laptop lunchboxes

Spendless

What about looking in your pound shop or wilkos for small sized 'tupperware containers' and putting these into your ususal lunchbag. I got 6 small square containers recently for a £1 for the 6 not each at poundland at meadowhall, just right size for putting dips, or a few cut up fruit or veg or a few small crackers (eg ritz) in.

Linda32

The site looks intersting for idea's but I couldn't justify that cost for a lunch box. I can see how it might be handy but never the less.

We don't have children but do have packed lunches everyday.

OH has a sandwich and cob of whatever, usually cooked meat, apple and another fruit, whatever we have (2 plums today), Celery and carrot stick and cherry toms and a packet of crisps.

I've no idea where he puts all that to be honest, but the only thing he brings home is the apple core in the crips packet for the compst "bless him"

Oh and I can confirm that an apple a day really does keep the doctor away

All this packed in food bags and re-used.

I have a polar gear bag from Wilkinsons and have sandwich, cherry toms, plum (today) Oatcakes and mayo for dipping. Mayo in little box all the rest in bags.

MimiF

I looked at these but couldn't justify the cost I'm afraid. It's an excellent idea but I do the foodgroups automatically anyway and use the Asda smart price containers and those great Klip ones for fruit and snacks.

Kids are rather unadventurous with their lunches, think there is an element of the food police at school unfortunately but today have wholemeal pittas with salami, carrot sticks, cheese chunks, yogurt, fruit juice and fruit (pear or banana). Fridays they have a HM cake or muffin.

MimiF

sunnth

Thanks everyone for your advice. I think for the moment I might continue to fill their normal lunchboxes with lots of containers and think again about buying these in another month or so. My boys have only been in full time school for three days and already they are coming home asking why the other kids have chocolate and crisps and they don't. I might just get one box to start with and see how it works with my eldest dd before I commit to spend that much money. Money isn't that much of a problem but it does seem a lot to spend when I can make do with what I've got.

Rage_in_Eden

My lunchbox is bright green and of the "lunch pail" type so loved by US construction workers (only mine's is plastic). It cost me 50p 4 years ago from the cheap and nasty shop (love that shop!) and I also bought a pink one. The pink one bit the dust a long time ago but I get lots of comments on my green one!!!! (but then you can hardly miss it......):D

highland

On my way home from work I popped into poundland and saw some sectioned lunchboxes similar to the Japanese ones in Tiffs link, not sure of the quality but worth a look at that price. HTH

JillD_2

My son would def. use all the compartments.
Today he had cheese sandwiches, cocktailo sausages, yoghurt and some strawberries. He had a kit kat too but as he's only 3 I have to hide this til the end or he won't eat the rest!! Oh and a drink as well.

QueenB.

They look interesting but i couldn't imagine spending that much on a lunchbox.
My three just have a normal lunch box and i do have lots of little containers that i picked up from the poundshop, mainly because it is more enviromentally friendly than using clingfilm and tinfoil all the time. In summer i add cool packs to keep the food chilled and in winter they take a flask of soup.

They always have something from different foodgroups though as another poster said they can sometimes run out of time before it all gets eaten but then if i can i just put whatever they didn't eat in the fridge for later or the next day.

I would also get worried after spending that much money that one of the pieces might get lost, at least if one of my little cheap pots goes missing i haven't lost much.

thriftlady_2

Thought I'd give an update on these lunchboxes. We've been using them for a term now. Updated opinion in blue

thriftlady wrote:

Hi sunnth, I bought these for my 3 plus husband. They cost £81 altogether(postage was £11 odd) :eek: I know, my OH was a bit alarmed too. I bought the whole kit for each person ie; box, containers, cutlery, drinks bottle, book of ideas and carry case. So with all that I think they are actually pretty good value.If you were to buy it all separately I think you would spend quite a bit.

So far (2 weeks of use) we love them. I find they make me more imaginative when planning the lunches.I now find filling 4 a bit of a pain tbh. So many things won't fit in unless you cut them up; rolls, sandwiches, bananas, and most irritating- apples. You do have to be imaginative, which is fine if you've just got 1 or 2 to do, but I'm finding I just want to make sandwiches more and more.You don't have to use all the containers together, you can move them about or leave them out.The only thing I would say is that my OH's standard 2 rounds of sandwiches don't fit in - in fact the box doesn't work as well for him as it does for the kids.Well, this is even more true now and he's given up on his altogether - 2 rounds of sarnies, an apple and a muffin just won't fit in

I would recommend you get the carry cases as they are easier to transport when they are zipped up. I have a feeling the box might fly open all too easily outside of the case. They look really good too, my kids have personalised their cases with key rings and whatnot. My dd has put her allergy stickers on the box too.

They are easy to clean, but all the containers take up a bit of time drying :rolleyes: This is still true, but there is so much more to wash up when all 4 are in the sink with all the tubs and lids.Then they all need drying quick 'cos I like to fill them the evening before.I can't tell you if they will last for years yet . I'd be a bit concerned that very rough treatment might snap the hinge on the box - depends on the child i supposeThey seem to be wearing well.The cutlery is very good quality and the large lidded container seals really well. We haven't tried a really wet food in them yet, but I will report back tomorrow as I've put yogurt in (I pack them the day before)Oops, don't think I did report back did I? Well wet things are OKish, my younger 2 fared OK with yogurt but eldest said it all leaked out.



HTH:)

So, 4 months on I've decided to retire the lunchboxes and go back to standard clear plastic boxes with a clip on lid. Tomorrow they're having a mini loaf shaped roll (which wouldn't fit in the laptops), an apple - first time this academic year. I'm using the lidded tubs from the laptops for cubes of cheese and carrot sticks.

I think they are best for younger children- toddlers up to age 6. They don't need such a lot of food and like little sandwiches. DS1 who is 11 won't eat salady stuff at school, it's not cool, he just wants a couple of rolls.

You live and learn :rolleyes: an expensive mistake I think - for me and my family anyway, I'm sure others are getting along fine with them.

tiff

I feel kind of the same. They are ok if you stick to the same type of foods all the time, like leftover meals from the night before etc. But if you want to put in a bigger item, like Thriftlady says it doesnt work. My youngest aged 6 still uses hers but my son aged 9 doesnt. My daughter likes her apple cut up into slices so I do that and put it into one of the lidded tubs. She will have a sandwich or cut up, or a tortilla or lastnights leftover pasta bake etc. (She likes it cold!)