The $6.99 ALDI Find I'll Be Using for Years to Come

I'll never forget the look on my four-year-old daughter's face when I presented her with her own Thermos for taking a hot lunch with her to kindergarten. She beamed. It was such a big girl gift, along with her backpack and lunch box, that I could feel the excitement radiating from her.

I love sharing these moments with my kids and trying to do what I can to make them feel extra special. So when I saw that ALDI was carrying these cute insulated food containers in their back-to-school finds, I had to share in the excitement.

At just $6.99, the Crofton insulated container is a fraction of the price of big-name brands. I think I paid $20 (or more) for my daughter's child-size Thermos, so this find feels like hitting the lunchbox lottery.

Why I Love ALDI's Vacuum-Insulated Container

The 13.5-ounce capacity container comes in four pretty, child-friendly colors. Aside from the simple black option, ALDI has a range of trendy pastel options featuring a light purple, mauve, and blue base. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps food hot (or cold) for hours, and the durable stainless steel construction means it can handle being tossed around in a backpack.

My favorite features are the leak-proof lid and built-in foldable spoon—it has its own spoon cubby! My daughter's $20 Thermos didn't include any cutlery. Now, there's really no excuse for the utensils not to come home. Hooray!

How I Use ALDI's Vacuum-Insulated Container

While sandwiches and quesadillas make it into regular packed-lunch rotation, having a quality container has opened up a world of lunch possibilities. Some of our family favorites include homemade chicken or chickpea noodle soup, which stays hot in the vessel until lunchtime.

My daughter also loves a good breakfast-for-lunch (or dinner) situation and gets excited when I prepare overnight oats with fresh berries for her mid-day meal. It's a nutritious treat that feels like dessert. Cheesy tortellini casserole and gussied-up mac and cheese are always crowd-pleasers. I toss in some veggies for an extra nutritional boost. And these burritos, a great store-bought option, is ready in two minutes, and hold up very well as a packed lunch.

Having access to both hot and cold lunch options has made my daughter more excited about eating healthier, more varied lunches. And while they're not always a home run, she generally loves the novelty of opening up a warm meal in the middle of the school day.

For just $6.99, it's a small investment that will level up your kiddo’s lunch game (for the better) for a long, long time. It's cute, durable, handy, and incredibly cost-effective. Plus, it has that cute built-in spoon!