I can’t believe it — I’m going to have a first grader soon! This summer is zipping by so fast and now, here I am, in back-to-school prep, making sure we start the year feeling organized. One thing I love doing? Sending my kiddo off to school with lunch from home as often as I can — packed with love and stored in high-quality, mostly plastic-free lunch boxes. We’ve tried a few and have found some favorites that we go back to. 

In a Hurry? Shop My Picks

Here are all the plastic-free lunch and snack time finds we’re loving this school year

1. Yumbox Stainless Steel Lunch Box – our go-to for fresh, safe, and long-lasting lunch storage.
2. AOHEA Stainless Steel lunch Box – this one comes with containers which is clutch, also comes in a larger size. Perfect for including dressing or a treat on the side.
3. Copy Cat Sandwich Maker – this little sandwich cutter makes the best PB&J sandwiches.
4. Yeti Stainless Steel Tumbler – we love the quality and durability of Yeti, nothing beats it. My husband and I have the Yeti Rambler. Our kiddo take this to school.
5. Stainless Steel Snack Containers with Silicone Lids – perfect for fruits, veggies, dips, and small snacks.
6. Stainless Steel Thermos Food Jar – actually keeps food warm until lunch time!
7. Stainless Steel Foldable Utensils for Thermos – so happy to find these spoons and forks that fit perfectly into our thermos, great swap from plastic utensils.
8. REDUCE Stainless Steel Tumbler with Handle and Silicone Straw – spill-proof, durable, and kid-friendly.
9. Stainless Steel Straw Swap for Kids – we have the variety pack and find it so useful for lots of different cups and bottles.
10. Toddler Self-Serve Stainless Steel Snack Container with Handles – this one truly encourages independence and mess free snacking with the soft flaps inside.
11. Four-Compartment Snack Boxes (Made from Straw) – great for variety snacks on the go.

Why We Go Plastic-Free with Lunch Boxes 

Here’s the thing — plastic can leach into food. It happens when food is hot, but also slowly over time, or even when it’s scraped with utensils. That means little bits of plastic can actually make their way into the food. So for us, high-quality stainless steel is the best option for lunch boxes, with silicone being second. 

We love the Yumbox and have enjoyed using it all of last year. It’s great quality and has multiple compartments to store various foods. It secures and travels well. This lunch box is made from stainless steel, with a plastic lid on the outside and silicone on the inside. 

This lunch box is new for us this year! I’m excited to try this stainless steel lunch box and the two different size containers that it comes with. It’ll be very convienent to give something extra like a treat.

The Thermos brand of thermoses I’ve heard from other mamas are by far the best and so we’ve stuck to this brand and couldn’t be happier. It keeps soups and hot food warm till lunch and was easy for my daughter to use in kindergarten. 

I swapped the plastic utensils that come inside some of the thermoses with these stainless steel utensils that fold up nicely into the slot of the Thermos lid.

I love packing warm, cozy soups and chilies on Fall and Winter days for my kiddo. 

My Sippy Cup Hack (Because Mama Loves a Good Hack)

Okay, I have to admit: I wish I could say my kids happily drink water from regular cups… but nope. They drink way more when it’s in a spill-proof tumbler (sippy cup) they can grab anytime. The problem? Even the best stainless steel ones usually have a plastic straw inside.

So here’s my hack — I pop out the plastic straw inside and swap it with this stainless steel straw that fits perfectly into the silicone top. Just like that, we’ve gone from daily plastic straws usage to stainless steel, and it works like a charm. I have the variety pack and use the smallest one on the REDUCE tumbler, and it’s been a total win. I also love that the edges are rounded, making it gentler for children.

We get our snacks from Thrive Market and most pantry items. They have a good selection of organic, gluten-free and healthier options.

Snack Time Favorites

For my toddler, this self-serve snack container with handles is the ultimate independence booster, and gives me a few extra minutes to tackle a chore while he has a snack. Not to mention that it’s travel friendly! It’s stainless steel with a soft silicone lid, so he can happily munch without help (and without spilling a mountain of crackers across the floor).

For on-the-go snacking, I’m loving these four-compartment snack boxes — they make it so easy to pack a variety of fun snacks. Bonus: they’re made from wheat straw, which is a cool, sustainable touch.

These are the lunch and snack containers we reach for again and again — the ones that have survived countless school days, road trips, and yes… even the occasional toddler toss. They make packing healthy lunches feel easier, a little more fun, and a whole lot less stressful. And honestly? It just feels good knowing my kids are using safer, healthier lunch gear every single day.

If you’re on the hunt for lunch boxes, thermoses, tumblers, or snack containers that last, I’ve linked all our favorites in the Shop My Picks section above so you can check them out whenever you’re ready.

This post may have affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you! I only share things I truly love, use, or have obsessively researched during nap time. Thanks for keeping this little blog going!!