When I was a kid, one of my favorite parts of back-to-school time was choosing a brand new lunch box. That was back in the ’70s and we didn’t have many choices beyond metal ones, some adorned with our favorite characters. And then there were the long ones like the kind construction workers brought to the job site — you know, the ones that are big enough to hold a full-sized thermos. I knew some kids who carried their lunch in those, and had total thermos-envy.

When I used to work in an office, I’d bring lunch most every day. Even then, I wanted a cute lunch bag. Why shouldn’t we carry our sandwiches and cheesy doodles in a container that makes us smile? You know what else makes me smile? Cheesy doodles.

Here are eight fun, cat-themed lunch boxes, some vintage and some brand-new. I think all of them are suitable for kids, adults, and adults who are kids at heart.

This Garfield goody comes to us from good ol’ 1978. Right about that time I was in 2nd grade and carrying a red Snoopy lunchbox (he’s a dog, I know … but SNOOPY!). My mom used to send me soup in the little thermos. Those little thermoses were the shizz, and I always felt a little bit fancy holding the cup part of it like a coffee cup. So grown up.

This tall Hello Kitty lunch bag is on store shelves right now. My kids have had this style of lunch box and I have to say I like the shape of it. It’s roomy, and there are extra compartments for snacks. I wish everything came with extra compartments for snacks.

I suppose after the recent blasphemy claiming Hello Kitty isn’t really a cat, this lunch bag may not even qualify for this post. I don’t care — I still think she’s a cat. And she brings snack compartments, so she’s cool with me.

This is a fun, modern lunch bag that I would totally carry. I’d even use it as a purse! Look at those adorable kitty faces beckoning you to unzip the bag and enjoy your leftover shrimp lo mein. Thanks, kitties!

I was never really a fan of Heathcliff — I was more of a Garfield girl. This metal lunch box was popular in the early ’80s and there are tons of them available online. See, hardly anyone is selling their Garfield lunch box because he’s way cooler than Healthcliff. The only bonus to this particular one is the cool pop-out straw feature on the thermos. Smooth!

Here’s another one that would work for an adult or child. If I had this bag, I couldn’t wait to pull my apple and granola bar out of the giant cat head. It looks awfully roomy as well. I’ll bet you could probably bring treats for your friends as well. The giant cat head would become like a magician’s top hat, full of never-ending goodies! I need this.

Eco-conscious lunchers will appreciate this machine-washable, canvas lunch bag that’s made of recycled cotton fibers. Look at the cat’s sweet face on front of the bag. Look at it! I would probably stare at the cat’s face and forget to eat my lunch.

Land of Giants was a sci-fi television show that ran for two seasons in the late ’60s and early ’70s. If you like watching travelers lost on an island of giant people and animals, you might have enjoyed this show. If you like to look at a giant cat about to eat lost travelers, you might like to carry your lunch inside this metal box.

This colorful kitty lunch-bag is available right this second. That’s right, you can run over to Target.com and pick up this cute orange kitty with the striped belly and fill it with all sorts of nom-ables. And while you’re on Target.com, remember to pick up new towels and some sunglasses. You can’t even get out of the Target website without a half-dozen things that were not on your list.

Do you have memories of favorite lunch boxes? Have you seen cute ones that are current? Share in the comments!

Read More by Angie Bailey:

Learn more about your cat with Catster:

About the Author: Angie Bailey is an eternal optimist with an adoration of all things silly. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, thinking about cats doing people things and The Smiths. Writes Catladyland, a cat humor blog, Texts from Mittens (originated right here on Catster) and authored whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, a silly book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in a comedy web series that features sketches and mockumentaries. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.

Angie Bailey, an award-winning writer, podcaster, and humorist, is the author of Texts from Mittens and Whiskerslist: The Kitty Classifieds. She’s written cat humor for over a decade, and lives in Minneapolis with her fiancé and two cats — Phoebe, a sassy senior and Janet, a teenage kitty with tons of tortitude.

Get Catster in your inbox! Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals. Email Sign Me Up Learn More Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions! Starting at just $14.95! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Current Issue Look Inside Subscribe catstermag 1,193 View Sep 12 Open View Aug 29 Open View Aug 18 Open View Aug 15 Open Load More Follow on Instagram Related What’s Trending in Treats for All Life Stages Arden Moore Cats Rule at the Kitty Bodega Elisa Jordan Japanese Bobtail catedit Follow Us Facebook Instagram Twitter

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.

Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.