Finding the best toddler backpacks for your child isn’t always an easy task. Given the plethora of designs and characters available in the market, it can be very daunting to find the best one your child will love. This is why we compiled some of the cutest backpacks we know your kids will love.
Whether your toddler is going to daycare, pre-school, or camp, they’re going to need a bag to carry lunch, snacks, artwork, notes, and toys. Fortunately, there are plenty of backpacks for kids out there to choose from for you and your little one and each one is cuter than the next. Check out our top picks and take home a toddler backpack with confidence.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 8 hrs of research
Skip Hop Toddler Backpack – Best Value
Why is it better?
- Perfect backpack for toddler to preschool to kindergarten
- Super quality material and construction
- Fits a lot of items inside
- The bottom is flat so it stands upright
Best Toddler Backpacks – Overview
Looking cute is not the only criterion to be taken into account when searching for the best children backpack. Your kiddo can bring their lunch, snacks, a drink, and some other supplies to school depending on their school. You want the backpack of your toddler to be compact enough for their small bodies, but large enough to accommodate the necessities. And if you want to carry your toddler on a hike with a backpack, we got you as well.
Toddler Backpacks Reviews
1. Skip Hop Toddler Backpack – Best Value
Dreams do come true with the Skip Hop Toddler Backpack made just for toddlers. Whimsical details and durable materials make this the perfect toddler backpack for on-the-go. Just the right size for little students, it has a mesh side pocket that adjusts to fit a juice box, sippy cup or water bottle, and a front pouch that’s ideal for snacks.
With extra pockets for pencils and other travel necessities, this friendly pack includes a write-on nametag and comfy padded straps for little shoulders. Complete the set with a coordinating Lunch Bag, Straw Bottle, Fork and Spoon Set and Tableware.
Key Features:
- Roomy main compartment
- Insulated pouch for snacks
- Adjustable mesh bottle pocket
- Padded, adjustable comfy straps
- Write-on nametag inside
Specifications:
- Brand: Skip Hop
- Dimensions: 12″ H x 11″ W x 5″ D
- Weight: 0.68 lbs
- Perfect backpack for toddler to preschool to kindergarten
- Super quality material and construction
- Fits a lot of items inside
- The bottom is flat so it stands upright
- The side water bottle netting is not high enough to hold those toddler sports bottles
2. Wildkin Toddler Backpack for Boys and Girls
Your child will be the talk of the playground with the Wildkin Toddler Backpack for Boys and Girls! this 15″ backpack has a just-right size that’s perfect for packing all the essentials, plus some snacks! Two exterior zippered compartments, interior utility pockets, and pencil holder make organization a breeze.
Two padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a padded back provide comfortable wear. Made from super durable 600-denier polyester fabric with an interior moisture-resistant nylon lining, this backpack is capable of handling anything you throw at it – both inside and out. Your child will love this fun new addition to their school and travel gear. Be sure to also check out our list of cool backpacks for boys and girls for more great items like this.
Key Features:
- Adjustable padded shoulder straps
- Durable top handle
- Interior moisture-resistant nylon lining
- 2 large interior compartments
Specifications:
- Brand: Wildkin
- Dimensions: 15″ H x 12″ W x 7″ D
- Weight: 0.75 lbs
- Pretty large capacity
- Straps are padded and bottom reinforced
- Zippers work well, smooth with no catching
- The robot pattern is cute and brightly colored
- No side water bottle pockets
3. Hipiwe Toddler Backpack for Little Kids
Whether your toddler or kid is heading off to school or going on their first big adventure, your little one will love carrying their very own Hipiwe Toddler Backpack for Little Kids. Features include a roomy main zipper pocket, handle, adjustable shoulder straps. Perfect for preschool, daycare, hiking and day trips. A perfect backpack for toddlers headed to preschool or daycare.
This cartoon backpack is the best gift for kids. Every little kid wants a cute, cool animal toddler backpacks. Made by neoprene as diving material. So if the outside gets wet, everything inside of the backpack stays dry. The super lightweight makes your kids easy to carry around. The padded shoulder straps are also adjustable, making them comfy for little shoulders.
Key Features:
- Multi-use front pocket
- Padded and adjustable comfy straps
- Made by neoprene
- Lightweight
Specifications:
- Brand: Hipiwe
- Dimensions: 9.84″ H x 9.45″ W x 3.54″ D
- Weight: 0.60 lbs
- The material is somewhat like foam and easy to wipe clean
- Cute pack for toddlers
- The antlers flop over though and have roughly trimmed edges
- Bag is not as tall as others, but has decent storage capacity
4. LakeAusy Robot Toddler Backpack
The LakeAusy Robot Toddler Backpack is perfect for the kid who’s feeling confident on their first day of preschool. The backpack is large enough to accommodate what a child needs as a school bag. The front of the backpack has two pockets, each side has a small pocket. The appearance of the backpack is a robot that’s available in blue, yellow or red.
This has three layers of fabric, the first layer is breathable; the second layer is widened and can relieve backpressure and the third layer is earthquake resistant. This child’s backpack comes with its own safety harness leash, you can hook it at the top of the bag and the other side of the tape in their own hands to prevent loss.
Key Features:
- Safety harness leash
- 2 side water bottle pockets
- Cartoon style 3d animal design
- Lightweight
Specifications:
- Brand: LakeAusy
- Dimensions: 11.2″ H x 7.8″ W x 3.9″ D
- Weight: 0.75 lbs
- Cute robot design
- Straps are adjustable
- Best for carrying toys and snacks
- Not big enough to hold books
5. ArcEnCiel Kids Toddler Backpack
ArcEnCiel has created a cute, little ArcEnCiel Kids Toddler Backpack that kids and toddlers will surely love. Styled like an angry little robot, three color schemes are yours to choose from, each containing a food-safe front pocket, two side pockets, a large main compartment with a small partition inside, and a padded back and shoulder belt. Designed for children aged 5-10, this backpack features long-lasting zippers and a powerful hanging loop.
The bag itself features three internal pockets to help organize your school supplies on the front. The side pocket should accommodate a water bottle, and the front pocket is insulated and is capable of keeping sandwiches and lunches for kids. The comfortable design means that they are less likely to take it on and off a million times and are able to handle their products responsibly to and from school.
Key Features:
- Insulated front pocket for food
- 3 interior pockets
- Designed for ventilation and to prevent sweating during long periods of wear
- Cute robot design
Specifications:
- Brand: ArcEnCiel
- Dimensions: 15.7″ H x 11.8″ W x 3.9″ D
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Mesh inside the straps and along the back help keep it from feeling oppressively hot
- The two back pockets are big enough to fit a pencil box and things for snacks
- The side pocket is most often used for small toys
- Thick and durable zippers
- Best for children without a lot of books yet
6. Yisibo Dinosaur Kid Toddler Backpack
Mario, Pokemon, and dinosaur supporters will surely fall in love with this spikey shell design. The Yisibo Dinosaur Kid Toddler Backpack is made from neoprene and can be washed and hung to dry if it ever needs a thorough cleaning. It is lightweight and good for kids between 2 and 8 years of age. It is also sold in four other versions, including a cute little cow, a shell, a full-figured dinosaur and a purple set with a zoo print.
To provide maximum protection, the shoulder straps and back are softly padded! This backpack comes with the option of adding a safety leash that not only lets parents keep track of their kids but also provides extra reassurance for the kids who wear it.
Key Features:
- Adjustable comfortable straps
- Waterproof neoprene material
- The zips glide easily and have a good-sized grip part that is easy for little fingers to use.
- 2 side pockets for water bottles
Specifications:
- Brand: Yisibo
- Dimensions: 12.8″ H x 9.4″ W x 7.5″ D
- Weight: 0.75 lbs
- Made of Neoprene material so it’s going to dry really well.
- The bottom is wide/deep enough to accommodate a lot more items
- The main pocket has two zippers instead of one
- Nice mesh padding on the back
- It’s a little on the small side – basically fit one basic school note book in it. But it’s fun, and can be used for toys when out and about
7. Gloveleya Girls Toddler Backpack
For bunny lovers out there, this Gloveleya Girls Toddler Backpack is a perfect choice for a tot who wants her days to be more enchanting. This girl’s backpack can also be used as a decorative piece in a child’s nursery. The removable bunny doll can also bring a lot of fun to your girls.
It is also made of high-quality safety environmental soft plush fabric. The weight of the backpack is only about 0.62 lbs, which is perfect for your kids when going to the zoo, playing at the park, going to kindergarten, traveling and any other outdoor activities all day.
Key Features:
- Removable bunny doll
- Lightweight
- Made of soft polyester fabric
- Hanger at the top
Specifications:
- Brand: Glovelaya
- Dimensions: 9″ H x 7″ W x 3″ D
- Weight: 0.62 lbs
- The straps extend to fit bigger bodies
- The pocket is quite large for a stuffed animal backpack
- Removable doll so kids can snuggle with it
- The straps are adjustable and padded
- Not intended for school-age kids who need to carry text books and such
8. Vaschy Toddler Backpack for Boys and Girls
Inspire the little archeologist in your kid with this vibrant and roomy dinosaur backpack. The Vaschy Toddler Backpack for Boys and Girls features cute easy to open and close zipper tags, a main zippered pocket, two side pockets for water and mike, top loops for storage and other carrying options and an easy-access front pocket that can easily carry a child’s belongings for preschool or playdates.
The cute unique pattern is ready to be the most important part of this kids’ backpack. Both of the elastic side pockets and extra long pullers are convenient for children when using this backpack. The dedicated and sturdy stitch makes it firmly and lasts for a long time.
Key Features:
- Easy to open and close zipper tags
- Inner divider fits the A4 tablet, activity books, etc
- Made of durable water-resistant polyester
- Adjustable padded shoulder strap
Specifications:
- Brand: Vaschy
- Dimensions: 14.6″ H x 11″ W x 4.3″ D
- Weight: 0.77 lbs
- The name tag inside the bag
- The bag is very roomy
- Classic design
- The straps are nice and wide, and look sturdy
- The zipper gets stuck a lot
9. Yodo Kids Toddler Backpack
Traditional lunch bags or boxes with insulation and a grab handle are carried by hands. This Yodo Kids Toddler Backpack combines lunch bag, backpack and safety harness in one. The Yodo also comes in vivid zoo animal faces adding an extra element of fun to the bag. It also comes with a completely detachable 50-inch tether in order to make traveling more secure for the rest of the family.
With all the safety features in mind, this is one of our favorite bags. The harness is the perfect length to keep your little ones safe. Plus, the entire pack is insulated to store any type of snacks.
Key Features:
- The capacity is big enough to hold thermos, sandwich, and a small snack
- Comfortable chest strap
- Detachable safety harness
- BPA free lining
Specifications:
- Brand: Yodo
- Dimensions: 11″ H x 8.9″ W x 4.7″ D
- Weight: 0.62 lbs
- Zipper moves easily without catching
- Insulated which also makes it easily wipe able inside
- Perfect size for small kids for snacks or a few toys
- Padded straps and safety harness
- It only has 1 big pocket
10. John Deere Boys’ Tractor Toddler Backpack
Adults know John Deere for their high-quality lawn-maintenance tractors. Your toddler will come to know the John Deere Boys’ Tractor Toddler Backpack as the green one on the front with the cool tractor. The simple design is ideal for your pre-K kids who are immediately starry-eyed when they see anything that has wheels.
This backpack is made of 100% polyester. It has a front pocket, reflective strip to keep your child safe at night, and it is made of premium and durable stitching with adjustable straps
Key Features:
- Zip closure
- Premium padded straps
- Reflective strip for visibility at night time
Specifications:
- Brand: John Deere
- Dimensions: 13″ H x 9.5″ W x 4.5″ D
- Weight: 0.4 lbs
- Very lightweight
- Durable material
- This is a toddler/ young child’s size backpack
- The straps are adjustable
- A bit small
Buying Guide
Size
Toddler backpacks need to be small enough but large enough to contain all the necessities. Check to see if your child’s daycare or nursery has any unique backpack size requirements, as some demand that the packs be large enough to hold a standard letter size sheet of paper. A good range is between 10 and 15 inches tall.
Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling attention to a number of features that help make the young child’s backpacks comfortable to carry: including two wide shoulder straps a padded back and a chest belt. Also, note where the name label is located. Ideally, it is placed inside the backpack so that the personal information of your child is not on display for strangers.
Care
Spills, spills, and messes are unavoidable, so a machine-washable, or at least easy-to-wipe, children’s backpack is a must.
Straps
It is necessary to look for a bag with adjustable straps so your child can tailor the fit of the bag to his or her preference. Health practitioners suggest that a child carry just 15% of their weight to avoid any type of injury.
Closure
Many kids have difficulty opening zips. Some closing options, in that case, are worth considering. Most toddler backpacks come with velcro straps to open the main compartment. This is useful to give the children flexibility in reaching out without any support inside their pack.
Frequently Ask Questions
Should I have my toddler’s backpack monogrammed?
We advise you not to get the name of your child monogrammed. This is to avoid exposing your kids’ names in public for safety purposes. Children are likely to trust an outsider who knows their name.
What type of items should I carry in my toddler’s backpack while traveling?
Make sure it is as light as possible for ease of travel when carrying your toddler’s backpack. Pack only stuff like their toys, a change of clothes, and a couple of snacks. Place all the heavy items inside your bags instead.
Why is it important for toddlers backpacks to have padding?
Padding on the straps and back panel improves comfort. Even a backpack with adjustable straps makes anything they need easier for your kid without the burden that comes with thin, tight straps. You would want your kid to enjoy carrying their back, don’t you?
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best toddler backpacks as well as our guide on features to look for in a toddler backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.