Skip the latches. Get a peel-off bento.

For a toddler who can’t open latches yet, a bento with a peel-off lid is the way to go. Clamshells are cute, but most of them close with a snap or latch that requires exactly the finger strength your kid doesn’t have yet.

A peel-off lid usually has a tab at one corner. A kid can grab that tab and pull — it’s a much easier motion than holding a box with one hand and pulling a latch with the other. I’d rather hand a toddler a box they can open themselves than set up a daily “Mom/Dad, open this” situation.

One warning: not all peel-off lids are equal. Some fit so tight they may as well be latches. Look for one with a clear, easy-to-grab tab and a lid that isn’t vacuum-sealed. If you can lift it at home with one finger, it’s good. Also, avoid popular latch-style boxes like Bentgo Kids or Easy Lunchboxes for this age — they’re great for preschoolers, not for a 2-year-old who gives up after one try.

Get the peel-off bento. Future meals will be a lot quieter.