When we presented Logan with his cool new backpack and lunchbox (you can read about that post HERE), it also included some super cool Bento boxes, too.
I am super excited about this fresh, new take on the boring school lunches that often consist of a brown paper bag and a bruised apple. In case you’re not familiar with Bento Lunch Boxes, let’s take a closer look at what they are and what they have to offer.
What is Bento?
Bento is the Japanese art form of preparing lunch. It’s very common in Japanese culture to spend a good amount of time/energy in to preparing a well balanced lunch. Traditionally, in Japan, a bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and seaweed/vegetable. In recent years, Americans have taken this concept and run with it. Now, you can find Bento Lunch boxes at Target, PB Kids, and The Container Store, just to name a few. Bento boxes eliminate the need for zip-locs and Tupperware, therefore, making it eco-friendly and easier for your kids, because they don’t have to worry about a bunch of trash at the end of lunchtime.
What are the different types of Bento Lunch Boxes?
You can find a few different systems. First, we have the style that I purchased from PB Kids. It is one unit, that has separated sections. There is another type of system, where you buy the outside box and then there are smaller cubes that fit inside that larger unit. You can view both styles below.
What are the different kinds of material used to make the actual box?
Bento lunch boxes are made of many different kinds of material like plastic, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, and even paper.
Where can I buy a Bento Lunch Box?
I spent a fair amount of time browsing the internet before making my purchase at PB Kids for my sons Bento Lunch box, and I was happily surprised to see that there are so many options out there when it comes to where to buy your Bento box. Here are a few I spotted:
What should I pack in a Bento lunch box?
Whatever your heart desires! The possibilities are endless! I find it so easy to let my creativity flow when I think about what to put in a Bento. Not to mention, there are an abundant amount of books, websites, and Pinterest boards devoted entirely to what to put in to your Bento. I will add my creations here at BU&M and I’d love to hear what you are putting in yours!
Any other Tips and Tricks?
- Practice with your little one first, before you send them to school with a Bento box. Some can be tricky to open and just need a little explaining first. They aren’t a brown paper bag, so instructions are good.
- Use fillers like, cherry tomatoes, grapes, carrots, and such to make sure that all the food is secure. Wouldn’t it be a bummer to prepare a beautiful lunch and then have it be all messy when your kidlet opens it at school? Make sure all the food won’t go flying around when they toss it in their backpack.
- If something in the box needs to be kept cool, put the ice box in the sleeve of the carrying case. Or if you want something like yogurt to be nice and cold for lunch, make ice cube trays full of yogurt, and then just toss them in the bento box in the morning and they’ll be perfect for lunchtime.
- Don’t overfill your kids lunch. As a kid, it’s satisfying to finish your lunch. Make sure your packing just the right amount. Not too much or too little. The Bento box provides a great way to space out portions of the right kinds of foods. Fill the larger sections with the fruits and veggies and fill the smaller sections with yogurt covered pretzels or a little bit of Monster Mix.
Did I miss anything? Let me know if you have any questions you’d like answered and I’ll add them here. Stay tuned for some really neat printable lunch notes to stick in your kids lunches! Thanks for joining me today! Toodles!
These are so cool! I need to get one for my husband, he’s a “I dont want my food to touch” kinda person.