17 Pictures Of Positive Covid Tests To Help You Accurately Read Your Own

— AzmanL/E+/Getty Images

Covid testing and vaccinating has come a long way since 2020. Back at the start of the pandemic, tests were unreliable and nearly impossible to get. But now we have access to at-home Covid tests, sometimes even free ones from the government or your insurance provider, which is incredibly useful especially now that Covid cases across the country have been on the rise since the end of summer. They super convenient to have on hand if you’ve recently been exposed to someone with Covid, or if they are required depending on school, work, and visiting policies that apply to you. These tests are incredibly convenient but in order to accurately read your test, it’s helpful to have pictures of positive Covid tests to use as a point of reference because the result is sometimes not glaringly obvious.

Are at-home Covid tests reliable?

It’s fair to wonder whether or not at-home Covid tests are reliable. “Yes [at-home Covid tests are reliable], but as with all testing platforms they have advantages/disadvantages,” says Thomas Denny, a Professor in Medicine at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute at Duke University School of Medicine.

The best way to ensure that a negative result is correct is to keep testing, Denny says. “[False negatives] can be countered by repeat testing over a few days,” he explains, “Repeated negatives increase the certainty of a true negative.”

What if the test expired?

The FDA has extended the expiration date for many brands’ tests. You can look up your Covid test’s updated expiration date here.

Antigen versus PCR: Different types of Covid tests available for at-home testing

There are two types of Covid-19 diagnostic tests that are FDA-approved for home testing: Rapid antigen tests, which most of the at-home tests are, and molecular tests commonly referred to as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. Rapid antigen tests tend to detect Covid when you're carrying a lot of the virus. Molecular tests tend to be more sensitive, so they can detect Covid infection earlier than antigen tests can — from a few hours up to a few days faster. However, that accuracy and speed come with a price tag, and antigen tests are still an incredibly useful tool for detecting contagious Covid infection. It’s worth noting that Covid self-tests performed at home are not as reliable as those performed in a laboratory setting. However, if you have a positive result on either a rapid antigen or molecular test, you should trust that result, because false positives are very, very rare, says Denny.

How and when to take a Covid test

“One of the biggest variables to all testing is to have a good quality swab process,” says Denny, so it’s extremely important to read and follow the directions that come in your at-home Covid test so that you can get an accurate result. As for when to take an at-home Covid test, there is no perfect answer. “When an individual turns positive is related to the specific variant, because they have different incubation periods, and how much exposure someone has had” Denny explains.

Your best bet is to take a test as soon as you start experiencing symptoms, or once you know you’ve been exposed. If it comes back as a false negative at that point, Denny says you’re “most likely not able to transmit [the virus] to others on that day.” However, don’t trust the negative result right away, wait another day or two and take another test (and possibly another a day or so after that one).

If you have Covid-19 symptoms but your at-home test yields a negative result, the FDA advises testing again after 48 hours (2 days) until you’ve taken 3 tests. If you are still testing negative but have Covid symptoms, it might be time to visit a doctor or at least visit a facility (like an urgent care) where you can get a laboratory PCR test.

If you test positive, the CDC recommends isolating for a minimum of 5 days, regardless of symptoms, and until you are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are generally improving. You should wear a mask for at least 10 days. Your immunity should last about 3 months. If you haven’t received the vaccine or booster yet, the latest shot which rolled out in September 2023, offers protection from a variety of strains including the original Covid-19 strains and the most recently discovered ones.

Photos of positive at-home Covid-19 tests

So, how will you know if the test is positive, though? Here are some photos of positive Covid test results to help you read your result.

BinaxNow Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test

The BinaxNow Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test comes with a swab and a testing solution. Unlike a lot of other at-home Covid tests, this one has a fold-over card that’s used for testing. After swabbing the nose, you’ll put a few drops of the solution into a little hole, then insert your swab into the hole, twist it around a few times, and wait 15 minutes for results. As you can see in this photo, you’ll read your results in a little window with a test strip with a control line and a sample line. The sample line’s darkness may vary, but even a faint line should be considered positive.

Quidel QuickVue at-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kit

— Quidel

With the Quidel QuickVue at-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kit, you’ll swab your nose and then insert the swab into a little tube filled with a testing solution. You’ll swirl the swab around and then dip a testing strip into the tube to test the sample. After 10 minutes, you can check your results. The test strip will have a control line, and if a second line appears (also known as a test line), no matter how faint, it should be read as a positive result.

FlowFlex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test

— ACON Labs

Similar to many other at-home Covid tests, with the FlowFlex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test you’ll get a swab, a tube with solution, and a test. Swirl the swab around each nostril to collect your sample and then swirl it in the solution-filled tube. Close the top of the tube and then drip four drops into the little window on the test marked “S” (for sample). Results will appear within 15 minutes, and if you see both a control line and a test line, whether it’s dark or faint, the test is positive.

On/Go 10-Minute Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test

— On/Go Covid Test

What sets the On/Go 10-Minute Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test apart from most of the other at-home Covid tests is that it comes with access to an app that will help you read your results. You’ll follow a similar process as the other tests, swirling the swab around the inside of both nostrils, dipping it into the test solution, and then placing a few drops of the solution onto a test. Then, after about 10 minutes you can use the app to take a photo of the test and it will let you know if it’s positive, negative, or invalid. The app is nice because it also tracks your testing history and offers the ability to share your results with other people.

Lucira Check-It Covid-19 Test Kit

— Lucira Health

Yes, this is actually a photo of a negative Covid test result, but it’s still helpful. When you use the Lucira Check-It Covid-19 Test Kit, you’ll insert batteries into the test reader to ensure it’s ready to go (a green light will appear next to “ready” at the top). Then, you'll set (don’t push) the testing vile into the test unit and let it sit there while you use the test swab to collect your sample in each nostril. Once you’ve finished swabbing your nose, insert the swab all the way into the testing vile, until you feel it touch the bottom. Close the vile and push it down into the unit until you hear it click. The ready light will begin blinking to indicate that it’s running the test. The test will take around 30 minutes, and you’ll know it’s complete when a green light appears next to “done” on the top right of the unit. If the test is positive, a green light will appear next to “positive” on the testing unit, rather than next to “negative” like you see in this photo. If both “positive” and “negative” light up, the test is invalid.

iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test

— iHealth / YouTube

If you ordered the free at-home Covid tests through the federal government, you may have received the iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test. It works similarly to most others on this list. You’ll swab each nostril of your nose, then put the swab in a tube with a testing solution. Then, you’ll close the tube, which will convert it into a dropper, and place three drops in the small oval sample window. Results will appear in 15 minutes, and if there is any kind of line under the “T” then you have a positive result. As you can see in this photo, the positive “T” line can appear darker than the “C” (control) line, the same color, or much lighter.

Ellume Covid-19 Home Test

— Ellume / Amazon

With the Ellume Covid-19 Home Test, you don’t have to worry about reading your own results, because there’s an app that will do it for you thanks to Bluetooth technology. After you take the test, it will process for about 15 minutes before the result pops up on your phone through the app.

It’s worth noting that this test doesn’t have great reviews online, so if you’re on the hunt for an at-home Covid test, be cautious with this one.

CLINITEST Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test

— CLINITEST / Amazon

For the CLINITEST Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test, you’ll swirl the swab around the inside of each nostril and then swirl it around the included testing tube six times before letting it sit for one full minute. After the minute has passed, remove the swab and place the dropper top on top of the tube. Add four drops of the sample to the test (the round dot with an “S”) and wait 15 minutes. If two lines appear on the test, then it’s positive.

InteliSwab Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Home Test

— InteliSwab

A positive result on the InteliSwab Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Home Test can potentially look a bit different than most other home tests, so it’s very important to read your results carefully. As you can see in this photo, if a test line is present at all, whether it’s dark, light, or visible without a control line, it’s considered a positive reading. The missing control line can be somewhat confusing, so if you glance down at your results and see a single line, it’s really important to double-check to make sure it’s next to the “C” and not the “T” (a control line with no test line is a negative result).

Access Bio CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test

— Access Bio / YouTube

With the Access Bio CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test, you’ll collect your nasal sample on a swab and mix it with the testing solution in the provided tube. Next, place the dropper on the top of the tube and add three drops of the sample/solution to the square sample window on the test. Your result will show up within 15 minutes, and if you see a test line of any kind, no matter how dark, the test is positive.

Celltrion DiaTrust Covid-19 Ag Home Test

— Celltrion DiaTrust / Amazon

Much like other at-home Covid tests, the Celltrion DiaTrust Covid-19 Ag Home Test uses a nasal swab to collect a sample for testing. After you’ve swabbed the inside of both nostrils, you’ll mix your sample with the testing solution in the tube provided, add three drops of the solution to the circle sample window on the test and wait 15 minutes for results. If two lines appear, regardless of how dark the test line is, you are positive for Covid-19.

BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Digital Test Kit

— BD Veritor / Amazon

The BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Digital Test Kit uses an app to deliver your test results to you (check to make sure your phone is compatible with the app before purchasing the test, though). The process for taking the test is the same as most of the others, a nasal swab, test tube, and dropper, but when the 15 minute waiting period is over, instead of reading the results yourself, you’ll scan the test and the app will read it fo you.

Cue Health At-Home COVID-19 Testing Solution

— Cue Health

Claiming to be the most accurate at-home Covid test, Cue Health’s test is a molecular Covid test, but not a PCR. Rather, this test a “nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), designed to detect the genetic material in SARS-CoV-2.” Used by everyone from NBA players to Oprah Winfrey, this is definitely one of the fancier Covid tests out there, and it comes with a price tag to match. Their Cue starter kit — which includes the reusable Cue reader (which you need to read your results) and three tests — is $444.

Boson Biotech Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test

With a shelf life of six months, this rapid antigen test from Boson biotech will be very familiar to anyone who has done a Covid test at home before. Nasal swab, wait 15 minutes, check your results. If you’re asymptomatic, it is recommended that you perform the test at least twice over the course of three days for the most accurate results.

Detect Covid-19 Test Starter Kit

Like the Cue Covid test and the Lucira test, the Detect Covid test is a molecular test — a NAAT, like the Cue — meaning it’s more accurate than the antigen tests, and — yes — more expensive, too. However, it’s not as pricey as the Cue — a starter kit, with a reusable hub and single Detect Covid test will set you back $55. It’s pretty simple to use, too. You'll take a nasal swab in much the same way that you would with an antigen test, then put the sample in the Detect hub to be processed. From there, it takes a little over an hour to get your results, which will appear on your phone when they’re ready.

InBios Covid-19 Rapid Self Test

— InBios International Inc

There’s something about this FDA-approved rapid antigen test from InBios International that seems a bit simpler than the others — maybe it’s the clunky “cassette” that shows your results, or the bright colors? Regardless, this at-home Covid test is easy to use and very affordable. They suggest that you only need to insert the swab 1/2 an inch into the nose — and even less for little kids — to collect the sample, which also feels a little more doable than some of the others.

ClearDetect COVID-19 Antigen Home Test

— MaximBio ClearDetect

All test results in this photo show a positive result — even the faintest second line means positive. The MaximBio ClearDetect at-home Covid test is FDA approved for use on people over 2 years old — with the caveat that an adult does the sample collection if the person being tested is under the age of 14. The shelf life of this test is eight months, and results are ready in 15 minutes.

“Testing is an important tool to limit infections to others and we need to continue to develop strong testing capacity in the U.S.” Denny reiterates. Using these photos of positive Covid test results as a point of reference can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re positive for the virus. If you see any indication of a positive result — even a super faint second line — you should assume you have Covid and check in with your health care provider.

Expert:

Thomas Denny, MSc, MPhil, Professor in Medicine at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute at Duke University School of Medicine

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Meet The Moms Of The Native Teens Who Star On 'Reservation Dogs'

Reservation Dogs quickly captivated audiences when it debuted in 2021, following four Native American teens as they navigate life on a fictional Indian reservation in Oklahoma. The trailblazing FX TV show from creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi blends honesty, humor, and heartbreak as told through the lens of an all-Indigenous team of writers, directors, and regular actors. Since then, the dark comedy has earned countless accolades, like a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe nomination, while simultaneously shattering outdated, often ignorant assumptions about Native experiences.

At the heart of the show is a quartet of talented young Indigenous actors — Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Oji-Cree/Guyanese), Paulina Alexis (Alexis Nakota Sioux), and Lane Factor (Muscogee Creek/Caddo/Seminole) — who we have quite literally watched grow up on screen.

So too have their moms, who have been the ultimate cheerleaders for their children from the very first audition, through three seasons on the Rez Dogs set, to the bittersweet end of the series this fall. For Yvette Alexis, whose daughter, Paulina, plays Willie Jack, and Kelly Factor, whose son, Lane, plays Cheese, it’s the closing of an immensely meaningful chapter.

Yvette recalls that Paulina, now 23, was already a natural actor during her childhood on Canada’s Alexis Nakota Sioux reserve, long before her big break starring in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. “That girl has been a handful and a half since she was born,” she says with a laugh. “She has always been totally comfortable in front of the camera. My husband does a lot of video production, and [when they were little] her brothers had a little band that she’d sing Guns N’ Roses with. She would tell me, ‘Mom, I’m going to be on TV someday.’”

Kelly Factor's son, Lane, on the other hand, was reserved growing up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, but still an entertainer. “When Lane was little, he was always acting out characters,” Kelly remembers of the now 18-year-old. “He made his own costume and would run around the house with his arms back pretending to be Sonic the Hedgehog.”

In other words, both actors are remarkably similar to their Rez Dogs characters — Paulina, the outspoken tomboy, and Lane, the big-hearted introvert.

Lane was just 14 when he auditioned for the series, his first acting gig. “I feel like Lane grew up with Cheese,” says Kelly. “I have shared him with the world as he has hit all these milestones, like getting taller and his voice changing. It just makes me unbelievably proud.”

Paulina also evolved alongside her character, Willie Jack, who has matured as she mourns the loss of her cousin to suicide — one of the many weighty subjects the series covers. “She has had to act out all these emotions related to these sensitive topics,” says Yvette. “In real life, Paulina lost family while filming the show. But she has gotten a lot of strength from the other actors, who really helped her deal with that.”

The four main actors are as tight-knit as their characters. Kelly recalls that while filming Season 2, Lane lost his grandmother to COVID. Upon his return to set after her funeral, the team was slated to shoot the episode “Mabel,” in which the community says goodbye to a dying elder. “That hit Lane really hard,” says Kelly. “He stepped outside to cry, and Paulina, D’Pharaoh, and Devery came running out to hug him and cry with him. Sterlin stopped production and came over to explain how they’re all family. It just shows how caring the cast and crew have been.”

Neither parent nor child could have anticipated the incredible impact the show would have, setting a new bar for authentic Native storytelling in all its unadulterated beauty. That includes skillfully showcasing issues that have long plagued Indigenous communities due to a history of colonialism and oppression, including disconnection, displacement, and disproportionate rates of addiction, disease, poverty, and suicide.

“It’s just beautiful how Sterlin and the writers have told stories about everyday modern Native American life,” Kelly says. “The world can finally see the atrocities we have gone through, such as boarding schools and forced assimilation. These are the realities of what happened — and not that long ago. We’re talking just a couple generations back.”

Yvette seconds that. “Our people have been through so much, and the next generation is here to tell that story. My family has always wondered where all the Natives were on TV. I’m really glad to see Reservation Dogs showing that we are still here and that we’ve been here all along.”

Of course, all that acclaim comes with its complications, especially for young Indigenous actors.

“As a mom, you’re always in protective mode,” says Yvette. Both moms have embraced the momager role, handling negotiations, contracts, and travel arrangements in the early days, but also striving to protect their kids from the more toxic aspects of the industry. “There’s still racism, stereotypes, and unfriendly people out there. And because Paulina is a young Native woman, I make sure she always has family around her and is aware of her surroundings. Here in Canada and in the United States, we have the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis going on, so it’s important to be aware.”

Throughout the years, they have shared that parental role on the Rez Dogs set. “I was the only mom on set for Seasons 2 and 3, so I looked out for all four of them,” Kelly says. “Even though Devery was older, I would still check on her along with D’Pharaoh and Paulina, because I know Yvette would have done the same for me. That’s just part of mama bear mode — we watch out for each other. You see that in Native communities as well.”

They joke about a time when Yvette had trouble reaching her daughter while filming, so she checked in with Kelly. “I remember that time this past season when you texted me, ‘Hey, where’s Paulina? She’s not answering her phone,’ and I tracked her down,” Kelly says. “I told her, ‘You better call your mama right now. She has been trying to get ahold of you all morning and is getting worried because you haven’t responded.’ So she picked up the phone and called you.”

“It’s burning like wildfire across the prairie right now. I hope that Native American youth watch this show and realize that anything is possible.”

During Season 3, other family members got in on the Rez Dogs action, too. For the 1970s flashback episode “House Made of Bongs,” Lane’s sister, Shelby, plays a young Mabel and Paulina’s brother Nathan plays a teenage Uncle Brownie (regularly portrayed by acclaimed Cayuga actor Gary Farmer). Kelly even makes a brief appearance in the series finale.

“Nathan is the comic of our family, alongside Paulina,” Yvette says. “During the first two seasons, Paulina would call him when she was running lines and get his opinion. Those two scrapped it out a lot, but they’re really close. When Uncle Brownie was first introduced on the show, Nathan was already imitating him, so I was so happy he got the part. He was just so into it.”

For Shelby, the cameo was the achievement of a longtime dream. “Shelby was always active in theater and was actually the reason Lane got into acting,” says Kelly, explaining that both of her kids auditioned for Reservation Dogs. “Shelby took an acting class, and I made Lane go too so that he wasn’t at home playing video games.” Kelly recounts Shelby's devastation when her brother got a part but she didn't. "That was so hard, because you’re excited for one child but heartbroken for the other. But she didn’t give up, and we were beyond ecstatic when she got the role of young Mabel.”

Both moms beam with pride reflecting on their kids’ involvement in such a pivotal show, one that has not only opened the floodgates for authentic Indigenous representation but sparked an undeniable Native renaissance across pop culture. “We finally feel seen by the outside world, and there’s healing that comes with that,” Yvette says.

Kelly says they hear from Indigenous actors, models, and creators that the show has helped open doors. “It’s burning like wildfire across the prairie right now,” she says. “I hope that Native American youth watch this show and realize that anything is possible.”

An Alaska Native Tlingit tribal member, Kate Nelson is an award-winning writer and editor living in Minneapolis. She is currently the editor-in-chief of Artful Living, and has written for publications including ELLE, Esquire, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, Bustle, Thrillist, Saveur, Civil Eats, Andscape, and more.

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Review: The OmieBox Is The Best Lunch Box For Kids, By Far

Who knew that you’d spend the whole summer before kindergarten pondering the finer points of lunch boxes and wondering how you’re going to send the homemade smoothies that your kid seems to prefer to school with him? (Maybe it’s just me, but maybe it’s you too.) Suddenly, when you consider the length of a real school day — and the rapidly increasing size of your soon-to-be-elementary school kid — that lunch box that got you through preschool looks a little small. You try shoving a bagel in it to no avail, and thus begins a hunt for the best lunch box out there.

Maybe your kid, like mine, is a child of what I will generously call limited palate preferences. You know that to get them to eat, you’ve got to give a wide array of trusted favorite options, in hopes that one of those rather bland options will appeal on any given day and they’ll choose to actually eat and fuel up for the second half of the day. For months, I eyed other peoples’ kids’ snack boxes, I poked around online, and finally came to see that — quite clearly — the OmieBox Lunch Box was the perfect elementary school lunch box for my 5-year-old. It’s easy to open, uniquely versatile, and fits smoothly into a backpack. It’s BPA- and phthalate-free. It comes in cute, cheery colors. Most of all, my rather opinionated, often-forgets-to-eat kid actually uses it and eats (most of) what’s in it. It simply wins, over and over again.

OmieBox Lunch Box

OmieLife

Stats

• Price: $45
• Sizes: Just one size, 8.5” x 7.5” x 3”
• Colors: Purple Plum (purple with teal accents), Meadow (shades of green), Sunshine (yellow with blue accents), Pink Berry (pink with blue accents), and Blue Sky (blue with orange accents)
• Who it’s for: Technically the OmieBox is for kids, but adults could happily use it, too.
• When to use: Lunch time, snack time, or for a hearty breakfast on-the-go.

What’s included in the OmieBox?

The thing that makes the OmieBox so much better than other lunch boxes, bento-style lunch boxes, and kids’ insulated containers I’ve tried is the structured versatility of the design. It was apparently designed by a mom for her ‘picky kid’ and I can see that in every thoughtful, adaptable detail. This box can be reconfigured in so many ways, so it can grow with your kid and it can meet their ever-changing needs. It comes with:

• The main large container
• A stainless steel, insulated thermos with an 8.5-ounce capacity
• A small divider that you can use (if you want) to further divide up the sections in the box. A tiny detail, but so, so smart. I use it all the time.

The OmieLife store sells lots of add-ons, like a spoon-and-fork set that slides into a pod to keep clean, then loops onto the OmieBox handle. Or a little beverage bottle that fits nicely inside the box. OmieLife also sells spare parts, so if any piece of your kid’s lunch box goes missing or gets broken, you don’t have tor replace the whole thing.

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The maintenance: How to clean the OmieBox

Yes, you have to hand wash the OmieBox. Do not put this thing in the dishwasher. However, I greatly prefer washing the OmieBox to cleaning our old bento-style lunch box, which always seemed to get wet in places that took ages to dry, like under the little compartment with all the sections in it. The OmieBox gets a speedy soap-and-rinse and it rests easily upside down and I swear it dries really fast. Maybe it’s the design, maybe it’s the material, or maybe it’s both. It doesn’t really have obnoxious nooks and crannies, and even the gasket comes off and goes back on super easily. Plus, I often opt to hand wash things the kids use often or need at specific times because it’s a big wrench to have the dishwasher running and not be able to access a lunch box or thermos at a crucial moment (like, for example, three minutes before you need to be out the door).

The feel: Can little kids get this lunch box open?

This lunch box is easy for kids to manage on their own, which is so key and weirdly not the case for every kids’ lunch box. Our kid used to go to a co-op preschool, which meant that I got to help in the classroom pretty often and — it turned out — spend a substantial amount of time helping people with tiny hands try to work with tricky zippers and metal bento boxes with a zillion little snap tabs. OmieBox has one, big tab at the front that’s easy to pop open, even for kids who are still mastering fine motor skills. Plus, it’s just one — even if there’s a slight struggle, they only have to wrench it open one time and they’ve unlocked their whole lunch.

The thermos does take a bit of practice, though, so I have so far only used it for keeping things like strawberries nice and cold and not for risky foods like soup or yogurt. My kid is 5 and usually doesn’t finish every last bite, so I am worried mainly that he might not close his thermos firmly after eating. I imagine by age 6 or so, he’ll be ready for it, or that a more food-motivated 5-year-old could master the thermos with a few practice sessions at home. The easy-to-grab handle of the thermos lid is certainly designed with kids’ hands in mind.

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The backpack test: Is the OmieBox leak-proof?

So far, it seems to be quite leak-proof. The little gasket that lines the seal is removable — which is great for really cleaning the box — so I suppose if your child doesn’t finish their entire lunch, and then decides to monkey with the gasket at lunchtime, it’s possible you’d experience some leaks. But that would be more on your kid than the OmieBox, which is honestly doing its best not to leak.

How long does OmieBox stay warm? How do you keep food warm in an Omie lunch box?

The (quite adorable) thermos that comes with the OmieBox is supposed to keep food warm for up to six hours. However, it really depends on what you’re packing and how you prep the food before filling the therms. OmieLife suggests a few tricks for ensuring that whatever you pack for your kid stays warm:

• Preheat the thermos: Pour hot water into the empty, clean thermos and leave it for a few minutes to warm the thermos. Pour out the water, dry if need be, and then add your hot food.
• Make sure the food is nice and warm before adding it to the thermos. Warm up your food as much as you possibly can.
• Ensure the seal is nice and tight: Double check to be sure the silicone O-ring gasket is installed on the thermos lid.
• If you really want to make sure they’re getting a hot meal choose “water-based foods” like soup, or sauce-y pasta.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• With moveable (and removable) dividers, this lunch box is extremely versatile.
• It’s easy to open. Its one large tab is a light lift for little fingers that are still mastering those fine motor skills.
• You can send cold food — crispy, crunchy carrots or grapes — in the same box as a piping hot container of soup.
• You can buy replacement parts for your OmieBox instead of having to replace the whole thing, or go without that one divider you really need.

Cons:

• The thermos is a little tricky for the very tiniest hands.
• You’ve got to hand wash the OmieBox, which is a slight bummer.
• It’s expensive.

The final verdict

Finding the best lunch box for your kid can be a real comedy of errors — no one wants to find out their lunch box leaks the hard way. It only gets more complicated when your child needs a lot of options in their lunch each day. The OmieBox fits everything I need it to for my kindergartner, keeps it warm or cold as needed, and importantly, keeps all its contents securely inside before and after lunch time. Bright, colorful, and as versatile as it is kid-friendly, the OmieBox is a smartly-designed kids’ lunch box with serious staying power.

The TL;DR

This is easily the best kids lunch box our family has tried.

Had To Share highlights the products and finds that Romper editors and contributors love so much, we just had to share in the group chat.

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23 Fall Baby Names Inspired By Leaves, Poems, & Football

— LordHenriVoton/E+/Getty Images

Is there anything better than a baby in fall? I’ve had babies in three seasons, and fall might have been my favorite for the sheer perfection of a newborn wearing a pumpkin hat. Whether your baby is born in the months of autumn or you just love fall, having a list of fall baby names is a must for your own little one.

Fall just brings so much with it. The promise of hunkering down and slowing down, holidays, gathering with friends and family, Pumpkin Spice Lattes — there’s just a lot to appreciate about the season. And those vibes can be brought to life with your own little fall baby name for your sweet guy or girl. Your baby doesn’t have to be born in September, October, or November to appreciate these names, but if you do have a fall baby, consider this your official name list.

We’ve got names inspired by the colors of fall, by poets who wrote about fall, even names inspired by everyone’s favorite fall holiday — Oktoberfest. (Harry Burns also appears, just saying.) There’s a little bit of everything, and no matter what you love best about fall, these fall baby names are sure to bring it to life.

Anne

No one exudes more fall girl-ness than Anne Shirley of Anne with Green Gables. “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” she said. Does it get any more fall-esque than that? Anne is a classic, super traditional and lovely name, and it means “grace” which feels nice for a season all about settling down.

Lucy

And another sweet ode to that Anne of Green Gables October quote? You can choose the name Lucy as an homage to Lucy Maud Montgomery, theauthor of the series. The name Lucy (short for Lucille, or have it stand alone) also means “light,” which is perfect for fall.

Autumn

I mean, pretty self explanatory, I know, but Autumn is a gorgeous name that deserves some major love. It’s a great choice for your fall-born babe, and it gives off a bit of a hippie, nature-loving vibe, too.

Otto

Fall is one of the best seasons because of Oktoberfest — a celebration with roots in Germany. Give a sweet nod to that German joy with the name Otto for your little fall boy. Otto means “wealth,” and it has a unique, spunky feel to it.

Friedrich

Another great German baby name? Friedrich. I love it so much, and it actually means “peaceful ruler” which is a great choice for your little boy.

Aurelie

Fall is all about that glow, and the baby name Aurelie pays sweet tribute to it. Aurelie means “golden” and it’s a really gorgeous French name that’s just unique enough.

Goldie

— kebudfam/E+/Getty Images

For another name that makes you think of those golden leaves and deep fall foliage, try Goldie. Goldie’s gained a bit of popularity again thanks to a resurgence of ‘70s baby names, but I love it for your little fall babe, too.

Winifred

OK, so maybe this one feels a little spooky thanks to Winifred Sanderson of Hocus Pocus, but I think that movie is a pure fall vibe, and Winifred makes for a gorgeous baby girl name. Winifred actually means “holy” or “joy and peace,” which takes away some of those dark witchy vibes. Plus how sweet is Winnie for a fall baby name?

Marnie

Marnie Piper found out she was a witch in Halloweentwon in the ‘90s, and fall was never the same again. Try Marnie as a fall baby name as a sweet nod to the teenage witch, but the name itself also means “sparkling” which is just right for the season.

Apple

Gwyneth Paltrow made Apple a baby name we actually loved, and it for sure has fall vibes. It’s earthy, it’s adorable, and it makes you want to bake a pie.

Scarlett

Scarlett is a fairly popular name, but its connection to red and brightness makes it perfect for fall.

Henry

“Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,” wrote Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It’s a famous poem by the wordsmith, and the name Henry always makes me think of it. Henry also means “house ruler,” which tracks thanks to the many kings once named Henry.

Thoreau

You can pay homage to another fall-loving poet like Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau is definitely a unique choice for your fall baby, but it gives great literary vibes and is such a sweet tribute.

Walt

Need another poet that liked to write about nature and fall? Try on Walt for Walt Whitman. The name Walt means “commander of the army” as well if you like a strong, solid vibe.

Emily

Emily Dickinson was known for details, and in her poem “Autumn,” she really explores all the sensory nods of the season. Pay homage to that sweetness with the name Emily for your little fall baby. The name also means “laborious or eaer.”

Ilse

Ilse is such a lovely German name, and it’s a great moniker for a fall babe. It means “oath of God” and is so sweet and unique.

Marigold

Marigolds are a flower often found in the summer, but they hang on deeply into fall. That kind of staying power is something to strive for, so consider the name Marigold for your fall little one.

Rudy

Come on, you knew Rudy had to be on the list. The name of the Notre Dame football player who becomes a legend in the movie Rudy, this is perfect for your little boy of fall. (Or girl!) It means “famous wolf” as it’s traditionally short for Rudolph, but no matter what, Rudy is just great for fall.

Harry

— Jane Khomi/Moment/Getty Images

Harry is the ultimate fall romcom love interest in When Harry Met Sally, so why not give the name to your fall baby? The name Harry also means “home ruler” which feels sweet and strong. Be sure to get him a great sweater a la Harry Burns.

Jasper

Jasper is so very good. It’s British, it’s got old-school vibes, and it translates to “bearer of treasure.” That’s definitely what fall feels like, but if you want an even more specific fall meaning, Jasper gemstones are often red, but can also be found in gold, yellow, and green — just like fall leaves.

Radcliffe

Radcliffe is a very British name, and it literally translates to “red cliff” which feels appropriate for fall and for your adventurous little boy.

Ruby

Another nod to the color red, the baby name Ruby is just right for fall. It’s very classic, but it also has a major fun feel to it that just makes you think of a little girl who’s going to change the world. (Or, at the very least, a season.)

Poppy

In November, poppies become a symbol of memory and resilience with Armistice Day, so take that fall energy into your baby name choices. Poppy is so adorable and lovely, and the nickname Pop or Pops is too cute to pass up.

There is something special about an autumn baby, and these fall baby names prove it. Gather up all the red and gold leaves you can and celebrate choosing your favorite one.

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21 Best Meals To Take A New Mom, From Breakfast To Dessert

— LauriPatterson/E+/Getty Images

There is something unequivocally good about feeding people. It’s the first thing we all turn to in times of crisis — Can we bring you dinner? Can I get you a coffee? — and it makes sense that when someone you know has a baby, you just want to make the best meal to take a new mom. Make she’s already got other kids and you want to take a great dinner to the whole family, or maybe you just want her to feel happy and cared for when you show up with a giant platter of hot, fluffy pancakes. (Yes, pancakes.)

But no matter what — the new families are tired of lasagna. Well, maybe not all new parents, but if you want a great meal to take a new family, it’s fun to think outside of the box. Chances are they’ve eaten every type of casserole out there (there are still a coupl eon this list), and they might even be exhausted from decision fatigue thanks to all the Uber Eats gift cards. But these meals to take a new mom include everything from freezer breakfast ideas, hearty lunches, and decadent desserts so she can have something that really tastes good and makes her feel good. I mean, what’s more delightful than a big pan of freshly baked brownies or fried tortellini bites?

You should also take dietary restrictions and allergies into consideration. If they’re vegetarian, they may be super tired of beans and rice, you know? So show up to see the baby or come by to keep her company and support her, but don’t come empty-handed. Here are some of the best meals to take a new mom — you’ll have just as much fun making them as she will eating them.

The Perfect Breakfast

— Hello! Happiness/Yummly

Everyone always thinks about dinners, but what about a new mom breakfast? Those bleary early mornings would be made so much better by a breakfast casserole ready to heat up and eat ASAP. This is also a great choice if the new mom has a bunch of hungry other baby birds in the nest and needs something quick and filling to feed them.

A Flavorful Soup

— The Cozy Cook/Yummly

Don’t be afraid of flavors! Taking a meal to a new parent doesn’t have to mean choosing bland flavors (although feel free to ask if something in particular isn’t great for her tummy) and it also doesn’t have to be a bunch of the same casseroles day in and day out. This lemon chicken orzo soup is so tangy and flavorful, and she can easily keep it warming all day and grab a new bowl whenever she’s hungry.

An Easy Crowd Favorite

— Cookies and Cups/Yummly

If there’s a whole family to feed, maybe try these sheet pan fajitas featured on Yummly. You can bring a bunch of toppings and fixings, like tortillas nand cheese, and set up a whole “make your own fajitas” bar for her whole family so it’s really hands-off for her. (And delicious.)

A Sweet Snack

— Iowa Girl Eats

Snacks are the best when you’re just snuggling your newborn in those early weeks, and I think people forget how much they can mean to a new mom. If she has a sweet tooth, try making her a big batch of this 15-minute puppy chow. It’s perfect for cluster-feeding, for Netflix binges with a sleeping babe, or for her to grab a handful every time she walks through the kitchen.

The Best, Fluffiest Pancakes

— Once Upon A Chef/Yummly

Want to go see the new baby? Take a stack of these gorgeous pancakes featured on Yummly. Your meals don’t have to be ones you’ve prepped ahead or ones she can only eat for dinner — ask her if you can come by around 10 a.m., bring her favorite coffee order, some bacon, and a stack of these. Don’t forget the syrup and whipped cream.

A Bite-Sized Delicious Snack

— Confetti and Bliss/Yummly

Sure, you can gift a new mom just a giant basket of her favorite snacks, but I’m obsessed with the idea of a party tray full of these tortellini party snacks. They’re an easy crowd pleaser, bite-sized, and you can add in a bunch of different dipping sauces like marina, alfredo, or even just melted butter with herbs. She’ll so appreciate a platter of these just sitting at the table for her to munch on while you visit or while she binge watches TV during another feeding sesh.

Energy Bites That Taste Like Cake

— Pinch of Yum

Every new mom will tell you the same thing — feeding themselves is hard. Whether it’s dinner, breakfast, or just trying to find a snack to curb the hanger so she can take a nap, it can be tough to find something that’s appetizing, actually filling, and easy. Enter these raw, vegan carrot cake bites from Pinch of Yum. You can make a huge batch of them for her and she can freeze them for later or keep them in the fridge. They’re packed full of great ingredients like chia seeds and oatmeal, and they taste like legit carrot cake. So good, nutrient-dense, and easy.

A Comfort Food

— Spicy Southern Kitchen/Yummly

Want to give her a big ol’ taste of comfort? Make these stuffed crust pizza snacks. These are so easy to make, and you can really play around with the fillings. She’ll appreciate how yummy and comforting they are, and she can enjoy them either as a heavy snack, a quick lunch, or a nice dinner (especially if you include a salad at drop-off).

The Taste Of Home

— Damn Delicious

It doesn’t get much better than this perfect pot roast from Damn Delicious. Go ahead and pre-make it, keep it in the dutch oven, and when you drop it off, just pop it right back on her stove so it can warm back up. Her house will smell divine and she’ll feel legit cared for.

A Flavorful, Handheld Lunch

— Mel's Kitchen Cafe

When I had my third daughter, I did OK with breakfast and dinner because I had two other big kids who needed me to make a meal, but I really struggled with lunch. I didn’t want my kids’ sandwiches and crackers, but I wanted something I could eat easily, that didn’t make a big mess, and that tasted good. That’s why I think these easy chicken gyros from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe are a great idea to make a new mom. You could either send her over all the fixings with the wraps and sauce separately, or go ahead and make them all, wrap them up in parchment paper, and deliver them to her when she needs them the most.

A Vegetarian Option

— Life Made Sweeter/Yummly

Minestrone soup is an absolutel classic. It’s hearty, it’s filling, it’s cozy, and it’s really not that hard to make. Bonus: this is a great option if the new mom in your life has lots of other mouths to feed and/or is vegetarian. This minestrone soup recipe featured on Yummly just has it all, and you can easily make it in a big pot to just reheat at your friend’s house, or divvy it up into containers so she can have a hot bowl of soup each day.

The Perfect One-Pot Meal

— Averie Cooks

Want to make her something that lives in one pot, is filling, and can easily be doubled to feed a big family? Then you want to make this chicken broccoli and rice casserole from Averie Cooks. So cheesy, so delicious, and perfect for the new mom who’s got a bunch of other mouths to feed at the table.

A Decadent Snack

— Half-Baked Harvest

Look, moms deserve treats. They don’t always want a nutritious casserole or a big salad to nibble on while recovering from childbirth, and they deserve to eat whatever they want. Like these incredible glazed peanut butter bars from Half-Baked Harvest. Thick, creamy, and the perfect amount of ooey-gooey, these glazed peanut butter bars say “I love you and I’m here for you” in so many ways.

Another Super Easy & Filling Dinner

— The Recipe Critic/Yummly

For a weeknight meal when she’s juggling soccer practice for her older kids and a fussy baby during the witching hour, there is this recipe for easy teriyaki meatballs. This is one you could easily freeze for her to make later, or whip up on a moment’s notice so she’s got a hot meal waiting for the whole family before bedtime.

Hearty & Healthy Turkey Chili

— Natasha's Kitchen/Yummly

I must insist you make cornbread with this, but no matter what, a big pot of turkey chili is a great meal to take a new mom. It’s easy to reheat, it tastes great as leftovers, and if you bring a variety of toppings and accoutrements (like crackers, sour cream, and the aforementioned cornbread), she’ll really appreciate it.

Make-Ahead Handheld Breakfast

— Damn Delicious/Yummly

Breakfast is so hard when you’ve got a newborn. You’re sleep deprived, you can barely remember which day it is, and you’re hungry. So she doesn’t reach for the stale donuts someone dropped off five days ago, whip up a big batch of these freezer breakfast burritos featured on Yummly. She can reheat them each morning and have something full of sustenance and flavor before she’s even realized that she’s still tired.

A Pasta Dish Bursting With Flavor

— Orchard Street Kitchen/Yummly

OK, pasta is a pretty standard “Look! I Brought You A Meal!” dinner, but I am obsessed with this pesto gnocchi recipe featured on Yummly. It’s new, it’s different, and it just hits in a slightly better way than traditional pasta. Even if her other kids won’t eat it, she’ll appreciate something that just tastes delicious.

A Decadent Dessert

— Sally McKenney / Sally's Baking Addiction

Who says a meal has to be practical for a new mom? Bring her something she’s going to absolutely love, something that’s just full of joy and happiness, like this pecan pie cheesecake from Sally’s Baking Addiction. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy, sweet and salty, and is a delightful way to welcome a new life into the world.

Dips Count As Meals

— A Spicy Perspective

You know that move you do where you bounce a baby up against your chest and eat a snack with one hand, trying not to dribble food on your newborn’s head? OK, well that move was made for this Mexican 5-layer bean dip from A Spicy Perspective. It’s packed full of flavor, tons of textures, and it’s so thick, it’s the perfect dip for a one-handed scoop for the new mom trying to rock her baby to sleep and fix her hanger.

Muffins Bursting With Flavor

— Cookie and Kate

Look, a basket of muffins? Tired. But these banana coconut muffins from Cookie and Kate? Wired. So very wired. This is a great meal to make for a family that’s welcomed a baby and also has big kids at home — like what’s better than homemade muffins just ready to go in the house for snack time? But it’s also a great option for the new mom who needs a healthy, hearty, delicious snack for those 3 a.m. nursing sessions.

The Ultimate Cozy Meal

— The Comfort of Cooking

This is the meal a new mom wants to come home to: chicken pot pie with cheddar chive biscuits. So savory, so cozy, the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs dinner that will make her feel loved and cared for. (And will also feed her whole family.)

No matter what you take a new mom to eat, whether it’s a big bag of frozen pizzas for her to store or a loaf of homemade bread that’s still warm from the oven, it’s the thought that really counts. Be there for her, support her in whatever way you can, and keep her fed.

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