The 5 Best Backpacks for Preschool in 2020 Revealed

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Best Backpack for Preschool – Top Pick

All school-aged children need backpacks and that includes the smallest members of your family. When you’re shopping for the best backpacks for preschool, it’s a mistake to think that all you need is one that is cute! 

Indeed, preschoolers’ backpacks are usually adorable but if you also want to make sure that you get one that meets their needs, keep reading.

At a Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Best Backpacks for Preschool

• Wildkin Kids’ 15-Inch Backpack (Top Pick)
• North Face Youth Sprout Backpack
• Skip Hop Toddler Backpack
• Kids Backpack Children Bookbag
• Mommore Pastel Kids’ Backpack

How Do They Compare?

How to Choose the Right Preschool Backpack

Backpacks are necessities for anyone attending school and since they make backpacks specifically for school-aged children as young as preschool, you shouldn’t have any problems finding one that’s just right. 

Different preschool backpacks have different features so the first thing that you need to do when shopping for them is deciding which of those features is most important to you.

• Price. The first thing you’ll notice when shopping for backpacks is that most of them are very reasonably priced so it’s good to know that you don’t have to spend a fortune just to get the right backpack for your little one. 

• Making Sure It Fits. One of the most important recommendations is to make sure that your child tries on the backpack. The size of the backpack can be deceiving so he or she will need to try it on to make sure that it fits well.

• Size and Storage. Regarding the size, keep in mind what you’ll want to keep inside of the backpack, including lunch boxes, notebooks, blankets, folders, wipes, etc. 

This will give you some idea of what size backpack to choose and it’ll help ensure that you get one that has enough room for everything you need to pack inside of it. 

This is especially important for special-needs children because they often have unique items they need to carry around with them.

Take a Look at the Specific Features

With backpacks, some features are more important than others. 

No, your little girl doesn’t have to have glitter and sparkles on her backpack just to make it a good one but you should look for the following features to make sure that the backpack will meet her needs:

• The right type of straps. For preschoolers, the S-shaped shoulder straps that come in towards the chest area will keep the backpack more secure and comfortable.

• The right number of pockets. Just consider how many items you will be sent to school each day and make sure that the backpack has enough pockets to fit these items. You don’t want too many pockets because it may make things more complicated for little ones.

• A waterproof exterior. Most children’s backpacks are waterproof but you should check to make sure that this is the case.

• A unique design. If you get one that is a little different than the others, it will make it easier for your child to find it at the end of the day.

Also, if you decide to personalize the backpack because your preschooler has chosen a design that’s very popular, you can do this easily with a personalized name tag. 

Certain companies make laminated and even brightly colored name tags that will stand out even if the backpack itself doesn’t.

Some Practical Tips

If you have a special-needs child, choosing the right backpack is even more crucial. Finding the backpacks for preschool children means finding them in all designs so this should never be a problem. 

Special-needs children often require additional pockets for extra items they need, such as pull-ups or certain food items, as well as pockets that may need to be a little larger than normal to accommodate those items.

To get the best backpack for your child, just determine what you’ll be packing inside of it each day, make sure that the child tries it on for size, and the rest should be easy. 

And if you’re curious about some of the most popular backpacks on the market today, below are just a few of them.

Backpacks for Preschool Reviews

Here are the top five backpacks we recommended for parents who are looking for a backpack for their toddlers or kids. 

There’s no one size fits all. So, carefully choose the best one and read the user reviews on Amazon.

Let’s take a look at each one.

1. Wildkin Kids’ 15-Inch Backpack

Best for Kids Age Three to Ten

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See Customer Owner Feedback >>

This is a great-looking kids’ backpack that is available in nearly 20 different designs and colors so it’s super easy to find one that your own child will love.

Made out of high-quality nylon and other materials, its shoulder straps are adjustable for the perfect fit and the polyester exterior is easy to clean regardless of the treatment you give it.

It even has a moisture-resistant interior lining to keep everything inside nice and dry.

Although some users have claimed that it ripped or tore shortly after their purchase, this is an overall high-quality backpack made to resist stains and put up with whatever type of wear and tear you force upon it. 

Attractive yet playground-tough, it even has an interior pocket solely devoted to keeping pencils and pens organized, which means that stray or lost pens and pencils are much less of a worry to your kids.

Pros

• Excellent material quality
• Plenty of storage

Cons

• The straps could be better

>> See WILDKIN pricing on Amazon <<

2. North Face Youth Sprout Backpack

Best for Kids Age Two to Four

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Available in five different colors including blue and pink, the North Face youth backpack has a main compartment that is just the right size for preschoolers and an external pocket that is secured with a zipper and designed to hold small trinkets and other items. 

It also has a water bottle container made out of sturdy mesh and reflective material on it to make the child easier to see when it starts to get dark.

Although the backpack is considered too small by some users, it is a very well-made backpack that fits the average preschooler just right and it even comes with a padded section in the back to make it more comfortable to carry around during the day. 

If you want a sturdy, high-quality backpack of any size, you simply can’t beat the North Face brand. This is one preschool backpack that you’ll be able to use for many years to come.

Pros

• Nicely fit for small toddler
• Great quality

Cons

• Hardly fit any large tablet or folder

>> See NORTH FACE YOUTH pricing on Amazon <<

3. Skip Hop Toddler Backpack

Perfect for Kids Lunch Bag

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See Customer Owner Feedback >>

Complete with colorful designs and adorable animal faces on the front, the Skip Hop backpack is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

It even comes with a front pouch that is insulated to keep your child’s lunch or snack at just the right temperature. 

The roomy main compartment holds a lot of items that your child needs while he or she is at school and it even contains a mesh water bottle container on the side.

This backpack is the perfect small size for kids and is therefore never cumbersome or difficult for them to wear throughout the day. 

Although the size is too small for some users, it is perfect for most others; after all, the last thing that you want is for your child’s backpack to be too large or awkward to wear.

This is definitely a high-quality backpack made to last for a very long time.

Pros

• Good to use as a diaper bag
• A lot of different animal characters to choose from

Cons

• Too small for a folder

>> See SKIP HOP pricing on Amazon <<

4. Kids Backpack Children Bookbag

Best for Kids Age Seven to Ten

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With a tough polyester lining and six different colors to choose from, this backpack is certain to catch your child’s attention and make him or her proud to wear it every day of the school year. 

Not only does it have a large main compartment for kids to enjoy but its many side and interior pockets are great for holding additional items such as small toys, wipes, and even sandwiches or lunch containers.

The backpack is also lightweight and comes in a variety of sizes so that you always get the perfect fit. 

Although some users have complained about the material it’s made out of being too thin, this is still a very sturdy backpack that accommodates kids of all ages, even preschoolers. 

Shopping for the best backpack for preschool gets a lot easier when you find this one and your preschooler will love the various colors and designs available to buy.

Pros

• Plenty of pockets
• Great quality

Cons

• Velcro strips design don’t seem right

>> See KIDS BACKPACK pricing on Amazon <<

5. Mommore Pastel Kids’ Backpack

Best for Kids Age Three to Seven

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Made specifically for kids three to seven years of age, this backpack comes in two sizes and four different colors. The main compartment has a double-zip closure to keep things inside extra secure. 

Made out of durable, water-resistant polyester, the backpack even has two separate side pockets for your child’s water bottles, not to mention padded shoulder straps for extra comfort.

Although some users have complained about the backpack being uncomfortable, this is a sturdy, high-quality bag that is just big enough for your preschooler without being too big and bulky for him or her. 

The chest strap is adjustable for a very comfortable fit and it is lightweight enough to carry around for hours at a time and still not cause any pain or discomfort. 

Cute and high in quality, this is one child’s backpack that you won’t regret purchasing.

Pros

• Able to choose a small or large size
• Can fit a large folder (12” x 9”)

Cons

• Overall quality isn’t great

>> See MOMMORE pricing on Amazon <<

Which Backpack Should You Get for Kids?

All of the backpacks mentioned above are high-quality, durable bags meant to last for many years to come so none of them will disappoint you.

However, the one we consider the best overall is the Wildkin 15-inch backpack.

Why? 

For many reasons. 

First of all, it is a bit bigger than the rest of them but still small enough to fit a preschooler comfortably.

It also comes in such a large selection of colors and designs that all children can easily find something they love.

Then there’s the price.

Affordable for people with all types of budgets, the price tag isn’t too steep for anyone so if you’re researching the best backpacks for preschool boys and girls, this is one of the backpacks that you’ll definitely want to keep in mind.