Help me find the perfect backpack for my kindergartener!

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

I want something she can use for a few years. She says she definitely doesn't want something character themed but she wants something yellow. Doesn't need to be solid yellow, a print of some kind would be great if it has yellow in it. I've looked on Amazon and found a couple of Jansport backpacks that she likes but are those a little too grown up? I didn't get my first Jansport until I was in 6th grade. I also checked Pottery Barn. Omg, such cute ones! But none with much yellow. Where else should I look? She likes the Jansport ones, I'm just not sure if those are quite right for her yet.

Keeptruckin · July 2014

LLBean has some good ones. Not much with yellow though. This one is cute and has yellow. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83527?feat=818-GN1&page=l-l-bean-deluxe-plus-book-pack-print

penguingrrl · July 2014

I would wait a month and check PBK again (unless, of course, school starts early there). I found the PBK backpack I got my oldest well worth the money because it has held up really nicely!

Keeptruckin · July 2014

Actually this one is smaller. And cuter. The link may not go to the patterns but there is a flower one with yellow! https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62782?feat=818-GN1&page=junior-original-book-pack-print

mandymack · July 2014

Garnet Hill. You get a FREE lunchbox (I think this promo runs in Aug/Sept)!

Emily had hers K thru 2nd and it's being retired this year. NOT because it's worn out but because she really wants a rolling backpack.

meglew · July 2014

DD1 has had backpacks and lunch boxes from both PBK and Hanna Andersson and I was impressed with the quality of both brands.

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

@iheartthe80s‌ I canNOT even believe how fast they're all growing!! I quit my job almost 2 years ago, Lydia was 3 and my babies were 1. Preschool for my babies seemed so far away, I didn't know how I'd survive until then - haha!! And now it's coming at me like a runaway train! Yikes!

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

@iheartthe80s‌ Wait... is your oldest going into kindergarten and your little ones into preschool for the first time? I thought your kids were a year ahead of mine. They're closer in age than I thought?

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

@LalaMama81‌ I'm glad you posted that. So the junior size might be too small for kindergarten? The only "requirement" for Lydia's is that a standard 2-pocket folder fits inside with minimal bending. Any chance you have a folder you could test for me in your DD's backpack?

notkateanymore · July 2014

LLBean Jr bags are great for K

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

notkateanymore said:

LLBean Jr bags are great for K

@notkateanymore‌ What about beyond kindergarten? They're pretty reasonably priced but I still would like her to use it 2-3 years, if possible. Or wait ... do kids typically need/get new backpacks each year?? I'm so embarrassingly clueless!! I'm not ready for kindergarten

(

notkateanymore · July 2014

Mrs.Greg said:

notkateanymore said:

LLBean Jr bags are great for K

@notkateanymore‌ What about beyond kindergarten? They're pretty reasonably priced but I still would like her to use it 2-3 years, if possible. Or wait ... do kids typically need/get new backpacks each year?? I'm so embarrassingly clueless!! I'm not ready for kindergarten (

DD used her Jr. from 4k to 1st grade and still uses it for summer camp and dance stuff. Love it.

notkateanymore · July 2014

LalaMama81 said:

If I didn't have the junior, I probably wouldn't buy it for kindergarten, b/c I'd want it to last a few years and there's not way it's big enough for 1st, 2nd, etc.

But, since we have it, I hope to use it. I'll try out the folder & let you know!

I disagree that there is no way it's big enough for 1st grade. We were more than fine.

notkateanymore · July 2014

Well I think it will vary between schools based on what you have to carry every day, but 3rd grade was our first year of a large binder.

notkateanymore · July 2014

I would have a hard time believing that you need so much that you can't use one in 1st grade for sure...as soon as she stopped being able to use it for school though, it transitioned to a travel/camp backpack. It's GREAT for that.

Mrs.Greg · July 2014

notkateanymore said:

Well I think it will vary between schools based on what you have to carry every day, but 3rd grade was our first year of a large binder.

Good point about the 3-ring binder. I just checked the supply list for each grade level at Lydia's school. It says 4th graders need a binder, the grades prior just use folders. I think I'll get Junior backpacks for all the kids. Whoa!! ALL OF MY KIDS NEED BACKPACKS!

MesmrEwe · July 2014

We have had two or three backpacks for DD who's going to be going in to 4th grade... We wouldn't have purchased one last year but she was switching schools and it sort of was one of those "out with the old" type things for a new beginning.

IMO, we had a Jansport for her first - and if that's the style she likes, then go with it! Don't get hung up on how many years you'll use it, or the brand name, with maturing, there'll be a day when she decides that she NEEDS a new backpack for the year, it won't matter the brand name, just whether or not she likes it and it's big enough to do the job. If it doesn't, that's why to keep the other ones. Yes, get the full-size backpack (not the college/backpacking size, but full size for school), you'll be glad you did because they end up coming home with TONS of stuff!!

littlemermaid · July 2014

I love LLBean for backpacks. They are durable; my kids have used them up to 4 years in a row. I would just buy a regular size backpack if you are planning on using them for multiple years.

outnumbered · July 2014

Mrs.Greg said:

notkateanymore said:

Well I think it will vary between schools based on what you have to carry every day, but 3rd grade was our first year of a large binder.

Good point about the 3-ring binder. I just checked the supply list for each grade level at Lydia's school. It says 4th graders need a binder, the grades prior just use folders. I think I'll get Junior backpacks for all the kids. Whoa!! ALL OF MY KIDS NEED BACKPACKS!

littlemermaid said:

I love LLBean for backpacks. They are durable; my kids have used them up to 4 years in a row. I would just buy a regular size backpack if you are planning on using them for multiple years.

My oldest are going into 3rd and 4th. They have used the junior size since Kindergarten. I am getting the 4th grader a new one this year. The regular size would have been too big for them. They are both smaller kids.

penguingrrl · July 2014

I don't get my kids new backpacks every year and never plan to. In our old town that wasn't common, we'll see how it is in the new town. The first graders we knew from K all had the same backpack both years. I went with a nice big backpack for both years. We needed to fit a snack bag, a lunch bag (and they were required to be separate bags), a folder, books occasionally and a bubble bum in it.

notkateanymore · July 2014

Some kids get new trendy {cheap} backpacks every year and some kids get good quality backpacks and keep them for a long time.

outnumbered · July 2014

cjcouple said:

Just my experience, I got DS a standard LL Bean (Blue Camo) Backpack for K. He used for K and 1st grade. Was really upset that he was going to use for 2nd grade because he wanted a new one like all the other kids. I broke down and let him pick out a new back pack. It didn't even make it to Christmas. the bottom completely split open. So he went back to his blue camo LL bean for the remainder of 2nd grade and it still looks new.

ETA: Oh and he has literally carried rocks in it. I looked in his front pocket and there was a handful of rocks from his rock collection in there. Who know how long he carried them around? lol

My kids carried rocks around too! I actually bought them a rock tumbler because they were so into collecting. My son almost broke the dryer because he left a rock in his pocket.

outnumbered · July 2014

LalaMama81 said:

I'm glad to see all the love for the junior, hopefully ours will last a few more years! I think I'll definitely get one for dd2 now.

We were happy with that size. As I mentioned before my kids are small (short and skinny). A bigger backpack would have been awkward to carry. They have even fit a 1 inch binder in the junior size. I sometimes snag it when we go out for the day in the city. It is good for snacks, water, and hats.

JENandJEH · July 2014

We went with a Lands End for DS1 and got the standard size. He had to be able to fit a folder, a change of clothes, a pencil box and his lunchbox (they specified that it had to fit IN the bag and not be hooked on the outside). Midway through the year, his teacher started a homework binder so a 3-ring binder was added into the mix. His still looks brand new and he'll be using it for awhile. He picked the colors and they're the colors of his favorite college team plus he gets to pick out a cheapy lunchbox with whatever character he wants so it hasn't even crossed his mind to get a new backpack yet. I didn't think that the standard size looked too big on him, either.

smokenbogey · July 2014

I love Garnet Hill backpacks and lunch bags. My son used the regular size for kindergarten and 1st grade but wanted a different one for 2nd grade. But still looks new is in great shape. They are now offering buy backpack, get lunch bag for free!! They have such great prints, only con I wish they offered more prints for boys.

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Help me find the perfect backpack for my kindergartener!

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