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Original poster

Does the lunch in lunch boxes not get messed up for kids?

32 replies

susanknft · 08/09/2020 19:01

Im going to be doing pack lunches for the kids for school and am in the process of buying them the boxes / bags etc. Ive bought the Sistema 1.65l Bento box. Its great and I really like it, however, I was thinking if I get those lunch bags for the kids like this,

www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Radiance-Dual-Compartment-Lunch/dp/B00CE05WRU/ref=psdc_3313546031_t3_B07G9Z74PP?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

won't the food get messed up. Im thinking a bag which will hold the box flat would be best but I can't find any!!

I may be over thinking this but I don't want them to open their box up and find a big mess and Im a newbie to this and have no idea!

TIA

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 08/09/2020 19:03

I find the container holds the sandwiches together, and there isn't really a way that the other bits can get messy up.

CodenameVillanelle · 08/09/2020 19:06

Put the sandwich in a bag or tin foil
Fruit either whole or cut up in a pot
Carton of juice or bottle of water
Something else like a packet of crisps or packet of cheddars etc might get a bit scrunched but they don't care. It will be when you open it to clean it at home that you find the mess

MagMell · 08/09/2020 19:07

That looks rather bulky and elaborate to me for a child's school lunch, especially if it's carried along with a school bag, possible PE gear etc?

Also, bear in mind that some schools where I am have restrictions on things coming in and out of school unnecessarily for infection control purposes -- we're currently using recyclable paper lunch bags.

LizzieMacQueen · 08/09/2020 19:09

I know you are not asking for recommendations but GAP do really nice insulated lunch bags. Really sturdy.

Jamhandprints · 08/09/2020 19:09

A bento box should keep it all nice and separated but it depends if the compartments sides reach all the way to the lid. They should in a bento.
My DSs have normal lunch boxes and its fine. I do wrap sandwiches in cling film though and put bits like raisins or tomatoes in little tubs with lids.

MJMG2015 · 08/09/2020 19:16

How much lunch are they taking to need one of those? It really depends where they have to keep them at school as to how much space they can take up.

Each thing needs to be in its own pot or wrapping.

Original poster
susanknft · 08/09/2020 19:18

sorry i think I linked to the wrong one - something like this one. The box fits perfectly inside.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D287JSZ/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_1?smid=A1HIVP3KS9BT0G&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Maybe I should get a smaller box! My head is hurting! I need the sorted by the end of the week ,

OP posts:
Original poster
susanknft · 08/09/2020 19:20

MJMG2015 put wrong one in link.

A typical lunch might be sandwiches, yoghurt, bit of fruit and a flapjack or something. They keep their water bottles in their school bags.

OP posts:
Teacher12345 · 08/09/2020 19:25

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TEAMOOK-Insulated-Adults-Leakproof-Waterproof/dp/B07SC9JLR6/ref=mpssa1126?dchild=1&keywords=lunch+box&qid=1599589392&sprefix=linch+&sr=8-26

My kids have one a bit like this don't seem to have a problem with it. I would use a clear plastic tub inside the second link you posted but it would still get a bit mixed up of things were very loose.

CatFaceCats · 08/09/2020 19:28

I don’t think you need to put the box in another lunch bag OP.
I have systema lunch box. Sandwich is wrapped, fruit in pot. Nothing else is messy. Sure it’s a mess when it comes home, but I just clean it for next day.

Original poster
susanknft · 08/09/2020 19:29

Teacher12345 yes that's exactly the type that i want but its too small for the box!

OP posts:
Original poster
susanknft · 08/09/2020 19:30

CatFaceCats So if you have a box then do you just put this in the kids normal backpack with their books etc?

OP posts:
VeggieSausageRoll · 08/09/2020 19:32

Can they not just take the box in the school bag without putting it in a separate lunch bag? That's what our DS does and we did as kids, and continue to do as adults. The bags just get crap in the corners and the seams 🤢

GameSetMatch · 08/09/2020 19:34

Just read what you’re going to put in the lunch box, ifyour child is in reception class I’d go with less is more they only have a set amount of time to eat and only have little tummies. I’d go with one main item and one side item to start with, you don’t want them getting upset they couldn’t eat all their lunch or it took them so long they couldn’t go out to play.

Also make sure they don’t need a separate drink in the packed lunch, my sons school won’t let them take their water bottles out of the classroom so I need to add him a lunch drink.

TheLastStarfighter · 08/09/2020 19:35

I use a small lunchbox (the systema sandwich box) and pack it all in tight and then nothing moves.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 08/09/2020 19:35

I think you’re really overthinking this.

DD has a lunchbox like the second one you linked. In it, I put a bottle of water, a sandwich in a sandwich bag, fruit, a yoghurt and a treat (snack bag of biscuits or crisps). I don’t put any of it in a separate box unless the fruit needs cutting up. Her lunch is always fine.

Sootikinstew · 08/09/2020 19:36

Your massively overthinking this op. My DC gets sandwiches in a tupperware with a bit of whole fruit shoved in next to it and a packet of baked/popped crisps. Plus a juice carton.

Plenty enough

OP posts:
Sootikinstew · 08/09/2020 19:40

Most children are really not going to get the time to sit and eat nicely prepared little bento box selections.

scrivette · 08/09/2020 19:41

DS uses the Sistema Bento Cube Box (Amazon sell them for about £8) as it's keeps all the different types of food separate.

GigantosaurusRex · 08/09/2020 19:43

@susanknft we have that box. DS school has requested a small schoolbag only and this fits along with a drinks bottle inside his school bag. DS is only in year 1 so he only needs s change of clothes in his school bag.

Does the lunch in lunch boxes not get messed up for kids?
RedCatBlueCat · 08/09/2020 19:45

We have a cube lunch box in a bag

It's in an insulated bag to keep it cool. They sit on the side for 4 hrs (DS2 currently eats at 1pm), and he wont eat warm sandwiches.

WalesAppearsToBeSlightlySaner · 08/09/2020 19:45

I put the sandwich in a takeaway pot so I can wash and reuse, fruit in a small reusable pot if it’s messy and everything else like bananas and crisps loose. I use the smiggle lunch bag with 2 compartments. The bottom one fits an ice pack and takeaway box, all other stuff in the top. Works perfectly

dollypartonscoat · 08/09/2020 19:46

Sandwich wrapped in cling film. Everything else lobbed in Grin