Preschooler Bags/backpacks

I'd recommend the book bags from LLBean. I've bought them for myself and they last forever. I just bought my 5 year old one for kindergarten. They have a Junior size that says it's for kids 4 and up but is probably the same size as the little ones you see in the stores.

Usually they want you to get a bigger backpack so the larger library books will fit in it.

I just went to Target and got a Thomas the Tank backpack for my kids when they started preschool. I used that backpack and then made a big deal and got a new backpack when they started kindergarten.

The Lands End backpacks will last a few years, but they are more than the backpacks at Kohls and Target. For the older kids, I always made sure their backpack had a spot for a water bottle. They always got the Lands End ones and they lasted about 3 or 4 years.

I would NOT get the ones on the wheels. Many schools discourage that and even when they are older, they don't fit in the lockers or are a pain with the bus or getting in or out of a car.

So for preschool, I would say get anything she wants. They all have zippers and easy openings. Kohls has some on sale this week as well as Target.

First, you can tell if a backpack is large enough by seeing if a pocket folder will fit flat inside. This is a regular papertype folder, not those big binders. Too big and she won't be able to carry it. She will probably want one of the character packs, can't blame her there. When you buy it, check the inside and bottom. If it is plastic, it will not last. You definitely want cloth. Also, check the zippers. You should really pull on it to make sure it will not mess up the teeth. Some zippers are made of plastic and just get messed up after a few days. Also, the wheeled backpacks are probably a bad idea since they take up too much room and don't it a cubby or locker. I had 3 in preschool at once so we really went through those things. I wish I had bought a backup when they were on sale. Another thing to consider it the straps. Most for her age group have nylon straps which are fine if her pack is not full but can bother her if the pack gets heavy. If possible, look for padded straps or pad them yourself. The biggest issue was the bottom of the pack and the zipper.

Hello!
I have taught preschool for years. We teachers like the biggest bag they are comfortable with as the main purpose for it has always been to help us get all of the big art work.. paintings and so forth in there. Maybe she can help pick it out too as that would help with part of her transition to "going to school." We didn't have any other restrictions on the bag requirement as I recall. I would say it was hard for the little ones to hang those backpacks with the wheels up on their little coat hooks as some of those seemed somewhat heavy. Some kids became very frustrated with that. Even a big nylon zip bag with handles would be nice. Whatever is easiest for your child to handle.

I don't know, we never had a problem with the kids having their initials or names on the bags as parents come in our school for drop off and pick up. You can ask your child's teacher or the school director on what they prefer at the school.

Our school does not allow backpacks with wheels, so you will want to check on that. For preschool, my kids used tiny backpacks - smaller than the usual school sized ones. I think one was from Lands End and one I bought somewhere like the children's place. They really don't need to carry all that much stuff in my experience - extra clothes stay at school, and paintings they send home are too big to fit in any bag without folding.

I too like LLBean. I bought one for my daughter this past year from LLBean and only had to buy 1. In the past 2 years, she had gone through 2 per year. She will be using this one again this year. Very durable.

Mom LK

Just a few thoughts I will share with you. I would avoid any backpack with your daughter's name monogrammed on the outside. From a safety point of view, its just a risk you don't want to take. In my opinion, rolling backpacks risk getting really dirty especially when rolling it through snow and rain puddles to and from the car/building. These backpacks really don't get heavy items stuffed inside. I've liked the ability to wipe clean the not yet dry white glue and paint that seems to get all over the inside of my preschooler's backpack. My children usually have a "say" in the backpack selection with mom/dad getting the final vote. In our family, it is rite of passage "of sorts" to go shopping for the backpack. I am much more concerned about durability for elementary school backpacks since the children haul more stuff/weight, sit on the floor of the school bus etc. And lastly, when my oldest was entering preschool I found wonderful mini backpack for my younger daughter. It was a wonderful resale shop find with her favorite character. She got to join in on the fun of having a new backpack along with her older preschool entering sister.

Let loose and have fun shopping!

The Children's Place has cute backpacks and lunch boxes to match. They come in different sizes and styles and they are all only $10 right now.

Having two kids recently go through a preschool program where they were expected to bring in a change of clothes AND outerwear for walks & playing AND bring home school projects, I gave up on a traditional backpack. (Since I also had an infant/toddler coming along too for me to keep track of.) They were getting knocked over by the weight of the full bag on their backs!

So we went to eBags online. I bought my two kids backpacks with wheels. eBags sells luggage. So we bought toddler/kids luggage. I bought each child a backpack AND the matching duffle bag with wheels (to be used on vacations and overnighters with Grandma and Grandpa). They LOVED them. Very durable. Rollerblade quality wheels - unlike those "character bags" where the wheels jam up and fall off. My kids each pulled their own bags in and out of school. Even with snowpants, hats, gloves, etc. Even now with one kid in grade school they both still run to get "their bags" whenever we have a trip or overnighter. It's been two years of using the bags! And they show little signs of wear and tear.

I hope this helps. Believe me, it's worth spending the money up front for quality on this one.

Lands End has preschool size bookbags- they are durable and decent price.