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As your toddler or preschooler grows, and starts to crave more independence and responsibility, getting a special toddler backpack to begin to carry their own things can feel great for both the parent and the child.
But with a million options out there, which backpack will be perfect for your toddler?
Whether you are a family that loves to hike, a family that loves to travel, or you just need a backpack to bring things to and from school (or maybe you need a backpack that is great for ALL these things), we’ve got you covered.
We’ll start off by telling you a little bit about how we chose the best backpacks out there for toddlers and preschoolers.
What We Were Looking for
Versatility
Kids outgrow their things so quickly, it feels like you need a new whatever every time you turn around. As a twin mom, trust me I KNOW. I can’t even pass things on to the next kid because they are the same size! So we assumed that most parents won’t want a backpack that is great for hiking, a separate backpack that is great for travel, and a third for bringing a few toys to a friends house. We need one backpack that is great for everything my 3-year-old could need to use a backpack for. And for that matter, it needs to work for everything they need at age 4 too. Maybe even age 5.
Comfort
Sure a new backpack is fun for awhile, but if it’s uncomfortable, or won’t stay in place, a toddler won’t wear it. We wanted something sized right, and comfortable to wear even for a few hours at a time, or longer.
One thing we love to see is a chest clip or a waist belt to keep the backpack on and in place. However, most toddler and preschooler backpacks don’t have either, so we’ll negotiate on that one for the right backpack.
Durability
My toddlers are tough on gear. They drag things on the ground, throw them, and generally tests the limits of everything they own (despite my constant attempts to teach them to value their things). Toddler-tested gear that can stand up to their abuse is important.
Fun
Let’s be honest, if your toddler was choosing the best backpack, they are choosing 100% on how fun or cute it is. And toddlers love something that’s just for them. So we need to at least consider the cute factor when choosing a backpack for our littles.
Capacity
We wanted to check out these packs’ real-world functionality. So I pulled out a few of my kids regularly packed items; lunch boxes, water bottles, and jackets, to see what fit, and how easily these items could be stuffed in the backpacks.
To test these out, I used two styles of lunch boxes; a large, insulated lunch box (ours is the Pottery Barn Classic Lunch Box ), and a smaller, bento-style lunch box (ours is the Bentgo). We also stuffed our big kids fleece jacket (kids size 6), and used our Contigo water bottle to check out the side pockets.
Our Picks
Best Budget Backpack: Wildkin Classic Backpack OR Wildkin Wildbunch Backpack
The Wildkin backpacks are amazing. With tons of fun prints and matching lunchboxes, and napmats (sold separately), these are sure to be a hit with the kids. They will fit even younger toddlers well due to the more square than rectangular shape. And even though the backpack is small enough to fit little guys, it really has a ton of capacity. The main compartment is deeper than its competitors, so your toddler will be able to stuff some snacks, a jacket, or a few toys in there easily!
We personally tested the Wildkin 12 in. backpack. However, we checked in with the manufacturer to make sure the Wild Bunch was the same design. The only differences are that the front pocket on the Wildkin 12 in. is insulated, while the Wild Bunch is not. For us, the insulated front pocket isn’t a big deal either way, but if it is for you, stick with the original 12 in. design. The Wild Bunch line is new and SO adorable! We know you and your kiddos will love the fun new designs. The hardest part is choosing just ONE design.
Capacity Test
We tested this backpack with our large, insulated lunch box, and a large fleece jacket, and they fit, no problem. It was easy to stuff the items in, and tons of room to spare. Even better, the backpack stands up when full, zipped or unzipped, which is huge for helping toddlers manage the backpack on their own.
Pros
- Tons of cute designs to choose from, and matching lunch boxes available as well. Great fit for kids as young as 2, but large enough to last through preschool (or longer!)
- Large capacity for both the main compartment and the front pocket making it a very functional backpack
- Quality for a relatively low price. We love that you can get years of use out of this backpack without spending too much!
- High-quality zipper and fabrics that are easy-care, and will stand up to lots of toddler abuse
- Stands up on its own when filled or partially filled
Cons
- No chest or waist clip
- Padding on shoulder straps is minimal
- Only one side water bottle pocket. We like to have two- one for a water bottle, and one for treasures.
Who is this Backpack for?
- Preschoolers who need to bring lunches, snacks, and gear to and from school
- Traveling toddlers or preschoolers who want to bring their own entertainment for the plane or the car
- Toddlers or preschoolers who carry their own backpack on day trips, or trip to friends and family's house with toys, snacks, etc.
- Families who expect to get several years of use out of their backpack.
Best Splurge: Osprey Hydrajet 12
Osprey is my go to brand for backpacks for myself because they make such high quality backpacks, and for me, the most comfortable backpacks out there (and trust me, I’ve tried them all!).
When it comes to kids packs, Osprey does just as great a job. These backpacks are a whole new level of quality, with carefully thought out tech features.
We love the stretchy outside pockets for stuffing jackets, dirty shoes, or beach treasures and the chest clips to keep the pack in place. The mesh back panel is also a really great feature to keep your child cool and comfortable.
It even includes an Osprey hydration pack, which is great for kids who love to hike. Though I should warn you, those hydration packs are SO fun for young children to drink from, you MIGHT want to plan on taking a couple of extra potty breaks. The hydration pack is easily removable, and the backpack is great to use with or without the hydration pack.
For families who do a lot of hiking and exploring, or maybe those who go to nature preschool like us, or just those that really appreciate the quality and features of a higher-end backpack, this one is gold! However, the price tag can make it a tough sale for many.
Capacity Test
The Osprey Hydrajet 12 passed the capacity test with flying colors. It easily fits a large, insulated lunch box and a fleece jacket without any difficulty and with space to spare.
Our water bottle fit easily in the stretchy mesh side pockets. The pockets are deep enough that the bottle is held in place, even if the backpack is tipped upside down, or your child is climbing or even doing somersaults.
Pros
- Comfortable, with quality adjustable straps and chest clips, mesh back panel, and a good overall fit
- Outside mesh pockets are easy for little hands to stuff things. The stretchy mesh holds everything, from sea shells, to water bottles (and it’ll stay in place even if you tip the backpack, or the wearer of the backpack, upside down). You can even stuff a jacket in the front mesh pocket!
- Ripstop fabric is extremely sturdy. Ours show NO wear after a full year of heavy use. We expect this backpack will last years, and can be passed down several times before it’s useful life is over.
- Zippers are high quality with large pulls for little hands
- Larger size for kids that really use their backpacks. It’s large enough for lunch, snacks, and gear without making it unmanageable for a small child to rifle through and find what they need.
- Included hydration pack is a nice bonus, and great for getting kids excited about drinking more water
Cons
- Price- this backpack costs over double the price of other toddler or preschooler backpacks
- The Osprey pack lacks fun prints or designs that children love. My kids have this backpack and love it for its size and features, but next to the Skip Hop, we have to admit it looks a little boring.
- Backpack is large, and may not fit smaller bodies as well as some of the other backpacks
Who is this Backpack for?
- Toddlers and preschoolers who love to hike or go on adventures outdoors
- Preschoolers who need to bring lunches, snacks, and gear to and from school
- Traveling toddlers or preschoolers who want to bring their own entertainment for the plane or the car
- Toddlers or preschoolers who carry their own backpack on day trips, or trip to friends and family's house with toys, snacks, etc.
- Families who expect to get several years of use out of their backpack, and expect it to still be in great shape to hand down to the next kid. Perhaps even kids that will tolerate a slightly too big backpack so they can grow into it.
Budget Osprey Choice? Osprey Daylite Kids
If you love the quality of Osprey backpacks, but can’t stomach the cost of the Hydrajet 12, be sure to check out the Osprey Daylite Kids Backpack. This backpack still has high quality Osprey materials, and the amazing, and SUPER comfortable Osprey fit, but it won’t have every feature that the Hydrajet 12 has.
DayLite Kids still has tons of great features including:
- An adjustable chest clip with an emergency whistle
- Deep, mesh side pockets for water bottles or treasures
- An interior hydration pack sleeve
- 3 color options, and one with a fun forest design
- Comfortable mesh back and shoulder straps to keep your child cool and comfortable
Probably the biggest difference is that that Daylite does NOT come with a hydration pack. You can add one later one, but they cost upwards of $30. So if you PLAN to add one later on, you’ll end up paying about the same price as the Hydrajet 12.
Best for Small Toddlers: Deuter Pico
The Deuter Pico is tiny, but packs a big punch. It’s a super high-quality pack with tons of great features. And for a backpack designed for tiny bodies, it can carry a surprising amount of gear. It has all the high end features you can expect from Deuter, including well-padded, contoured shoulder straps, a comfortable, padded back panel, a chest clip, and a wide opening with high quality zippers.
Capacity Test
We were pretty impressed to see that such a tiny backpack could fit a small lunch box, and a big fleece jacket (this is a kids size 6 fleece, so you can expect that the intended wearer of this backpack would have a much smaller jacket).
Though our other picks could carry more gear, this backpack was SO much smaller, and intended for a smaller child, that we felt pretty good about the capacity for the size of this bag.
Our water bottle did not fit in the side pocket. We went looking through our cabinets for an alternative bottle, and found that a Replay Sippy Cup fit comfortably in the side pocket. If you intend to use the side pockets for water bottles, you’ll definitely want to keep in mind that you’ll need a narrow bottom bottle around 2 – 2 1/2 inch diameter at a maximum.
Pros
- 3 fun design options that kids will love - T rex, owl, or dolphin, along with fun, bright colors
- Quality backpack that will last years of toddler abuse
- Comfortable straps and back panel
- Chest clip
- Large capacity for a small size
- Great fit for smaller kids who may not be able to comfortably wear many of the other toddler backpacks out there
Cons
- Backpack is so small that it won't last long. You can expect to replace it before your child finishes preschool.
- Side pockets are too small for most water bottles. But they will work for small toys, or collecting treasures
- The small size will limit functionality of this backpack
Who is this Backpack for?
- Younger toddlers who are ready for their first backpack
- Traveling toddlers who are ready to start carrying a few of their own things
- Families who want a great fitting toddler backpack, and don't mind buying a bigger one in a year or two
Budget Runner Up: Skip Hop Toddler Backpack
The Skip Hop Zoo Collection Backpacks are so adorable! Each one is designed to look like an animal, and there are 16+ delightful choices. Each has fun details, like rainbow pulls for the unicorn, or honeycomb pulls for the bee backpack, and bright, playful colors.
They are totally functional as well. They have stretchy side pockets for water bottles or snacks. Large zipper pulls make it easy for little hands to open. And the simple design, with one large main compartment, and one smaller front compartment, works well for packing a lunch box, a jacket, or a few small toys- basically anything that a toddler would need to pack. Straps are adjustable and padded for comfort.
Capacity Test
The Skip Hop is definitely a smaller backpack, but if we REALLY stuffed, we could get our big fleece jacket, and a large insulated lunch box, but it barely zipped, and it would be tough for a young kid to get these things in, or out. A small lunch box and a jacket fit better.
Our water bottle fit just fine, but the pockets are shallow, so the bottle will easily fall out (and potentially get lost).
Pros
- Adorable and Fun
- You have the option to purchase a matching lunchbox or suitcase, if your child loves the animal design (and they will!)
- Price- this backpack is low cost, and still high quality
- Straps and pack are sized right for smaller toddler bodies
- Sturdy and easy to clean. We’ve had ours over a year, and we expect it’ll last much longer.
Cons
- Backpack was a bit too small to be functional for our kids, especially for preschool or big outings.
- Single water bottle pocket, and not deep enough, so water bottles drop out when the child is climbing, crawling, etc.
- Front pocket is small and flat, so we didn't find it useful
- No chest or waist clip, so backpack slips off their shoulders
Who is this Backpack For?
- Preschoolers who need to bring lunches, snacks, and gear to and from school
- Traveling toddlers or preschoolers who want to bring their own entertainment for the plane or the car
- Toddlers or preschoolers who carry their own backpack on day trips, or trip to friends and family's house with toys, snacks, etc.
- Families who expect to get several years or use out of their backpack.
Splurge Runner Up: Deuter Schumusebar
Deuter, like Osprey, is a high-end backpack manufacturer and makes high-quality packs with lots extra features that will truly make life easier. The fabrics are durable, and the straps are contoured and very well padded.
We also love that Deuter took the time to add some kid-friendly prints to up the fun a little bit, and even some reflective details for added safety. The Schmusebar is clearly an extremely well-made backpack that will easily stand up to years of abuse, and fit comfortably the whole time.
The design of this backpack is pretty unique, for a kids backpack as well. Rather than a traditional zipper, it has a cinch interior close, with a buckle bucket top. The buckle opens and closes really easily, so even young kids will be able to get in and out of this backpack without any trouble. And even if your child forgets to properly close up the back, we love that the lid sort of falls into place, keeping at least MOST of the contents IN.
Capacity Test
The biggest issue with the Deuter Schmusebar is it’s long, narrow shape. Though it does have a reasonably large capacity, the narrow bag, and particularly narrow opening meant we could not fit our large lunchbox in this bag at all.
The smaller lunchbox, plus a fleece jacket fit well, however.
It also easily fit our water bottle in the side pocket, and the pockets are deep enough that the water bottle stays nicely in place under (almost) any circumstance.
Even though this bag didn’t look great in our capacity test, it still can hold some gear. But if you are wanting a backpack that carries lunch boxes, or any other large, non-squishy items, this one might not be for you.
- 3 cute kid-friendly, yet sophisticated designs (that’ll even work well for older kids)
- Very well padded, contoured straps for a comfortable fit
- Chest clip to prevent pack from slipping
- Spacious duel water bottle pockets, non-mesh so they are great for collecting treasures as well
- Smaller capacity and narrower pack make it harder for little hands to stuff their things inside
- Two step process to close up the pack properly- cinch the top (which takes some coordination), then buckle. However, the bucket lid lands in the closed position, so even if the child doesn’t close it up properly, it’s likely that the contents will stay in.
- No hydration pack included, and no sleeve or anything to add one in the future
Who is this Backpack for?
- Toddlers and preschoolers who love to hike, or go out exploring the outdoors.
- Traveling kids who want to bring small toys or other entertainment for the plane or car (Note that tablets or notebooks likely will not fit well in this backpack)
- Kids who carry their own backpack on day trips, or trips to friends and family's house with toys, snacks, etc.
- Families who expect to get several years of use out of their backpack, and expect it to still be in great shape to hand down to the next kid.