Check Kid-2-Kid store in N Bethesda. They have sometimes decent school bags and more at a very good price.

Anonymous wrote:My rising Kindergartner wants a princess character backpack, but I’m trying to convince her to use something that might last longer than a year. Any recommended brands for good quality backpacks?

For K, why not princess or whatever is the "coolest" hyped up movie/toy/character there is?

It's amazing that your five year old DD already has an asthetic! My DS is ten and he could still couldn't care less.

Anonymous wrote:We've always done LL Bean or Pottery Barn backpacks with a fun patch reflecting whatever the child is into that year.

If she outgrows the princess phase last year, you just use a seam ripper to take off the patch and sew something else on!

https://patchcollection.com/products/disney-princess-full-group-iron-on-embroidered-applique-patch?variant=32813649231916&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoon2yFkJfx694AcqYOAgJSNz-pNGR583VKk_3amna1o3FEfE6HNUyY&gQT=1

Patches are as much as a cheap back pack. Let them pick and be excited over it.

Be careful with Lands End. I ordered my then- K DD and 9th grader backpacks and while my eldest came in a week and she has just retired after graduation, my K child’s backpack set got back ordered and then cancelled. Horrific! I got a cheap store one that broke in 2 weeks and then ordered a PB Kids large backpack the next year. It is being retired this year for a big girl backpack from PB Teen. They hold up great! Spend the money to get a matching lunchbox too.

Anonymous wrote:Get a plain backpack and a princess patch and sew it on so when she’s bored with it you pick something else.

That's what we did, and it's a great idea! My kids' Land's End backpacks from elementary are still usable. They're in HS now and have bigger ones - Jansport.

Just make sure the backpack is big enough to fit a lunch box. My daughter had a small backpack and lost her lunch box twice in KG. That's when I got her the Land's End one.

We really like the large size Pottery Barn. We actually use ours for 3-5 years. My son will be on year 4 of his (Pre-K, K, 1st and now going into 2nd) and it still looks brand new (it was navy and doesn't show any dirt). I give them a good scrub down at Christmas and summer breaks. I think it was like $35 on sale.

One year DD got a Amazon off brand backpack that she liked so she used it. The whole thing basically fell apart in a year. Tears in the bottom fabric and corners, straps falling off and zippers broken.

Anonymous wrote:Former K teacher, do not get the little kids backpack. It needs to key hold a folder +. So many show up with tiny backpacks that won't work and parents have e to buy another.

Agree with go with what she wants, backpacks don't cost a fortune, and it's something you'll likely buy each year until they graduate

Long time K teacher and absolutely this on the size!!! The PB little kid backpacks are way too small to meet the needs of kindergartners.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m in the minority but this seems like a battle not to pick. Just let her have the backpack she wants.

+1

Yes. Will probably get lost anyways

How would a child lose their backpack? I have a 7th and 9th grader and neither of them has ever lost a backpack. In fact, the 9th grader just got his 3rd backpack ever since the one he doesn't think the one he's been using since 4th is big enough for his laptop, binder, and running gear.

Teacher here. Kids regularly walk into school without their backpack. It’s not uncommon for them to lose them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m in the minority but this seems like a battle not to pick. Just let her have the backpack she wants.

+1

Yes. Will probably get lost anyways

How would a child lose their backpack? I have a 7th and 9th grader and neither of them has ever lost a backpack. In fact, the 9th grader just got his 3rd backpack ever since the one he doesn't think the one he's been using since 4th is big enough for his laptop, binder, and running gear.

You leave it on the bus. You take it off waiting for the bus. You leave it on the playground before walking home. I could go on.

Whichever backpack you get make sure it holds more than a folder. When mine were in K they had to share cubbies. Unless their belongings other than a coat could be placed inside the backpack they were lost/mistakenly taken by other kids constantly. I’m talking about hats, gloves, scarves, boots and even lunchboxes.

We always did Jansport or llbean backpacks in fun colors. They got princess/superhero lunchboxes (or the artic zone ones from Costco).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former K teacher, do not get the little kids backpack. It needs to key hold a folder +. So many show up with tiny backpacks that won't work and parents have e to buy another.

Agree with go with what she wants, backpacks don't cost a fortune, and it's something you'll likely buy each year until they graduate

That's incredibly wasteful. Spend the money on a high quality backpack, make sure you wash it at least twice a year, and it will last for years.

It’s not a big deal. They are five. Let them choose.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m in the minority but this seems like a battle not to pick. Just let her have the backpack she wants.

+1

Yes. Will probably get lost anyways

How would a child lose their backpack? I have a 7th and 9th grader and neither of them has ever lost a backpack. In fact, the 9th grader just got his 3rd backpack ever since the one he doesn't think the one he's been using since 4th is big enough for his laptop, binder, and running gear.

They get stolen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m in the minority but this seems like a battle not to pick. Just let her have the backpack she wants.

+1

Yes. Will probably get lost anyways

How would a child lose their backpack? I have a 7th and 9th grader and neither of them has ever lost a backpack. In fact, the 9th grader just got his 3rd backpack ever since the one he doesn't think the one he's been using since 4th is big enough for his laptop, binder, and running gear.

DP. I lost my backpack the first day of kindergarten. My parents never let me live it down.

Anonymous wrote:Former K teacher, do not get the little kids backpack. It needs to key hold a folder +. So many show up with tiny backpacks that won't work and parents have e to buy another.

Agree with go with what she wants, backpacks don't cost a fortune, and it's something you'll likely buy each year until they graduate

That's incredibly wasteful. Spend the money on a high quality backpack, make sure you wash it at least twice a year, and it will last for years.