kid-friendly food containers

[momofsage]

I am seeking safe plastic or metal food containers for my 4.5-y-o dd's lunch box. They need to be easy for her to open (i.e. the kind that have those four little flaps on each side that she can flip up and down) and available in small sizes (like 4 oz).

And preferably they won't cost a million dollars.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jen

[sidandspencersmom]

Have you looked at Mr.Bento Boxes?

[organicmidwestmama]

http://www.lunchbots.com/
these are cute and stainless steel.

[momofsage]

Yeah--I've seen the lunchbots boxes. They seem really cute! My question is (and I can't tell this from the pix): can a preschooler open them on her own?

The Mr. Bento looks cool, too. Thanks! Any experience with kids opening them independently?

That seems to be the rub for me--figuring out which ones are really user-friendly.

THANKS.
Jen

[organicmidwestmama]

the lunch bots are so simple to open, just a box and a lid, no latches or anything.

[momofsage]

OK--maybe I'll try one! The ones with latches she has an easier time with. Regular tupperware or gladware she cannot open herself. So I was concerned about the Lunchbots NOT having any tabs or anything--and didn't want to spend an arm and a leg only to find out she can't use them on her own.

Thanks.
Jen

[Arduinna]

http://lifewithoutplastic.com/

[treemom2]

We use thermos lunch boxes in our house since they are BPA free stainless steel and plastic. When we are out and about, we often take snacks in small glass containers and they haven't been broken yet.

My friend just sent me this article. . .I don't know if it will help you, but I thought it was interesting:
http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-...-boxes-made-of

[Messac888]

If she's struggling to open her lunch couldn't a teacher or a lunchroom supervisor help her?

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Originally Posted by momofsage

Yeah--I've seen the lunchbots boxes. They seem really cute! My question is (and I can't tell this from the pix): can a preschooler open them on her own?

The Mr. Bento looks cool, too. Thanks! Any experience with kids opening them independently?

That seems to be the rub for me--figuring out which ones are really user-friendly.

THANKS.
Jen

ds is 2.5 and opens his lunch bots at school. he can also open the ones like "lock and lock"

If you could go to a store like bed bath and beyond or maybe target or something and just let her try them.

[Suki Lu]

We have many 2 oz. containers from the catalog callled "For Small Hands." They have child-sized everything. They have flexible plastic lids and are the perfect size for humus or pb or even cottage cheese sometimes. We also have many bigger containers with flexible lids from The Container Store. Sometimes we use the tiniest canning jars and just don't screw the lids on very tight.

[momofsage]

Thanks--great suggestions. She cannot open the Lunchbots without spilling the contents all over the place. (Just got that in the mail after spending $13 on one container only to learn this.) I can't find small Lock and Locks around town so maybe I'll check online. And I'll check out these other suggestions, too!

Yes, her teacher can open her containers for her, but I was hoping to avoid her having to do that all the time.

Thanks again, folks!