Trying to decide what to put in your baby or toddler’s bento box? It doesn’t have to be fancy. A few simple, familiar foods in small portions are usually enough for daycare, playdates and outings.
This guide shares age-appropriate snack and light meal ideas for bento boxes, plus a few tips to make packing easier for Australian families.
Always follow the advice of your health professional for allergens, food safety and choking risks, and adapt any ideas here to your child’s needs.
For help choosing and sizing your mealtime kit, see our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU) and bib, bowl & bento size guide.
Quick bento ideas by stage
| Stage | Idea | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (around 7–9 months) | Soft finger foods + small spoon-fed portions | Think steamed veggies, soft fruit and simple mash or yoghurt. |
| Older babies (around 10–12 months) | More textures and simple “mini meals” | Soft fritters, pasta shapes, rice, scrambled egg pieces. |
| Toddlers (12+ months) | Simple main + 2–3 sides | Sandwich fingers or leftovers, plus fruit and a snack. |
Use the compartments to separate wet and dry foods so everything looks more appealing by the time they eat.
Ideas for babies (around 7–9 months)
At this stage, bento boxes are mostly a way to keep soft foods separated and easy to offer. Think very soft textures and pieces that are easy to pick up.
- Soft veggies: steamed carrot sticks, pumpkin pieces or zucchini fingers.
- Soft fruits: very ripe pear or peach slices, banana sticks, mashed avocado.
- Soft carbs: small pieces of very soft pasta or rice mixed into a soft sauce.
- Dip or mash: a small section with smooth hummus, yoghurt or mashed veggies.
Offer small amounts at a time. You can always refill a compartment if they’re still hungry.
Ideas for older babies (around 10–12 months)
As babies become more confident eaters, you can add more variety and slightly firmer textures while still keeping pieces small and manageable.
- Mini fritters: soft vegetable or cheese fritters cut into small pieces.
- Pasta shapes: spirals or bows with a simple sauce.
- Soft proteins: finely shredded chicken, soft fish (with bones carefully removed) or well-cooked lentils.
- Fruit: soft berries (cut as advised by your health professional), ripe melon pieces or kiwi.
- Simple snacks: small pieces of toast fingers with a thin spread.
Pack moist foods away from crisp items so textures stay closer to how you packed them.
Ideas for toddlers (12+ months)
Toddlers often enjoy a simple main plus a few sides they recognise. You don’t need a “perfect” bento – just a balance of familiar foods.
- Main ideas: sandwich fingers, mini wraps, leftover pasta or rice dishes, soft meatballs or patties.
- Fruit & veg: cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes cut to a safe size as advised, apple slices, orange segments.
- Snacks: plain crackers, simple muffins, cheese cubes or yoghurt drops.
If your toddler is starting at daycare, our daycare & out-of-home feeding pack list walks through what else to send.
Tips for packing silicone bento boxes
- Use compartments with a plan: one for main, one for fruit/veg, one for snacks or a “trial” food.
- Don’t overfill: leave a little space so the lid can close without squashing food.
- Seal properly: make sure lids and any internal seals sit flat before you pack the box upright.
- Keep it familiar: include at least one or two foods your child already knows and likes.
Australian weather & food safety
In warmer weather, a few simple habits help keep food safer on the way to daycare or outings:
- Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice brick for perishable items.
- Follow your daycare or health professional’s guidance on how long foods can safely be kept in a lunchbox.
- When in doubt, choose foods that travel well in a cooler bag and avoid leaving boxes in hot cars.
Silicone bentos help keep food contained and easy to wash, but they don’t replace normal food safety advice.
Cleaning and caring for your bento
After each use:
- Empty: discard leftovers or transfer safe items into the fridge.
- Rinse: quickly rinse box and lid to remove sauces and crumbs.
- Wash: wash in warm soapy water or put on the top rack of the dishwasher if your care label allows.
- Dry: let both base and lid air dry completely before closing.
For deeper cleaning, including stains and smells, see our guide to cleaning silicone feeding gear.
How this fits into your overall mealtime setup
Think of your bento box as the “away” part of your mealtime kit:
- Keep your silicone feeding set by the highchair for home meals.
- Use a silicone bento box for daycare, playdates and outings.
- Pair it with a silicone bib and spoon that live in the nappy bag or daycare basket.
Recommended mealtime pieces
For more help building a calm, matching setup for home, daycare and outings, visit our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU), plus our daycare feeding pack list and size guide.