It’s one of the most exciting school essentials to buy: your kids’ backpack. Whether they’re headed to preschool with snacks and nap essentials or rocking the halls of the elementary school, they need something that’s fun and functional. It’s also nice if it lasts longer than a single school year. So, how to choose? Well, the best backpacks for kids are big enough to haul all of their supplies without weighing them down or making them look like an unsteady turtle.

And since there’s an overwhelming amount of choices out there, here’s a pro tip: Choose a few kids backpacks that you love, then let them pick out their favorite! (And don’t forget the perfect first day of school outfit!)

From toddler backpacks that will last kids for years to the best and cool backpacks for kids for the first day of school, we’ve rounded up a selection that makes it easier to choose. (Maybe.😉)

Best toddler backpacks

L.L Bean Junior Original Book Pack

L.L Bean

$34.95

Junior Original Book Pack

From the design and durability to their generous return policy, there’s good reason L.L. Bean backpacks have been the go-to for ages. The Junior Original Book Pack offers all the standout features of the bigger kid styles (tough construction, weather-proof material, reflective details, padded back and straps) as well as ample organization pockets. It’s sized for preschool aged kids, but is still large enough to corral their day-to-day essentials and can be machine-washed as needed. You can also opt to add their name or initials to ensure it makes it home with the right kiddo!

Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Backpack

Pottery Barn Kids

$54.50

Small Mackenzie Backpack

Another perennial favorite, the Mackenzie Backpack from Pottery Barn Kids! The popular style is a top pick for many Motherly editors for a whole host of reasons. For starters, it’s incredibly well made and lasts well beyond the years your kid is willing to carry it. (Hello, hand-me-downs!) There’s a ton of organization, a comfy padded back panel and straps and a collection of matching accessories including lunch boxes, water bottles and even nap mats. Each of the available sizes is the same construction just at a different scale. For toddlers and preschoolers, choose the Mini which is designed for kids 36-42 inches tall.

Ten Little Recycled Backpack

Ten Little

$36

Recycled Backpack

With a thoughtful design that holds everything they need without overloading, the tot-sized recycled backpack from Ten Little is one that you’ll love as much as they do. Unlike most toddler backpacks that lack true support, this one boasts all the bells and whistles of a standard pack on a smaller scale: a chest strap to evenly distribute weight, padded shoulder straps and a padded back panel. The waterproof interior holds up to inevitable spills and the interior multi-name tag suggests they know it’s going to last long enough to hand down. Want to really blow their little minds? Throw in a pack of their colorful weatherproof stickers and let your kiddo make their backpack as unique as they are! (P.S. It’s also available in a larger size for elementary schoolers!)

Posh Peanut Mina Ruffled Mini Backpack

Posh Peanut

$44

Mini Backpack

Since we’re already in love with the cult-favorite jammies from Posh Peanut, we’re instant fans of their new (and equally adorbs) mini backpacks! Like their clothing, the backpacks come in a variety of eye catching prints from leopard to dinosaurs. The petite silhouette is an ideal capacity for toddlers and features wide comfy straps and plenty of pockets.

Cat & Jack Sharks Backpack

Cat & Jack

$15

Shark Print Backpack

Pint-sized, affordable and oh-so-cute, the Cat & Jack shark backpack is a winner all around. And best of all, since it’s Cat & Jack, it comes with Target’s stellar year long returns policy in the event it doesn’t hold up to expectations.

7AM Enfant Mini Wings Backpack

7AM Enfant

$45

Mini Wings Backpack

Is this the coolest backpack out there? Possibly. Made from a feather-light water-repellant shell, the tot-sized carry-all might not help them move any faster (seriously, does time stop when they’re asked to put their shoes on?) but it sure looks like it could. And that’s enough for us, TBH.

Fjallraven Kanken Kids

Fjällraven

$70

Kånken Kids

We’ve always loved the Swedish Fjällraven’s iconic Kanken backpacks for little ones. The square design fits just enough to be helpful but not too much to weigh them down and they last FOREVER. The kid’s size is ideal for toddlers, but even the standard size (which comes in over 50 colors!) is petite enough for little ones.

Kane Kids Mini Travel

State Bags

$80

Kane Kids Mini Travel

Between their super cool style, high-quality and give-back mission, we’re big fans of State Bags. For tots, our top pick is the Kane Kids Mini Travel which is perfectly sized and comes in a ton of awesome colors and designs. The bags are incredibly well made with thoughtful features like a luggage sleeve for travel, reflective details and an interior water bottle pocket. The exterior is made from a coated cotton that’s easy to keep clean and can be personalized with their initials and/or their choice of emoji-esque symbols like a rocket, banana or lightning bolt.

llama backpack

Skip Hop

$21.99

Llama Insulated Toddler Backpack

Now, who wouldn’t want a llama backpack?! We adore Skip Hop’s toddler backpack line—kiddos can pick out their favorite animal, like a unicorn, ladybug, or bee. They’re ideal for preschool, where children won’t bring a ton of folders or binders home. The insulated front pouch is the perfect spot to store snacks.

light up backpack

Herschel Supply

$39.99

Heritage Backpack Kids

Perfectly sized for kids aged 3 to 5, Herschel’s smallest version of the popular Heritage backpack comes in a variety of different colorways and features a removable sternum support strap and a limited lifetime warranty. Some even include reflective fabric and a light up feature to keep kiddos extra visible on their walk home.

Best Kids Backpacks

L.L. Bean Original Book Pack

L.L. Bean

$39.95

Original Book Pack

Like we mentioned above, it’s hard to beat the rugged L.L. Bean Book Packs. (Coincidentally, they’ve been making them since 1982!) They’re affordable, packed with thoughtful features and practically indestructible. Padded straps and back panel keep it comfortable even when weighed down and there’s a ton of organizational pockets inside and out. This particular size is great for elementary and even middle schoolers but if you’ve got a kid who’s cramming in sports equipment or extra supplies, upgrade to the Deluxe size.

Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Backpack

Pottery Barn Kids

$64.50

Large Mackenzie Backpack

We highly recommend the Pottery Barn Kids backpacks for the elementary set for all the same reasons as above. The quality is *chef’s kiss* and the functionality is spot on. The water-resistant material is made from recycled plastic bottles and they can be personalized with a name or initials!

Bentgo Kids Prints 2-in-1 Backpack & Insulated Lunch Bag

Bentgo Kids

$34.99

Prints 2-in-1 Backpack & Insulated Lunch Bag

We can’t resist this Bengto brilliance. Lugging both a backpack and a lunchbox can be a total PITA, especially when you weigh like 45 pounds. Instead, this high-quality duo keeps it all in one easy-to-carry pack. The top is a traditional backpack with plenty of space and organization for their schoolwork while the insulated bottom compartment easily houses a variety of Bentgo lunch box containers! There are a ton of great patterns to choose from too!

Skip Hop Spark Style Big Kid Backpack

Skip Hop

$30

Spark Style Big Kid Backpack

We love the top-loading style of this adorable strawberry pack! It offers plenty of space inside for folders and a lunch bag along with a clear pocket on the front for essentials and a water bottle holder on the side. Coordinate with the matching lunch accessories and water bottle and they’ll be ready for anything!

navy backpack

Dare to Roam

$72

Mini Prodigy Backpack

They look simple, but the magic of the ethically made backpacks from Dare to Roam is in the details. The water-resistant nylon features antimicrobial technology to keep them fresh and clean despite your preschooler’s best efforts. At just 15 inches, the mini is perfect for elementary schoolers, but if you’re shopping for an older kiddo you may want to upgrade to the full size.

grey backpack

MCubed

$34

Kids' Backpacks

Designed with the pint-sized school-goers in mind, Mcubed backpacks are large enough to fit folders and essentials, but not so big they’ll overwhelm your little one. We love their simple patterns and muted colors which you don’t always find when it comes to kid backpacks. They also offer matching lunchboxes and pencil cases!

Jansport Superbreak plus

Jansport

$42

Superbreak Plus Backpack

The “OG” of backpack brands, Jansport makes durable classic designs that can withstand the wear and tear of the school year. A front panel with a built-in organizer will keep elementary kids and middle schoolers organized, while the padded shoulder straps will keep them comfortable. The best part? The price (and a few super fun patterns)!

State Bags Kane Kids

State Bags

$90

Kane Kids

So good, we’re telling you twice. A larger version of the Mini Kane, it’s roomy enough to carry your child through elementary school and durable enough to last well beyond that. (If they’re older than 9 though, size up to the Kane Kids Large!) There’s plenty of organizational pockets inside including a zippered panel and non-zip panel as well as a padded pocket for an iPad or small laptop. Outside they’ll find a side pockets for water bottles or an umbrella and zip pockets for things like pencils and treasures. And if we had to vote, they have the absolute best patterns of any brand out there. Seriously, we’re jealous.

red backpack

Lands' End

$35.95

Kids ClassMate Medium Backpack

This classic bag is great for preschool and elementary. With padded back panels and shoulder straps, it provides optimal comfort and is water-repellent. It has reinforced stitching so it’ll hold up just fine if your little tosses it or drags it around. And, we can’t resist personalizing it with a monogram so you always know which bag is your kid’s.

Herschel Supply Heritage Backpack Youth

Herschel Supply

$49.99

Heritage Backpack Youth

Another pick we love for littles and bigs. The youth version of Herschel Supply’s Heritage pack is total winner for the elementary school set. It’s roomy enough for a laptop but not so gigantic that it turns into a pit of despair.

A version of this story was published December 1, 2021. It has been updated.

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