What size backpack?

bride711 · August 2012

Hi Ladies,

What size backpack did you get your preschooler? I thought the "preschooler" size from PB kids would be sufficient. However, a mom that I met that has gone to our preschool already a year ( this is our first year). She was saying with the amount of paperwork the preschooler size backpack will be too small.

What size do you have and does it work for you?

ldcoffel · August 2012

We did the preschooler size and it's working for DD. a full size backpack would be way too big for her to wear.

Spin313 · August 2012

DS has a SkipHop backpack that is preschool sized. It has been perfect for him. We have to keep a full change of clothes in his bag, and there's still plenty of space for all the art projects he comes home with.

KimandRoss115 · August 2012

DS has the Junior Backpack from LL Bean. This is the 3rd school year he'll have it and it has held up fabulously. A regular size backpack would be much too big.

VTbride05 · August 2012

We bought out 4 year old the preschool pack from Pottery Barn Kids. It's small, but I think that it will work for this year. He will only be bringing a lunch box back and forth.

regenab · August 2012

The preschooler size is a bit small for school. I looked up the backpacks dimensions and it would not hold a 9x12 2 pocket folder, which is what my school uses as the communications folder with parents, so it goes back and forth from school everyday in that backpack. I ended up getting the "small" size backpack from Land's End (I believe PBK has this size as well). It holds the folder, artwork that comes home and a change of clothes (including shoes). It is not too big for my girls. A standard back pack from Target would be too big for them. They are average height for their age. I bought my girls bags last year for 3 year old preschool and they are using them again this year for Pre-K. I plan on getting them the next size up bag for next year to start Kindergarten because they will be bringing home more stuff everyday and will be taller at that point.

My SIL bought her daugher a backpack from LL Bean to start first grade and she is still using it today and just started 3rd grade yesterday. So going to get at least 3 years use out of that bag.

lite-bright · August 2012

IMO, it depends on what school sends home. DD1 had a skip-hop preschool back pack for a toddler class she attended prior to preschool, b/c all she really needed to bring was a change of clothes.

When she started preschool last year, our preschool asked that backpacks be big enough to fit an 8x11 piece of paper or standard folder without being folded/smushed. The zoo packs, and most preschool-sized backpacks, are not big enough for that.

That said, several of the kids in her class this year have the skip-hop bags. DD1 has a PBK size small which she also used last year and will probably be able to use for until kindy or longer b/c the size will still be appropriate. She manages the bigger size with zero problems -- in fact, it's probably a little easier for her to find the second strap to put over her shoulder because it's looser/longer. And it's never even close to full, so weight isn't an issue.

If you want a backpack that can be used for multiple years, or need one that can fit a folder, skip the preschool size.

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