Backpacks for Kids

Best backpack for toddlers and young kids

Backpacks for younger children are smaller and proportionally sized for their narrow shoulders and small frames. Most start at about 800 cubic inches -- roughly half the size of an adult backpack. Kids' packs usually have simple designs and fewer organizer pockets than their larger adult counterparts. Backpacks for older kids in elementary and middle school can reach 1,200 to 1,500 cubic inches. Just keep in mind that children shouldn't carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their bodyweight, according to experts.

For young children and kindergarteners, reviewers recommend the JanSport Half Pint (*Est. $20), which offers about 625 cubic inches of storage. The Half Pint backpack has few bells and whistles, including one large primary storage compartment, a front storage area with a small zippered pocket and a key fob. About 92 percent of more than 1,300 owners posting to eBags.com say they'd purchase the Half Pint again. Parents report using the pack for daycare, saying it holds a change of clothing, a few diapers and wipes, a sippy cup and some snacks. Other reviewers are women who say they use the Half Pint for daytime jaunts as a mini-purse that's more convenient to carry than a standard shoulder bag. Don't expect to be able to haul books and folders, but owners say this small backpack is ideal for day trips requiring sunscreen, a water bottle and camera. For this purpose and for preschoolers and kindergarteners, reviews say the JanSport Half Pint is perfect.

For a slightly larger pack suitable for the younger crowd, the L.L.Bean Original Junior backpack (*Est. $25) is designed for kids ages 4 and older, and has a total capacity of 950 cubic inches. It sports one main compartment and two smaller pockets, including one with an organizer for pens and other school supplies. The backpack has a wide reflective strip over the front pocket for increased visibility, comes in six colors and has a lifetime warranty.

We haven't seen the Original Junior included in any recent tests, but user reviews remain positive. At LLBean.com, more than 300 reviewers give the backpack a 4.7-star rating (out of 5). Parents like that the pack is lightweight and durable. "I purchased this backpack for my son when he entered kindergarten and it still looks new after two years," one reviewer writes. Many parents report using the L.L.Bean Original Junior as a diaper bag and transitioning it to a preschool backpack later. However, most parents say children will need a larger backpack by about the third or fourth grade.

If you're looking for a fun, kid-friendly design, the Skip Hop Zoo Pack (*Est. $20) is endorsed by nearly 200 parents posting to Amazon.com and also earns an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5) or better in more than 80 reviews culled by Buzzillions.com. Recommended for children ages 3 and older, the Skip Hop Zoo Pack comes in a choice of 10 animal-themed designs, including a penguin, dog, frog, bee and monkey. An insulated pouch keeps snacks and beverages cool, and shoulder straps are padded and adjustable for an appropriate fit. Most owners agree that the Skip Hop Zoo Pack is ideal for preschoolers but is a bit small for children attending school who need to carry folders and books. As with the JanSport Half Pint, a number of reviewers report using the Zoo Pack as a purse or diaper bag.

The Kelty Grommet Junior (*Est. $30) is evaluated in one recent independent test, earning good scores for quality but only fair marks for convenience. Designed for 5- to 10-year-olds, the Grommet Junior has dual mesh pockets for water bottles but just two compartments -- there's no small pocket on the front. The pack has a capacity of 850 cubic inches and comes in five colors with a lifetime warranty. Compared to some other kids' backpacks, the Kelty Grommet Junior gets lower marks for comfort and safety in one professional test because it lacks a hip or sternum strap.

Backpacks for the elementary and middle school set

For older kids in elementary school, reviews point to the Lucky Bums Dragonfly 15 (*Est. $60), which has a capacity of 950 cubic inches. Designed for children age 9 years and older, the Dragonfly 15 has one large main pocket, one exterior pocket and two stretchy side pockets for water bottles. There's a bungee cord on the front to secure a sweater or light jacket, and the pack has both a hip and sternum strap to ease shoulder strain. Three colors are available and the backpack comes with a lifetime warranty. For younger children, the Lucky Bums Dragonfly 10 (*Est. $50) has an identical design but a smaller capacity for ages 8 and younger.

In a recent independent test, the Lucky Bums Dragonfly 15 posts very good results for comfort and safety. Testers like that the backpack has both hip and sternum straps, which take some weight off the shoulders. User reviews are scarce for this pack, but more than 20 reviewers who comment at eBags.com are mostly pleased. Parents say the backpack is the perfect size for elementary school students, and they like that it isn't overly large or heavy. Most say the Dragonfly 15 holds all the necessary books and artwork that kids this age tote around. Once kids begin to carry multiple heavy books, however, a larger backpack is necessary. One parent expresses concern that the pack won't be very durable due to its thin fabric, but we saw no reviews confirming that opinion.

The L.L.Bean Critter Pack (*Est. $40) is also popular among parents of elementary school kids. This backpack is designed for children age 7 and older, and has 1,500 cubic inches of total capacity. It includes two zippered side pockets, one of which has a mesh pocket for a water bottle. The shoulder straps are padded and contoured to provide a better fit for smaller bodies. Six colors are available with coordinating critter decals (blue shark, red snake and more). The most common complaint relates to the smaller storage pockets. "Aside from the main compartment, the other compartments are all too small, too narrow or strangely proportioned so they're not really very useful for anything," one parent writes at LLBean.com.

A similar yet critter-free design, the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack (*Est. $30) is also designed for kids age 7 and older, and comes in six colors and four patterns. The L.L.Bean Original has one main compartment and two smaller zippered pockets, one with an organizer panel for pens and calculators. Other features include a key clip, padded back panel and a large reflective strip along the front pocket. Capacity totals 1,450 cubic inches, and the pack is covered by L.L.Bean's lifetime warranty. Users at LLBean.com give the Original very high ratings, and 94 percent of the 260-plus reviewers say they'd recommend the backpack to a friend. Parents say the pack is highly durable and their kids like using it -- which is good since users report that it holds up for years, even after repeated cycles in the washer and dryer. However, at least 10 reviewers say the zipper gets stuck easily -- a complaint we also saw about the L.L.Bean Original Junior backpack designed for younger children. Some users would also like a side pocket for water bottles.