Parents preparing lunchboxes or days out
Individually wrapped bags are easy to take with you, without having to portion them out beforehand. Choose the number of bags to suit the children and snack times you’ve already planned.
Who are crisps multipacks useful for?
Families with different flavour preferences
An assorted box gives children or guests a choice. Check how many of each variety are included, and make sure you check the ingredients and allergens for every variety.
Families shopping for several days of the holidays
If you’ll be handing out bags on different days, getting the right number of individual portions is key. Compare the contents of each bag too, so the box suits the occasions you have planned.
What should you look for when choosing?
First work out how many individual packs you need, then check the flavour mix, labels and contents of each pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of individual portions | Count the snack times you’ve planned and compare the number of individual bags or tubes in each pack. | When I’m shopping for several lunchboxes or days out, I want enough individual portions without having lots left over. Around 36% of consumers give portion planning top priority. |
| Flavours and types of snacks | Check which varieties are in the box and how many of each one you’ll get. | When everyone has different preferences, I want to offer a choice, but I also want to know whether every variety will be eaten. For around 29% of consumers, flavour choice comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for each variety; compare nutritional information on a like-for-like basis. | When I’m handing out snacks to children with specific dietary needs, I need to be able to check what’s in each variety. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Contents per pack | Compare the net weight of each bag or tube and, where relevant, the nutritional value per 100 g and per portion. | For a lunchbox, I want to know how much is actually in one bag or tube. Around 14% of consumers focus first on portion size. |
Common multipack buying mistakes
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Choosing an assorted box without checking the varieties
A box may contain different types of crisps and savoury snacks. As a result, both the children’s preferences and the ingredients and allergens can vary from bag to bag.
Read the contents of the whole box and check the current packaging for each variety before handing out the bags.
Bags with an unwanted flavour may be left uneaten, even if you’ve chosen the right total number of portions.
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Assuming all small packs are the same size
A mini tube and a sharing bag don’t necessarily contain the same amount. For example, Pringles Netherlands lists a 40 g Original tube; the word ‘small’ doesn’t tell you the weight in grams.
Compare the weight in grams of each individual pack. For nutritional values, use the same basis for comparison wherever possible, such as per 100 g.
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Relying on a multipack you saw before
A particular bundle size may disappear from an online range. Jumbo listed a 12 × 40 g pack of Pringles Original as no longer available online.
Just before buying, check the exact pack size and current availability of the product you’re using to plan your portions.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Lay's
A relevant option for assorted boxes with individual bags of crisps and snacks.
- Jumbo lists a Party Mix with 15 bags; Albert Heijn lists a Mega box with 20 and a Celebration box with 30 pieces.
- The contents of an assorted box vary by product. Check the varieties, ingredients and allergens in the box you choose.
Pringles
An alternative if you’d prefer individual tubes in one chosen flavour rather than an assorted box.
- Pringles Netherlands lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- A single pack size isn’t necessarily a multipack. For a bundle, check the number of tubes as well as the flavour and contents of each tube.
Snack Day (Lidl)
A supermarket option for a multipack of assorted small bags.
- Lidl Netherlands lists a multipack with 15 bags.
- Lidl describes this product as available in store only; check whether it’s stocked at your chosen store.
Crisps multipacks and portion packs at Joybuy
These products offer different numbers of individual bags or tubes for lunchboxes, days out and several snack times. When choosing, look beyond the number of packs and check the flavour and contents of each one.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 × 15 bags
A bundle of individual bags to spread across several snack times. The product name indicates two packs of 15; before handing them out, check the current packaging for the varieties and allergens included.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For anyone looking to share 20 individual snacks with a group or over several days. Joybuy describes this Mega Box as an assortment of potato crisps and corn crisps; check the packaging for the quantities and details of each variety.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
A good option if you’re looking for twelve individual tubes in the same flavour. The product name states that each tube contains 40 g; compare this size with the bags you’d otherwise take with you and check the ingredients on the packaging.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 bags
A box of 15 individual bags for a smaller number of planned snack times. Before buying, check the contents of each bag, the mix of varieties and the allergens listed on the packaging.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 2 × 12 pieces
A bundle to consider if you’re buying for several occasions. The product name states two boxes of twelve, while a short product description refers to one box of twelve. Before buying, confirm the total number of bags and check the contents and allergens for each variety.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of crisps do I need for the school holidays?
Count the children and the occasions when you’d like to hand out an individual bag. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list examples with 15, 20 and 30 pieces; choose a size that suits your plans, rather than assuming a bigger box is automatically the best choice.
Do all the bags in an assorted box have the same ingredients?
No. Different flavours and types of snacks may contain different ingredients and allergens. Check the current labels for all the varieties you plan to hand out, especially if a child needs to avoid a particular ingredient.
Does a small bag of crisps tell me enough about its nutritional value?
No. The size alone doesn’t tell you the nutritional value per 100 g or per portion. Compare these details on the label of the product you choose; an average value for crisps won’t apply to every variety.
How should I store individual bags from an opened multipack?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep the individual bags sealed until you’re ready to use them. For example, Lay's Party Mix says to store in a cool, dry place; once an individual bag is open, it’s no longer a sealed portion to take with you.