Credit:
Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence
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Credit:
Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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A well-constructed backpack that's sized just right and comes in an impressive selection of kid-friendly designs. Read More
Machine washable, with an unparalleled lifetime warranty and sophisticated textile designs, we love this bag for older kids. Read More
The Lands End Kids ClassMate Extra Large Backpack is a classic, school backpack with four pockets made of washable canvas. Read More
A well-made bag with an excellent warranty, this North Face backpack is proportioned for kids. Read More
This classic backpack has been an excellent value since 1982. Read More
The backpack is the unsung hero of the school years, and a truly great kids' backpack needs to check a lot of boxes.
The best kids’ backpacks for school are durable enough to last for years and well-organized to keep school supplies from getting lost or papers from getting crumpled. They should also be structured so they’re comfortable to wear—especially when elementary school students are carrying extra weight.
Our favorite kids’ backpack is the Pottery Barn Kids MacKenzie Backpack (available at Pottery Barn Kids). Parents will love it because its durability and design makes it just right for children ages 6 to 12. Kids will like these backpacks for their fun range of colors and patterns, which makes them feel completely customized to each kid’s sense of style.
Whether you’re looking for a kindergarten backpack or one for an older student, finding the perfect one can be difficult. It will need to appeal to a parent’s desire for durability and a child’s hope for finding something that looks cool and feels good while wearing it. These are our favorite kids’ backpacks.
The Pottery Barn MacKenzie not only comes in a wide range of kid-friendly designs, it's thoughtfully made with just the right amount of bells and whistles.
The JanSport SuperBreak Plus is sturdy, rugged, and offers an unparalleled lifetime warranty.
The Land's End Kids ClassMate Backpack comes in sizes small to extra-large.
The North Face Youth Court Jester Backpack is a good pick for sporty kids.
The L.L. Bean Original Book Pack has plenty of quality finishes.
The Wildkin 15-inch backpack is a good option as a first pack.
As it turns out, there's a lot to consider when buying a kids' backpack—particularly if you want it to last for more than one school year. Is it worth paying more for a tested classic like L.L. Bean, JanSport, and Lands’ End, or do you spend less and bank on replacing it next year? We asked a group of 20 parents with kids ages 5 to 12 what they look for when buying a kids' school backpack. Here is what they told us.
Not all kids' backpacks are created equal. Many are just smaller versions of adult backpacks, and they don't take into account a child's body and how kids will be able to manage the weight of a standard backpack. Our favorite backpack, the Pottery Barn MacKenzie, has an ergonomic design that is made with a child in mind.
If you're worried about weight, look for bags with contoured and padded shoulder straps, chest straps, and that have an element of back padding.
Time and time again, parents we talked with voiced frustrations with water bottle pockets. First and foremost, these holders should accommodate bottles of all sizes. Restrictive bottle pockets that only accommodate 8-ounce bottles are a source of frustration.
Parents also cautioned to look for bottle holders that won't rip over time, as is the case with many full mesh bottle holders. We recommend looking for ones that are either canvas or a canvas-and-mesh combo.
The L.L. Bean Original backpack has been around since 1982. There's a reason it's been considered a classic for over 30 years.
Teaching a young child how to be organized is no small feat. In your backpack of choice, look for smart organizational features, including internal pouches or easy-to-access smaller pockets.
Be sure to look for backpacks that don’t overdo it in the pockets department, though. Keep in mind that too many pockets—particularly when some are too deep—can result in lost papers, permission slips, and sometimes lost food items. Yuck.
There are so many options when shopping for cute and cool backpacks for kids. Packs often come in fun colors and designs that kids in preschool and kindergarten up to the biggest kids will love. Often, matching lunch bags are available for purchase, as well.
If you’re looking for the best backpack that will work through middle school and into high school, though, you may want to avoid style choices that don’t evolve as your child ages.
Janelle Randazza is a writer/mother hybrid and taco enthusiast based out of Los Angeles, California.
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