Bento Boxes are a huge trend for back to school this year. Originating from Japan, these cute lunch kits pack up meals and snacks into compact containers that save space, reduce trash and are so easy to take on the go.

They’re smaller then conventional lunch boxes and bags, so at first glance it looks as though they won’t be able to hold enough food. However, these little lunch kits are small but mighty. If you’re wondering how to pack them, look no further. We’ve got a demonstration video that should clear everything up!

There are a lot of different bento boxes to choose from, and you’re bound to find one for you! For kindergarten kids there’s the Monbento Tresor The Kids’ Bento Box in Kiwi and Banana, and for gradeschoolers there’s Lunchbots Trio Bento in Purple Dots or Joli Bento Kotori in Navy or Coral. For teens and adults, Monbento makes their Original Bento in Fuchsia & White and many other colours. And although not strictly bentos, Happy Jackson Lunch Boxes fit a meal and snacks and are so much fun!

Don’t forget cutlery for your meal! Try the Pocket set in various colours from Monbento. And the one thing that bento boxes can’t store is a drink, so you’ll need a great reusable water bottle too! Klean Kanteen have many different sizes for everyone in your family, and they have the leakproof Sport Cap option that’s easy to drink from. And S’well bottles are great for cold or hot drinks, and you must check out the newest patterns they’ve just released for this fall!

And for filling your bento, Well.ca has tons of healthy snacks to choose from. In this video, bentos were filled with Three Works Apple Chips, MadeGood Granola Minis (too yummy to resist!), Mary’s Organic Crackers Sea Salt Pretzel Sticks, Edward & Sons Baked Brown Rice Snaps and a Simply Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar. Also check out Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Granola Bars in Strawberry and Chocolate Chip flavours to fill those bentos!

Have you ever used a bento box? What do you pack in your bento? Let us know in the comments below!