2010-2011 School Year Lunchbox thread!

[Emmeline II]

For K this past year ds had an Alien Laptop Lunchbox; he is VERY rough on his things and I wasn't sure it would hold up.

I can't believe it survived! though the water bottle was a casualty of ds' nawing; I replaced it with "snack" sized water bottles.

The buffet style of the box was helpful in satisfying ds need for variety.

The piping on the outside was worn quite a bit and I did have to (purple) crazy clue a crack in the interior because ds left his spoon or fork in the drink area and it squished a tear into it--but otherwise the case held up well. To my surprise the main bento box also held together; I was sure the top would eventually come off.

I was going to only replace the outside case and keep the Alien one as a spare but making sure the inside boxes were washed every night was a pain so I'd like to have an entire spare set.

[amma_mama]

DD's lunchbox and backback both bit the dust with one week of school left...I did not know that she spilled milk in it and we accidentally left it in the car on a very hot day. We were moving houses that week and I just could not deal with even attempting to get the stink out, so into the garbage it went.

Until that moment, it held up pretty well. It was one of the Disney Princess ones and was very spacious.

Since she in camp for the summer, we had to already replace both the lunchbox and the backpack. We'll see how long those last...the backpack is the same brand, just a different design. THe lunchbox is cute but I wanted to get one of the bento box ones like you had, so I will likely get one at some point during the school year...

[kate42]

I posted in TAO regarding backpacks/lunchboxes but didn't get much of a response.

DD's LL Bean backpack is finally ready to be replaced (after 1.5 years of nursery school, Kindergarten and first grade). I'm leaning again toward getting another LL Bean set, but Hanna Andersson has some on sale.

Anyone familiar with HA school stuff?

[velochic]

We are going to use a combination of boxes this year for 3rd grade as we have in the past. Last year dd used her PlanetBox and will use this again. The box itself is holding up beautifully. I have a call into them because the beverage pocket on the carrying case is shredding and I have not been able to keep it mended, even with my better-than-average sewing skills. Then dd's favorite TV show is I Love Lucy, so she has an I Love Lucy metal lunchbox, which had to be replaced this year (she's used it for 2.5 years now). Then she has two or three bento boxes (not the laptop system, they're like these).

She has a couple of backpacks. One is a Le Petit Prince European style back pack and then she has a plain old Jansport. They are both in great shape still after using them for 4 years.

[Tigerchild]

We are going on year 3 of Costco insulated lunchboxes here. We use sealable bento boxes (the ones that don't need a strap to secure) inside of them (Hello Kitty is still going strong after 5 years but is starting to look pretty faded, so DD wants to replace it with Totoro--wish I could just buy the top! The others are newer and are just fine) and cloth sandwich wraps and various nesting bento containers like the ones linked earlier in the thread. I also have those halfsie thermos things for soups that will go into the lunchbox as well--2 of those are from DH's pre-kids life, we did add another one a couple of years ago.

They're also using the same backpacks that they had for Kindergarten (so, on year 3 and 4 for use of those). Each year they get to pick out a patch that I sew on to them though. So they're kind of new. The backpacks are Jansport backpacks that I got on sale at a store closing sale 5 years ago.

[Heavenly]

My kids all use the Balanced Day Lunchbox - http://balanceddaylunchkit.com/
My kids school actually isn't on the balanced day schedule (two longer breaks instead of one lunch and two recesses) but I find the bags hold a ton and they've held up great. We use the Lock n' Lock containers because they are easy for kids to open and they don't leak.

[34me]

My 6th grader is on his fourth year of his laptop lunch box. We have three between the two of us, plus an extra set of containers. I have to admit I love the planet lunch oxen and I think we (he and I) will get one each to add variety and so I don't have to wash as much. My teens use plain lunch boxes we got at Cosco. Everyone has used the same back packs for the last three years and they are still going strong.

[ecoteat]

I'm a teacher and I had an LLBean lunch box last me 6 years. I'm not as rough on it as kids are, but it certainly had a lot of use. It finally got tossed when my container of fish leaked in it right at the end of this school year and I couldn't get the stink out. I think I'll replace it with a Built bag.

DD has a HA backpack that she uses for preschool and I'm actually not that impressed. Some of the fabric and lining is brittle and has cracked and peeled after 2 years of pretty light use. The paint/silkscreen designs have cracked and worn off in spots too. When I replace it I will get LLBean for sure. I've always loved their school gear. The nylon is strong, soft, and flexible, and we have an outlet nearby!

[oceanbaby]

Does anyone know where I can get stainless steel containers to put into a regular lunchbox? I like the Planet Box system a lot, but both of my kids are insistent that they want "regular" lunchboxes, and I don't think my younger son would do so well with closing everything back up. So, what I'd like is tupperware sized lunchbox containers but in stainless steel. Any ideas?

Also, I have a question about waterbottles: I prefer to have my kids use Kleen Kanteens, but we have lost a few so I am hesitant to send them with those for lunch because they are pricey. Are there any less expensive ones that are still safe to drink out of?

[velochic]

Originally Posted by oceanbaby

Does anyone know where I can get stainless steel containers to put into a regular lunchbox? I like the Planet Box system a lot, but both of my kids are insistent that they want "regular" lunchboxes, and I don't think my younger son would do so well with closing everything back up. So, what I'd like is tupperware sized lunchbox containers but in stainless steel. Any ideas?

Also, I have a question about waterbottles: I prefer to have my kids use Kleen Kanteens, but we have lost a few so I am hesitant to send them with those for lunch because they are pricey. Are there any less expensive ones that are still safe to drink out of?

Check out lifewithoutplastic.com (or some similar name... you can google for it). They have all sorts of stainless steel containers. I've had good luck with them. A lot of their containers are for Tiffin lunch boxes. That's another thing to search on "Tiffin boxes". Usually the sites that sell Tiffin boxes sell other SS containers. They are all modular, too. I have a Tiffin box with many different SS containers. It's a little too bulky for dd to carry to school right now, but she'll probably use it when she gets older and needs to bring more food. Good tiffin boxes are very durable.

Re: waterbottles... dd has always used her Sigg bottles, so no good suggestions there. I know there are cheapers knock-offs, but I wouldn't trust them. I did see the Eco-canteen at Wal-Mart or some such place, so you might see if those are less. Their SS, too.

[LuckyMommaToo]

Oceanbaby, we bought some Camelbak kid bottles and have been very happy. They sell both plastic and SS. Look here:
http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-0-4-L...8946069&sr=1-2

That's the link to the plastic, and underneath you'll see the SS.

DS has an LLBean lunchbox that's going strong. (Backpack, too!) I'm interested in some of the bigger systems b/c he eats a lot and will be in school for a longer time this year (first grade). I don't know if he'll want to carry them, though. Off to check all the links!
-e

[daytripper75]

Our Lands End lunch bags have held up great! I had to have DSs replaced because I melted it on top of our toaster oven one morning but it was a free exchange.
Highly recommend!

[LuckyMommaToo]

Question for Laptop or Planetbox users -- how do hot and cold foods work? Do they have to be packed separately? Or can you do hot or cold or not both? DS often likes leftover dinners, but they have to be warm (like pasta with meat sauce).
thanks,
-e

[Zoesmama]

I really want to send dds lunch next year as she is highly into avoiding meat she hasn't really ever liked the taste therefore has never ate much of it. She has request to bring her lunch. Her old school(public, now in a charter arts prep school) had daily salad bar she would get if she didn't like that days selections but this school just got "hot" lunch too so I'm not sure of how it works.

I gotta research bags that will hold the laptop lunchboxes or bento boxes. I saw some cute ones on amazon that had cases so will have to look them up again.

This one is kinda neat as it doesn't have a bunch of lids or containers I have to worry about her bringing back. Just one piece(well 2 I guess) and maybe a fork/spoon.
http://www.amazon.com/Goodbyn-20034-...9252811&sr=8-7
She qualifies for free lunch but I'd rather her have a lunch I know she will eat.

[34me]

Originally Posted by LuckyMommaToo

Question for Laptop or Planetbox users -- how do hot and cold foods work? Do they have to be packed separately? Or can you do hot or cold or not both? DS often likes leftover dinners, but they have to be warm (like pasta with meat sauce).
thanks,
-e

I know that you can't send anything Hot in a laptop lunchbox because that's what we have - it's all pretty much room temperature or colder with an ice pack added. I believe the same is true for a planet box. I would just get an insulated thermous type container and a lead free lunchbox and some small containers in that situation. When I send ds in with chili/soup/ or hot dogs (weird kid) I don't use his laptop. I just use a thermos in a standard insulated lunchkit.

[Zoesmama]

Okay like the planetbox even better dd wants the rainbow magnets. LOL

[VBMama]

Originally Posted by oceanbaby

Does anyone know where I can get stainless steel containers to put into a regular lunchbox?

We have at least one of every size of these Lunchbots and I loved them last year. The lids pop on easily and stay on very well. I thought they were a bit expensive, but my 6yo would actually put the lids back on after lunch even when he was in a hurry to get outside & play, so it was worth it not to have to scrub out the lunch leftovers out of the cracks of his lunchbox every day. (I tried a variety of cheap tupperware & lock n' locks and he would never do the lids, too much work for him apparently. ) I particularly liked the smallest-size divided ones for small amounts of snacks for my two littler kids.

Originally Posted by LuckyMommaToo

Question for Laptop or Planetbox users -- how do hot and cold foods work?

PlanetBox worked fine for cold foods with an ice pack - I found a flat ice mat like this fit best in the lunchbox. I don't think you can do hot foods in it.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by 34me

I would just get an insulated thermous type container and a lead free lunchbox and some small containers in that situation. When I send ds in with chili/soup/ or hot dogs (weird kid) I don't use his laptop. I just use a thermos in a standard insulated lunchkit.

I was so into using the Laptop this year, I didn't even consider have a separate lunchbox with a thermos for the occasional hot thing; I think I'll check Target while they have a good supply.

[LukesMum]

so...Laptop or Planet Box???? Which do you prefer?

[libba]

http://www.diaperware.com/reuseitwar...e.htm#lunchkit

http://www.rei.com/product/793860?pr...:referralID=NA

Anybody use either of these. Really would like to switch to stainless.