Image and self-esteem are important, and so is liking your lunch. That's why the best thermos can be the one sporting the right cartoon character or activity theme. Naturally, themed thermoses come and go with entertainment fads. As of January 2011, some of Thermos brand's selections include Dora the Explorer, Hello Kitty, Barbie, Iron Man 2 and Star Wars. Some themed thermoses only come as part of a lunchbox or lunch cooler set.
In order for a thermos to be successful, your child has to be able to easily use it. That means looking for a thermos that opens and closes easily, and whose drinking or pour spout doesn't gush when opened. Closing tightly is of particular importance, and you don't want a thermos that is too complicated or needs a lot of force to seal.
There are a number of thermos types to consider. Some hold only drinks and are sometimes referred to as thermos bottles. Others are wide, shorter and cylindrical and are designed for foods such as soups and stews. These are sometimes referred to in thermos manufacturing nomenclature as food jars and can be an important part of packing a healthy, homemade lunch. If your child is fussy and prefers only a hot lunch, a food jar may be the best thermos choice. At the same time, thermos jars also are good for holding soft, cold foods like cottage cheese and potato salad. Depending on your child's tastes and your nutritional goals for your child, either or both types of thermos may be what you need.
Maintaining the temperature of food and drink is the main purpose of a thermos. Vacuum-sealed thermoses do this best. A high-quality, vacuum-sealed thermos can keep cold drinks cold all day and hot soup just as hot at lunch time as it was when it was ladled. Sometimes, however, quality can run up against fashion. The best vacuum-sealed containers often are plain, as they are marketed for the adult market.