Lunch boxes for school

My girls will be attending school 2 days a week in the fall and will need to bring their own lunch and drink. I guess I could just go out and buy any insulated lunch box, but was hoping for some ideas from experienced moms. Also...is there a certain type of water/juice bottle I can get to keep their drink cold throughout the day?

 

My girls started pre-school last month and beyond a insulated lunch box I found getting a lunch container that separates their food and that fits inside their lunch box very helpful. I found mine at target but I found their food intake is outgrowing their container. I found a link to others: http://www.laptoplunches.com/newsletters/2009/JuneNewsletter_2009.html (a bit fancy but you'll get the idea.
I pack their sippy from breakfast in their lunch along with a cool pack. In our pre-school there are no refigerators and all their lunches are left inside a large bin until lunch time. My girls are only there for 3 hours and a mid-morning snack is provided. I hope this helps! And the small 3-hour break is awesome!

 

I bought the kids these insulated lunch packs. I bought them during a % off sale and had a coupon code but they still weren't as cheap as the bags you'll find in the back-to-school section at Walmart. However, having tried a number of different lunch packs myself, I knew exactly what I was looking for and these fit the bill. A divider to keep the drink from rolling around, sits flat and opens completely so there is no digging required, closes securely, large enough to hold plenty of little containers for lunch and snack, and sturdy enough to withstand kid use. For a drink container, I got them stainless steel water bottles with a wide opening (much easier if you're inserting ice) and a BPA-free plastic top with a flip up straw in the lid (not having to unscrew the lid means they hopefully won't lose it...) I have a collection of small ice packs to use in their bags.

 

I had to buy an insulated lunch bag last year for the first time (meal plan option availible before). My SIL suggested that I figure out what containers I would be putting in the box, and make sure they would all fit. I tend to buy larger portions and then divide into containers for lunch.

I also like that the bag I use as a mesh sleeve to put the ice pack, so they don't forget to put the ice pack back in after snack, and that the food is still cold at the end of the day. The brand I am using is California Inovations. I found them at Costco. They are on the larger side, but with all the containers I use, I need that.

I use the rubbermaid juice boxes for liquids (milk or juice) as they don't generally leak, but come apart easily for washing.

 

When the girls were in pre school I bought the Artic brand insulated lunchbox. It had a hard insert inside and I used various containers from The Container store to store their snack, fruit, sandwich, juice box, and small water bottle. We used the flat Rubbermaid bottle. It had room for one small ice pack too. I used the Container store plastics because they were bpa free and fit well in the box. The rigid box held everything in place but it was a little heavy. I usually carried it to their classroom.

 

Thank you all....your comments are very helpful.

 

I am going to have to figure this out as well. We start a MDO program this fall and I have to send a lunch as well. I love the container idea.....seperating the food. I am going to have to look for a few of those.

 

Just wanted to add...

I found that Ziploc is making a divided, BPA-free plastic container sized for a sandwich and two sides (2 1/2 C nearly square, 1/2 C rectangle, and 3/4 C square). It's easy to open and the way the lid fits, the food should stay pretty well separated even if they store it upside down or on its side. And, they're cheap enough that if your child breaks or loses it, it's not a huge deal (I remember my mom flipping out over lost Tupperware...) They're also supposed to be top-rack dishwasher safe. In the same section, I saw 8 oz. Rubbermaid "reusable juice boxes" that would make good milk cups. They had flip-up straws and were marked BPA-free.

 

Google LAPTOP LUNCHES They have a great site and healthy meal ideas too!