Back-to-School Organization: Backpack Basics

Whether your child will be carrying a blanket to daycare, lunch to preschool or books to grammar school, a well-designed backpack can help keep items organized and protected. When shopping for a backpack, parents first need to focus on comfort and fit. When fitting a backpack for your child, it should be no larger than their back. If unsure, this very handy guide tells you how to measure your child’s back for an ergonomically correct backpack.

Once you know what size backpack will work for your child, the fun part starts—selecting a backpack! Whether you will be selecting the pack out or your child will, there are tons of fun colors, patterns and styles to choose from.

For toddlers headed off to daycare, I like this darling owl backpack from Skip Hop. It’s sized for little ones and is perfect for boy or girl.

Pottery Barn Kids has a terrific selection for all aged children, but I particularly like the Eric Carle backpacks designed specifically for preschoolers. These sweet backpacks showcase storybook favorites, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, and are just the right size to carry a snack and extra clothes.

L.L. Bean’s Original Junior Backpack is a great choice for young elementary aged children. Its durable design helps keep your child’s supplies protected and dry. I love the reflective material on front pocket, which helps keep kids safe and visible to motorists at night.

Once you have selected a backpack, be sure to keep it light in weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child should not carry more than 10 to 20 percent of his body weight. It’s also encouraged to organize the backpack so that all of the compartments are used and heavier items are placed near the center of the back.