Find trusted recommendations for the very best baby lunch box for daycare, travel, or home with these budget-friendly picks. Each has been tested in real life for over a year to ensure durability, ease of cleaning, and ease of use.
Figuring out what to pack for a baby for a day in childcare or on the go is usually a little easier if you’re set up with reliable containers that are ready to go. These are my top picks for baby lunch boxes (which also work for 1-year-olds) and each has been chosen for ease of use, ease of cleaning, and durability.
Which means you can use these kids lunch boxes for years to come as a lunch box or snack box as your child grows.
Each baby lunch box can be used for a stand-alone lunch or for some lunch foods and a snack or two, depending on the volume of solids that your baby is eating. They can be used as a daycare lunch box or for travel.
Read on for my recommendations and some baby lunch ideas to go in the boxes toward the end.
(You may also like Bento Lunchboxes, Toddler Lunch Ideas for daycare, Lunch Ideas for One Year Olds, baby-led weaning recipes, and kids lunch recipes.)
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Best Budget Baby Lunchbox
The Easy Lunchbox Snack Box comes in a set of 4 for under $14 and lasts for years. It’s made from BPA-free plastic and is easy to wash. Each compartment holds 4 ounces, which makes it an ideal size for baby food.
We’ve been using the same set for the past 5 years, so they are definitely worth the cost. The lid also seals tightly, making them relatively leak-resistant.
Favorite Stainless Steel Baby Lunch Container
This stainless steel lunchbox, the LunchBots Quad, is a perfect baby size and is also incredibly durable. It’s very easy to wash and can hold an ample amount of food for a baby—possibly even lunch and a snack.
The compartments aren’t leakproof, meaning you can’t pack a runny food (like yogurt) in one and a dry food next to it and expect them not to mix. Otherwise, it’s a solid option that will last and is priced at under $30.
Favorite Baby Bento
With five small compartments, the Bentgo Bento Box allows you to pack a mix of foods of all kinds without worry about leaking. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns and even have a model that fits an ice pack.
It can sometimes be a challenge to fill up this many compartments, but if you’re using it for lunch and a snack (and release the pressure of always needing each one to be full), it’s a good pick priced at about $28.
Best Reusable Baby Food Storage Containers
If you’d rather pack a mix of individual containers, here are my top picks:
Squeasy Gear Reusable Pouch: This makes it easy to pack purees, yogurts, and applesauce in a spill-resistant pouch that baby can self-feed. I highly recommend this.
WeeSprout Jars: Available in 4 and 8 ounces, these glass jars are endlessly reusable and perfect for baby food.
Beaba Clip Containers: Made from BPA-free plastic, these stacking cups come in two sizes and are both easy to clean and durable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your best to estimate the volume based on what they usually eat at home and be sure to check in with the childcare provider to know how much they ate from what you packed. Communication is key to reduce food waste and also ensure you’re packing enough.
I prefer to hand wash them in soapy hot water to keep them in top shape for years to come. (Most are dishwasher safe, so follow the manufacturer’s directions if you prefer this option.)
Baby Lunch Box Ideas
Below are some of my favorite easy recipe options to pack in a lunch box for a baby. There are ideas for purees, baby led weaning options, and finger foods. My list of baby finger foods will help here, too.
This easy baby food pouch is an easy staple to serve as a baby meal or snack and contains fruit, protein, calcium, fiber, and healthy fats. Find more flavor ideas in the Notes at the end of the recipe.
Best Baby Food Pouches (Easy and Homemade)
You can serve this as wedges, a thick mash, or a thinner puree to your baby or toddler. (Adults will love the wedges, too!)
Favorite Sweet Potato Baby Food
This is a thin batter that makes tender, naturally sweet Banana Spinach Pancakes. Be sure to let the pancakes cook until the surface is almost entirely firm before you flip them over.
Best Banana Spinach Pancakes
This bright green pesto is cheesy and mild, making it a perfect sauce for a quick dinner of pasta and peas!
Spinach Pesto Pasta with Peas
Adding beans and extra veggies helps make this easy baby pasta satisfying, nutritious, and yummy. Serve it more or less saucy as you like. (You can even freeze the sauce for easy future meals.)
Extra-Veggie Baby Pasta (with Iron)
You can use any type of apple you have or like, though generally tart cooking apples (like Granny Smith or Pink Lady) soften nicely without falling apart too quickly.
Simple Sauteed Apples with Cinnamon
With just four simple and affordable ingredients, you can make tender Baked Chicken Meatballs to share with the kids. Bonus: You can tuck a veggie into the mix, and they are perfect to batch-cook and stash in the freezer!
4-Ingredient Baked Chicken Meatballs
Transform any variety of pears into these delicious cinnamon cooked pears. Serve them as a simple side or snack, or cut a little smaller for a finger food for babies.
Quick Sauteed Cinnamon Pears
These baked carrot fries are a simple side to go with burgers or chicken and pair perfectly with ketchup.
Easy Roasted Carrot “Fries”
These are deliberately very moist (and moister than regular muffins) to ensure they are easy for baby to chew and swallow, so expect that from the interior. They have three types of produce in the mix and are a yummy breakfast or snack.
ABC Baby Muffins (Apple, Banana and Carrot!)
Transform plain oats into a yummy and easy-to-eat finger food with this baked oatmeal cups recipe. You can double the recipe to make more if desired.
Baked Oatmeal Cups
These tender Egg Muffins are packed with protein and vitamins—and can be made ahead of time! Add any veggie you like, whether carrots, butternut squash, broccoli, or spinach.
Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies
Insulated Lunch Bags for Baby
If you’re looking for an insulated bag to help keep baby’s food cold, my full list of lunch bags will help. You can also look at my kids thermos options for kids to pack hot food if you don’t have the option for food to be reheated.
Best Tips for Success
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions for washing baby lunchboxes and when in doubt, hand wash.
- Do your best to estimate the volume of food based on what baby eats at home and stay in daily communication with their childcare provider (as relevant) to know if there was enough or too much food, and to make sure the food was easy enough for them to eat.
- Pack a mix of finger foods from different food groups to help baby be satisfied.
- Most babies don’t realize that we typically eat some foods hot or cold, so mix it up to make it easy on yourself.
- Find my full list of lunchboxes for kids, best snack cups, and best reusable pouches for more options.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below to share!
This post was first published July 2022.