The Best Backpacks for Kids

The new school year is on the horizon, and if there’s one thing your kids really need, it’s a sturdy bag that’ll hold all their gear (and won’t fall apart in six months). From the hottest trends to classic style, we’ve found 14 cool kids’ backpacks that’ll send them back to the classroom with confidence. Keep reading to see our favorites.

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JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack

$31 BUY NOW

Your school kid will love this as much as you did when you were young. All the things you loved about this classic kids' backpack remain (hello, lifetime warranty), plus new colors and added storage for tech.

Bixbee Backpack

$33 and up BUY NOW

Weighing in at just over one pound, each Bixbee backpack is designed with your student’s comfort in mind. There are five exterior pockets (including a lunch money pocket and water bottle holder), an ID holder, and three interior organizer pockets that hold small necessities like pencils, pens, and crayons.

L.L. Bean's Original Book Pack

$40 BUY NOW

L.L. Bean's classic Book Pack is still made from 100% polyester, with tough-made zippers and reflective material for visibility. Additional features include a mesh pocket for water bottles, easy folding capabilities, organizing front panel, key clip and much more.

Cat & Jack Backpack

$20 BUY NOW

Target's Cat & Jack backpacks are a favorite with parents. Offered in fun designs at a great price, each one comes with a unique plush toy on the zipper, has side and front pockets and has room for a 17" laptop.

Perry Mackin's Charlie Backpack

$58 BUY NOW

If you're looking for something streamlined with a retro knapsack vibe, may we suggest the Charlie Backpack from Perry Mackin? It comes in six colors, has two exterior water bottle pockets, a front zipper storage pocket and two interior pockets, and a top zipper with magnetic strap closures. It's also made from water-resistant polyester.

STATE Bags Kane Kids Backpack

$110 BUY NOW

STATE's popular Kane bag comes in 41 color combos and fits a 13" laptop and standard school folders and books. The large front pocket is great for small items, while the side pocket can accommodate a 17oz. water bottle and smaller.

Mygreen Backpack

$29 BUY NOW

This water-resistant kids' backpack comes in 20 different patterns and has a laptop pocket, an inner zipper pocket and a padded back panel to prevent overheating.

So Young's Toddler Backpack

$42 BUY NOW

Perfect for your tiniest scholars, the toddler backpack from So Young is made from a linen-cotton material that can be washed on the gentle cycle (no dryer), has a reinforced bottom for longevity, a chest strap for added support and comes in adorable designs like the Jungle Cats, the Blue Dino, Groovy Llama and more.

mCubed's Backpack

$34 BUY NOW

Your littlest schoolers won't be able to wait until fall to use mCubed backpacks. Each one comes with comfortable padded straps, a lined nylon interior pocket, an extra inner back pocket and a side non-mesh pocket. Even though they're made for littles, they can still fit standard folders and books, plus all your essentials.

Wanderwild Backpacks

$55 BUY NOW

Wanderwild backpacks come in three different styles: The Explorer, The Adventurer and The Wanderer. The Wanderer has a zippered front pocket, while the Adventurer is bigger, which makes it a good pick for older kids and the Explorer has a front velcro pocket for quick access.

Vaschy Little Kid Backpacks for Boys and Girls with Chest Strap

$22 and up BUY NOW

It can be difficult to find toddler and little kid-sized backpacks for school, but Vaschy has nailed the design. Large enough to fit small tablets and school supplies, but not so big your little can't carry it, these kid-sized backpacks also come with a chest strap, water bottle pockets, a name tag, and a large exterior pocket. The hardest part about picking one of these is choosing from their exclusive artwork and bold color patterns.

Wildkin's Pack-it-all Backpack

$59 BUY NOW

Perfect for kindergarteners or early grade-school kids, this backpack has a place for everything! There's a name tag inside, a secret pocket for treasures, and the front exterior pocket is the perfect size for a bento box. Available in several prints and colors, it's perfect for a first-time "big kid" school year!

Pottery Barn Kids' Classic Mackenzie

$35 and up BUY NOW

Packed with pockets, straps and gear loops to keep everything in place, made of water-resistant polyester and featuring adjustable padded shoulder straps and exterior straps, the Mackenzie backpack is one of the most efficient and playfully designed collections around—making it a hit with kids and parents alike. The large backpack holds a lunch bag, a large notebook, two small notebooks, several books and a water bottle.

Skip Hop's Zoo Friends

$22 BUY NOW

Skip Hop knows that kids need a friend to help get them through those first days of school. That’s why we love the NYC-based company's Zoo Collection. This kids' backpack at 11" x 5" x 12", they are the perfect size for first-time scholars. The front insulated pocket can hold a stash of snacks, the wipeable liner makes for easy cleanup, and the padded shoulders give little shoulders extra comfort.

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