Lunchtime containers? - Page 3

[Polliwog]

I'm still in love with the Planetbox, but I really liike the new Laptop Lunchbox. I saw the alien version at the store this morning. The new box is thicker (which is why the containers don't fit in the old system, there is an additional lidded container, and the "sandwich" section is bigger. My local store has them $10 off this week, and I'm tempted to get one. I can't afford the whole Planetbox (with the carrying bag,) but I could do the LL2.

[oceanwinds]

I love our Laptop lunchbox. DS1 has used it for almost 3 years, but about halfway through last year (1st grade) we had to switch because it was just way too small. He eats enough for almost two lunches...2 sandwiches, 2 fruits, veggies, chips, yogurt or cheese, and a dessert. I don't know where he puts it all; he is so skinny!

I bought a ton of the Lock & Lock containers and they have worked really well. They have some out now that are BPA free.

Luckily, DS2 starts preschool this year, so I get to start using the Laptop lunchbox again.

(I really want that PlanetBox!!)

[greenmom4]

Moms that have btdt with school, how have your kids been about remembering their lunchboxes and all the pieces? I don't want to shell out a lot of $ if I'm going to need to replace it over and over throughout the year because my little space cadet loses it or whatever.

Also, how do you handle hot food like soup? I know I can get a thermos but then it wouldn't fit in the lunchbox, right? Do you just put everything in a larger bag?

I think I'm overthinking this :P

[Heavenly]

Originally Posted by greenmom4

Moms that have btdt with school, how have your kids been about remembering their lunchboxes and all the pieces? I don't want to shell out a lot of $ if I'm going to need to replace it over and over throughout the year because my little space cadet loses it or whatever.

Also, how do you handle hot food like soup? I know I can get a thermos but then it wouldn't fit in the lunchbox, right? Do you just put everything in a larger bag?

I think I'm overthinking this :P

My kids have broken and lost various pieces to be honest. That is why this year I am going with the lock and lock containers. I got the Balanced School Day lunch box (a Canadian company) and you can fit TONS of containers in it. For hot things my kids classroom has a microwave but if it didn't I would be able to fit a thermos in the lunchbox I use.

[crl]

Originally Posted by greenmom4

Moms that have btdt with school, how have your kids been about remembering their lunchboxes and all the pieces? I don't want to shell out a lot of $ if I'm going to need to replace it over and over throughout the year because my little space cadet loses it or whatever.

Also, how do you handle hot food like soup? I know I can get a thermos but then it wouldn't fit in the lunchbox, right? Do you just put everything in a larger bag?

I think I'm overthinking this :P

I think it is pretty common for kids to lose stuff. But, mine really hasn't. We've lost some silverware but that's it over the course of nearly 2 years now. Now he's been in preschool up until now so I am sure the teachers are more helpful about helping him keep track of stuff than they will be in K and most of the kids eat the school-provided lunch (he has allergies) so there's less stuff to get mixed up.

I send soup and mac n cheese in a food jar (thick, wide-mouth thermos). It fits in the NY Built lunch bag we've been using. It also fits in the LE bag I just bought (because it will clip on the outside of DS' new LE backpack). I hear that lots of kids can't manage the thermos on their own though until 1st or 2nd grade--DS can so I plan to keep using it. Also a lot of kids will eat "hot" things like mac n cheese cold.

Catherine

[Bekka]

Originally Posted by greenmom4

I think I'm overthinking this :P

You're not overthinking this. Right now I make lunches for 2 kids 3-5x/week. In a few years I'll make lunch for 5 kids--well, the older ones can make their own lunches. It's really stressful to be creative and then add in the need for easy care, kind to the environment containers. At least, I find it to be stressful often enough that I throw my hands up and just tell them to order lunch at school!

[velochic]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

I am coveting this box but can't afford to get one this year. http://www.planetbox.com/index.html

THAT is so cool! We like this!

[megincl]

What have you all found to be the best way to keep food hot? DS is a very picky eater, and much of what he likes needs to be warm for him to eat it (pasta, rice, etc). I have a good thermos, but it doesn't keep things warm enough, even if I put hot water in it first. Any brilliant ideas? I don't think his teachers this year will microwave things for him.....

Thanks!

[FullMetalMom]

Thanks so much for the Planet Box link, it is exactly what i've been looking for! :

[greenmom4]

Originally Posted by The Hidden Life

Ceili, that Goodbyn lunchbox is sooooo cute. I may just return the bottles and lunchbox I bought recently and buy Goodbyns instead. I *love* that it only has one lid! I really would like to see a side view and the underside of the lid though to see what the seals look like.

I just ordered two of the goodbyns for my kiddos. I'll post some pictures of them when they arrive, because I'm also interested to see how yogurt and dips are sealed into the side compartments. Lids don't last long in our house, so this will hopefully work well for us!

[MomInCalifornia]

The Goodbyns look really cute and I also love the 1 lid part and the lower cost, but I ended up ordering the planetbox for a few reasons. It still has 1 lid but also had a "lunch box" container to go in so I could include an ice pack, water bottle and recess snack. It should arrive in a day or two and I really hope I like it as well in person because it cost way more than I wanted to spend, especially after tax and shipping.

[Leta]

For hot things, fill your Thermos or whatever will boiling water from a teakettle, and let it sit while you prepare the hot food. Then dump the water out, put hot food in, and seal promptly. I have a Thermos food bottle, and this has always kept food warm for me for 6+ hours.

[VBMama]

Originally Posted by MomInCalifornia

The Goodbyns look really cute and I also love the 1 lid part and the lower cost, but I ended up ordering the planetbox for a few reasons. It still has 1 lid but also had a "lunch box" container to go in so I could include an ice pack, water bottle and recess snack. It should arrive in a day or two and I really hope I like it as well in person because it cost way more than I wanted to spend, especially after tax and shipping.

Come back and post what you think about it! I am really tempted to order this for my boys, and dh thinks I am completely nuts to consider the cost. I just hate always scrambling for gladware lids and giving in to ziploc bags instead. I'm curious if a barely 3yo can manage the latch. I looked at the Laptop Lunch kit in person and it looks like too many parts to get lost and the latch too difficult for my soon-to-be 3yo.

[The Hidden Life]

Originally Posted by greenmom4

I just ordered two of the goodbyns for my kiddos. I'll post some pictures of them when they arrive, because I'm also interested to see how yogurt and dips are sealed into the side compartments. Lids don't last long in our house, so this will hopefully work well for us!

I ended up ordering two Goodbyns. The website promises shipping no later than August 15, so hopefully they will be in hand pretty soon!

In the meantime, I discovered the blog "Lunch in a Box" which is all about "speed bento." Wow! I ended up at Daiso with a bunch of little cute plastic thingies to make cute lunches once in a while. Uwajimaya had some good stuff too, but Daiso is much, much cheaper. And what did I discover on my "Mom's Afternoon Off" at Border's? The most recent issue of "Mothering" has an article on bento box lunches! Very fun. Also, I highly recommend "The Manga Cookbook" which is really a basic how-to of bento cooking/packing.

Only 33 more days til lunch packing begins around here! Nothing like new gear to make it fun!

ETA: I ended up cancelling my Goodbyn order after looking at the size of the lunch box and cost. I think they are too big to fit in my kids' backpacks and after buying some very cheap bento boxes it's hard to swallow nearly $30 per goodbyn box. So...sorry, I won't be able to give my opinion any time soon.

[MomInCalifornia]

My Planetbox came today and I think it will be great. I'd really suggest getting the lunch bag with it because I'm not sure I'd want to send a kid with just the metal part. I ordered the complete set so it also came with the 2 circle containers.

The bag only comes in red but its a perfect size for the metal part and not too big or too wide to easily take to school. One of the things that really sold me was the drink holder on front (my daughters Fogo water bottle fits fine) and the front pocket for recess snacks. The other big selling feature was the pocket on the inside of the lunch bag to put an ice pack. Shipping was quick (I ordered Monday afternoon and it came Wed though I'm in the same state) but the only option was USPS priority which was $9.95. Since I'm in the same state (CA) I also had to pay tax. It looks exactly like the pictures on the site.

For the person that asked about her young 3 year old using it, I think they could with help. It does seem easy for little fingers to get pinched in the back when trying to do the latch. I wouldn't worry about my 6.5 year old doing it but I think my 4 year old might need assistance. I also wouldn't send it with a kid who was likely to loose it since it cost WAY more than I've ever spent on a lunch container.

Let me know if you have any other questions or want me to post a picture of anything specific.

[Polliwog]

What are the dimensions of the Planetbox? I really want to get one but we need to be able to use an ice pack. I can't afford the complete set, so I'd like to see if something else would work.

[lisac77]

The Planet Box looks really cool. I just don't think I can justify paying that much for a lunch box this year. I currently use a regular Snapware container like a bento box.

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

What are the dimensions of the Planetbox? I really want to get one but we need to be able to use an ice pack. I can't afford the complete set, so I'd like to see if something else would work.

The site says the dimensions are 10 inches x 7 ½ inches x 1 ½ inches, and the video has them placing a ice pack within their bag. I'm tempted too, but I really don't need one, as much as I may want one!

Maybe a cheap mini-laptop or dvd player bag would work, since it seems to be about that size, although with the package deal, you'd have to find something less than 11 bucks to make it worth it. Target has such deals occasionally.

[Polliwog]

There's no way I can spend $65 on a lunchbox (at least this year.) So, if I do get one, then it would only be the box. The box itself is only $29 ($39 with the shipping.) I can get the new Laptop Lunchbox for only $29 this weekend and that's with the larger compartments and the bag included (and no shipping since it's a local store.) I covet the Planetbox, but I might have to wait until they start doing coops.

[Polliwog]

But...our old Laptop Lunchbox fits into my son's Lands End lunchbox and the Planetbox is smaller. So we might just order one, then.