ISO - backpack recommendation for kindergartener

[lisa_ca]

My oldest is going to a kindergarten this fall and I would like to find a perfect backpack for her. Do you have any recommendation? Would a rolling backpack be better than a regular backpack?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Many schools do not want rolling backpacks. I don't think it matters much what kind of back pack you get, as long as it id big enough to hold regular 8.5 x 11" paper. I got my DC's kindergarten backpack at Target. DC picked it out. You could order one from LL Bean or Land's End for better quality, but the cheap one will last the year and my kids like to get new ones each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many schools do not want rolling backpacks. I don't think it matters much what kind of back pack you get, as long as it id big enough to hold regular 8.5 x 11" paper. I got my DC's kindergarten backpack at Target. DC picked it out. You could order one from LL Bean or Land's End for better quality, but the cheap one will last the year and my kids like to get new ones each year.

I agree. Our school doesn't allow rolling backpacks and require the ones we get to be large in order to comfortably hold 8.5 x 11 paper, folders and a lunch box.

[Anonymous]

Get her a cute backpack with the pattern (or cartoon character) of her choice.

If you will pack her lunch make sure her lunch will easily fit. K backpacks don't need to be very sturdy -- most kids don't get that much homework, maybe a paper or two but usually they aren't bringing home textbooks!

When your kids reach about 3rd grade they might need the rolling backpack depending on how much home work and usually they have outgrown the cartoon stage so they might wants a more expensive backpack that will last several years.

Target or Staples are a good place to look.

[Anonymous]

Lands End and LL Bean have small versions of their big kid bakpacks. I did not get DDs at Target because they all had characters on them. I prefer to avoid the tv merchandising stuff.

[Anonymous]

Lands End. Ours are holding up perfectly. Make sure the backpack will hold a standard file folder at the minimum size. We've always been told not to have a rolling backpack.

[Anonymous]

I would get an LL Bean of regular size (the backpack itself is not heavy) and keep for at least 6 years!

[lisa_ca]

Thank you all for your helpful comments.
I didn't know that rolling backpack is not allowed in school.
Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Schools differ with respect to allowing rolling backpacks. Our ES does, but middle school does not because they don't fit into the lockers. As for rolling backpacks, it was not until third grade that my kids carried enough stuff to warrant one. And in fourth and fifth grade they carried so much stuff that a rolling backpack was a necessity. Some kids even used small suitcases.

In our house, a new backpack is sort of a rite of passage to a new school year. And they loved to get character ones when they were in ES. So, I bought/buy the cheap Target ones. But, if you think you will keep the same one for years, Lands End might make sense. The only year I spent more than the minimum on a backpack was fourth grade because it had to last for two years.

If your child is going to walk any length to or from school, you may need/want to think about a rolling backpack earlier than fourth grade.

[Anonymous]

I just bought a really cute one at Gap Kids for $13 (they are on sale 30% off right now). My daughter loves it and is so excited to start kindergarten now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lands End and LL Bean have small versions of their big kid bakpacks. I did not get DDs at Target because they all had characters on them. I prefer to avoid the tv merchandising stuff.

Wow. You went to the wrong Target! Our Target (7 corners) had lots of cute backpacks without characters on them.

[Anonymous]

I love the Stephen Joseph ones. Very cute and sturdy. My ds has had his for 3 years. Sort of pricey but they hold up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lands End and LL Bean have small versions of their big kid bakpacks. I did not get DDs at Target because they all had characters on them. I prefer to avoid the tv merchandising stuff.

We had the "junior backpack" from LL Bean for my son in pre-school and I think it would be too small for K even though it says for ages 4 and up. We got our rising K boy the critter backpack from LL Bean. They are all 20% off now and it will last awhile I think.

[Anonymous]

Children's Place backpacks are cute and hold up well. They are about $12 on sale, and hold what kids this age need.

[Anonymous]

I liked the fact that the Lands' End backpacks were sized by age (a bag that's too big/long won't be comfortable) and stated what it could hold. Such as snowpants, extra shoes, etc. And there is a clip on the outside for attaching a lunch box if the bag itself gets too full.