20 best backpacks for kids–from preschool & beyond

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!

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.

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!)

Since we’re already in love with the cult-favorite jammies from Posh Peanut, we’re instant fans of their 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.

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.

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 thanks to ultra durable Vinylon F fabric they last FOREVER. It’s water-resistant, repels dirt, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty too.  The mini size is ideal for toddlers, but even the standard size (which comes in over 50 colors!) is petite enough for little ones.

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.

Skip Hop’s toddler backpacks are pretty ubiquitous–and for good reasons. They’re durable and adorable with convenient features like an insulated front pouch for snacks, a mesh side pocket that can hold every drink from juice boxes to water bottles, and comfy padded straps. That said, they’re also 100% tot-sized which is great for independent littles who insist on carrying their own bag, but it also means they don’t fit too much.

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. Like everything from the brand, it’s sturdy and well-made with a substantial zipper that never seems to get stuck or snag. Some even include reflective fabric and a light up feature to keep kiddos extra visible on their walk home.

Moms of budding artists, this one’s for you. The innovative toddler backpacks from Urban Infant are not only incredibly well made with a rugged (but lightweight) water-resistant material, they also boast a clever feature–a cylindrical side pocket for their rolled up masterpieces! The zipper is chunky and easy for little hands and there’s a mesh side pocket to hold their water bottle as well. They come in a variety of sweet patterns and can be customized with a name or initials if you prefer.

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.

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!

If you’ve got a kiddo whose tastes change with the wind, the endlessly customizable backpacks from Light + Nine are the perfect school accessory! The clever perforated EVA designs are not only completely weightless, it also allows them to stick and unstick a whole collection of charms (called Nimix) that suit their interests. Choose from dozens of colorful letters, seasonal themes and fun icons to create a new, one-of-a-kind look as many times as they want. The Starter style comes in three sizes but for elementary schoolers we recommend the Starter Jr. option.

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!

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!

While the brand may not ring a bell for American mamas, Beckmann has been carting  European kids’ school supplies since 1946. Their high-quality Classic Kids Backpack goes above and beyond, boasting features we never even knew a backpack needed. For starters, the ergonomic design integrates anatomically shaped back support, a chest strap, padded hip belt and an internal aluminum rib to keep weight evenly distributed. To say it’s comfortable to carry would be a total understatement! In addition, it’s well organized both internally and externally with both side zippers and a cinch top to keep all their things easily accessible. Then there’s the finer details like a detachable key ring, an integrated rain cover, waterproof lunch box pocket, removable patches and even a reversible front pocket should they decide they want a more neutral look. It’s basically the Ferrari of 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!

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)!

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.

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.

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.