6 Best Toddler Backpacks of 2024
Cute yet practical styles your toddler is sure to love.
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Whether you're buying your toddler a backpack for the first time or are shopping for a new style for the coming pre-school or daycare year, it's important to choose a bag that's both functional for your child and cute enough that they'll actually want to wear it. A toddler's backpack should be able to hold basics like diapers, wipes, snacks or toys, but it shouldn't be so big that it holds your child back. With so many kid and toddler styles on the market, it can be difficult to decide which bags won't break the bank but will still hold up to regular use.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of backpacks, including the best college backpacks, laptop backpacks and travel backpacks, as well as the best kids backpacks and toddler styles. We evaluate them in the Textiles Lab and share them with our consumer testers who try them out before providing us with real-user feedback. We put together a list of toddler backpacks based on our testing data, GH staff recommendations and rave online reviews. Your toddler is sure to love carrying one of these to school or daycare, on a family vacation or even a short trip to the park.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Skip Hop, Toddler Backpack
- Best Value: Simple Joys by Carter's, Mini Backpack
- Best Functional: Pottery Barn Kids, Mini Mackenzie Backpack
- Best Classic: Herschel, Kids Heritage Backpack
Pros
- Easy-to-use zippers
- Adjustable water bottle pocket
- Cute character options
Cons
- Some online reviewers say water bottle holder breaks with time
Available in tons of cute animal and character designs, Skip Hop's toddler backpack is a favorite of parents and children alike. The backpack is designed to accommodate little ones with kid-friendly elements like oversized zipper tabs, a small carrying loop that can placed on a hook and an external water bottle holder with adjustable stretch. While we haven't experienced this issue, some online reviewers say the mesh material of the water bottle holder breaks down with time.
Textiles Lab and other GH experts who have used the backpacks with their own children shared that their kids love showing off the fun character prints, and online reviewers said that their kids didn't want to take the bags off at the end of the day. One GH expert was impressed by how well the backpack held up over time, adding that she was able to use it as a hand-me-down bag and pass it on to multiple children. Online reviewers agree, explaining that the material feels sturdy and is easy to care for. For a complete coordinating set, try Skip Hop's matching water bottles, lunch boxes and more.
Dimensions: 5" x 12" x 11" | Weight: 6.4 ounces
Pros
- Padded, adjustable straps
- Great option for younger toddlers
- Mesh water bottle pocket
Cons
- Unable to fit larger items
The perfect size for younger toddlers, this mini backpack from Simple Joys by Carter's is smaller than any of our other picks. While it may not be able to fit a folder or all of the school supplies needed for pre-K, the backpack is ideal for toddlers who want to carry their belongings (like healthy snacks and toys) on their own. The bag is just 5.9 ounces and only 9 inches tall, so it won't be too top-heavy or weigh your child down.
It has a zippered opening with a fabric pull tab and a small but roomy interior without additional compartments, so everything is easy to access. According to online reviewers, the external mesh water bottle holder conveniently holds a sippy cup. The shoulder straps are lightly padded for comfort and are adjustable for a better fit. One online reviewer described it as the "cutest backpack" and shared that it fit her 3-year-old grandchild perfectly.
Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.25" x 9" | Weight: 5.9 ounces
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Navy Solar System Glow-in-the-Dark Backpack
Pros
- Organized pockets
- Tons of cute prints and character options
- Durable material
Cons
- Mini size doesn't include chest strap
The mini version of one of our top-tested kids' backpacks, the Mackenzie Backpack from Pottery Barn Kids is equally as fun as it is functional. This particular design is outer space themed and glows in the dark, but other playful styles include florals, dinosaurs and hearts, as well as licensed characters including Disney princesses. Plus, you can add a name or monogram in one of 20 fonts for an extra $15 fee. And as your child grows, you can opt for the small, medium, large and extra-large versions of the bag. While the larger sizes come with a chest strap for support and weight distribution, the mini bag featured does not include the strap.
Not only is the bag adorable, but it also performed well in our Textiles Lab evaluations. We were impressed by how well the fabric held up in our abrasion tests, resisting wear from repeated rubbing, and the material was water-resistant. We appreciated details like the thick padded straps, two water bottle holders, outer buckles to attach a lunch box and the organized internal pockets.
Dimensions: 8.5" x 4.25" x 10.75" | Weight: Not listed
Pros
- Unique designs
- Luggage sleeve
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Expensive option
If your child loves glitz and glam and playful patterns, look no further than State's Kane Mini Backpack. Don't worry if you or your toddler have a more subdued taste — the brand offers color-block designs and simpler styles too. The unique backpacks are equipped with features like a spacious zippered compartment, additional organized pockets and two water bottle holders.
One GH analyst who tried the popular backpack with her children said that it wasn't as durable as she was hoping for everyday use at school, especially for the expensive price point, but she and her children love using the bags for travel. It has a luggage sleeve on the back to slide over a small suitcase for easy rolling at the airport, and the padded, adjustable straps are comfy for longer walking adventures. Plus, the brand utilizes a give-back business model, donating money to children's charities for every bag sold.
Dimensions: 13.78" x 9.45" x 4.3" | Weight: 1.3 pounds
Pros
- Made from recycled water bottles
- Iconic Herschel design
- Removable sternum strap
Cons
- Some online reviewers wish there were more pockets
This backpack from the classic brand Herschel may seem simple, but it's a super functional scaled-down version of the brand's iconic Heritage backpack, which means you can match your toddler. Just like the larger bag, this 15-liter kids' version has a removable sternum strap for weight distribution, an expandable water bottle pocket and comfy, padded shoulder straps. It unzips to reveal one large packing compartment, and there's a zippered pocket on the front of the bag for smaller items. Some online reviewers wish there were additional pockets for even more organization, though.
The timeless style is made of polyester from recycled water bottles, and the brand claims it can wiped clean. Online reviewers say it's easy to care for, and one reviewer shared, "The quality is excellent, the water bottle pocket is a useful addition and the front clip means the bag stays in place when worn." And if simple black isn't your kid's thing, the brand offers tons of other prints and fun colored options.
Dimensions: 14" x 10.5" x 5" | Weight: Not listed
Pros
- Lightweight
- Online reviewers say it's the "perfect daycare bag"
- Two zippered pockets
Cons
- Straps aren't padded
Target's house brand Cat & Jack carries our favorite kids' clothes, and we're also impressed by the brand's accessories. The brand's 10-inch backpack is basic, but it's super lightweight and ideal for toddlers. Online reviewers describe this bag as the "perfect daycare bag," explaining that it easily holds a change of clothes, wipes, an extra diaper and a small toy or two, but they agree that it's not the best option for preschoolers who need to carry larger folders or papers.
The mini backpack has fabric zipper pulls that are easier for little hands to grip. They unzip to reveal one main space for your child's belongings. There's a smaller front pocket, as well, but the basic design lacks a water bottle holder. While the straps are adjustable, they aren't padded. There are additional designs, adaptive styles and larger kids backpacks available as well.
Dimensions: 10" x 7" x 3.5" | Weight: .38 pounds
How we test backpacks
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test backpacks for college students, for travel and for on-the-go parents, along with toddler and children's backpacks. When we evaluate bags in the Textiles Lab, we consider properties like durability, performance and ease of use. Here's what we look for:
✔️ Design features: We inspect each bag and rate them based on whether or not they feature details like padded shoulders or straps, water bottle holders, additional pockets and organizational elements.
✔️ Weight: We weigh the empty bags to ensure the backpack isn't too heavy for younger children.
✔️ Packing test: We fill the bags with a standard packing load, based on the bag's size and age group, and evaluate how well everything fits inside.
✔️ Fabric strength: We use our Instron machine to pull samples of the material apart, which evaluates how much force is needed to break the fabric.
✔️ Abrasion resistance: We load swatches of material into our abrasion machine, which rubs the fabric back and forth thousands of times to simulate long-term use, and we score it based on how well it withstands wear (pictured).
✔️ Water resistance: Spills and rainy days are inevitable, so we evaluate water resistance by using a device to pour water onto the material. Then we visually asses the material to check if the water has seeped through the material.
✔️ Drop test: After filling the backpack with a standard amount of weight, we release it repeatedly from our drop tester machine and note any dents or major damages that result.
What to look for when shopping for toddler backpacks
Here are a few things to consider while you're searching for a toddler backpack:
✔️ Size: If you're shopping online, we recommend reviewing the product specs to ensure the backpack will fit your toddler, and if you're shopping in person, have your child try on the backpack to see how it fits their frame. Sometimes, brands offer the same style of backpack in multiple sizes and will provide suggested sizing options based on age and height. When your child is between sizes, we recommend sizing down to ensure the backpack isn't too big or bulky.
✔️ Materials: Most backpacks are made of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. While nylon is ultimately a stronger fiber, it's often more expensive. We've tested polyester fabrics that have performed well, and it's typically more affordable, which could make it a good option for young toddlers who aren't using them daily or are too rough on their bags yet.
✔️ Organization: Most toddler backpacks have a no-frills design with just one or two zippered pockets and a water bottle pocket. Some have more organizational features than others like external clips for lunch boxes, additional water bottle holders and even internal elastic pockets for smaller items.
✔️ Straps: The best backpacks have two wide shoulder straps with plenty of padding to prevent them from digging into your child's shoulders. A toddler backpack may not feature heavy padding, so take that into consideration when filling your kid's backpack. Also, look for adjustable sliders to help you achieve the best fit. Along with shoulder straps, some toddler backpacks offer chest or waist straps, which can help distribute weight for a more comfortable feel, but this isn't as common in toddler styles.
✔️ Zippers: Toddlers have small hands, so a zipper without a fabric pull may be difficult for them to grip. If you want your child to use the backpack independently, look for large zipper pull attachments and a smooth zipper track for easy opening and closing.
✔️ Price: You don't have to splurge to find a backpack that both you and your toddler will love. Some of the more affordable bags may not have all of the bells and whistles, but a more expensive bag may not be better just because it's pricier. Choose the bag that works best for your child's needs.
✔️ Care: Even if your toddler isn't using their backpack every day, it's still bound to get messy inside and out. Look for backpacks that can be machine-washed for easier care, and be sure to check the care instructions before cleaning.
Are backpacks safe for toddlers?
According to pediatricians and medical professionals at Nemours KidsHealth, backpacks can be worn safely, but there are a few precautions to take. Nemours KidsHealth says it's best to ensure your child's bag (when full) doesn't weigh more than 10–20% of their total body weight, which can help prevent neck strain or injury. They recommend first choosing a lightweight backpack with two wide, padded straps and also suggest a padded back for comfort. They suggest opting for a backpack with a chest or waist belt and more than one packing compartment to distribute weight as well.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She tests and reports on home and apparel products in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab. Constantine has covered other children's products, including the best baby clothes and kids' luggage, and she has evaluated some of the featured bags firsthand. She used her categorical expertise, former testing data and feedback from real users to determine the best backpack picks for toddlers.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
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