Back-to-school is just around the corner, and with the start of the new school year right around the corner, you may be looking for the perfect backpack and lunch box for your kids. As kids start a new grade, these items can inspire excitement and even motivation.
Picking out a backpack and lunch box used to be simple. These days, the options (and price points) seem to be limitless. The good news is that at least lunch boxes have gotten a major upgrade in recent years -- they can actually keep student lunches fresh all day. Whether it's storing their favorite sandwiches or healthy snacks, there's an option for kids of all ages.
To make finding the right backpack and lunch box a little easier for you and your child, we picked out some fun options that can work for kids of all ages. Take a look.
Read more: Sales Tax Holidays: 16 States Will Pause Sales Taxes for Back-to-School Shopping
Best back-to-school lunch boxes
Target Cat & Jack Premium Bento Box A budget-friendly bento-style box Bento-style lunch boxes are where it's at when it comes to lunch boxes. The nifty compartments are great for making sure blueberries don't get smashed and end up all over your child's sandwich, ruining the entire meal. Plus, a bento-style box will actually stay closed after getting tossed around in a backpack all morning. We are fond of this Cat & Jack option from Target because of the fun shark design, divided main compartment and the fact that most of the parts can be thrown in the dishwasher. It's also more affordable when compared with some other brands. $10 at Target
Simple Modern Simple Modern Disney kids' lunch box A modern lunch box with a retro vibe This is a great, kid-friendly lunch box, and the fact that it has Mickey Mouse all over it is sure to win over any Disney fans. If your student doesn't love Mickey, don't fret -- this same lunch box comes in over 30 different colors and designs. It can also be easily wiped clean and is big enough to hold plenty of snacks and lunch for school or pool days, road trips, picnics and more. $21 at Amazon
Amersun Amersun insulated lunch box All the colors and patterns! While the Amersun is a fairly standard-looking lunch box, it does have a few nice features. I love the front pocket, which can be used to store things separately from the food. My kids use it to store the dirty cutlery so it doesn't make a mess over all their snacks. The insulated main pocket is spacious and, if you use a freezer block, will keep your food cool well into lunchtime. This box also comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Whatever your kid is into, there's likely a pattern to suit their style. $17 at Amazon
Thrive Thrive ice packs for lunch bags Keeping it cool All of these lunch boxes so far have had some kind of insulation that will allow them to hold temperature well. This four-pack of reusable ice packs can be used to help keep food cool, and because there are four, you'll always have one ready when you need it. $13 at Amazon
Bentgo Bentgo kids' lunch box A modern solution to lunches This colorful bento-style lunch box makes school lunches something to look forward to. Gone are the days of a warm tuna sandwich and dry chips. My daughter loves hers, as it means she can have different, smaller snacks, as well as a nice dip to eat them with. Sometimes she'll have carrots and celery with a delicious ranch dip. Most of the time though, she gets a chocolate sauce with strawberries and oranges. It's easy to clean, too, and completely dishwasher safe, making it perfect for everyday use. $30 at Amazon $30 at Walmart $30 at Target
Bentgo Bentgo classic stackable bento box For the older student Not all students are young and need bright colors. If you're an older high schooler or a mature student, you may want to bring your lunch in something a little more sophisticated. This stackable bento box comes with a cutlery set and separate compartments for more adult food, like SpaghettiOs, Dino-Nuggies and... maybe leftovers? I don't know what grown-ups eat, I'm a man-baby who loves baked beans on toast. $17 at Amazon $17 at Walmart
ReZip ReZip 5-Piece Save money on sealed storage Having to buy hundreds of Ziploc-style bags irritates me. I don't like how much waste they produce, and I don't like how much they cost. These reusable silicone zip bags save both money and, because they can be washed clean, plastic too. I was initially worried the seal wouldn't be as good as on a standard bag, but it works great and keeps my kids' food fresh all day. $35 at Amazon
Best back-to-school backpacks
Target Cat & Jack backpack Who can resist a pizza backpack? Target's Cat & Jack line has to be one of the best backpacks out there. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors and is sure to delight every student in the classroom, no matter their age. This novelty backpack also has a laptop pocket, great side pockets and is machine washable. Some styles even have a matching lunch box. $20 at Target
Vans Vans Realm backpack An oldie but a goodie If you're looking for a backpack for a student who doesn't need all the bells and whistles, this Vans book bag is an ideal pick. It still has an internal laptop case and front pocket with an organizer compartment so school items don't go missing, but from the outside it has the classic, no-frills aesthetic. We love the mellow yellow color, but there are 10 other options to choose from if you're looking for a different vibe. $36 at Walmart
Trailmaker Trailmaker clear backpack Be transparent I hate that this exists. I hate that my child might need one of these someday. But they do exist, and some schools now require them to make it easier to spot weapons. So if your family needs one of these, this is a good one. The stitching is strong around the plastic so it won't come apart, and it has a mesh bag in there for pens and pencils. The straps are well padded too, so at least your kid can be comfortable. $12 at Walmart