Custom Printed Kids Meal Boxes with Carry Handles

What makes a kids meal box different?

The handle. Two top panels rise up and lock together, and each has a cut-out that becomes a grip. A child can carry the meal from the counter to the table without tipping it.

The body is a simple rectangle, so the whole surface takes print. Our photos show bright orange boxes with a cartoon face, a striped design and a plain white box with a side window.

Because the handle closes the box, nothing falls out when it swings. That matters more for small hands than for adults.

The box stands upright on a table, so it doubles as a little lunchbox. Children eat straight from it and close it again for leftovers.

Who orders kids meal boxes?

Family restaurants and burger bars order them for a children's menu. Cafés at soft play centres, farm parks and leisure centres use them because they are easy to hand over and carry.

Party caterers fill them for birthdays, school events and christenings. Each child gets the same portion in the same box, which avoids arguments at the table.

Nurseries and holiday clubs order them for outings too. A named box per child makes lunch on a coach or in a park far easier to hand out.

• Burger restaurants with a kids' menu
• Soft play and leisure centre cafés
• Birthday and children's party caterers
• Pubs serving family Sunday lunch
• Seasonal events such as Easter trails and Halloween parties

What fits in a standard kids meal box?

Plan the box around your fullest menu combination. A small burger in its wrap, a portion of chips and a treat usually fit in a base about 160 x 100 mm.

Drinks rarely go inside. A cup tips over when the box swings, so serve it separately or in a carrier. The sizes in the table above are guides we often make, and we adjust any of them to your menu.

If the box is for party food with a cake slice, add depth rather than width. Cake squashes easily when the handle panels close over it.

Toddler portions need less room than you think. An oversized box lets food slide about and makes a small meal look mean.

Should the box have a window?

A side window lets the child see the food before opening, which is part of the fun. It also lets staff check an order without unlocking the handle.

Windows cut into board strength, so we keep them to one side panel. A window suits dry items like sandwiches and sliders better than greasy chips pressed against the edge.

If you are unsure, order the first run without a window. You can add one on a later order once you see how the box gets used.

How do you design print that children enjoy?

Big shapes and two or three strong colours read best at a child's eye level. Fine detail and long text get lost, and small print near the handle folds can crack.

Inside print works well for a simple maze or a picture to colour in, so the box keeps children busy while they eat. Our guide to printed food packaging design covers bleed, fold lines and colour choices.

Seasonal versions are easy to add as a second design on the same quote. Pumpkins for Halloween or spring chicks for Easter make a box feel like a treat.

Which board should a kids meal box use?

White folding board is the usual choice. It gives the brightest colours, which matters on a box made to catch a child's eye.

Kraft folding board suits cafés with a natural look. One or two dark inks print clearly on it. Chips and nuggets leave marks on uncoated board, so ask for a grease-resistant lining if fried food goes in. The linings and coated board explainer sets out the differences.

Board weight matters less here than on adult boxes, because the load is light. What matters is stiffness at the handle, so we choose a board that holds its shape when lifted.

How should staff pack a kids meal box?

Kids' orders often arrive with adult orders, so a fixed packing order keeps them quick and consistent.

Write the order on a card by the counter so new staff follow it from day one.

1. Open the box flat on the counter and fold the base before service.
2. Put the main in first, against the back wall.
3. Add the side in a bag, cup or small pot beside it.
4. Lay the treat on top where it will not be crushed.
5. Bring the two handle panels together and lock the tabs.

What goes wrong with kids meal boxes?

We see the same few problems on first orders. Most are easy to avoid at the quote stage.

Measuring your real food before you order catches most of these.

• A box too shallow for a wrapped burger, so the handle will not lock
• Loose chips spilling through the gap under the handle
• Dark ink across the whole box, which hides the playful artwork
• Ordering one design for both party food and fried meals, then finding grease marks

Can kids meal boxes match the rest of your packaging?

Yes, and it helps families recognise you. Use the same colours and logo as your adult boxes, then add a mascot or a lighter pattern for children.

Sliders and small burgers often sit inside, so many restaurants order printed slider boxes for mini burgers in matching artwork. One proof can show both designs together.

Matching boxes also look tidy on a party table. Rows of the same printed carton make a better photo than mixed packaging, and parents share those photos.

How do you order kids meal boxes?

Tell us your menu combination, how many designs you want and roughly how many boxes. Start on our Design Your Packaging page to place your logo, or simply email it to us.

We reply with a written quote from £0.25 per unit and a free proof. Once you sign the proof off, production runs 4–6 business days, and free tracked delivery reaches any UK address in 2–3 business days.

Report any misprint or damage within 10 days, with photos, and we reprint or refund it.