Containers for lunch boxes?

I had a thread about lunch boxes. I have some now, but I need containers that will not leak when sitting on the side, and with compartments that won't leak into each other... is there such thing? I know the easy lunch boxes leak...

Still looking at insulated bottles as well. All I can find is some with straws and my kids have the bad habit of chewing them...

 

I use the plastic glad containers, they hold well and my kids swing their bags around the whole way into daycare not to mention they sit up right on a shelf even though I lay the food in them. No idea about bottles, I've used Rubbermaid containers to send apple cider or something special like that before.

I'm also looking at some reusable zip (machine wash) snack size and sandwich size bags from one step ahead as well, so not to hijack but if anyone has used these are they any good?!?

 

We also use the small glad or ziplock reusable containers with no leaking issues so far. Cheap and the kids can open them on their own.

 

I use reusable zip bags (for snacks, never sandwiches) and they work great! I order them from Ever Sew Clever, who you can find on Etsy and Facebook.

I have not found a container that will not leak into the separate sections. I don't think they truly exist. I use Easy Lunch Box containers and I also have some Lunch Bot containers. If I have something "leaky" (like ketchup, ranch dip, etc.) I either put it in its own little individual container with lid or put it in a silicone cupcake holder and put that really sticky clink wrap on it.

I never have an issue with stuff leaking outside the container into their lunch box, unless they put it back in there without the cover on it.

 

Sistema has a range of different sized and shaped containers that seal with an o-ring and clips to keep the lids in place. I have bought some small ones at Old Navy and larger ones at Ace Hardware and seen all kinds online. There are other brands like Safety and Lock & Lock which work on the same principle but the clips are part of the lid so could break more easily from wear and tear than the Sistema ones which are separate pieces hinged to the lid. We also have some decor containers that seal with an 0-ring.

 

I don't know what kind of lunch box your kids use, but Rubbermaid just came out with Lunch Blox, which is a sandwich size container, 1 larger container, and 2 smaller containers that all nest into each other or into an ice block that comes with the set. It fits perfectly into an insulated, soft sided lunch "bag." The containers do not leak and are microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. The total set is $8. They do have a wide range of container sizes if this kit doesn't fit your needs.

 

I wanted to go "green" this past year and not use plastic as well. So we switched to Stainless Steel containers, and we love them! I bought them at Pottery Barn (in the store, and then online after we determined we like them.) They hold us so great! Mine still look brand new and the kids like the colors they come in too. They are very leak-proof. So much so that I have packed up cereal as a lunch treat for him, and he will add some of the milk that he buys at school to the bowl and use a spoon to eat it. Then, he leaves the remaining milk in the bowl, after all the cereal is eaten and puts the lid on it to get cleaned at home. Much to my surprise, it didn't leak!! We use them for snacks and lunches. The inital cost is high, but I was finding that after the first year my disposable tupperware wasn't holding up and had to toss some. I know these stainless steel containers we will use for years to come, and I don't have to worry about BPA or any other chemicals they find in the future that are bad for us lurking in the plastics.

Here's a link to the ones I bought, if interested:
Stainless Steel Containers

They also have new ones with a "Bento" style and compartments. Hope you find something you like.

 

We love the Sistema containers a previous poster mentioned. My girls are 6 and have no trouble opening them.
http://www.sistemaplastics.com/pages/Sistema-Lunch/coloured_lunch.html

 

I saw some sistema at the store but some of the tabs were busted so I didn't get them. I ended up getting some lock and lock containers, it's bpa free at least and the sizes look fine. Thanks for the advice.

 

I've bought alot of different lunch containers from Pottery Barn and others with cutesy character designs, but now mainly use Glad containers as well. You can't beat the east of use and convenience. They come in all different sizes and shapes so you can use different containers for different foods you are packing. They never leak, and are easy to open and close. If it gets lost or damage, it's no big deal to replace.

The cutesy lunch containers were fine when I was only making lunch a few days a week. But now that my kids have food allergy issues, I have to make lunch for all three of them every single day, and utility has become a much more important factor for me than design.