Finding the perfect lunchbox combo is like the holy grail of back-to-school prepping. How many do you have to try before you find the right one, and does the perfect one even exist?
To help in that quest, we’ve called on lunchbox aficionado Jodie Topsfield from Coastal Kidswear. Being a mum of two AND running one of southeast Queensland’s most trusted online kids’ stores, Jodie has tried and tested more lunchboxes than we’ve had hot dinners. And she has found the perfect lunchbox combo to get your tribe back to school.
The best lunchbox + lunch bag combo
Oddly enough, the best matching lunchbox and bag combo are not from the same brand.
“One of my favourite lunchboxes at the moment is the b.box range,” says Jodie.
“b.box has designed a lunchbox that offers parents and kids more flexibility. Made from PP and silicone, the range is durable, flexible and reliable – you know the lunch will arrive safely, no matter how much the schoolbag is tossed around!”
b.box original lunchbox in blue
B.box lunchboxes come in three sizes:
b.box original: holds 8 cups of food; there is enough space for two whole sandwiches
The b.box original lunchbox features a large compartment that fits a whole sandwich. Plus, sitting underneath the tray is an included gel cooler pack to keep food fresher and cooler for longer. Or, remove the sandwich tray and the compartment now easily fits pasta and salads.
Its unique flexi whole fruit holder lets you store an entire apple, as the stretchy seal bends around the shape of your fruit – no need to cut fruit into smaller sizes! Leakproof silicone seals let you store wet foods like watermelon and yoghurts (no liquids) earning it the accolade of the perfect lunchbox..
The custom divider slides across, enabling parents to adjust the compartment size as they need or remove it to fit a whole banana or wrap.
The easy-to-open latch and handle encourage independence. It is freezer safe, but is hand-wash only – don’t put it in the dishwasher!
b.box mini: holds 4 cups of food
The b.box mini has all the features from the original lunchbox but is packed a little lighter for smaller appetites.
Includes flexi whole fruit holder that stretches around the fruit so you can secure large fruits inside the lunchbox. 2 leakproof compartments seal separately, so packing a mixture of wet and dry foods such as puree, yoghurt and dips has never been easier.
The removable divider slides quickly, enabling you to adjust the compartment size for ultimate mix and match.
All seals are removable for thorough cleaning. It is freezer safe, but hand-wash only. Please don’t put it in the dishwasher!
b.box snack: holds 2 cups of food, perfect for fruit break or snacks
The ideal answer for smaller portions, the b.box snack will keep little ones fed no matter what your day has in store.
The Flexi whole fruit holder secures small, whole fruits in place. The two sealed compartments are leakproof, so wet snack ideas such as puree, yoghurt, and dips can be packed with peace of mind.
An easy open/close clip is large enough for little hands and fingers, and the seals are removable for easy, hygienic cleaning.
Made from PP and silicone, the snack box is freezer-safe, so you can get ahead of the game and store a few in the freezer at the start of the week, ready to go. Dishwasher safe, top rack only.
OK, that sounds great. But what about keeping this well-packed lunch fresh and cool?
“The MontiiCo range of insulated bags is a firm winner for me. Both my girls use them, and I’ve tried them all!” Jodie says.
MontiiCo is one of the leading lifestyle brands creating excellent re-usable products for our Australian way of life, and their lunch bags are exactly what you need:
- Durable, water-resistant fabrics – they passed the rough and tumble test with flying colours
- Easy to wipe clean and machine washable
- Quality aluminium lining
- Separate pocket for the self-contained ice pack – included with the bag. No condensation = no soggy food
- Thick insulation to keep contents cooler and fresher for longer
- Robust, easy-to-open custom Montii zippers
- Made to last
- It comes in loads of on-trend prints
The MontiiCo insulated lunch bag in dinosaur print
The bags have a large, medium and mini option:
- The large bag is great for school-age kids.
- The happy medium size is the perfect in-between size for pre-schoolers.
- The mini is perfect for snacks and made for baby adventures. This also comes with a handy clip handle to attach to backpacks and prams.
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Which lunchbox matches which insulated bag?
Jodie is so sure that this is the best lunchbox combo that she has bundled up the MontiiCo bag and b.box lunchboxes at her store. Here are her perfect combos:
Large MontiiCo bag fits:
- b.box snack box + mini
- b.box original + snack box
- b.box original
Medium MontiiCo bag fits:
- b.box mini
Mini MontiiCo bag fits:
- b.box snack box
You can buy the b.box and MontiiCo bundle from Coastal Kidswear here.
