Tech

Moms on Instagram are getting wildly competitive over the state of their kids' lunch boxes

Madison Malone Kircher

2015-09-03T18:48:04Z

For many kids, a school lunch consists of basic foods — like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches — but now, thanks to a new bento box lunch trend, kids are being sent to school with edible artworks in their lunch boxes, and some parents are feeling the stress.

The creative-lunch-box trend has been popularized on sites like Instagram, where many parents post daily pictures of their lunch-box designs, as noted by US News and World Report.

For parents who aren't able to send their kids to school with sandwiches shaped like Elsa from "Frozen" and pineapples cut into hearts, these intricate lunch boxes can be a source of competition, and even embarrassment.

Keep reading to learn more about the competitive world of kids' lunch boxes on Instagram.

Check out this lunch box. It might look a little different from the brown paper bags you had as a kid.

Corn dog bites, broccoli, sweet pepper, cantaloupe, gogurt, and a few peanuts. #ainsleyslunch #bentolunch #lunchbox

A photo posted by Heather Carroll Adams (@graveebaby) on Aug 31, 2015 at 4:40am PDTAug 31, 2015 at 4:40am PDT

Many of the lunches are created in the style of Japanese bento boxes, with foods separated into individual containers.

#pandabear #Yumbox #yumboxlunches #funtimes #life #creativelunch #happylife #lifestyle #fitnation #healthylifestyle #healthychoices #fitfam #follow #loveyou #loveit #loveher #happyday #daughter #funtimes #life #playwithfood #creativelunch #bento #AHlunchtrommel #kindermodeblog #preworkout #swimming #ptbacktoschoolchallenge

A photo posted by 365 days of mini me lunch-box (@365daysofminimelunchbox) on Aug 26, 2015 at 9:31pm PDTAug 26, 2015 at 9:31pm PDT

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A quick Instagram search for hashtags like "#KidsBento" or "#CuteLunch" will yield thousands of pictures of adorably shaped sandwiches and perfectly portioned snacks.

Today's yummy lunch. The awesome FunBites cutter got a workout today with a big Vegemite croissant and pikelets both in bite sized squares. Also packed in the Shikiri, pretzels, strawberries, kabana slices and a carob coated buckwheat crispbread. #thebentobuzz #lunchboxideas #lunch #lunchtime #bento #bentobox #foodpicks #bees #schoollunch #funfoodforkids

A photo posted by The Bento Buzz (@thebentobuzz) on Jul 28, 2015 at 8:38pm PDTJul 28, 2015 at 8:38pm PDT

The trend has also taken off on Pinterest, where there are tons of bento-box inspiration boards.

Day 3 - #school #lunch #popcorn #sugarsnappeas #strawberries #blueberries #raspberry #sausage #raisins #bunny #bread #buns extra #pluots just because they love them! #schoollunch #lunch #note #lunchnotes #bento #bentolunch #kidslunch #homemadebuns #homebakedbread #foodie #breadmachine

A photo posted by jas e15 (@jas_e15) on Sep 2, 2015 at 7:47am PDTSep 2, 2015 at 7:47am PDT

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The lunch boxes often involve characters from popular movies and television shows. Check out this "Minions"-inspired box.

#minions #minion #Yumbox #yumboxlunches #funtimes #life #creativelunch #happylife #lifestyle #fitnation #healthylifestyle #healthychoices #fitfam #motivation #follow #vitamins #loveyou #loveit #loveher #happyday #daughter #funtimes #life #playwithfood #creativelunch #happylife #bento #school #minioncookies #minionsbento #AHlunchtrommel

A photo posted by 365 days of mini me lunch-box (@365daysofminimelunchbox) on Aug 18, 2015 at 9:33pm PDTAug 18, 2015 at 9:33pm PDT

Basic fruits like grapes and strawberries get dressed up with plastic eyeballs and princess crowns in this lunch box.

#bento #bentobox #lunchtrommel #broodtrommel #lunchbox #lunch #gezond #gezondelunch #healthy #preworkout #swimminglessons #smallbites #funfood #foodart #happyfood #amsterdam l#bentosforkids #kidslunch #kinderlunch #kinderlunchtrommel #lunchboxidea #creativelunch #bentousa #bentolunch #characterbento #bynto

A photo posted by 365 days of mini me lunch-box (@365daysofminimelunchbox) on May 21, 2015 at 5:08pm PDTMay 21, 2015 at 5:08pm PDT

There are even stores, like The Bento Buzz, devoted to selling tiny decorations for crafting the perfect lunch box.

It's spring! To celebrate my little bee is having a vegetable (lettuce, avo, carrot, noodles) rice paper roll, cherry tomatoes, snow peas, carrot flowers, strawberries and berry yoghurt. For a drink I've added some fresh pineapple, strawberry and orange slices to his ice water to make it 'juice' 😜 #thebentobuzz #spring #lunchbox #lunchboxinspiration #lunchboxideas #bento #bentobox #bentgo #juiceinthebox #funfoodforkids

A photo posted by The Bento Buzz (@thebentobuzz) on Aug 31, 2015 at 8:03pm PDTAug 31, 2015 at 8:03pm PDT

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Indiana mom Missy started making daily bento boxes for her daughter, Peyton, after returning to a full-time job, Missy told TI. She regularly posts pictures of the boxes on Instagram.

It's the last day of first grade!! Yay for summer!!! #Peytonslunchbox #cutelunch #packedlunch #kidslunch #schoollunch #bentolunch #bento #yubo #getyubo #cutefood #kidsfood

A photo posted by Missy (@peytonslunchbox) on Jun 3, 2015 at 5:44am PDTJun 3, 2015 at 5:44am PDT

"It was a long time to be apart," Missy explained to TI. "I love the idea of a visual reminder in the middle of each day that I love her and am thinking about her."

More peaches from her papas backyard meant we HAD to make a pie! #Peytonslunchbox #cutelunch #cutefood #cutefoodforkids #kidslunch #kidslunchbox #kidslunchideas #schoollunch #schoollunchbox #bento #bentobox #bentolunch #yubo #peachpie

A photo posted by Missy (@peytonslunchbox) on Sep 2, 2015 at 5:11am PDTSep 2, 2015 at 5:11am PDT

"It makes us both a little happier to have this connection," Missy told TI. "The lunches just make my daughter smile a little more. I love seeing how happy they make her."

👧😍💕 #peytonslunchbox #cutelunch #kidslunch #kidslunchideas #kidslunchbox #kidsfood #cutefood #kidsfoodideas #cutefoodforkids #schoollunch #schoollunchideas #bento #bentobox #bentolunch #yumbox #yumboxlunch

A photo posted by Missy (@peytonslunchbox) on Aug 25, 2015 at 5:58am PDTAug 25, 2015 at 5:58am PDT

Not everyone online feels quite so warm and fuzzy about the intricate-lunch-box trend, however.

#firstdayofschool #lunch #schoollunch #bentolunch #kidslunch #ziploc

A photo posted by jas e15 (@jas_e15) on Aug 30, 2015 at 9:35pm PDTAug 30, 2015 at 9:35pm PDT

"I can really get myself worked up into panic mode just thinking about what to pack for my daughter’s lunch for the week," writes one blogger.

Lunch for the road, we're heading ti the Belgian Ardennes for the weekend. In the Yumbox for our son are cucumber and zweet pepper stars, pretzels, crikle cut carrots, red grapes, strawberries and blueberries and some puffed rice #yumbox #yumboxlunch #lunchbox #yummy #healthykids #kidslunchbox #bento #poweryourlunchbox

A photo posted by Valerie Zalzouli (@valeriezalzouli) on Aug 21, 2015 at 12:12am PDTAug 21, 2015 at 12:12am PDT

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"Are other moms really doing this?" the blogger also asks. "I am having a hard-enough time making a sandwich without crust and now I have to sculpt it?"

Verao comecando...its beach time! Fish and octopus...#yumboxpanino, #yumbox#kidslunchideas

A photo posted by Val Bicalho (@annaise1983) on May 8, 2015 at 4:46am PDTMay 8, 2015 at 4:46am PDT

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For parents who don't have the time or the means, these lunch boxes can be a source of anxiety.

#simplelunchbox #bento #bentotiger #tiger #lunchbox #bentolovers #bekalsekolah #bekalanak #bekalpraktis #schoollunchbox #bekalanakpraktis #bentoforkids #burger #burgerlucu #burgerimut #malang For my Olin

A photo posted by Dewi Fenny (@dewi_fenny) on Aug 26, 2015 at 5:44pm PDTAug 26, 2015 at 5:44pm PDT

"It seems that some better-than-me mother (who, I guarantee, does have a Pinterest account) has been sending her daughter to school everyday with a lunchbox full of 'love' in the form of Disney inspired entrees," writes Scary Mommy blogger Kim Bauer. "Thanks a lot, lady."

Sandwich Friday! Peanut-butter & banana sandwich with graham cracker ears, carrot sticks, red grapes, and a small salad with a bottle of vinegarette. #ainsleyslunch #bentolunch #lunchbox

A photo posted by Heather Carroll Adams (@graveebaby) on Aug 28, 2015 at 4:54am PDTAug 28, 2015 at 4:54am PDT

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For many families, sending kids to school with a homemade lunch isn't an option. More that 17 million students in the US receive free or reduced-rate lunches from their school cafeterias, according US News and World Report.

#Summer #vibes #Yumbox #yumboxlunches #funtimes #life #creativelunch #happylife #lifestyle #fitnation #healthylifestyle #preworkout #swimming #onthego #healthychoices #fitfam #motivation #follow #vitamins #loveyou #loveit #loveher #happyday #daughter #funtimes #life #playwithfood #creativelunch #happylife #bento #icecream #sandwiches

A photo posted by 365 days of mini me lunch-box (@365daysofminimelunchbox) on Jun 28, 2015 at 1:02am PDTJun 28, 2015 at 1:02am PDT

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"It can make you feel like a complete failure," one mom told US News and World Report about the lunch-box trend.

For My little vegetarian 🇸🇪💙💙💙 #blue #mashedpotatoes #falafel #bentoph #inbentors #bentophthemeoftheweek #bentomommas #lunchlåda #lunchdags #lunchtime #lunch #instalunch #packinglunch #bento #bentolunch #bentomaking #bentoforkids #food #mat #matlåda #makingfoodfun #kidfriendlyfood #brotdosenparade #vegetarian #vegetariskt #veggie #nomeat #madpakke #eväät #matboks

A photo posted by Maria Åkesson (@lunchboxmamman) on Sep 1, 2015 at 11:43am PDTSep 1, 2015 at 11:43am PDT

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At least one blogger has asked her readers to go back to traditional lunch-box staples.

#barbie #lunchbox #lunchtoschool #sandwiches #boterham #healthy #bento #bentobox #charaben #kawaiifood #kawaii #vegetables #fruit #fruitkebab #amsterdam #school #lunchnaarschool

A photo posted by 365 days of mini me lunch-box (@365daysofminimelunchbox) on Nov 18, 2014 at 10:00pm PSTNov 18, 2014 at 10:00pm PST

"Ladies, even if your child doesn't buy lunch, I'm here on my linoleum floor, begging you to step away from the melon baller and to embrace the beautiful quadrilateral simplicity of a square cheese sandwich," Bauer concluded in her Scary Mommy post.

Ned's lunch using accessories from @thebentobuzz 💛 #toddlerfoodideas #broodfood #lunchboxinspiration

A photo posted by Peta AKA TraineeMama (@traineemama) on Jul 29, 2015 at 7:09pm PDTJul 29, 2015 at 7:09pm PDT

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