If I had to choose a favorite memory within the last year, it would be my little girl running into school with her Kindergarten backpack bouncing behind her. Their school book bags leave with them in the morning and come home in the afternoon holding their most prized school possessions, including a few dreams.
A backpack is one of the most important items you’ll purchase for your child’s school year and there are several things to consider before you do so. Choosing Kindergarten backpacks feel like a big milestone for me! But, even if your little ones ask for the cool backpacks and cute backpacks, remember that choosing the BEST backpacks for school means taking a few other factors into consideration. Fashion, a favorite character or color is great, but it’s important to compare quality, size, and price in order to find great backpacks for young kids.
Good Quality Backpacks for School
“The pack is a reflection of the child. If it fails for any reason or breaks, it’s more than an inconvenience — it’s like a flat tire.” -Pam Jones, senior designer of the travel division at L.L. Bean
Backpack for Kindergarten
When choosing the best backpacks for school, there are several things to account for. We’ve listed our favorite back to school backpacks in 3 distinct groups: our favorite preschool backpack, kids rolling backpack and our picks for the best kids backpacks. Before we get started on where to buy backpacks that work for our kiddos, pay attention to these factors when reading backpack reviews… especially what size backpack for kindergarten you’ll need.
Straps: Look for wide, padded and adjustable shoulder straps. Straps across the chest and waist also help distribute the weight appropriately. Kids backpacks for school should have two straps and make sure they get into the habit of wearing them both. This isn’t the time for single strap backpacks.
Zippers: Test the zippers! Make sure they don’t catch on fabric and are easy to open and close. Fabric flats can protect the zippers should your child be outdoors waiting for the bus in the rain, for example. If necessary because of weather, consider a kids waterproof backpack. Remember that zippers can rust, which is super annoying, making a waterproof school backpack a better investment. Lastly, fashion backpacks tend to have buckles, etc, but I find these unnecessary for kids book bags.
Padding: Ideally the back panel and shoulder straps should be padded with foam. Most good backpacks have padding, but it’s a good idea to press on the foam and see if it bounces back to its original shape. It shouldn’t pop or crinkle.
Size: Chiropractors actually recommend that “school bags for kids should never hang more than four inches below the waistline”. It’s important to buy youth backpacks that fit well, especially for our tiniest students. Buying one in the hopes that your child will grow into it is not ideal! Measure your child’s back from the shoulder line to their waistline. Add up to 2 inches and you have the right size.
Material: Kids asking trendy backpacks? This is where to get creative! The most popular backpack brands come in various fabric designs and colors, making it easy to balance quality and style. There are many cute backpacks for school, your little one will definitely find one they love. Stylish backpacks are cute, but remember that a lightweight backpack made with breathable materials will also serve our babies well during the school year.
Compartments: Pockets and dedicated compartments help keep everything organized. Think about the various ways your young student will utilize their awesome backpacks! For example, if the school allows a bottle to be taken daily, it would be helpful to have a dedicated pocket for it.
Cost: Top rated backpacks don’t have to be the most expensive! Balancing price with quality is always a consideration for me, so cheap backpacks aren’t automatically off the list. Cute cheap backpacks made with strong materials and minimal pockets make good quality backpacks for kids that like to switch things up every few years.
We’ve listed the price range for each recommendation below, noting the discount backpacks accordingly.
Related: Inside a Bilingual Kindergarten Classroom
Kindergarten Backpacks
Best Backpacks for Kindergarten
Kindergarten is the start of many adventures for our little ones and their junior backpack holds all those dreams in one spot. The toddler backpack is a small backpack that is typically used for pre-school and our tiniest "students". And can we just talk about how adorable a personalized toddler backpack is?! My kids both had toddler size backpacks when they were young as I often used them as diaper bags! Some schools allow a toddler bookbag to be used as a pre k backpack and even into Kindergarten. If so, use this option! The best toddler backpack is the one that fits our small kids with small bodies, especially taking into consideration the "4 inches below waistline" rule. Here are some of our favorite kindergarten backpacks... Suitable for 3-8 years old, these cool book bags are simple but great for younger kids and a great preschool backpack size. They come in various stylish colors and two sizes. The sweet pink color would be great for as a toddler girl backpack. Made of durable and waterproof polyester, the Mommore mini backpack for toddlers has a small front zippered pocket for toys and other small items. Two side pockets for water bottle and main compartment with double zipper closure, enough to store folder and thin blanket. Padded shoulder straps and adjustable chest buckle to prevent strap slipping off yet relieve weight. Perfect for toddlers to Kindergartners looking for cool backpacks for school, this bag features a chest strap, a thick back panel, side pockets, and adjustable straps. It can actually function double duty as a kids hiking backpack, too! There’s even a place for a name tag and 6 colors to choose from. A small childrens backpack that goes big on personality! These cool toddler backpacks are great backpacks for 5-year-olds as they enter Kindergarten becuase of their size and lightweight design. The big front pocket of these toddler school bag acts as a catchall. It also includes a chest strap, is water resistant and zips easily for little hands. The cost is great, too! Have you seen those super unique backpacks with 3D designs? Your kids likely have, and Yisibo has some cool book bags in neoprene with various animal/dinosaur shapes. Size and function is not optimal, but your Kindergartener will love carrying their funny backpacks around school! Make sure to check with your school’s policy before buying, but the low cost makes it a contender for cuteness and fun. Some schools will allow a toddler bookbag to be used as a pre k backpack, but some may require big backpacks for school once your student enters Kindergarten and beyond. School bags for kids in upper grades need bigger proportions and storage capabilities, so it makes sense. Large backpacks come with their own set of considerations – like overall weight, distribution of weight and reinforcement of seems – so we’re listing our favorite large backpacks for school… The ever classic JanSport SuperBreak is easily one of the best rated backpacks ever. Padded shoulder straps for added comfort and one main compartment gives you the space that you need to organize your essentials. With many colors and patterns to choose from, the SuperBreak is the best JanSport backpack for kids. The Jansport toddler backpack is also popular and similar in design. A heavy duty backpack that plays double duty for school and weekend hikes. Who said day backpacks can’t be used for school? This best day backpack features many side and front pockets for organizing little items, a chest strap, a hook to attach a light, and is extremely comfortable to carry even when heavy. The best small backpack that’s still suitable as a school bag (1.5″Lx15.7″Hx5.9”D), but can we talk about the adorable prints on these girl backpacks for school? For the kids that like to make a statement, these fashionable backpacks for school have a main compartment to hold textbooks and 2 side pockets that can hold a water bottle and an umbrella. One of the best stylish backpacks! A very strong backpack suited as a 1st grade backpack and for years later. It includes a tablet sleeve, a core organizer compartment with multiple pockets and key fob, S-shaped mesh padded shoulder straps and reflective accents amongst other things. It’s a super tough backpack! Actually, if your son is anything like mine, quality like this makes it one of the best backpacks for boys. Simple yet efficient nice backpacks, the material on this one repels water without sacrificing breathability. Cool backpacks for boys with the adjustable straps and padded back for comfort. Under Armour is one of the good backpack brands for cool book bags. Try the Medium fry for a smaller fit. Super fun backpacks for Kindergarten boy (or fun-loving kids up to 10 years old)! These are really cute and also cheap school backpacks, making it an easy choice for kids who like to switch up their book bag look after a year or so. This pack has a roomy main compartment, an insulated pouch for snacks, an adjustable mesh bottle pocket. A great little boy backpack! Really cool backpacks for up to grade 10, the blue color even features reflective material. It features a thickly padded back, water-repellent fabric, inside and outside pockets for organizing items. There is also reflective fabric on the straps to make it safer. If your child is carrying a heavy load, maybe wheels are the way to go! Rolling backpacks are a great alternative to the traditional packs if your school allows them. Here is the backpack with wheels suggestion that caught my eye. At least 30lb bearing with high-strength aluminum alloy rod, this is one heavy-duty pack. The wheels can be neatly packed away thanks to a cover. It has multiple pockets and hooks and is available in many different colors and patterns.The Best Kindergarten Backpack
mommore Kids Backpack for Toddler School Bag with Chest Clip
Mountaintop Kids School Backpack
Vaschy Little Kid Backpacks for Boys and Girls
yisibo 3D Backpack
Big Backpacks for School
JanSport Superbreak Backpack
Osprey Packs Koby Daypack
Mygreen Printed Backpack
High Sierra Unisex Daio Backpack
Under Armour Boy's Backpack
Cool Kids Backpacks
ArcEnCiel Kid's Backpack
MIFULGOO Backpack for Elementary School
Best Rolling Backpacks
Tilami Kids Rolling Backpack
