Whether it’s designed to hold toys, school books or their lunch, backpacks are a practical and fun item allowing boys or girls to express themselves through colours, characters and quirky designs.
When making your buying choice, you’ll want to think about what style of backpack you’re interested in and the functionality it might bring. A large flap that clips over the top of the opening to the bag, for instance, will provide the child with easy access, while zips tend to boast extra security. The more detailed and complex designs should be saved for slightly older children, so the youngsters do not struggle to open and shut the bag.
Side pockets are excellent features for storing pens and pencils, but if the child is older and in possession of a bus pass or lunch money then a zipped front pocket comes highly recommended for storing such valuables.
Children tend to opt for bright, bold colours so buyers should be mindful of current trends also. Price - as always - is also key, as many children’s backpacks can be expensive depending on where to buy them from.
To help, we’ve created a handy guide of our best picks to help make the choice right for your budget and your child.
Boys can transform into superhero Captain America with this awesome waterproof backpack. The bag is made of high density durable satin and has adjustable straps with the aim to suit school children of all ages. Its PVC shield design on the back makes it wipe clean and the rucksack’s reflective shoulder straps mean kids feel safe wearing it should they travel when the sun has gone in.
Books can be kept safe with large zippered compartments and the elasticated side pockets can store water bottles and school supplies. It also features a handle at the top of the bag, allowing for options when carrying.
This smart rucksack is suitable for children aged four and upwards.
This quirky backpack could make a fun gift for gamers, allowing them to be the envy of their peers when kids return to school after the holidays.
The backpack is ultra lightweight at less that 1lb, which can reduce the amount of strain on the child’s shoulders when carrying books and folders. Its padded sleeve makes the product a practical choice for storing laptops, tablets or a mobile phone, and features side and shoulder straps that have a breathable padding to offer up additional comfort.
The bag is water resistant and made to last thanks to its durable polyester fabric.
This unique unicorn rucksack could make an adorable gift for toddlers and little girls up to the age of four.
The purple fabric bag has a slushy design with a 3D unicorn toy stitched into the back, meaning little girls have a fun new friend to play with as well as somewhere to strengthen and protect their belongings.
Adjustable straps grow with the child and make carrying both comfortable and durable, though being made of a furry fabric, it is not waterproof.
There is plenty of room inside the soft, lightweight bag for books, pens and yummy pre-school snacks.
Schoolgirls can become mermaids with the help of this colourful, lightweight backpack for everyday use.
The bag features a main zippered pocket for storing books and notepads, as well as side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella. The rucksack also has padded shoulder straps designed for added comfort.
The graphic of the bag is 3D and has a twill weave and polyester fabric to make it eye-catching but is also waterproof, meaning the stunning blue, turquoise and green colours will not easily fade.
The spacious design of the bag allows for lunch boxes to also fit inside, making the mermaid scales bag a practical choice.
This unique dinosaur rucksack aims to explore a child’s sense of wonder and imagination in its colour and design.
The backpack manufacturer suggests it should be used for preschool ages but children in primary and secondary schools can make use of the sizeable storage areas and protective zippers for carrying laptops, tablets and school books and notepads.
A top loop for hanging and adjustable handles and a divider in the larger section of the bag allow the item to be both practical and attractive.
And with a variety of different types of dinosaur printed on the backpack, the product is educational as well as entertaining.