I shop Five Below when everyday kitchen routines could use a playful twist. These six fun food gadgets are worth trying for easy ways to make meals, snacks, and lunch prep feel less routine.
1. Rechargeable Portable Blender With Handle & Silicone Straw 17oz – $10.00
Busy mornings are where this 17oz rechargeable blender earns its counter space. The handle and included silicone straw make it especially handy for students, office workers, nurses, or anyone taking a smoothie out the door.
Standout Features: Six stainless steel blades, a safety lid, and an included USB Type-C cable make this a surprisingly complete portable setup. It works best when softer fruit is chopped small and paired with enough liquid; large ice or hard frozen pieces may be too demanding.
Best For: Use it for single-serving smoothies or protein shakes, and charge it fully before the first blend. I aim for roughly 30% to 40% liquid to help everything move freely.
Parting Thoughts: For $10.00, it’s a useful little companion as long as you keep your ingredient expectations realistic.
2. Manual Ice Shaver 5.11in x 10.26in – $10.00
Turn a hot afternoon into snow-cone time with this compact hand-crank ice shaver. It needs no wires or batteries, so it can move easily between the kitchen, patio, and backyard party table.
Standout Features: The 5.11in-wide by 10.26in-high design is compact enough for easy storage while still producing shaved ice for snow cones, slushies, frozen mocktails, and granitas. Manual operation also keeps the setup simple for occasional use.
Best For: Freeze the ice puck mold overnight, then add fruit syrup or juice after shaving. It makes the most sense for casual summer treats rather than anyone preparing big batches.
Parting Thoughts: Families who enjoy a hands-on dessert activity should get plenty of fun from this $10.00 find.
3. Hershey’s S’mores Maker Set – $6.00
No campfire is required for an indoor s’mores night with this Hershey’s set. It’s an easy activity for family movie nights, sleepovers, or a rainy evening when everyone wants to assemble their own treat.
Standout Features: The set includes the maker and bamboo skewers, with an indoor-friendly design that creates s’mores without an open flame. A simple wipe-down gets the setup ready for its next use.
Best For: Arrange the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows before starting so everyone can build without scrambling for ingredients. Keep the skewers with the maker between uses to avoid losing part of the set.
Parting Thoughts: At $6.00, this is worth considering for the activity as much as the finished dessert.
4. Fruit-Shaped Popsicle Molds 2-Count – $1.00
A spare dollar turns into an easy kitchen project with these fruit-shaped popsicle molds. They’re a sweet pick for summer afternoons when kids want to help make their own cold treats.
Standout Features: The set includes two BPA-free molds, each holding 2.5oz. Their fruit-shaped design adds the fun, though the molds must be washed by hand.
Best For: Fill them with juice or blended fruit, leaving a little room at the top before freezing. Because there are only two, I’d grab multiple sets for a larger household.
Parting Thoughts: Few $1.00 kitchen buys deliver this much repeatable summer entertainment.
5. Silicone Snack Containers 3-Count – $3.25
Lunch prep feels less fiddly when dips, cut fruit, and small snacks each have their own container. This three-count set also works nicely for portioning grab-and-go bites before a busy week.
Standout Features: Made from 100% food-grade silicone, the 6.7oz containers have leak-proof lids and laser measurements inside. They’re BPA-free, cold- and heat-resistant, plus safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.
Best For: Use the measurements when portioning dips or leftovers, then stack the containers to save space. I’d still check that every lid is firmly seated before tossing one into a bag.
Parting Thoughts: Practical snack packers will find the $3.25 set more useful than flashy—and that’s exactly its appeal.
6. Shaped Ice Packs 3-Count – $2.00
School lunches get a playful upgrade from this trio of shaped ice packs. Freeze them ahead of time, then tuck one into a lunch bag or small cooler when food needs help staying cold.
Standout Features: The package includes three reusable shaped ice packs, giving you enough to rotate through several packed lunches. Their decorative forms make a routine lunch accessory feel a little more cheerful.
Best For: Keep all three in the freezer so a cold pack is ready even when another is still in yesterday’s lunch bag. They’re especially useful for kids, picnics, and short outings.
Parting Thoughts: For $2.00, this cheerful three-pack is an easy yes for households that pack food regularly.
