Silicone beats plastic for kids' lunch boxes

Silicone lunch boxes are a better bet for most kids than plastic, but they’re not perfect.

The big win is peace of mind. Silicone is food-grade, doesn’t have the BPA or phthalate worries that still hang over cheap plastic, and it won’t leach chemicals or hold onto smells the way plastic does. It also survives the schoolyard. Plastic boxes crack; silicone bounces when dropped and can be thrown in the dishwasher forever without warping.

The trade-offs are real though. Silicone is heavier than plastic, and it usually costs more up front. Some kids also struggle with the flexible walls — if the box isn’t on a flat surface, little hands can accidentally squish it and send a sandwich flying. And the cheapest silicone boxes can pill or tear over time, so you don’t want the dollar-store version.

For most families, the durability and zero-worry material make silicone worth the extra few bucks. Just check that the latch is child-friendly and the size fits their backpack.