No Products in the Cart
Free shipping within Germany for orders over €29
The first day of kindergarten is a big milestone. A new adventure begins for your child. For you as a parent, however, the exciting question arises of how many things you can actually pack into a small backpack.
Between slippers, a change of clothes, a drinking bottle, and the favorite cuddly toy, the question of the right lunch box will sooner or later arise.
But as soon as you look at the huge selection, the next challenge presents itself:
Which lunch box is actually the right one for a kindergarten child?
Does it need to be leak-proof? How big should it be? Are many compartments useful or rather complicated? And is a stainless steel lunch box even worth it?
In this article, you will find out what really matters - and which mistakes many parents can avoid when buying their first lunch box.
Less is often more
Many parents initially reach for the largest lunch box they can find.
The idea behind it is completely understandable:
"Better too much space than too little."
In practice, however, things often look different.
Kindergarten children usually eat significantly smaller portions than adults expect. A huge lunch box quickly looks half empty and can even overwhelm children a little.
For most kindergarten children, there is enough space for:
is perfectly sufficient.
A compact lunch box also has another advantage: it fits better into small children's backpacks and is easier for small hands to carry.
Your child should be able to open the lunch box themselves
This point is surprisingly often underestimated.
In kindergarten, children want to do as much as possible themselves. This strengthens self-confidence and is part of an important developmental phase.
If your child cannot open the lunch box themselves, lunchtime quickly ends in frustration instead of joy.
Therefore, make sure that the clasp is easy to operate and child-friendly.
Our tip: Practice opening and closing the lunch box with your child a few days before kindergarten starts. This creates security and ensures that lunchtime doesn't become the first challenge of the day.
Many children are incredibly proud, by the way, when they can open their lunch box all by themselves. And sometimes, these small successes are the biggest.
Compartments provide order
Children like it colorful.
And surprisingly, many children also like order on their plate.
If cucumber slices, grapes, cheese cubes, and snacks are mixed up colorfully, the food often loses some of its appeal.
Practical compartments help to:
In addition, a variedly filled lunch box is simply more fun.
Many parents even report that their children try significantly more different foods if they are presented clearly and attractively.
The favorite motif can have more influence than you think
Many parents first look at size, material, or the number of compartments.
For children themselves, however, something completely different is often decisive: the design.
Whether it's a horse, unicorn, car, or dinosaur – children often strongly identify with their favorite motifs. A lunch box that they really like is often used much more willingly and taken to kindergarten with more joy.
A simple tip from everyday family life: involve your child in the selection.
If children feel that they have chosen their lunch box themselves, acceptance often increases significantly. The "lunch box from mom and dad" quickly becomes "my lunch box."
By the way, horses, unicorns, cars, and dinosaurs are particularly popular. We regularly learn which motifs are currently in demand through customer feedback. The favorites change with age, but dinosaurs seem to be surprisingly crisis-proof for many children.
Of course, the design should not be the only purchasing criterion. If functionality and quality are right, the right motif can make all the difference.
Stainless steel or plastic?
In the past, most children's lunch boxes were made of plastic. Today, more and more families consciously choose stainless steel.
Both materials have their advantages.
Advantages of plastic
Advantages of stainless steel
Which material suits your family?
Which material is better for your family ultimately depends on your personal priorities.
However, our experience shows: good lunch boxes are often used much longer than originally planned. Therefore, it is worthwhile to pay attention to quality in terms of material and workmanship.
A robust lunch box not only survives countless lunch breaks but usually also one or two falls from the kindergarten table.
Leak-proof or not?
Many parents specifically look for a completely leak-proof lunch box.
This makes perfect sense if the following foods are regularly packed:
For classic packed lunches, fruit, and small snacks, however, a completely leak-proof lunch box is often not necessary.
Here, practical compartments are usually completely sufficient.
However, if you like to pack more variety or often include moist foods, you should pay attention to a reliable seal.
Cleaning should be as easy as possible
Honestly:
No one wants to put together a small puzzle of lids, seals, and individual parts after a long day at work just to get the lunch box clean again.
A good lunch box should be:
Because what is easy to clean is usually cleaned regularly.
Especially with foods that contain moisture, thorough cleaning is important. This keeps the lunch box and seal hygienic and odor-neutral for a long time.
Personalization saves a surprising number of discussions
At the latest after the first few weeks in kindergarten, it happens:
Two children have the same lunch box.
Or the same drinking bottle.
Or both.
A name on the lunch box is therefore not only a nice personal touch but often also a surprisingly practical solution.
Mix-ups can be avoided much more easily, and your own breakfast reliably finds its way back to its owner.
Many children are also particularly proud of things that bear their name. This creates a personal bond, which often leads to the lunch box being used even more willingly.
Conclusion
The perfect kindergarten lunch box doesn't have to be rocket science.
The most important things are:
If your child enjoys using the lunch box, can open it independently, and unpacks their breakfast with joy, you have already made the most important decision correctly.
Because in the end, it's not about finding the perfect lunch box - but the right lunch box for your child.
Are you still looking for a suitable lunch box for kindergarten?
Then feel free to take a look at our selection of high-quality children's lunch boxes with individual motifs.
Our stainless steel lunch boxes can also be personalized with your child's name - practical against mix-ups and a real highlight for many children.
Please fill out the following form to submit your withdrawal request.
