Best Backpacks for Kids

The Spiketus Rex Fullpack is perfect for the kid who wants to stand out from the crowd -- and the exterior is durable enough for even the rowdiest boy.

Spiketus Rex Fullpack, available at madpax.com, $60

When your little one is ready to leave the nest for preschool, send him off with this adorable and safe (it's BPA-Free, Phthalate-free, PVC Free) little Owl backpack from Skip Hop. The main compartment is big enough to fit his school supplies, plus there's an adjustable mesh bottle pocket and an insulated pouch to stash snacks.

Owl Zoo Pack, available at skiphop.com, $20

Your tiny dancer will flip over this girly pack featuring three ballerinas with sparkly, pop-out tutus. Personalize the bag with her name (up to eight characters) and fill it up with books for school -- or slippers and skirts for dance class.

Personalized Ballet Backpack, available at Walmart.com, $28.88

Kids will love the vibrant colors; parents will love LL Bean's classic durable design. This backpack is big enough to fit notebooks and folders, but still compact enough for small bodies. The front is outfitted with reflective material to make sure your kiddo is visible even after the sun sets.

Junior Orginal Book Pack, available at llbean.com, $24.95

Trippy and fun, this pack is light and compact, with just enough pockets and space to tote your kiddo's stuff for her first day of school.

Room It Up Dream Dot Mini Backpack, available at amazon.com, $16.22

Your big kid won't mind hauling books in this mod forest-themed backpack from DwellStudio. The Owls Sky pack is made of coated canvas, and gets major points for being safe and green -- it's Phthalate- and PVC-free.

Owls Sky Backpack, available at fawnandforest.com, $46

The popular Percival dino bag comes in a smaller preschool version too, but we prefer the green big kid version, which doesn't show dirt as much. Made of durable nylon fabric, the large main compartment can hold textbooks, notebooks, a laptop, and more.

Percival Big Kid Backpack, available at beatrixny.com, $52

The modern mesh-and-foam design guarantees that the Osprey Jet Day Pack will be comfy to carry, even when it's crammed with textbooks. There's a pouch for a water bottle, and the stretchy front pocket holds frequently used items, or just those little treasures he always seems to find.
Osprey Jet Day Pack, available at rei.com, $45

With a wide, adjustable strap that fits snugly across the body, the Heatwave Messenger Bag is the ultimate in big-kid cool. The main compartment is huge; the front panel has slots for a calculator, pens, and more, so your guy will be organized this fall. Okay, more organized than he was last year.

Heatwave Messenger Bag, available at llbean.com, $29.99

Just the right size for the early-elementary crowd, this globally inspired Kid's Messenger Bag can be worn across the body, or on the back, with the attached straps. It also comes with a removable insulated lunch bag and reflective tape for extra visibility on those short, dark December days.

Kid's Messenger Bag, available at amazon.com, $36