The lunch box that opens fastest wins

For a kid with a short lunch period, the most important lunch box feature is how fast — and how independently — it opens.

Every latch, twist, and pull costs time. A zipper that snags, a screw-on thermos lid, or a bento with twelve separate mini-lids will eat into their actual eating time. By the time they wrestle all of it open, recess is calling.

Look for one wide-open clamshell or a bento with a single simple clasp that a little kid can pop in one motion. The kind you can open with one hand while holding a milk carton in the other. Stay away from stacked tiers and airtight silicone seals that need adult grip strength.

Also worth thinking about: compartments built into the box are good, because they mean you don’t have to stuff three separate baggies in and watch your kid fumble with each one. And skip anything that requires assembly — some bento boxes come with little dippers and trays, which is just more stuff to open.

The best lunch box is the one they can open without raising their hand for help.