Best backpack for a preschooler

[elektra]

I think the pottery barn ones look cute and DD seems to like them after checking them out in the catalog. DH wants to get her a more surfer kind of backpack, like from Roxy or something. Are the PB ones good quality?
The purpose is just for DD to carry random toys or maybe she can carry some of her own stuff when we travel (?)
She also said that this is what she wants for her birthday.

[hillview]

We have the Kelty
http://www.kelty.com/p-54-grommet.aspx
And it fits DS1 perfectly. It is WAY smaller than the LL Bean backpacks. I have not tried the PBK ones. At this age I sort of think whatever she likes is the way to go -- don't think she will be taking it for too long etc.
/hillary

[bluestarfish18]

We :love5: our PB Kids Backpack. Both kids use them at daycare, and have even traveled internationally with them. They are tough and thicker material, making them seemingly indestructable. Skip the personalization though, both
names were off center and one's thread quality was terrible.

[Katigre]

We love Crocodile Creek backpacks (and lunch boxes)! http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acrocodile+creek+backp ack&keywords=crocodile+creek+backpack&ie=UTF8&qid=1266794518

[crl]

We've only had LLBean and LandsEnd. The LandsEnd has been much better for us. The LLBean's zipper was perpetually getting stuck, it happened to me too, not just to DS. The LE design doesn't have the flap of fabric over the zipper so it doesn't have this problem.

Catherine

[carolinamama]

We love Crocodile Creek backpacks (and lunch boxes)! http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acrocodile+creek+backp ack&keywords=crocodile+creek+backpack&ie=UTF8&qid=1266794518

Same here!

[TwinFoxes]

I would worry that a Roxy backpack wouldn't be especially sturdy.

[jjjo1112]

We have the skip hop penguin back-pack and it's held up great!!
http://www.skiphop.com/product/21020.html

[August Mom]

You might check out TCP's offerings. We got DS's preschool backpack there. It was cheap, just the right size for him and held up great. DS has the LE junior now and it would have been too big for preschool on him. The animal-themed ones would probably be a better size for a preschooler but I haven't seen those IRL.

[bubbaray]

I highly recommend the LLB Original Junior.

[almostamom]

We are almost through year two with a Lands End backpack for DS. It still looks new and has been on lots of trips as well. We had a smaller one (I don't remember which one), but DS has a school folder that he must have every day and it didn't fit in the smaller backpacks. I'm sure the LE one will carry us at least through kindergarten.

Linda

[SnuggleBuggles]

Another vote for LL Bean Jr.. Ds1's is 3 years old and looks brand new despite being used by a little boy who doesn't always pay attention to proper care of things. Good size, good storage.

Beth

[AnnieW625]

Elisa got hers from Lands End, it's the perfect size. It's not this one, but the sizing/style is similar and it works well for her. We got ours almost 2 yrs. ago and it's held up quite well.
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ClassMateSmallHaulBackpack~198918_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::VBL&CM_MERCH=IDX_00004__0000000491&origin=index

We'll most likely replace it when she starts kindergarten in 18 mos. with another Lands End pack.

[DrSally]

We really like our LE preschool backback.

[lmintzer]

My Kindergartener has the Lands End Small Haul. It looks as good as new after 5+ months of use. It's big enough to actually carry stuff but not overwhelming on him.

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

We have a Doy bag (http://doybags.com/kidsbackpack.html), seems pretty durable. We are really into environmentally friendly stuff, so we thought it would be cool to get DD aware of upcycling at a young. Made from reclaimed juice boxes from the Philippines.

[wendibird22]

DD1 has a Four Peas toddler backpack that I got online from Bath and Body for $10. It's a good size (it's a little big for her at 2.5yrs). It's lightweight and easy for her to get on and off herself. She totes it to preschool with her each day.

http://www.fourpeasonline.com/index.php/cPath/24

[egoldber]

I think it depends on what you have to carry. We had an LLBean Jr and I thought it was a good size. By the time we put in lunch, an extra outfit, snow boots and pants in the winter, and then carried home artwork if was full. We then still used it for K and 1st. And it looks basically brand new. She now uses it for Girl Scouts.

[katydid1971]

I bought a Lands End back pack for DS he has no interest in. He LOVES a cheepo Target back pack. He has had 2 a Thomas one and a Handy Manny one. He took the Thomas to school every day last year and Handy Manny this year. They have held up really well, the Thomas one looks brand new. I have passed it down to a friend's DS who is mad for Trains. The Lands End and LL Bean back packs are great but for the $12 price I paid I have been very happy with the Target ones (they are in the luggage section) http://www.target.com/PR38432TC-Princess-12-Backpack-PINK/dp/B002R2EQJA/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&searchView=grid5&node=1041972&keywords=back%20pack&field_browse=1041972&searchSize=150&id=PR38432TC%20Princess%2012%20Backpack%20PINK&field_availability=-2&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Cta rget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&refinementHistory=price%2Csubjectbin%2Ctarget_com_ age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&field_price=-2499&searchNodeID=1041972&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=price&searchPage=1&field_keywords=back%20pack

[jamesmom]

Another vote for the LLB Jr. - It's the perfect size for preschool.