When you’re out and about with kids during the summer holidays, eating can get expensive. Packing up a picnic can have its own challenges, but clever designs, the b.box lunchbox, and insulated bottles and food jars make that, and back-to-school packed lunches, just a little easier.

Australian brand b.box has created an impressive array of lunchboxes, cups, water bottles and insulated food containers that are kid-friendly and easy to use. Useful for summer days out, winter wanders and school packed lunches, they combine quality and longevity well, but with prices at the more premium end of the market, are they impressive enough to warrant the initial outlay?

Pros:
+ Great quality products that will last
+ Easy for little hands to use
+ Dishwasher safe, making product care nice and simple

Cons:
– Premium-priced products, making the initial outlay is quite high
– Spork isn’t attached to the food jar, so it could be easily lost

B.box Lunchbox
£20

No summer picnic or outing is complete without a lunchbox. Complete with a carry handle and an easy-to-close catch, this sectioned lunchbox keeps everything separate and securely in place, so it can happily be thrown into a bag or rucksack without worries about slipping or spoiling. 

One section has a silicone seal built into the lid, so cut fruit or yoghurt stays in its section. Above that, there’s another silicone section which can stretch to accommodate uncut fruits (apples or oranges are a perfect fit). 

b.box lunchbox

The other half of the b.box lunchbox features an adjustable divider, which slides to the size you need, with enough resistance to keep it in place. If you want to accommodate something larger, like a whole banana, the divider lifts out altogether. 

All of the edges within the lunchbox are rounded, so there is nowhere for food to get stuck and become unhygienic, and it’s dishwasher safe on the top rack, making cleaning even easier. 

B.box insulated drinks bottle (350ml)
£24

When you’re out and about this summer with little ones, one of the most important things is to keep them nicely hydrated. But keeping things chilled can be a challenge without lugging some heavy-weight flasks around. 

The insulated drinks bottle from b.box holds up to 350ml of liquid, and, thanks to the triple-insulated walls, can keep the contents cool for up to 8 hours, or warm for up to 6 hours for the chillier months.  

b.box lunchbox insulated water bottle

It’s designed for little hands to use easily, and the flip-top lid is leak-proof once clicked into place. Inside, there’s a silicone straw that provides a good rate of flow and is gentle on little mouths. 

Both the internal straw and the silicone straw top can be easily removed for thorough cleaning, and replacement parts are available (starting from £8 for a pack of two), making it a sustainable option that should last the course.

B.box insulated food jar with spork
£24

On a hot day, there’s nothing like some cool fruit or chilled yoghurt as the perfect picnic treat. The insulated food jar keeps things nicely chilled and tightly contained until you’re ready to bust out the snacks. 

The wide top makes it easy to fill and easy for kids to use independently. There’s a spork included, which tucks into a slot in the base bumper, but with nothing to tether it to the jar, I fear it could be easily lost. 

The screw top helps to keep the jar sealed and leak-proof, and has a stopper built in so that it can’t become over-tightened – I know, I’ve tried! Even when well tightened, kids can still remain independent and open the jar themselves. 

One of the lovely features is that the insulated food jar can also grow with the child. The side handles that toddlers and pre-schoolers can keep a grip of are quickly removable, making it an ideal jar for school-packed lunches or outings as they grow.

B.box lunchbox and water bottle range: The verdict

There’s no denying that the range of products from b.box is well-made and versatile. From day trips to everyday use, kids will love using it. It’s a range that is designed with the end user – the kids – firmly in mind. From soft, silicone carry handles, easy-to-open catches, and removable side handles, each piece can be adapted for your child.

Parents haven’t been forgotten, either. The insulated bottles and jars are made from stainless steel and are dishwasher safe. Straw tops are fully replaceable, and lunchboxes have curved edges for easier cleaning. What’s not to love?

b.box lunchbox range

The only real fly in the ointment is the price point. For families on a budget or with multiple children, it would be a heavy investment. But that’s exactly what it is. Kids will be able to get a lot of use from the b.box products, and they will – unless your child is prone to losing things – easily last the course and still look great.

Tested: b.box lunchbox, insulated water bottle and insulated food jar
Price: from £20
Average Janes Rating: ★★★★☆

Sam Huff
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