The 8 Best Kids Backpacks

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 11x4.3x14.6/11.5L

Not only does the VASCHY Preschool Backpack meet our backpack expectations, but the bag is downright cute (bring on the compliments!). The bag feels sturdy, and the fabric feels durable, making the bag's overall quality satisfactory for most needs. Besides one large compartment, it has an easy-access front pocket for smaller items like snacks. The zippers are a breeze to open and close, and the bag features two elastic side pockets to stash a water bottle and more. Inside the big compartment, there's a write-on nametag, and this contender is the only one in our lineup with a chest strap, which helps stabilize the backpack and improve wearing comfort. Our parent tester says, “I love that the chest clip keeps the shoulder straps in place on narrower bodies.”

This bag has one large compartment, which we prefer for younger children who don't need to organize items like older students. But if a bag with multiple storage pockets is a better fit for your child's organizational style, you may prefer something like the Skip Hop Little Kid Backpack, which has an adorable look and a smaller front pocket. Also, the VASCHY comes in two sizes: small and large. We tested the small size for our review, which we think meets a preschooler's or kindergartener's needs. Our tester said, “I like the smaller size; it is less overwhelming for smaller children.” We suggest moving up to the large size (11W x 5.5D x 15.7 H and 15.69L capacity) for older children as they will likely carry more items. A larger pack that also rolls and might be suitable for kids with heavier books is the J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack. However, if you need a basic pack that works for younger kids, this is a great contender.

Side Pocket(s): No | Size/Capacity: 11x5x15/13.9L

The Everest Basic Backpack is minimal, with no bells or whistles. It offers one spacious main compartment for books and folders, plus a front pocket that is easy to access for smaller items like a snack, calculator, or writing utensil. With a selection of available colors, kids can choose one that fits their style. This pack is a simple pack that is good for those who might misplace items in bags with more pockets. One tester said, “I think little ones can keep track of belongings better with fewer pockets.”

The Everest's lower price point is applause-worthy, especially for budget-minded folks, but the bag's design and quality are somewhat lacking, making us question potential durability and longevity. The shoulder straps have minimal padding, but the bag's backside has none. The lack of padding makes it a no-go for older kids with heavier loads who might find it uncomfortable when full of favorite children's books. Also, the fabric is thin, increasing the chance of holes, and the bag has no suitable pocket for a water bottle. If your budget can be stretched, the VASCHY Preschool Backpack could be the better choice, with more padding on the straps and a little better quality. If you need something for heavier items or more books, the J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack could be a better fit, given the larger size and thicker material with rolling capabilities. Our tester said, “I like the rolling capabilities of the J World for heavier items.” However, the bare minimum design and lower price of the Everest make it a good choice for younger children with less to carry.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 18x13x9/34.5L

Lighten the load with the J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack. This contender is full of features like wheels, organization, and versatility, like no other contender in our review. If you prefer to take a break from rolling, clip the padded shoulder straps into place and wear it backpack-style. The main compartment is roomy, and the front pocket is overflowing with extras. The adjustable handle extends to 34 or 39 inches to accommodate a variety of user heights.

This pack costs more than most of the competition, which means it might be prohibitive for smaller budgets. However, the standout features and quality seem to justify the added cost, depending on your needs or goals. We think the J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack is best for older children with a greater need for bringing books and supplies back and forth to school. The additional comfort and durability will be appreciated, as we suspect it can make it all year without a replacement. Some schools don't allow rolling bags, and the VASCHY Preschool Backpack might be a better consideration.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 11x5x12/10.8L

There's much to adore about the Skip Hop Little Kid Backpack. It brought smiles to our faces, and we think it will instantly win your little one's heart. Although more petite in size than other contenders, this bag is mighty. It feels high-quality and offers a roomy main compartment to hold treasures and trinkets. It also features a write-on name tag. For an added dose of cuteness, check out the rainbow zipper pull. Pretty cute, right? And with little ones busy finding treasures to tote, the zipper experienced frequent use, and we did not experience any issues.

This pack is intended for children three years of age and up, potentially due to the animal's button eyes posing a choking hazard should they fall off. On the product we purchased for testing they feel secure, and we did not experience any issues, but it is good to remember that any button can detach under the right circumstances. Therefore, we suggest checking them regularly to ensure they are securely attached. The Everest Basic Backpack is also a smaller pack for little kids without the cuteness but also without the choking potential. We think the Skip Hop is an adorable backpack and is a winner whether your tot needs a light pack or is graduating from a diaper bag.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 13.5x8.5x19/35.7L

The High Sierra Loop Backpack may be an exciting option for a middle schooler or older who needs a higher capacity for homework-filled days. Thanks to its multi-compartment design, this pack has ample storage for school essentials, lunch, a water bottle, etc. Compared to the lineup, this backpack's quality is impressive, making it an option we believe will likely last longer.

The pack's capacity is overkill for most kids, particularly younger children who don't need the extras. It could be larger than some little ones' torsos, making it harder to wear and carry supplies. The Everest Basic Backpack might be a suitable smaller option for those with shorter torsos or less to carry. Therefore, we consider the High Sierra to be best for a middle schooler going into high school or traveling. If you need larger capacity or higher quality, this pack could last a long time, providing ample space.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 12x7x15/20.6L

The Wildkin 15 Inch Backpack is a mid-sized backpack with multiple fun designs for children three years old and older. It has two zippered pockets for packing essentials and a mesh side pocket to hold your child's water bottle. This backpack is 600 Denier Polyester, and according to its care instructions, this bag is spot clean only.

Unlike other contenders, this backpack does not have an easy-access front pocket. Although this is not a deal-breaker, a small, easy-to-access pocket can be handy for items you'd like to grab, such as a snack. The VASCHY Preschool Backpack has a front pocket and side bottle holder, making it more useful if you need better organization. Also, if your child carries a heavier load to school (think binders and textbooks, etc.), you may discover the bag's size is too small for their needs. We suggest this option for elementary school-aged kids.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 12.2x6x15.8/18.9

Although the Amazon Basics Classic School Backpack is straightforward in design, it still boasts qualities we consider essential for a great kids' backpack. The quality is decent, and there is enough padding to make the bag comfortable to wear. The main compartment is generous and features multiple internal pockets for extra storage and organization. We also appreciate the front pocket for quick access to items.

We had high hopes for this product, but the Velcro closures on the bag's side pockets lowered its ranking. We consider it a downside because the pockets do not stretch as much as contenders with stretchy elastic side pockets. The VASCHY Preschool Backpack has great storage with multiple pockets to keep things separated and easier to find. But if a basic backpack with internal pockets works for you, this option is a potential contender.

Side Pocket(s): Yes | Size/Capacity: 13x8.2x16.5/25L

The JanSport SuperBreak is like the Everest Basic Backpack but has minor differences. This contender offers back padding, and its dimensions are slightly larger. The roomy main compartment opens wide and can hold binders, textbooks, and more, plus the front pocket has some internal organizers for small items.

Although we don't mind keeping things simple, we wish this contender's design incorporated at least one side pocket for a water bottle. The lack of this feature is disappointing, especially for kids toting a bottle to school who need a quick drink. The VASCHY Preschool Backpack offers a water bottle holder and a front pocket, if you need more organization diversity. However, check out the SuperBreak if you seek a simple backpack that offers a little more quality than the bare minimum.

How We Tested

We tested a range of kids' backpacks to provide an overview of the current market. We started by considering the most popular and well-regarded backpacks available with an eye for quality, organization, ease of use, and budget. We chose packs we thought kids would like and packs for different stages of childhood. Our hands-on testing involved kid testers and parents loading and wearing the bags to see which ones were the most comfortable and easiest to use.

Why Trust GearLab

The BabyGearLab team has been testing gear since 2013 and holds incredible experience and knowledge. Leading this review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor and nanny with over 14 years of experience. Molly has worked with various children and ages, making her the best expert to suggest the perfect kids' backpack for you and your family.

How to Pick the Best Kid's Backpack

Choosing a kid backpack can feel like it is more about a cute style or your child's preference, but if it is uncomfortable or doesn't suit their needs, you'll soon be returning to the drawing board for a new one.

Organization

We think one of the most important considerations for a backpack is how it is organized and what features it has. Kids of different ages using backpacks for different things will need different features and pockets. A kindergartener likely needs a single big pocket and maybe a small front pocket and can get by with almost no features. But older kids will need more pockets or features for things like holding water bottles or keys so they don't get lost. Nothing is more frustrating than important items getting lost in the bottom of a bag, and this issue will get worse as kids get older and their supplies increase.

Comfort

Everyone has a different body and abilities, so choosing a comfortable bag for your child to wear is paramount. We did our best to assess comfort by loading and wearing the packs. You should look for balanced bags with padded and adjustable straps. A padded back pad is also helpful to prevent any poking in the back while wearing it.

Analysis and Test Results

When shopping for a kids' backpack, it is essential to look beyond style and color options and consider factors like capacity and quality. We kept these metrics in mind while evaluating the competition and noted user feedback from testers ranging in age from three years to middle school. Collectively, these factors influenced our overall ranking of products and selection of award winners.

Capacity

Our lineup includes products of various capacities. The size you select may depend on your child's needs or size. The High Sierra Loop Backpack, which is oversized compared to other packs, has the largest capacity in our review. Following close behind is the J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Skip Hop Little Kid Backpack, one of the tiniest backpacks, with the VASCHY Preschool Backpack being one step up in capacity. Other bags that we consider middle-of-the-road in size include the Amazon Basics Classic School Backpack and the Wildkin 15-inch Backpack.

Whether you use a backpack as your next-stage diaper bag or your child is transporting heavy textbooks to and from school, it is essential to consider your needs and your child's overall size when selecting a suitable bag.

Quality

There's no doubt that backpacks take a beating. Let's face it, it would be wonderful if a bag could make it to the end of the school year, but this is a far-reaching goal for most kids' backpacks, in our experience. However, selecting a high-quality product up front gives you the best chance of achieving this goal. Therefore, we investigated the quality of each option, including fabric, padding, clasps, and zippers.

We consider the High Sierra Loop Backpack the king of quality in the competition. It has heavy-duty fabric, great padding, and zippers that we believe will last. Runner-up contenders include the VASCHY Preschool Backpack, J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack, and the Skip Hop Little Kid Backpack.

Alternatively, the backpack with the most flimsy and lightweight fabric is the Everest Basic Backpack. The material makes us question its durability, but it also lacks padding down the pack's backside. Since it is one of the most inexpensive packs in our review, this is likely why the quality falls short.

How to Choose a Backpack for Kids

Finding the right pack for your little one can be simple if you consider a few factors before buying.

Size

The size of your child's backpack needs is largely based on age and what they will need to carry. The supplies for a pre-schooler will be significantly less than those nearing the end of elementary school. Little ones have smaller frames making larger bags harder to carry, while older children can manage bigger bags. Depending on your child's age and size, the pack should fit them comfortably and have the ability to carry the supplies they might need each day.

Features

Choosing a bag with the right features can be the difference between a bag that is hard to use and one that makes life easier. Features to consider are additional storage pockets for better organization, side pockets for water bottles, and wheels to help limit the load little ones need to carry on their bodies.

Conclusion

A backpack can be an essential piece of kid gear from the first day of school to bouncing around from one activity to another. Selecting a durable and reliable backpack can make life easier for you and your child. We feel confident you'll find a kids' backpack in our selection that best fits your goals and your child's needs.