Buying a backpack and a lunch bag as two separate decisions usually means a bit of guesswork. Will it fit inside? Will the colours actually go? Does the kid even want a bag that matches, or is that more a parent thing? Here's what we actually recommend pairing at each stage, and which ones already come matched so there's no guessing involved.
Daycare (Little Adventures Starter Kit)
For daycare, most centres provide food or have their own container system, so a full lunch bag usually isn't the thing parents need yet. The Little Adventures Starter Kit keeps it simple, a backpack, a matching drink bottle, and a complimentary magnetic hat clip for daycare's own no hat, no play policy. $84.95, six characters. No lunch bag in this one, because at this stage most kids don't need one yet. We've written about the sizing and compartment reasoning behind this one in more depth in our daycare backpack guide.
Starting Kindergarten or Preschool (Already Matched)
This is the one stage where the decision's already made for you. The Starting Kinder & Preschool Bundle comes with the Junior backpack, a matching lunch bag, the Duo bento and food jar, a drink bottle and a pencil case, all in one buy, all actually sized to fit together. $163.96. If you've already read our Kindergarten lunch box guide, this is the same Duo bento, just bundled with everything else that goes with it.
Primary Through Lower High School (Axis + Commute Tote)
The Axis Kids Backpack Bundle comes with a matching library bag and pencil case, but not a lunch bag, Axis is built to carry a lunch bag rather than include one. We pair it with the Commute Lunch Bag Tote, and both sizes we make actually fit inside the Axis backpack, so it's really about which size suits how much your kid's eating, not which one fits.
High School (Daily, Flex, Momentum or Commute + Commute Lunch Bag)
None of the four high school backpacks, Daily, Flex, Momentum or Commute, come bundled with a lunch bag either, by this stage the backpack decision is usually about laptop space, phone-lock pockets or daily load, not what else is in the bundle. We recommend the Commute Lunch Bag here too, it fits inside all four.
Quick Reference
| Stage | Backpack | Lunch Bag | Bundled or Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare | Little Adventures Starter Kit | Not included (most centres provide food) | Bundled, $84.95 |
| Starting Kindergarten / Preschool | Junior backpack | Matching lunch bag + Duo bento | Bundled, $163.96 |
| Primary to lower high school | Axis | Commute Lunch Bag Tote (either size) | Paired separately |
| High school | Daily, Flex, Momentum or Commute | Commute Lunch Bag | Paired separately |
Shop by Stage
Starting Daycare Bundle · Starting Kinder & Preschool Bundle · Axis Backpack Bundle · High School Backpacks · Commute Lunch Bags
FAQs
Does the Axis backpack come with a matching lunch bag?
Not bundled, but the Commute Lunch Bag Tote is sized to fit inside it, in either of the two sizes we make.
What lunch bag fits the high school backpacks?
The Commute Lunch Bag fits inside Daily, Flex, Momentum and Commute, so it works whichever of the four your kid ends up with.
Does the daycare starter kit include a lunch bag?
No, it's backpack, drink bottle and a hat clip. Most daycare centres provide food or have their own container system at this age, so a full lunch bag usually isn't needed yet.
What's included in the Starting Kinder & Preschool Bundle?
The Junior backpack, a matching lunch bag, the Duo bento and insulated food jar, a drink bottle and a pencil case, all in one buy for $163.96.
Related reads: backpack by age and stage, best Kindergarten backpack, best lunch box for Kindergarten, what to pack for kindy and daycare.