There is rarely a week that goes by where a mum or even a teacher doesn’t ask me about the lunch boxes I use. What are they? Are they good? Where can I buy one?
Drum Roll please. The lunch boxes we use for our 2 children are a Yumbox. (Affiliate link from Biome Eco Stores.)
This product review of the Yumbox is long overdue because I have been using them for quite some time now. I am sorry I have not shared this with you before now.
Prior to changing to the Yumbox, we used a PlanetBox. We thought they were great, and still do, but here’s why we are continuing to use the Yumbox.
Please note, I do not receive any compensation for this review. I am simply sharing because I do love them and because I get asked about them all.the.time.
Yumbox Features I Love As A Mum
- It’s Bento Style which means I can pack variety with loads of colour and the kids get the flexibility to choose to what they want to eat at recess or lunch.
- There are only 2 components. The outside box and the inside tray. They come apart for easy cleaning but the kids don’t think of pulling them apart when they full so both parts ALWAYS come home. No need to visit lost property!!
- The inside tray has cute little pictures in each compartment. They are a great reminder of the key components of a balanced lunch box.
- It’s leak proof. You can put yoghurt in one compartment and it won’t leak into another compartment – even if the lunch box is stood on its side in the school bag!
- Each compartment holds a half cup serve of food so you can also control portion sizes too.
- The inside compartment comes out for easy cleaning. It is dishwasher top shelf safe too. The outside compartment can be put in on the top shelf of the dishwasher as well, but it is recommended you wash this by hand to maintain the leak proof qualities of the silicone lid.
- They are BPA and Phtalates Free so nasties won’t leach into the food you pack.
The YumBox From A Kids Perspective
I asked our 8 & 3.5 year olds what they liked about the YumBox, and here is what they said when comparing it to the PlanetBox.
- It’s lighter to carry.
- It’s easier to open because the catch is bigger.
- They look more like a ‘normal’ lunch box than the Planet Box (big factor for our daughter, not so much for our son).
- The pictures underneath the food I pack are evidently a source of conversation in the playground. This is great because the kids are learning without them realising it. (Note, I don’t always stick to putting foods in the right compartment and this too generates conversation when our daughter gets home. She likes to tell me I got some foods in the wrong spot. If only she knew the real reason I did this was so we would have the very conversation we were having – lol!).
Other Considerations
There are a couple of things which I personally find a little frustrating but not enough to stop me using the Yumbox.
- The 1/2 cup portion size of each compartment is a little small for our 8yo so I always need to pack her a smaller second lunch box. I am really excited though because Yumbox is releasing a new larger box with a compartment that’s big enough to pack a sandwich or a good sized salad. Can’t wait to get one! How’s that for a progressive company – they’ve taken this as a common concern, and designed a box to resolve it.
- It takes a while for the inner compartment to dry because water gathers in the underside or topside depending on which way you drain it. Not a big one, I just leave to drain one side, then flip it to the other side.
- The compartments are irregular shapes, so it makes it a little hard to get creative with packing foods. The positive is that it becomes a time saver too because I am not cutting food into shapes as much.
- You need to pack an ice brick because it’s not insulated but not many lunch boxes are. I always have a carry bag to pack the lunch box and an ice brick into.
Want to see my Yumbox Lunch Boxes for Inspiration?
Jump across and follow the The Root Cause Instagram or Facebook pages. I post pictures and contents of our lunch boxes each day.
Where to Buy a Yumbox?
We have a few favourite places you can buy a Yumbox – including from Biome Eco Stores, Little Bento World and Little Toot’s Lunchbox. These links are affiliate links which means you get a great regular price on your Yumbox, and we earn a small commission to help keep us on the road with our Mission to Transform Children’s Health in Australia, One Lunchbox at a Time!
Do You Want To Win A Yumbox? – Competition CLOSED
If so, well you’ve come to the right place. Megan from Minihippoimports has given me a green Yumbox to give away.
To win a green Yumbox here’s what you have to do:
Step 1: Join other like mind parents at The Root Cause Community and receive our newsletter for tips, recipes and more (if you’ve already done this, great, you’ve already completed step 1)
Step 2: Comment on this post and let me know which colour Yumbox you want to win and why you want it.
This give away is open on Saturday 23rd August 2014 and close midnight Saturday 6th September 2014. Australian residents only.
Good luck and we’ll announce the winner on Sunday 7th September 2014.