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They’ll be proud to tote their lunch around in these cool, functional kits.

Sure, all you really need to pack a healthy school lunch is an old-school-style brown paper bag, or even a plastic grocery bag. But let us point out two flaws with that streamlined strategy. First, single-use plastics and disposables are environmentally unfriendly. And second, your kid is probably going to beg for something cool and eye-catching at back-to-school time. So you might as well get ahead of both concerns with some new gear, with inspiration from our list of the best lunch boxes and lunch bags for kids.

No matter your kids' ages, their tastes, or your budget, we've got picks that tick all the boxes. Our list includes bright and colorful prints, as well as grown-up colors and styles just right for older kids (which parents will be thrilled to borrow, too). Here, you'll find high-performance lunch-carrying options including stainless steel, insulation, compartmentalized storage, interior and exterior pockets, and air-tight locks, as well as plenty of options beloved for being just plain cute, fun, and budget-friendly to boot.

So pick a winner (or two, or three) and consider your lunch box solution solved. Looking for more ways to fuel their action-packed days? Check out our list of easy breakfast recipe ideas for kids.

This stainless steel bento-style lunchbox has three separate food compartments plus a removable silicone container for even more options. The lid seals super tight and the five available colors are fun and bold for younger kids, but sophisticated enough for teens (or adults!) too.

This colorful lunch tote with a cool tie-dye pattern has a spacious main compartment and an outer zip pocket for on-the-go access to snacks and utensils. It has both a clip-buckle strap and a two-way top-zip closure.

This lunch box by State is both totally kid-friendly and streamlined all at once. It's insulated and built to last. Features include a see-through pocket for your special notes, and a velcro detachable divider to help organize the contents.

This lunchbox was designed with actual kids in mind: It has large zippers and a wide opening so it’s easier for little ones to manage independently. It’s amply roomy, with a mesh panel inside the lid that securely holds an ice pack or separates other items. It’s made with 100-percent food-safe and machine-washable materials.

Out of the Woods’ Hedgehog lunch bag evokes the old-school brown bags you used to take to school when times were simpler (and when you walked uphill both ways in the snow). It’s aesthetically simple, with contrasting panels made from washable paper and an easy-to-use brass pin closure that's perfect for kids.

Herschel’s cool Pop Quiz lunch box has an insulated main compartment that zippers closed and cleans easily. A reinforced handle makes it sturdy and comfortable for toting around the quad. A front storage sleeve has a waterproof zipper, and there’s a name label on the outside so it’s easily reclaimed when it’s inevitably left behind (over and over again).

You can’t beat the value of this insulated lunch bag, roomy enough for lunch and snacks plus a water bottle. It collapses small — nearly flat — for storage and portability. It has a mesh pocket for utensils or ice, as well as an additional front pocket.

One budget-friendly price point scores you both a school backpack and a lunch bag with a cool tie-dye and palm-tree motif — plus a flower keychain to sweeten the deal. The backpack has a top zipper closure with webbing handles, front zipper pocket, and padded, adjustable straps. The insulated lunch bag has a side mesh pocket for a water bottle, top zipper closure, and two webbing handles.

Pinterest moms — holler. If you lovingly create works of art for your kid’s lunch each day, put that lunch in a bag worthy of its contents’ quality and effort. Look past the charming beehive motif and you’ll also find a name tag on the back so you can be reunited with it when it invariably ends up as the cutest item in the lost and found.

This large-capacity lunch kit is the one for you when you're all about performance. The stainless steel is ultra-durable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly with a modern look (that works equally well for kids and parents). It’s super easy to clean and has a locking lid that clamps to create a truly airtight waterproof seal — no leaks, guaranteed. The set comes with the box, insulated bag, and an ice pack.

This charmingly printed canvas lunchbox is cheery and easy on the eyes. It’s functional, too, with mesh pockets inside and a removable divider to keep things separated.

Get a fun DIY project and a cool new lunch box in one with this kit. It includes an insulated stabilizer printed with sewing pattern, a pre-sewn zipper, webbing for handles, a plastic interior base for added bag stability, and detailed instructions. You’ll also get a link to a video tutorial for extra support. It’s just right for even a novice at sewing, and the final product is large enough to hold lunch for two.

With this Tupperware set, you’ll get a one-piece, hinged sandwich keeper as well as a small packables container. The set is made from Eco+, billed as the first food-safe, sustainable material coming from mixed plastic waste or renewable sources. Bonus: Each purchase support’s Tupperware’s commitment to the National Parks Foundation.

This line of durable, sustainable, reusable bags is made from 100-percent recycled post-consumer plastic water bottles so you can feel good about packing your kid’s lunch in a responsible way. They come in a range of vibrant colors (no cheesy prints), and they’re the ideal size for school lunches.

This three-piece set comes with small, medium, and large reusable bags. Their bases expand for easy packing and cleaning, and a double-lock closure provides an airtight, leakproof seal. Plus, they’re just super cute and versatile for other applications besides kids’ lunch: think travel, home organization, and more.

This roomy lunch bag has room for all the good stuff, and water-resistant, insulated lining makes inevitable spills no big deal. This polyester box has a front pocket with hidden zipper for extra storage, plus a name tag holder on the outside for easy identification.

Banish single-use plastic containers with this durable and chip-resistant melamine lunchbox. The food-grade material is also lightweight and BPA free, and the colorblocking is oh-so-chic. A silicone band helps keeps it securely closed.