5 Best Toddler Backpacks for Preschool and Beyond, Tested by Kids

The best toddler backpacks give you a range of uses—easily transitioning from playtime to school or daycare—just like the Kane Kids Mini Travel Backpack from STATE Bags. It’s roomy enough to hold numerous items, including a folder, without being so big that younger toddlers can’t safely carry it. This bag features an impressive level of comfort thanks to thick straps with ample padding; my daughter even forgot she was wearing it at one point. The zippers are thick and sturdy, and glide around the backpack seamlessly. STATE Bags offers a mix of bright, fun colorways my daughter was drawn to, but it isn't overly cutesy, which style-conscious parents will appreciate.

Unlike most toddler backpacks, the Kane Kids Mini has an interior water bottle pocket to prevent spills. It kept my daughter’s water bottle from slipping out of the pocket when she bent over, and also left the top of her bottle free of dirt and other gunk it normally picks up. The only downside of this internal pocket is that it takes up some room on the inside of the bag—but the large exterior pocket helps make up the difference. This kids’ backpack is even travel-friendly, with a luggage band to slip over a suitcase for no added cost. However, it comes at a higher price if you want a detachable chest strap. You also have the option to customize the bag with initials, symptoms, pins and patches. While this isn’t the cheapest toddler backpack out there, it has plenty of uses to give busy families lots of mileage out of the bag.

Dimensions: 3.54” (L) x 9.45” (W) x 12.6” (H) | Capacity: 6.9 L | Weight: 12.3 oz. | Materials: 100% polyester | Age rating: 2 to 4 years

Preschool backpacks need to be able to fit a lunchbox, water bottle, folder and usually a change of clothes—they’ll need to have a decent capacity. Herschel’s 15-liter Heritage Backpack for kids fits the bill. It has the roominess preschoolers need with large zipper teeth and pulls that are easy to fasten and unfasten independently. The backpack is designed for kiddos who are three years or older, which seems accurate—while it fit my 4-year-old, it came down to my one-year-old’s knees. The straps adjust seamlessly and have a band to keep excess fabric from flapping around when your child walks. There is also a chest clip that can be pushed up or down for quick adjustments. This kids’ backpack is durable, too: It survived a tug of war between my daughters just fine, to say nothing of being repeatedly being tossed around in the car and playground.

The straps on this toddler backpack are thick—with plenty of padding—and my 4-year-old wore this to preschool and the playground with no issues. She said it felt smooth and comfortable against her back, and nothing in her backpack poked her. The design isn't fussy—there's just a main pocket and exterior pocket, along with a large water bottle pocket—but my 4-year-old appreciated that. While I liked the function of this preschool bookbag, my daughter was drawn to the style the most. It comes in an array of color options, ranging from a bold floral print to basic black, so you’re sure to find a fit for even the most discerning of kiddos.

Dimensions: 5” (L) x 10.5” (W) x 14” (H) | Capacity: 15 L | Weight: 13.7 oz. | Materials: 100% polyester | Age rating: 3 to 7 years

L.L.Bean is an icon in the backpack world, and the brand’s Junior Original Book Pack doesn’t disappoint. This children’s backpack received a perfect score during our testing: The only reason it wasn’t the best overall toddler backpack is that it’s designed for kids aged 4 and up, so it’s not suitable for a large portion of the younger toddler age group, or even the youngest preschoolers. The sturdy bag is complete with a number of high-quality details, from the well-sewn zipper tags to the strong seams. It's made from polyester, with a 3M Scotchlite reflective strip on the front that reflects car headlights. My daughter took this to preschool and it held up just fine to being tossed around. It even survived being grabbed by our Labrador puppy—further demonstrating its impressive durability.

L.L.Bean’s Junior Original has plenty of room for everything a preschooler, kindergartener and younger elementary school student will need to put inside. For instance, my daughter shoved in a stuffed animal for show and tell, along with her usual lunchbox, folder and change of clothes, and there was room to spare. The backpack also encourages organization, thanks to plenty of pockets, including a spot for pencils, small loose objects and other essentials in the large exterior pocket. While many toddler backpacks only have one zipper on the exterior pocket, this option has two, allowing you to access the space from different angles. Plus, it’s available in several fun colors and patterns. One potential downside: The main backpack zipper is covered with a protective material to extend its life, but kids run the risk of catching the zipper on this fabric if they try to move it too fast.

Dimensions: 6” (L) x 11” (W) x 14.5” (H) | Capacity: 16 L | Weight: 13 oz. | Materials: 100% polyester | Age rating: 4+ years

All Skip Hop Zoo products feature distinct designs that showcase the brand’s cute animals. I originally purchased the narwhal version of this backpack when my now-4-year-old was a one-year-old, based purely on its aesthetic. I had no idea it would hold up as well as it has. This bag now gets regular use from her little sister who’s now a one-year-old, and there are no rips or tears in the fabric. My daughter will sometimes play with it like a stuffed animal, and we've never had any issues getting her to wear it. Skip Hop went the extra mile by sticking with the theme. Both zippers have a coordinating seashell keychain that's large enough for little hands to grip, and there's a narwhal "horn" sticking out from the back—how cute!

This toddler backpack isn't big enough to hold a folder, but it can house a decent amount of stuff for everyday use. I sometimes toss toys and snacks in it when I'm taking my kids out and can sling it over my shoulder when I need to. The only thing worth noting is that it doesn't have a chest clip, which could be a problem for younger or more petite toddlers. (Skip Hop makes a Mini version of this bag that has a chest clip, though.) There’s no interior pocket, but I've never missed it. The inside offers enough space for several books, coloring supplies and a few additional toys. Moreover, the exterior pocket is generous and has organizational elements, so you can separate snacks or wipes and extra diapers. There's also a beverage pocket on the side that's the perfect size for toddler water bottles. I've already purchased this backpack as a gift for family and friends. It offers a nice wow factor that's a great talking point at the playground, too.

Dimensions: 5” (L) x 11” (W) x 12” (H) | Capacity: 11 L | Weight: 6.4 oz. | Materials: 100% polyester | Age rating: 3+ years

Setting boundaries with busy toddlers can be tough, and it’s understandable to at least wonder if your energetic little one might benefit from a safety harness. The Yodo Kids Insulated Toddler Backpack comes with a removable lead that you can use when you want and unclip when you don’t. The attachment secures at the bottom, which could cause your child to tip forward if they took off at a sprint. However, it worked well and kept my active toddler near me; she just looked annoyed when she couldn't wander.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Yodo backpack. It has light stuffing all around the exterior for a slightly squishy feel my daughter was excited about. The inside of this kids’ backpack doubles as an insulated lunch box, making it great for taking drinks and snacks to the park. The petite design would probably be too small for older toddlers but works great for younger kids. What’s more, the zipper is fluid and easy for both me and my daughter to use. While the capacity isn't huge, you shouldn't run into any issues if you're using it to carry lunch to the park.

This toddler backpack is adorable, thanks to a sweet dog face print and 3D elements, like floppy ears. All of the colors fit the theme, making this bag look almost like a stuffed animal; my daughter hugged it when I first showed it to her. The only drawback is that the side water bottle pockets are pretty tight. You need to stretch them to shove a drink inside, and bottles with a larger circumference won't fit. But that snugness means you can toss something smaller, like a pack of crayons, in without worrying about them slipping out. If you want a bag to carry your child's lunch, snacks, a water bottle (in the main pocket) and a few toys, this can handle it.

Dimensions: 4.5” (D) x 8.5” (W) x 10.6” (H) | Capacity: N/A | Weight: 6.4 oz. | Materials: 100% polyester | Age rating: 18 months to 3 years