Forget Bags! Jennifer Garner Convinced Us to Upgrade to Bento Boxes for School (and Work)

It’s that time of year when parents everywhere must remember what it’s like to pack daily school lunches again. Jennifer Garner is inspiring us to pack smarter by skipping the baggies and opting for nifty bento boxes. And trust Us, these lunch essentials on Amazon will make the morning rush so much simpler with options, starting at $8.

OK, sure — at first glance, it sounds like yet another thing to buy, but it’s actually a clever way to ensure each item has its own place. You see, bento boxes are Japanese-style containers that are designed for individual meals. There are separate compartments within the container so that the sandwich is in one place, the grapes are in another, the cookies are in another and so on. Plus, they’re washable and reusable! Garner took to Instagram to show how helpful bento boxes are when packing school lunch. And hey, if it’s a tip that’s going to make it easier for moms in the morning, we’re all for it!

16 Bento Boxes That Are Ideal for School (and Work) Lunches

1. Our Favorite: With four compartments, a sauce container and utensils, this $14 bento box has everything your little one needs for an easy lunch.

2. Cold Food-Approved: Your kid’s lunch is guaranteed to stay cold thanks to the Bentgo Chill box’s built-in ice pack that covers the entire interior.

3. Soup Lover: There’s no limit to what your child can bring to school when they have an insulated bento box with a leakproof jar for soup, chili and other hot foods. No shame if you get one for yourself, too.

4. Stackable Friend: If you’d prefer a bento box that’s tall, not wide, try the Bentgo Classic box that offers three compartments and three utensils. This shopping editor-loved pick is actually an essential!

5. Utensils Included: The fork and spoon have built-in slots on the clear top of this on-the-go bento box, so you can always be sure they’re securely in place.

6. Leakproof Design: You’ll be confident that this dishwasher-safe bento box won’t leak. It has a silicone ring around each of the four compartments to prevent any accidents in the lunch box.

7. Optional Divider: A little customization is always helpful, and the Bentgo Pop box has an optional divider so you can split the largest compartment.

8. Affordable Find: The $8 price on this clear-lid bento box makes it almost impossible not to try, especially when it comes with a spork.

9. Sauce-Friendly: Whether it’s for guacamole or ketchup, the sauce container is just one reason this school-ready bento box is worth every penny of the $13 price tag.

10. Three-Tier Find: For the kid who loves options, this three-tier bento box has eight compartments, including one for utensils, so they have everything they need.

11. Stainless-Steel Splurge: You can be sure that this three-compartment bento box will last for many school seasons to come. The reason? The stainless-steel structure.

12. Prep Cups: Parents will have an easy time putting lunches together because this MaMix bento box comes with reusable muffin cups to keep food extra organized.

13. Easy Ice Pack: Between the two layers of this stackable bento box is a removable ice pack, so your little one can be greeted with a fresh-tasting meal at lunchtime.

14. Simple Pick: If you’re just stepping into the whole bento box thing, this very simple option has no frills, so you can give it a try without breaking the bank.

15. Salad Fiend: You can’t go wrong with a protein- and veggie-filled salad for lunch, and this Bentgo bento box was specifically designed to keep lettuce, toppings and dressing separate.

16. Two-Compartment Option: For those who don’t need too many compartments, this kid-friendly pick has just two, so their sandwich and side each have a spot.