Packing food for daycare, grandparents or outings doesn’t have to be stressful. With a small, consistent kit, you can keep meals simple, safe and easy to clean at the end of the day.
This guide covers what to pack in your daycare or “away” feeding kit, how to use silicone bento boxes and bibs, and a few practical tips for Aussie weather and daycare routines.
For help setting up your whole mealtime kit at home and on the go, see our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU).
Quick checklist: daycare feeding kit
- 1 silicone bento box
- 1–2 silicone spoons
- 1 silicone bib
- Water bottle or cup (as per daycare’s policy)
- Labels for name and room
- Light wet bag or zip pouch for used bib/spoons
You can keep this as a dedicated “away kit” so you’re not constantly raiding your home feeding set.
What to pack in the bento box
The right amount of food will depend on your child’s age, appetite and daycare hours, but most families pack:
- Main: e.g. pasta, rice, sandwich fingers, fritters or leftovers cut into easy pieces.
- Fruit: soft fruit slices or quartered grapes, as recommended by your health professional.
- Snack: something simple like crackers, muffins or yoghurt drops.
Use the compartments to separate wet and dry foods so things stay more appealing by lunchtime.
For easy ideas by age and stage, see our baby & toddler bento snack ideas (AU).
How many spoons and bibs to send
Spoons
- For babies and younger toddlers, pack 1–2 silicone spoons per day.
- Some centres are happy to rinse and reuse; others may prefer a fresh spoon for each meal.
- Choose spoons that match what you use at home so the feel is familiar.
Bibs
- Most families send 1 silicone bib for the day, plus a spare in the bag for longer days or very messy eaters.
- Silicone bibs are easy for educators to wipe between meals and pop into a wet bag when they’re done.
- Check that the bib has adjustable neck settings so it stays comfortable as your child grows.
Keeping everything labelled & organised
Daycare rooms see a lot of similar-looking containers. Clear labels help make sure your kit comes back home:
- Use name labels or a permanent marker on bento box, bib and water bottle.
- Label separate parts like bento lids and spoons if your centre washes dishes onsite.
- Keep everything for the day in a single lunch bag or wet/dry bag so educators can grab it quickly.
End-of-day routine: cleaning your daycare kit
When you get home, a simple routine keeps your silicone kit fresh for the next day:
- Unpack: empty leftover food into the bin or compost and separate bento, bib and spoons.
- Rinse: quickly rinse off food residue under warm water.
- Wash: wash in warm soapy water or put on the top rack of the dishwasher (if your care labels allow).
- Dry: let everything air dry fully before you pack it again.
For full cleaning and deep-clean tips (including stains and smells), see our guide to cleaning silicone feeding gear.
What about grandparents, playdates and outings?
You don’t need a totally separate setup for every place. A single “away kit” can cover most out-of-home meals:
- 1 silicone bento box
- 1–2 spoons
- 1 silicone bib
- Water bottle or cup
Keep this kit packed in the nappy bag or at grandparents’ house, then restock food and wash pieces when you return home.
Weather & food safety in Australia
Hot days and long car trips can make food safety a bit trickier:
- Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice brick for perishable foods.
- Follow your daycare’s guidelines around refrigeration and reheating.
- If you’re unsure, stick to foods that travel well at cooler bag temperature.
Silicone containers help keep food contained and easy to wash, but they don’t replace normal food safety advice from your health professional or daycare.
How the home setup fits in
To keep mornings calmer:
- Keep your home feeding set by the highchair so it never disappears into bags.
- Use a separate bento, bib and spoons as your away kit for daycare and outings.
- If you use the Ikea Antilop highchair, a silicone placemat can stay on the tray to protect it and make wipe-downs quicker.
Recommended mealtime pieces
For help building a calm, matching setup for home, daycare and outings, visit our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU), plus our bib, bowl & bento size guide and cleaning guide.