Best Backpacks for Kids: How to Choose the Right One by Age

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A child’s backpack does a surprising amount of work. It carries books, lunch, a water bottle and art projects, and it gets dragged, dropped and stuffed every day. The right one fits your child’s body, holds what they need and survives the school year. The wrong one is too big, too heavy or so uncomfortable that it ends up hanging off one shoulder. Here’s how to choose a backpack that suits your child’s age and routine.

Choose by age

Toddlers (about 2 to 4)

Little ones need very little: a snack, a spare outfit, a comfort toy and maybe a small bottle. Choose a small, light pack that they can put on themselves. Soft materials, a chest strap that keeps the straps from slipping off narrow shoulders and a fun design they’re excited to wear all help.

Preschool and kindergarten (about 4 to 6)

Kids this age start carrying folders, a lunch box and a change of clothes. Look for a pack that fits a standard folder flat, has an easy zipper they can open by themselves and is still small enough not to dwarf them.

Early grades (about 6 to 9)

Homework, library books and lunch add up. A mid-sized pack with a padded back, a side pocket for a bottle and one or two inside pockets for pencils and small items works well. Reflective details help on darker winter mornings.

Older kids and tweens (about 9 and up)

Older kids carry more books and often a tablet or school laptop. Look for padded straps, a padded device sleeve and sturdy construction. Style matters a lot at this age, so let them have a say. If they carry a laptop, our laptop backpack guide explains what to look for.

Fit comes first

A backpack that fits is far more comfortable than one with lots of features. Check that:

• The pack isn’t wider than your child’s torso.
• The top sits a little below the shoulders and the bottom sits around the waist, not down on the hips.
• Both shoulder straps are padded and adjusted so the pack sits close to the back.
• A chest strap helps keep straps in place on smaller children.

How heavy is too heavy?

Pediatric groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, advise keeping a loaded backpack to no more than 10 to 20 percent of a child’s body weight. If your child leans forward to carry it, it’s too heavy.

Features worth paying for

• Durable fabric and stitching. Reinforced seams and a strong base help a pack last the year.
• Easy-to-grip zippers. Large pulls are easier for small hands.
• A water bottle pocket. Keeps spills away from books.
• A name tag or label spot. Lots of backpacks look alike in a classroom.
• Washable materials. Kids’ bags get dirty; wipe-clean or machine-washable fabric is a bonus.

Our picks

For little hikers

The Toddler and Kids Hiking Backpack is sized for children about 2 to 7 years old. It has adjustable shoulder straps, a chest strap, room for a 1-liter water bladder, several storage pockets and side pockets that stretch to fit a water bottle. It works for family walks and days out as well as hikes.

For getting ready for Pre-K

The Pre-K Readiness Backpack comes with a parent learning guide built around short sessions of about 10 to 15 minutes a day. It focuses on early skills like recognizing letters, counting to 10, holding a pencil, writing their name and following simple directions. It’s recommended for ages 3 and up.

For first and second graders

The Grades 1–2 Readiness Backpack follows the same idea for older kids, with hands-on tools and games for sight words, sounding out words, writing simple sentences, place value and adding and subtracting. It’s recommended for ages 5 and up and makes a good summer head start.

How to pack a kid’s backpack

1. Put the heaviest items, like books and a laptop, closest to the back.
2. Use the small pockets for pencils, keys and snacks so they don’t sink to the bottom.
3. Keep the water bottle in a side pocket.
4. Clear out the bag every week; old papers and forgotten lunches add weight fast.
5. Teach your child to use both straps every time.

Getting ready for back to school

A week or two before school starts, have your child try the new pack on with a realistic load: a folder, a lunch box, a bottle and a book. Adjust the straps together and show them how to tighten them. Label the bag inside, and walk through which pocket holds what so mornings run more smoothly.

Letting kids choose their style

Kids are far more likely to wear a backpack properly if they like it. Bright colors, favorite animals, patterns and characters all help. For a good compromise, pick a well-built pack in a plain color and let your child personalize it with a keychain, patch or tag. For more ideas, see our backpack gift guide.

Backpacks for days out and trips

If your family heads outdoors, a kids’ hiking pack teaches children to carry their own water and snacks. Our hiking daypack guide covers adult packs, and how to backpack with a toddler has tips for bringing little ones along. Parents carrying baby gear may also like our guide to diaper bag backpacks.

FAQ

What size backpack does a kindergartner need?

A small to medium pack that fits a standard folder flat and isn’t wider than their torso is usually right. Avoid oversized bags they’ll “grow into.”

Are rolling backpacks better for kids?

They can help children who carry very heavy loads, but they’re harder on stairs and in crowded hallways. Many schools discourage them, so check first.

How often should I replace my child’s backpack?

A well-made pack can last more than one school year. Replace it when the straps, zippers or seams fail, or when it no longer fits your child properly.