One of the most important things for a successful school year is making sure your child has a good lunch. And who doesn’t love a delicious hot meal? A thermos is a great way to keep food warm, but it can be tough to choose with so many different options on the market.

At Ordo, we know a thing or two about serving up warm, homestyle meals! And we’re here to help you in your search for the perfect thermos for your kids. Keep reading for a complete buyers guide, as well as our top five kids thermos containers for hot food in school lunches.

Buyer’s Guide - Best Kids’ Thermoses & Food Jars

When it comes to choosing a thermos for your child’s school lunch, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Some of the most important factors that we based our ranking on include: size, material, heat retention, outside temperature, and lids. Price is obviously something to consider as well, but we left that out and opted to find five within a reasonable price range.

Size

Volume is important to consider when purchasing a thermos for your child. A good rule of thumb is to choose a size that can accommodate at least two cups of food. This will ensure that there’s enough space for a hearty portion, as well as leftovers if need be!

Material

When it comes to material, there are a few different options. The most popular choice is stainless steel, as it doesn’t retain flavors or scents and is very durable. Look for a thermos with double-wall vacuum insulation, as this will ensure that your child’s food stays at the perfect temperature.

Heat Retention

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a thermos is how well it retains heat. Look for a model that can keep food hot for at least five hours, as this will ensure that your child’s lunch stays warm until they’re ready to eat it.

Outside Temperature

A thermos needs to be cool to the touch because that means that no heat is escaping it. If there is, then heat will be escaping the thermos making the outside temperature hot and potentially burning your kid's hands.

Lids

A good lid is crucial when picking a thermos for your kid. You want something that will keep contents inside secure, but not is difficult for your kid to open at lunch. Look for a model with a tight-fitting seal to prevent leaks, as well as a wide opening for easy access. Some lids even come with built-in utensils, which can be handy if your child forgets theirs at home.

So let’s get into it, here are our top picks!

Our Top Picks:

  1. Lunchbots Insulated Container
  2. Foogoo Vaccum Insulated Food Jar
  3. WayEee Thermos for Hot Food
  4. Bentology Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Jar
  5. Snug Flask For Kids

Lunchbots Insulated Container

Lunchbots Insulated Container

Our number one pick is the Lunchbots Insulated Container. It comes in two options in terms of size, 12 ounces, and 16 ounces. It's made of durable 18/8 stainless steel, and get this—it's triple insulated! So you can bet ya, this thing will keep food at just the right temperature! Whether it's hot or cold. And the triple-insulated technology will most definitely keep it cool to the touch. The screw-on lid is also leak-proof which makes it great for throwing into a lunch box or backpack and not having to worry about spills.

Foogoo Vaccum Insulated Food Jar

Foogoo Vaccum Insulated Food Jar

The Foogoo Vaccum Insulated Food Jar has a 10-ounce capacity and is made of double-walled, durable, stainless steel. The heat retention is great, as it keeps contents warm for up to five hours, and cold for up to seven hours! And with the double-walled insulation, it's sure to stay cool to the touch with warm foods and sweat-proof with cold foods. The Foogoo Vaccum Insulated Food Jar also features a rubber grip lid that is ergonomically designed for kids to handle easily.

WayEee Thermos for Hot Food

WayEee Thermos for Hot Food

The Wayne Thermos for Hot food has a capacity of 16 ounces, which makes it great for packing a hearty hot lunch. It's made of 100% BPA-Free and PVC-Free material and features a double-walled stainless steel body. Having a larger capacity, it can keep food or drinks for up to 6~12 hours, due to the great insulation it provides. Also, with the double-walled insulation, it will stay cool to the touch on the outside. Something unique about this thermos is that the plastic lid on the top functions as a bowl as well, and includes a foldable spoon.

Bentology Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Jar

Bentology Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Jar

As a middle option between the last two, the Bentology Bento Jar has a capacity of 13 ounces. It's made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel that is double-walled to ensure maximum insulation and keep food hot or cold for hours. The double-walled insulation also ensures that the thermos will stay cool to the touch for your little one. It also features an easy-to-use lid that screws on and vacuum insulate the contents inside.

Snug Flask For Kids

Snug Flask For Kids

This thermos comes in two options for size, either 12 ounces or 17 ounces, which is a great option. It's made from high-quality stainless steel, so it will never rust, bend or break with regular use. And of course, keep the contents inside at temperature until lunchtime. What we love about this one, in particular, is the push-top lid which is convenient and hygienic for kids at school.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Our top five picks for kid's thermos containers for hot food in school lunches. We hope this list has helped you narrow down your search and find the perfect option for your child.

Each one is durable, easy to use, and will keep food hot (or cold) for hours. So whether your child is looking for a lightweight option or one that will keep their food hot all day long, we’ve got you covered.