Get the Bentgo Kids, not the fancy ones

The Bentgo Kids lunch box is the right first lunch box for a toddler because that single flip latch is actually easy for small hands.

The latch is the whole game here. A lot of kids’ lunch boxes look simple but aren’t. Sistema’s two side clasps need both thumbs and real strength. The Yumbox clip has to line up perfectly or it jams. That leaves you with a two-year-old yelling “OPEN” across the cafeteria, or worse — tipping the whole box over and shaking it until food flies out.

The Bentgo Kids has one centered latch that flips up with a thumb. Most two-year-olds can do it after a couple tries. And the lid seals tight against the tray, so when they drop it (they will) or jam it sideways into a backpack, the food stays put. It’s not leakproof — don’t send soup in it — but it’s spill-resistant exactly the way this age needs.

It’s dishwasher safe, the portions are reasonable, and the latch holds firm in a bag but opens easy for them. The only downside is no insulation, so throw in an ice pack during summer or grab the Chill version.

A lunch box your kid can open themselves saves you from being the Official Lunch Opener for the next three years.