Backpacks are the safest and most convenient way for preschoolers to carry all their belongings to and from campus However, there are so many choices out there: how do you choose the best ones for preschoolers
Toddlers are still growing, so care must be taken in choosing the right backpack for their health Backpacks should fit your child’s current size, be lightweight, and have enough storage They should also be durable, have padded straps, and come in a fun design
Read on below to learn more about choosing the best preschool backpacks for your toddler
Table of Contents
Choosing the Best Preschool Backpack for Your Toddler
Preschool is an exciting time for any parent as well as it is for kids
School activities will keep them busy, so toddlers always need a comfortable and reliable backpack It should be able to carry preschool essentials such as folders, notebooks, lunch and snacks, pens, and other essentials So, how do you go about choosing the best backpack for them
Below is a guide to help parents out
Correct Size and Dimensions
Since children grow at an incredibly quick rate, many parents often purchase items that they can grow into When it comes to clothes, this isn’t really a problem
Now when it comes to toddler backpacks, this can be a serious health concern Far too many parents make the mistake of buying preschool backpacks that are too large, with the thought that toddlers will eventually grow into them
Young children are prone to back pains and strains when wearing backpacks that fit incorrectly or are too large It can also increase the risk of falls and spine problems, especially when a backpack is too heavy, forcing them to lean forward to compensate for the pack’s weight
Always go for a backpack that fits your child’s current size It’s better to invest in their health and change their backpack as they grow
What You’ll Need:
You’ll need a measuring tape to obtain an accurate measurement of the backpack your child should be carrying Below are some examples you can find on Amazon
- A hard or soft measuring tape will help you get the best backpack size
Process:
Follow the steps below to get the measurements for your preschooler’s backpack:
- Stand in front of your child, and measure the length from their shoulders down to their belly button Add two inches to get the ideal backpack lengthMeasure the width between your child’s shoulder blades Add a maximum of two inches to get the correct backpack width
Keep in mind that some schools will require students to carry A4-sized documents and papers If your child’s preschool is one of them, it’s recommended to use a backpack that is at least 15 inches in length and 10 inches wide These dimensions are adequate for storing plastic A4 folders without bending their edges
Lightweight
Some kids’ backpacks are heavy even when empty Always remember to choose the lightest possible backpack, one no more than 1 pound if possible This is because kids shouldn’t carry a full backpack that makes up more than 10 to 15% of their own body weight for their health
While on the topic of weight, preschool kids should only carry the absolutely necessary items within their backpack Kids that need to bring heavy school supplies such as textbooks, resulting in a backpack that weighs over 10% of their body weight, are recommended to use rolling backpacks This way, they can save their backs and convert the pack to wheeled luggage whenever it’s too heavy
Storage
Generally speaking, 15 liters is adequate storage to fit everything a student needs for a day in preschool
However, depending on their size and what they need to carry, it can range from 12 up to 20 liters When choosing the right storage, it’s more important to base it on your child’s current size and the essentials they need to carry with them
Comfortable
Backpacks should always be comfortable to wear Given the fragility and growing nature of toddlers’ bodies, extra attention should be paid when choosing a backpack for its comfort Look for the following details:
- Wide, padded shoulder straps: The best preschool backpacks are broad and padded It protects the shoulders from pressure, especially when they are carrying a heavy load Remind the child to always wear the backpack with both straps on, since this is vital to distribute the loadAdjustable straps: Some kids’ backpacks are equipped with chest or hip straps that are efficient in distributing weight Chest straps should enable your child’s arms to freely move, while hip belts should fit comfortably on their hips Adjustable buckles will enable the child to make it as snug or loose as they needPadded back: A breathable and padded back panel will add a level of comfort when carrying heavy loads
Durable
Preschool and kindergarten backpacks will be subject to lots of wear and tear: they will get tossed and dragged on the floor, kicked in playgrounds, and much more It will be a real nuisance for your child if their backpack breaks and they lose belongings because of ripped fabric or broken seams
This is why it’s crucial to get your child a backpack that is durable enough and made with thick material to handle all the activities it will be exposed to in and out of campus
- Seams: Check the seams; the stitching should be so dense that it’s difficult to count how many stitches there are in each inch On the other hand, if you can easily count the stitches, this is an indicator that it can easily break Any fraying or raw edges is a red flag, and should be returnedFabric: Nylon and polyester, as well as various iterations of the two, are popular fabrics used in kids’ backpacks They are renowned for their durability, reliability, and longevity When analyzing the fabrics used, look out for their denier rating Denier is a metric that tells you how thick the fibers are in the fabric
Nylon or polyester backpacks with a denier rating of at least 500 are sure to be durable
- Zipper: Zippers are often one of the most underrated features of a good backpack You can have a high-quality and expensive preschool backpack, but if its zippers break easily, it will undermine the usability of the entire pack
Look for backpacks that use metal YKK zippers This brand is known worldwide for its high quality, giving you peace of mind that it won’t break or get stuck easily Molded plastic zippers made from quality resins are also durable
Kid-friendly Design
Preschool children will be using their backpacks to and from school each day While there are many factors to consider before buying one such as those mentioned earlier, it’s still important to choose one in a style that appeals to the child
Go for patterns, prints, characters, and designs that they like without sacrificing fit, comfort, and size The good news is that there are so many preschool backpacks available that it shouldn’t be hard to find one that ticks all the boxes and that your child likes Get your child involved and ask for their input when buying a preschool backpack for them
There is also the option of customizing a backpack to the child’s liking, such as with the use of accessories, a name tag, key chains, and iron-on patches Kid-friendly designs will also help you locate them in a sea of backpacks in school or at daycare
Easy To Clean
Dusty and muddy playgrounds, wet cafeteria floors, and dirty corridors are just some of the things a preschool backpack will be exposed to It will get dirty quite often, so it’s always best to get a backpack that’s machine washable – or at least easy to clean with a soak and a few wipe-downs
Check the manufacturer’s washing instructions before you buy a preschool backpack It will give you an idea of how simple (or difficult) it will be for you to keep the backpack clean Most nylon and polyester backpacks are generally simple to clean
Other Considerations
There are other factors that may come in handy when choosing a preschool backpack:
- Exterior side pockets, for storing water bottlesPadded sleeves, for protecting tablets and laptops inside the backpackKey clips, for easily attaching keysPockets inside and outside to help your child organize their smaller belongings easilyWarranty from the manufacturer that they will replace or repair defective bags, free of chargeWaterproof interior and/or exterior, so that you can easily clean spills and stains from food such as fruits and vegetablesPrice should also be considered; parents should choose a pack they are comfortable spending on but don’t get too attached to it Since kids grow so fast, it’s likely they’ll need a bigger backpack to fit them properly for the next school year
Our Recommendations for the Best Backpacks for Preschool
Finding the best preschool backpacks for your child may seem daunting However, that doesn’t have to be the case; here are some recommendations that may come in handy
Pottery Barn Mackenzie Backpack: Available in two sizes with a wheeled option, the Pottery Barn Mackenzie Backpack is a common sight in kindergarten and preschool campuses for good reason Available in dozens of playful patterns and colors, there’s definitely a Mackenzie for every personality
The bag is made from water-resistant 600-denier polyester, sure to hold up to the wear and tear of school activities and commuting There is the option of purchasing a matching Mackenzie lunchbox which can be attached to the backpack through exterior straps Each side also has a mesh water bottle pocket
Kids will be comfortable wearing this backpack thanks to the padded back panel and padded, contoured straps Additionally, Pottery Barn offers the option of personalizing the pack with the child’s name
It’s good to know that the Pottery Barn Mackenzie Backpack, like all their other products, has also been tested by accredited 3rd party laboratories that are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission This way, your family can have peace of mind that the materials used are of the highest safety standards
Skip Hop Zoo Harness Toddler Backpack: This adorable preschool backpack is undeniably cute – no wonder it’s so popular among preschool kids Skip Hop’s Zoo series comes with friendly animal faces, but it also has many other practical features
This backpack is equipped with a safety harness for extra security In addition, it comes with a detachable tether which makes it easy for both parent and child when walking through busy crowds or destinations Inside, you’ll find a nametag where you can write the child’s name in case the bag gets lost
The Skip Hop Zoo Harness Toddler Backpack is at the smaller end of the preschool backpack spectrum Its dimensions are 75 x 325 x 9 inches, which means that it won’t fit any A4 folders or documents However, if your child’s preschool doesn’t require them to bring documents to and from school, this backpack is perfect for holding other belongings such as notebooks, snacks, crayons, and pencils
It’s got other nifty features too, such as mesh side pockets for holding a small water bottle to ensure they’re always hydrated The adjustable chest strap will also help stabilize the pack as it’s worn
J World New York Kids’ Rolling Backpack: Preschool kids who have to carry a significant load to and from school will appreciate the features of the J World Kids’ Rolling Backpack The extra-spacious main compartment can hold binders, documents, notebooks, a lunch box, and a sweater with room for more essentials It also comes with its own matching insulated and washable lunchbox
One of the many cool features of this wheeled backpack is that its wheels are equipped with LED lights, which light up whenever they turn Another is how well it stands up to abuse, making it among the most durable preschool backpacks out there The scrape shield at the bag’s bottom provides extra protection from scratches and damage caused by rough curbs and streets
That’s not all: the wrap-around bumper is resistant to dragging, and the 600D polyester fabric is abrasion-resistant Not only is it an excellent preschool backpack, but it also doubles as a travel backpack This is, after all, a J World product: they are well-known for creating high-quality, versatile products
Herschel Heritage Mid-Volume Backpack: Herschel’s timeless backpacks also come in smaller sizes just for preschool toddlers The mid-volume backpack, with 145 liters of capacity, has enough space for a lunchbox, school supplies, a sweater, books, and everyday school gear This pack comes in several fun designs and colors that are perfect for both boys and girls
The Herschel Heritage Mid-Volume Backpack features an internal media pocket as well as a headphone port Kids can easily organize their smaller belongings thanks to the spacious front pocket and the single front pocket that comes with a key clip The interior sleeve pocket can store a 15” laptop as well as A4 folders and documents
Herschel is a world-famous backpack brand, so you can rest easy knowing that your kid is in good hands with this pack All of their products come with a limited warranty that ensures all backpacks are free from manufacturing and material defects, so they can certainly stand up to use and abuse in preschool
JanSport Half Pint Mini Backpack: Don’t be fooled by the small size of the JanSport Half Pint Mini Backpack: it certainly holds so much more than it looks With a capacity of 102L and a 7 oz weight, this is the ideal miniature backpack for young preschoolers Made from durable materials, this preschool backpack looks cool but will also last
School supplies can be neatly packed into the roomy main compartment Meanwhile, the front utility pocket is perfect for smaller items, including pens, pencils, and snacks The classic JanSport silhouette and extremely functional design make this a handy pack for preschoolers – they can take it from the campus to after-school activities with ease and comfort
It’s also really simple to clean up when the pack gets dirty Just give it a good wipe-down with a soft cloth dampened in cool water
Trail Maker Girls 6 in 1 Backpack: Both parents and kids will appreciate the thoughtful and comprehensive features offered by the Trail Maker backpack It’s complete with a matching reusable water bottle, insulated lunch bag, pencil case, ID tag, carabiner, and keychain The products come in vibrant and playful patterns that girls will love
The backpack dimensions are 16 x 12 inches, with a 525-inch depth – more than enough space for preschool plus extra-curricular activities, daycare, and even travel A front zippered pocket is a great place for storing snacks, pencils, phones, and wallets Kids can take this backpack anywhere: the soft yet lightweight fabric is durable and long-lasting
Whether your little preschooler is into clouds, rainbows, unicorns, or flowers, there’s a Trail Maker design that they’ll love
Conclusion
There are dozens of terrific preschooler backpacks out there that are built exactly for the job With this guide, you and your child can choose the best backpack that will support their entire school year