it’s a bit much for my 7-year-old’s small hands, but my 13-year-old had no trouble once I showed him how the double “Magvent” lid works. And the upside is that the jar is reliably leak-proof, which is important because it’s riding around in a backpack all morning.

If your kids are anything like mine, remembering their lunch boxes, water bottles, and insulated food containers isn’t always their first priority, which can make investing in more expensive options a tough pill to swallow. Luckily, the Thermos FUNtainer is reasonably priced ($20.99 for the 10-ounce; $22.99 for the 16-ounce), so if you have to buy more than one a year, you won’t break the bank. This dependable Thermos is available in a slew of cool hues, and the push-button lid makes it easy for kids of all ages to open it themselves. Another bonus — the included folding spoon makes packing lunch just a little bit easier (assuming your kids don’t lose it, of course).