Best Backpack For Kids

A backpack is a must-have school accessory for kids, but it should also be comfortable and safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a pack that’s sized appropriately for the child, and features that help distribute weight. Specifically, it should have compartments that allow the child to pack the heaviest items closest to their body (like water bottle holders), plus specialized storage for folders or books. Also, the pack should have pockets for things like lunch cards or money to make it easier for children to get what they need without having to remove their entire pack.

The best backpack for kids also has plenty of padding, a supportive back panel and straps, and extra safety features that can help prevent strain and injuries. One of the most important safety considerations is ensuring that the pack doesn’t weigh more than 20% of the child’s body weight—overloading a pack can cause pain, neck and back problems, poor posture, and increased risk of injury. Correll recommends using a bathroom scale to check the pack’s weight before sending your child off to school.

For preschoolers through kindergarteners, we love Herschel’s simple, kid-friendly Herschel Split backpack, which offers three youth sizes to fit a range of ages, and plenty of colors to keep it stylish. We especially like that it has a small front pocket and a side bottle holder, which helps to distribute the weight of the bag evenly. For older kids, we also love the JanSport Youth Court Jester backpack, which is a sturdy choice for carrying a lot of books. It’s not as roomy as other packs, but it has plenty of padded back and shoulder support to cushion the load and keep your child comfy throughout their day. And, it comes in a variety of prints and color options that kids can personalize with their own labels & tags or lanyards.