Upgrade Your Teen or Tween’s Packed Lunch with These Must-Haves

Accessories that make lunch better for big kids.

September 19, 2023

By: Amanda Mushro

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Photo By: pidjoe

Cool Lunchtime Necessities for Older Kids

It seems like all of the fun lunch boxes and accessories are designed for little kids. But what about your big kids? Shouldn’t your teen or tween have gadgets and gear that makes lunch more delicious and a little bit more fun? Of course they do, and we’ve found everything you’ll need to make sure your teen or tween is excited for lunch every day. Instead of them bringing their lunch back home and raiding the pantry after school, lunchtime will be a hit with these products.

Reusable Bags

Say goodbye to single-use plastic bags and upgrade to Stasher containers. They are microwave and dishwasher safe, and this pack comes with a variety of sizes. No matter what your teen wants for lunch, it will fit in one of these reusable bags.

BUY IT: Amazon, $41.86

Burrito Holder

Burrito, wrap, and sub fans — this one's for you! Why take a boring lunchbox to school when you can carry your favorite lunch in its own fun container. The burrito holder is lined, so it keeps cold food cold and hot food hot. Plus, with six different colors, everyone in your house can pick their favorite color.

BUY IT: Amazon, $39.99

Stackable Bento

Not only will your teen love that these stackable bento boxes come in tons of colors, but they’ll also be able to pack a variety of food for lunch. The containers are microwave and dishwasher safe, and each box comes with its own set of silverware.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.94

Salad Container

Taking a salad to school can be tricky. Mixing up all of the lettuce with the toppings, protein, and dressing in the morning means your salad is wilted and soggy by lunchtime. Instead, grab this salad container that keeps everything separate until your child is ready to eat. It even has a salad dressing container. Now, making a salad for lunch is a great and easy option.

BUY IT: Amazon, $16.99

Lunchbox Messages

Your older kids might not love the hand drawn notes and messages you used to put in their lunchbox, but these motivational notes are a great option. They let your big kids know you are thinking of them. With notes like "you’ve got this" and "good vibes," these notes are an easy way to put a smile on their face.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

Hand Sanitizer Containers

While we hope they are washing their hands before and after lunch, the truth is — they probably aren’t. That’s where the hand sanitizer comes in. These pocket-sized hand sanitizer containers are flat so they pack easily into their lunch box and are refillable.

BUY IT: Amazon, $33.99

Reusable Utensils

Better for the environment and better than trying to hunt down a fork or spoon in the cafeteria, these reusable utensils are a great addition to your teens lunchbox. They are easy to clean, come in fun colors, and even have a carrying case that fits perfectly inside their lunch box.

BUY IT: Amazon, $8.99

Dips Container

Add veggies and dip or a yogurt parfait to the lunch menu with these dips containers. Not only are they cute, but they will also help your teen add variety to their lunch menu. The containers are BPA free and made from food-safe silicone. Plus, they are safe to use in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, boiling water, and oven up to 425 degrees.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14.95

Thermos

When the weather gets chilly and you want to send a hot lunch with your tween or teen, they need a thermos that’s designed for older kids. From soup and pasta to leftovers from dinner, there are so many food options that are perfect for the thermos. This one comes in a variety of colors, keeps food warm for up to nine hours, and even comes with its own spoon.

BUY IT: Amazon, $20.68

Ultra Thin Ice Pack

They are too old for cute patterned ice packs and they don’t want a big and bulky ice pack in their lunch. Instead, grab these ultra thin ice packs in their favorite color. You’ll know their lunch will stay cold and they won’t have to say your ice pack choice is "cringe."

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Cold Lunch Ideas for School, These Products Make Opening a Lunchbox at School More Fun, The Best Packaged Snacks for School

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