The 11 Best Kids Backpacks in NYC 2023 for Back to School

The 11 Best Kids Backpacks in NYC – For Back to School 2024-2025

It’s that time of year again. Back to School shopping. Yes, we’re still enjoying the last few weeks of summer, but by now you’re starting to gather your essentials, lunch ideas, and #BTS clothes and accessories, and finding a backpack that will meet all of your kids’ school-season needs is always at the top of parents’ shopping lists. A great backpack needs to have enough room for all of their supplies and be comfortable to carry around all day.

Check out the 11 best backpacks for kids to wear when they go back to school in 2024-2025 below.

Best daycare: 07:00 AM MINI

Many of the parents’ favorites 07.00 am accessories are loved because they are stylish, comfortable (and PETA-approved), and always keep comfort in mind. The MINI backpack comes in Classic, Dino, Wings, and Bows styles with design accents like padded shoulder straps for easy carrying. A water-resistant, machine-washable shell makes this a perfect style for the tiniest schoolchildren. $40-$60.

What to love: If you like these styles – for the older kids, the MIDI offers space for folders, a laptop, inner and outer pockets and a side pocket for bottles.

Best Preschool: Claire’s Club Chibi Critters Crowd Mini Backpack

This whimsical kawaii-inspired animal backpack is an ideal choice for kids aged 3 to 6 with its mix of cuteness. Designed with kids’ comfort and convenience in mind, the backpack features adjustable straps that are suitable for both little ones and their parents, who often carry their children’s belongings, especially during those early years of daycare. $24.99

What to love:It’s small enough to attach to a stroller or pop into a larger bag, making it easy to take with you on those mornings when you ‘have to get out the door right now’.

Psst…Here’s a parent’s guide to safe piercings

Best toddler backpack: Lands’ End Kids ClassMate Medium Backpack

Best Give Back Backpack: Kane Children by State

State’s signature backpack for kids is a great option for kids from preschool to 3 years oldrd class. With its multiple compartments, you can fit your school supplies, iPad or 13” laptop, and a water bottle (approximately 17 oz) and still carry it comfortably with the soft padded adjustable straps.

Some extra cool features of this backpack are that it is made from 45% recycled materials, a front zip pocket that is perfect for a lunch card and pencils. Check out all available colors and prints. State bags$95.

What fun to do: For every backpack sold, the State Bag gives back by supporting America’s children and families by donating fully stocked backpacks during their signature luggage drives.

Best adaptive backpack: Adaptive children’s backpack – Cat & Jack

This innovative backpack is a great option for children with special needs, with its adaptive features and multiple pockets, children will feel very comfortable using this bag when they go back to school this year! The bag is designed with multiple ports for tubes and cables, as well as tuck-away back straps that make it easy to use. This ergonomic and comfortable backpack is a great option, with great quality and beautiful designs! Goal$21.99.

What fun to do: If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you will appreciate the design of this affordable backpack, which will serve your child well.

Best classic backpack: LLBean Original Book Package

Forty years after its release, the original LLBean backpack is still one of the best on the market. Made with high-quality, weather-resistant materials, this bag will withstand all of your child’s activities throughout the school year and beyond. Designed for kids ages 6 and up, the backpack can hold anything they can throw in its multiple compartments, like their water bottle, lunch box, books, and more! L.L.Bean$39.95.

What’s nice: If you live in a rainy city, this backpack with durable stitching and strong material is a good choice to keep your kids’ books and papers dry.

Best personalized backpack: Crate and barrel

A durable backpack is a goal for our elementary school kids. This one from Crate and Barrel is water-resistant, with padded shoulder straps. Depending on the school, some schools may not have lockers, meaning kids have to carry their bags from class to class.

There’s enough space to fit everything from books to extras like a lunch bag, sweater, and small tablet. For an additional fee ($12), most backpacks can be personalized with a name or initials, meaning lost and found items are likely in your future (fingers crossed). The medium backpack is for kids 43”–49” tall or ages 5-7. The large is for kids 48” and tall or ages 7+. $39-49.

What’s nice: This sustainable polyester is made from recycled water bottles.

Best Spacious Backpack for High School and Up: Pottery Barn Teen

Space is at a premium for backpacks, and high school kids, whether they live in the suburbs or the city, need a lot of room for all their “stuff.” The large backpack is 7.5 inches deep, and the XL is 8.5 inches deep, meaning there’s room for (most) of everything. Especially older kids who may not have a classroom and have to “live” in their backpacks, especially if they have after school or sports where the ring buzzes.

The large backpack has four spacious outer pockets and one laptop compartment. The XL backpack has four outer pockets, two inner pockets and a laptop compartment. $52-94

What’s nice: This bag is durable, water-resistant and made from 100% recycled polyester (PET).

Best backpack for high school students: Pop Quiz Backpack by Herschel

As editors and parents of kids of all ages, one backpack category has always been a mystery to us: the high school backpack. Perhaps that’s because most of the wear and tear on a backpack occurs at this stage. Not only are (some) backpacks stashed in a locker or carried around every day — high school backpackers are essentially live through their backpacks.

Herschel’s new classic is spacious (17.5″(H) x 12.25″(W) x 6.5″(D)) but not too big. There’s room for a laptop in a padded compartment inside the bag, a side pocket for bottles of water, and zipper pulls – important for a MetroCard, keys, and calculator – the essentials parents don’t want their kids to lose. It’s classic, sturdy, and well-built for our New York kids.

What fun to do: This backpack is made with Herschel’s EcoSystem™ 600D fabric and lining and is made from 100% (yay!) recycled water bottles.

Best backpack for a limited budget: VASCHY Lightweight backpack for school

This lightweight and simple design is perfect for kids aged 7 and up, with plenty of room to comfortably store their laptop, books and folders with the padded back panel. It also has a mesh zip pocket on the main compartment, so they won’t lose any small items on the bottom, and a water bottle pocket! Amazon$19.99-$28.99

What’s nice: Not only is this backpack affordable and comes in a colorful palette of solid colors and fun prints, it’s also ideal if your kids don’t need to carry their entire desk on their backs, but it’s durable enough to see them through the day.

Best 2-in-1 backpack: Bentgo Kids Prints 2-in-1 Backpack and Insulated Lunch Bag

This fun and innovative design has it all! Not only does it give you an excellent spacious backpack with two large sections with small pockets for easy organization plus a water bottle pocket, but it also includes a built-in insulated lunch bag that attaches to the bottom.

With this backpack you no longer have to worry about your child forgetting his lunch box (as i have done many times before..phew) or that he or she will feel uncomfortable because the shoulder straps and back are fully padded! Your kids have many colorful print options to choose from! Amazon$34.99.

What to love: If your child’s school doesn’t refrigerate lunch, this built-in insulated lunch bag is a godsend.