B.box is a company that has been creating high-quality baby and kid products since its inception by two Australian mums back in 2007. They had a vision that they could design a range of products to make on-the-go snacking for little ones more practical.
Over the last 17 years, the range has grown and now includes not only baby and toddler products but cups, flasks and lunchboxes for kids, big and small. We took a closer look at a handful of the products and had Mini Joe put them to the test.
b.box Sippy Cup
£8.99
Transitioning little ones from a bottle to a cup can be challenging, but a weighted straw sippy cup is an excellent alternative. One of the most significant advantages is that Mini Joes can still drink the contents no matter what angle the cup is tipped at, as the silicone straw, which has a weighted filter at the bottom, is highly flexible and moves freely with the liquid.
B.box has incorporated what it terms a ‘unique two-way valve’, which ensures that it is easy to drink from but has no leaks, even with warm water.
It’s great for use at home or on the go, as the flip-top lid can quickly cover the straw, keeping it nice and clean. The easy-grip handles encourage independence, helping your Mini Joe easily control the cup for himself.
It has a capacity of 240ml and is recommended for Mini Joes aged from 6 months. It’s dishwasher-safe, and the base is microwave-safe. The base can also be used with b.box training cup lid and spout cup lid.
Verdict: A nice cup that works well. It isn’t unique to the marketplace, with cheaper alternatives available, but the clear body is an advantage over some of those less costly rivals.
b.box 360 Cup
£7.49
Once Mini Joe is ready to move on to the next stage, the lip-activated 360 Cup is a nicely presented stepping stone.
The soft silicone drinking rim runs around the whole cup, so no matter where Mini Joe decides to drink from, the rim can be activated to release the liquid. Having moved from a sippy cup, it can take a little time and a few tries for them to understand how to use the 360 Cup, but having watched adults drink from cups and mugs, the copying instinct kicks in, and they are on their way in no time.
When the rim isn’t pressed in, it creates a seal to reduce, if not prevent, spills. The wide profile handles are nice and easy for small hands to grip. They also act as the twist seal that locks the cup shut when you’re out and about, keeping everything nicely clean and sealed when in a bag.
The body of the cup is clear, which helps Mini Joe develop the skill of tilting to the right angle to drink and allows the adult to keep an eye on the level in the cup without needing to keep opening it up.
Keeping the 360 Cup clean isn’t too much of a chore, as it can be dismantled easily to keep all the nooks and crannies fresh. It’s steriliser and dishwasher safe (top shelf only), and the base is microwave-safe.
Verdict: We loved this one — once Mini Joe got the hang of it. It worked well and was nice and easy to seal and throw in the bag. A good cup to encourage little mouths to sip without a spout or straw without too many spills.
b.box Insulated Drink & Water Bottle
£17.79
Older kids heading back to school this autumn haven’t been left out of the mix by b.box, either. A new 350ml insulted drink bottle has been added to the collection, perfect for school, home, or holidays.
Made from stainless steel, polypropylene and silicone, it’s impact-resistant and has triple-layer insulation to keep hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold for at least 6 hours. The push-button closable lid has a leakproof silicone straw and a carry handle built-in.
The insulted drink bottle is suitable from 12 months upwards and is a sleek modern design that will ensure that all ages look cool at the school lunch table.
Verdict: A nice-looking flask that even tweenagers would be happy to use. It is a little pricey, though, with so many cheaper alternatives available.
b.box Mini Lunch Box for Toddlers
£19.99
Kids’ lunchboxes come in all shapes and sizes, and b.box’s offering is flexible enough to accommodate different lunch alternatives.
A large compartment can fit a whole sandwich, and underneath the tray, there’s a gel cooler pack (included) to keep food fresher for longer. If it’s not a sandwich-kind of day, remove the sandwich tray, and the compartment fits pasta, salads, or anything else you might prefer.
In the corner, there is a whole fruit folder — a stretchy silicone section that bends around the piece of round fruit so that it can stay whole while in the lunchbox, keeping it fresh until it’s time to eat it. The leakproof silicone seal extends to cover two other sections, creating a seal that can house wet foods such as melon or yoghurt without contaminating any other areas of the lunchbox.
The final section extends the whole depth of the lunchbox and has a moveable silicone divider. It can be moved to hold things in place or removed entirely so that larger items like a wrap or a banana fit in whole.
All the silicone seals are removable for thorough cleaning, but it’s handwash only to keep it in tip-top, leakproof condition.
The lid is hinged with an easy-to-open clip to hold it closed, and a sturdy carrying handle makes it practical and easy to carry.
Verdict: This is a very adaptable lunchbox that can accommodate a good variety of different food options. However, it’s probably only suitable for younger children, as it is quite shallow and won’t accommodate enough food for a growing appetite.
