Backpacks for Kids in Kindergarten & Elementary School

Choosing kids backpacks in elementary school can feel like a daunting task for parents. Although kids might be drawn to characters, colors or patterns, parents are often looking for backpack brands that represent quality and durability. If you want to find a backpack that is suitable for kindergarten students or even kids closer to middle school, this list of the coolest backpack brands is a great place to start your search. Whether you are looking for boy backpacks or girl backpacks, these are all popular brands that are respected, appealing and popular for elementary school students.

Durable Kindergarten Backpacks

One of the biggest backpack categories for kindergarten students is durable backpack brands. These are brands that often make a range of outdoor gear ranging from hiking backpacks to tents. Some of the best school backpacks for elementary kids are made by brands with an emphasis on durability, and it is no surprise. After all, these brands know what it takes to design kindergarten backpacks that can handle the stress of a busy life. Anyone who has watched a kindergarten student haul their supplies to school knows how important a durable backpack truly is!

The North Face is one of the brands most commonly associated with durability. The North Face Youth Recon Squash Backpack is a prime example of a stylish backpack perfect for kids that can also handle whatever you throw at it. The backpack is modeled on the original Recon backpack for adults, but it is sized for kids. The bag holds an impressive 17 liters, has internal mesh pockets, boasts a top handle and even offers reflective notes to keep kids safe in low light. Plus, the backpack has a comfortable back foam panel and padded shoulder and sternum straps for the ideal fit. This brand makes both boy backpacks and girl backpacks, and the funky colors are anything but boring.

Character Backpacks for Small Students

In elementary school, kids may gravitate toward backpacks featuring their favorite characters. Many of the coolest backpack brands feature cartoon or superhero characters straight from blockbuster Hollywood movies or television shows from channels like Disney and Nickelodeon. Character backpacks are often fun, colorful and whimsical, and they let kids express their interests on a daily basis.

Trendy Backpacks for Elementary through High School

Head to any elementary or high school, and you might see a few backpack brands over and over again. There are a handful of brands that make incredibly stylish and trendy bookbags, and plenty of kids want to have their own. One of the most popular girl backpacks also happens to be a big hit with boys: The Herschel Supply Co. Settlement Backpack. This backpack design is classic and relatively simple, but it is designed to be universally appealing. As a parent, you might be drawn to this bookbag because it boasts features like an interior sleeve pocket that can hold a laptop, padded shoulder straps and an interior media pocket. Kids, on the other hand, will love that this backpack is available in a rainbow of bold, bright, eye-catching hues.

Another popular option is the brand Vans. A true California brand, it has been around since the 1960s. Today, their backpacks are incredibly popular bookbags for boys who love surfing or skateboarding. While Vans makes a number of backpacks for adults, you can also find kids backpacks in the right size for your child.

Fjallraven Kanken Mini Backpack

Fjallraven Kanken Mini Backpack

Another great pick for trendsetters in school is Fjallraven. This backpack brand comes out of Sweden, but it has become a global sensation. Fjallraven backpacks are instantly recognizable thanks to their muted color palette and their large top handles.

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Sprayground Dlx Fur w/Rubber Shark Backpack

Sprayground is a brand that only appeared on the backpack landscape in 2010, but it has made a splash as a major player and one of the coolest backpacks for elementary kids. These backpacks often are often made via collaborations with designers and artists, and the styles are eye-catching.

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Sprayground Dlx Fur w/Rubber Shark Backpack

Classic Backpack Brands for Boys & Girls in Kindergarten

When parents are shopping for the best backpacks for elementary kids, they tend to look at the classic brands they already know and love. This is always a good choice, because these are the brands that have successfully stood the test of time. Not all of these brands are necessarily the coolest backpack brands, but JanSport is an exception to the rule.

Whether you are looking for boy or girl backpacks, one of these brands is sure to fit the bill. These backpack brands appeal to trendsetters, mini fashionistas and even skateboarders, so find the right bag that suits the child in your life.

JanSport SuperBreak Backpack - Flamingo Garden

JanSport SuperBreak Backpack – Flamingo Garden

The JanSport Superbreak Backpack is a very popular design that you will find in schools around the world. It has a lightweight frame and padded shoulder straps, ensuring plenty of comfort even if kids are carrying textbooks to and from school. In addition to the large interior compartment, it boasts a front utility pocket complete with an organizer. Part of JanSport’s long-term appeal is that the brand offers endless color choices, making it a hit with boys and girls alike.

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