Cool lunchboxes to kick off the new school year

A new lunchbox is one of the more fun back-to-school purchases you can make, and a cool one can be a bright spot in your kid’s day.

Lisa Freedman, lifestyle director at thekitchn.com, says lunchboxes “have so many smart features these days — like walls packed with gel that stays cool for hours, special compartments that are truly leakproof, expandable sections and more.”

Here are some of the latest options:

1. Vaya Life Tyffyn Lunchbox

These are sleek little numbers with many different looks; an ombre pink finish, a cute panda version or whimsical unicorns prancing all around, to name a few. Each vacuum-insulated lunchbox has metal inner walls and two containers that keep warm food warm and cold food cold. (Both containers need to be working on warm or cold together.) The whole thing snaps closed with metal latches to prevent leakage, and will keep your food at the desired and safe temperature for several hours. The inner containers are dishwasher safe.

2. Takenaka Bento Boxes

This Japanese line of boxes has sleek, clean lines and a bright array of colors from which to choose. They come in a variety of styles and shapes, including round and rectangular. The bottoms are microwavable and they are all dishwasher-safe.

3. OmieBox

This chunky square container in bright primary colors is an insulated, leakproof bento box designed especially for younger kids. It has two temperature zones to keep foods hot or cold. The hot-food insert has a clever, screwable lid with a handle designed for little hands, though if you want to remove the insert you can. The OmieBox itself is not heatable or freezable.

4. Planet Box

Planet Box comes in three sizes: small (Shuttle), medium (Rover) and large (Launch). Each industrial-­looking metal box has several compartments inside and one or two “Dippers” — inserts designed to contain wet foods without leakage. Decorative magnets are available so your kid can customize the lunchbox.

5. Bento Heaven

These compact, rectangular boxes are leak proof, microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, and come with their own cutlery in a little top compartment — knife, spoon and fork, plus chopsticks. The design is simple, appealing to older kids, with bamboo accents and a choice of white or black. Plus, the website offers sweet, printable little “cheer up notes” to pack along with the food.

6. Fluf

These 100% organic cotton canvas bags are adorable and modern-feeling at the same time. Machine-washable, with a tested food-safe lining, they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Offerings include the zip lunch bag with an interior pocket for an ice pack or water bottle; a little snack pack/sandwich bag; or a tote that simply states “Lunch,” or “Girl Power,” or a picture of a cool shark.

7. Built

Built makes many lunch-toting options including cute lunch backpacks for little kids, bento boxes and machine-washable flower lunch totes.