Best Stainless Steel Bento Boxes and Lunch Containers for Kids

Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

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Looking to switch to a stainless steel bento box for your child’s lunch? Thinking about replacing your plastic Tupperware with safer, longer-lasting food containers? We’ve been there too, and we started looking for better options that are healthier, more sustainable, and built to last.

Stainless steel bento boxes and snack containers have become a go-to in our kitchen for packing school lunches and snacks. They’re simple, durable, and a great alternative to plastic when you’re trying to make more non-toxic choices for your family.

Why choose stainless steel food storage containers?

When choosing items that store or come in contact with food, we like to go plastic-free whenever possible. This is because plastic can leach microplastics that can contaminate our food, then we ingest it. There are so many toxic chemicals in the world today, ditching plastic is an easy way to eliminate some of our exposure.

We like stainless steel bento boxes and food containers because:

• Healthier materials – BPA-free, no phthalates, non-porous
• Durability to withstand daily use
• Easy to clean – often dishwasher safe
• Eco-friendly – stainless steel is recyclable and lasts longer than plastic
• No lingering odors – unlike plastic and silicone, stainless steel doesn’t absorb smells or stains

Stainless Steel Bento Boxes for Kids – Our Top Picks

Lalo Bento Box

Price: $37.99
Compartments: 3
Dimensions: 9”L x 6.5”W x 2.1”H
Weight: 1.2 lbs.

We love this stainless steel bento box because it has such spacious compartments. While it’s great for toddlers and kids, it can fit enough for an adult, too!

The silicone lid fits tight and secure causing minimal to no leaking if the bento box is turned on its side. Toddlers can open this bento box easily, too.

We love using them for lunch and snacks on the go. They often come with us to the pool!

Why we love it:

• Spacious compartments and a silicone dip cup
• Easy to clean, top-rack dishwasher safe
• Minimal to no leaking
• Lots of colors to choose from

Considerations:

• The 3 large compartments aren’t as conducive for toddlers who love eating little bits of a variety of foods
• Dip container does not come with a lid

Elk and Friends Bento Box

Price: $39.99
Compartments: 4
Dimensions: 7.1″L x 8.5″W x 1.6″H
Weight: 1.1 lbs.

We found the Elk and Friends stainless steel bento box about a year ago, and I think it’s my favorite bento for toddlers and young kids. The 4 compartments are great sizes for little ones. You have room for a sandwich, another larger portion, and 2 small compartments for dips or smaller items.

The silicone lid is reinforced and sturdy. It seals each section of the bento box so there’s no leaking! It also comes off completely for washing which is great.

Why we love it:

• Good compartment sizes for toddlers and younger kids
• Silicone lid seals really well
• Lid and bento box come apart for easy cleaning

Considerations:

• The silicone lid has small holes that are meant to help seal the bento box. If you have a younger child, they may be more likely to rip the silicone lid trying to pull it open.
• Some reviews mention the latch design is not durable and breaks easily

Planetbox Rover Stainless Steel Bento Box

Price: $57.24
Compartments: 5
Dimensions: 10″L x 7.5″W x 1.5″H
Weight: 1.6 lbs.

Planetbox is another popular brand that makes stainless steel bento boxes for kids. Their bento boxes use a metal latching system. They make decorative magnets to customize your bento.

The company makes a Lunch Box Kit that we talk about later in this post!

Why we love it:

• Various sized compartments made for regular-sized portions and snacks
• Durable and dishwasher safe
• Additional customization options available

Considerations:

• This is one of the most expensive stainless steel bento boxes on the market
• No color options, but customizable magnets sold separately

Lunchbots Stainless Steel Bento Box

Price: $25.99
Compartments: 4
Dimensions: 6″L x 5″D x 1.75″H
Weight: 0.5 lbs.

Lunchbots makes a simple stainless steel bento box that comes in a few different configurations. This one is their medium-sized bento, but they do offer a larger 5-section bento as well.

There are no bells and whistles, just a simple and affordable option for packing food!

Why we love it:

• Affordable stainless steel option
• Good for finger foods
• Smaller profile fits in most lunch boxes

Considerations:

• Some reviews say the box’s lid is harder for young children to open
• This bento box is leak-resistant, but could still leak with foods that are more liquid-based

Our Favorite Silicone Bento Box

If you’re not ready to invest in a stainless steel bento box for your little one, a silicone bento box is another way to ditch the plastic!

Ali and Oli Silicone Bento Box

Price: $24.99
Compartments: 3
Dimensions: 7″L x 5″D x 2.5″H
Weight: 1 lb.

When it comes to silicone bento boxes, we love this one! It’s one of our favorites to take to the pool because it won’t dent if it gets dropped.

We like packing fruits and veggies in here with a hummus or dip of choice. It seals well and is easy to clean.

Why we love it:

• Spill-proof compartments
• Great size for toddlers and young kids
• Doesn’t dent when dropped
• More affordable plastic-free option

Considerations:

• Silicone can hold onto odors and stains. Make sure you’re using an unscented dish soap or dishwasher pod when washing!

Stainless Steel Lunch Box Containers

When you’ve decided to ditch the plastic Tupperware, these are some of our favorite stainless steel containers for packing lunches and snacks!

WeeSprout Stainless Steel Lunch Box Containers

Price: $19.98
Sizes: 3 cups (1); 1 cup (2)

These stainless steel lunch box containers are great sizes for packing meals or snacks. Pack a sandwich, crackers, dips, fruit, and you’re good to go.

The silicone lid fits tight and secure, but is easy for little ones to remove, too. I love the color combinations these come in!

Lalo Stainless Steel Snack Bowls

Price: $24.99
Sizes: 3.5 oz, 7 oz and 14 oz

We just got these snack bowls with lids in addition to Lalo’s stainless steel mealtime essentials. The size of these food containers is perfect for dips and snacks. Use the smallest container for a dip or dressing, and use the larger containers for other snacks.

Soft silicone in bright colors protects the stainless steel bowls from scratches and dents. An added bonus: the nesting design saves space with storage!

Lalo Little Dipper Stainless Steel Snack Box

Price: $14.99

This is more like a snack bento box for kids! I love the kid-friendly silicone lids making it easy to open, yet secure all at once.

We love these for veggies and dips. They’re great to take on the go when you want to pack fresh food for snacks! The color combinations are fun and bright, too!

Best Kids’ Lunch Boxes for School

You’ve got your bento boxes and plastic-free food containers, now where do you put everything? Here are some of the best kids’ lunch boxes that can work for toddlers, too!

Bentgo Lunch Box

Price: $24.99
Dimensions: 11″L x 9.5″W x 3.5″H

Best for: parents who want extra packing space, versatile carrying options, and kid-friendly designs

We have Bentgo lunch boxes and have been so pleased with the quality. I love the larger size of the lunch box, it can accommodate any of the bento boxes on this list!

Some other features I love are the adjustable straps, mesh pocket to hold a water bottle, and the double insulation. The brand makes so many different patterns and prints to fit your child’s interests or style.

Simple Modern Lunch Box

Price: $24.99-29.99
Dimensions: 10.2”L x 8.2”W x 3.7”H

Best for: parents who prefer a simple, roomy lunch box with kids who love character designs

Simple Modern consistently makes reliable products, and their lunch boxes are no exception. Made to be more simplified, they have one large inner compartment, an interior pocket, and an exterior pocket.

They have tons of character options for these lunch boxes – all your Disney and Pixar favorites!

PackIt Lunch Box

Price: $26.99
Dimensions: 10″L x 8″W x 2″H

Best for: parents who want a built-in cooling solution without the hassle of ice packs

Ditch the ice packs with Packit’s freezable lunch box. It folds flat to compactly store in the freezer and keep contents cold all day!

The design is simple and practical, with one large main compartment that fits a bento box easily, plus an exterior pocket for napkins or small extras. It’s a great low-maintenance option for keeping food fresh without any extra steps in the morning.

Flowfly Small Lunch Box

Price: $11.99
Dimensions: 9.5”L x 6.3”W x 3.2”H

Best for: parents looking for a budget-friendly, compact lunch box that fits easily inside a backpack

This smaller lunch box is a great low-profile option that won’t add bulk to your child’s bag. It fits neatly inside a backpack and is just the right size for a small bento box and a drink.

There are no extra bells and whistles here – just the basics. It features a water-resistant exterior, an insulated main compartment, and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Planetbox Lunch Kit

Price: $74-90
Dimensions: 12”L x 9”W x 2.5”D

Best for: parents looking for a durable, all-in-one lunch system that will last for years

The PlanetBox Lunch Kit has it all. It comes with the Rover bento box, an insulated lunch bag, matching magnet set for decorating, and 2 leakproof dipper containers. While it’s definitely an investment, the quality and durability make it last for many years.

Thoughtfully made, the lunch bag has a pouch for a water bottle, an exterior pocket, an inner sleeve to fit an ice pack, and straps to keep utensils. The material is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean.

Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes

Cool Coolers Thin Ice Packs

Price: $12.99 for 4
Dimensions: 7”L x 4.75”W x 0.5”H

These are great ice packs for lunch boxes, especially for putting above and below stainless steel bento boxes to keep things cold. The different colors make them more fun for kids, and they don’t take up lots of room in the fridge.

Healthy Packers Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes

Price: $11.99 for 4
Dimensions: 6.7″L x 4.3”W x 0.5”H

Bring some fun to lunch with these novelty ice packs! They’re still slim and easy to pack, but an exciting part of lunch for littles. They freeze quickly and stay cold for up to 5 hours.

Stainless Steel Plates and Bowls for Home

While this post talked more about stainless steel containers for packing lunch and snacks, we also use stainless steel plates and bowls for everyday use! Lalo just came out with a stainless steel line that we love!

Lalo Stainless Steel Mealtime Essentials

Price: $57.99
Includes: Divided plate with suction, suction bowl, stainless steel toddler cup, stainless steel utensils

This mealtime set has it all. Everything you need to feed your little one, all without any plastic. What a win!

The divided stainless steel plate and bowl have suction to stay put on the table. Everything is so easy to clean and dishwasher safe. And, the silicone lining keeps the tableware from banging around all over the countertops and table.

Looking for more?

Learn more about our favorite baby spoons and toddler utensils, and find our recommendations for booster seats for mealtime.

Looking for snack inspiration? These are some of our go-to baby and toddler snacks when we’re out and about.