Do you replace your child's backpack and lunch box every year?

[Anonymous]

My son is finishing up K and I'm wondering if I should buy him a new backpack and lunch box for next year. My mom had bought him each from Pottery Barn last year. They have held up well, but they are pretty dirty/worn looking. Just curious what others do. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes. Both get pretty worn out and stained.

[Anonymous]

Good lord, no. We wash them every few months (3-day weekends, breaks). They hold up fine. My DD is very excited that she will get a new one when she starts MS so she can retire the one she got for starting K.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the year/child. Usually lunch box, usually back pack every year or two. We like PP was them every other month or so, if not sooner when they are starting to look dirty. Try washing it.

[Anonymous]

Nope. They get replaced when they've fallen apart. It doesn't matter if it's worn. It's not like the queen is coming to school.

[Anonymous]

No. We bought quality ones and I expect them to last 5 years. So far so good. Older DD had 4 during 13 years of school.

[Anonymous]

We get news ones every year and donate the old ones. It's part of the excitement of moving to a new grade.

My younger child was eager to ditch last year's stuff, since it was a bad year (bullying, teacher who didn't care). Sometimes, a new backpack can help set a new tone depending on how last year went. Let's put last year behind us and move on.

[Anonymous]

The insulated lunch bags usually only last a year, but I can get 2-3 years out of the backpacks.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I think it is part of the fun and excitement about going back to school. I loved picking out my new "school bag" and lunch box as a kid every August.

[Anonymous]

We get the cheap stuff on purpose. It holds up for the school year fine.
The kids' taste change by Fall so, for example, last year's Sofia the first backpack is no longer their interest anyway.

[Anonymous]

Nope. LLBean backpack & lunchbox look brand new after washing. No need for new.

[Anonymous]

Nope. They get replaced when they fall apart.

[Anonymous]

No. Mine used the same backpacks for preschool-ES, new ones in 6th and so far those are holding up.

Lunch bags get gross so those get replaced roughly every 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Each of my kids used backpacks and lunchbags (LLBean) for 3 years. Lunch bags we've used longer. But they're also girls and take pretty good care of things.

[Anonymous]

No. My son is in 6th grade. We are on his second lunchbox (third actually but the first one was taken in summer camp) and second backpack. We upgraded the backpack in middle school when he had trouble fitting everything in the old one, but the original is still in good shape and is now an overnight/special stuff bag.
We get ours from LLBean and they get washed several times during the year. Washing machine, cold, air dry. They clean up great.