What Kind of Backpack for Kindergarten?

My son will also be starting Kindergarten this fall. The principal told us at orientation that they do not want backpacks with wheels. He said the locker space is very small. Wal-Mart is a good place to get a good backpack. I've gotten backpacks there before.

With out oldest we found most backpacks were too big but at Children's Place they carry them in both bigger and the smaller size _ I love their backpacks my oldest has been able to carry the same backpack for more than 1 school year! But def. g o with the smaller backpacks! - No wheels needed in Kinder.

I would get a large backpack, because they will have binders. Check out pottery barn's large ones

Be SURE to check with your school. Our school does NOT allow backpacks with wheels.

-L.

I started off last year with a cute cartoon backpack..that lasted a whole two weeks! I would get a normal size backpack without wheels. I know my son's school wont allow backpacks with wheels and they prob won't fit in the lockers too. We ended up with a plain blue one with lots of pockets to hold snacks and stuff. A week or so after school starts Target will put their backpacks 75% off. I paid $3.24 for my son's and it still looks great! Also Toys R Us has a special, buy the backpack and get a lunch box free.

I have two kids myself and one on the way... I have used several different backpacks and have found that the regular standard over the shoulder back pack works best... If you get the one with wheels they will try to drag it everywhere and usually they end up tripping another kid b/c they are in a hurry.. I learned early on that you need a big section for their folders and take home stuff and then a smaller section on the front for a snack if they are staying in some sort of after school care... Usually the teachers ask that a water bottle be sent to school every day with your child so they are able to cut down on water breaks since most kinder teachers have a potty in their room... Hope this helps!

my daughter is also starting K. She will be at Elliot--Frisco ISD. We were told not to get the roller kind because it is too hard to hang up. They want the kids to be able to do that themselves. It may make the bag heavier. Definatly have a bag that is big enough to put a folder in. Not the short kind. We have to bring a change of clothes as well. They will need space for some books, lunch or snack pouch and possibly a jacket or coat.

For safety reasons they say do not have your childs name printed on the front of the bag. A stranger can use that as leverage and call the childs name.

Our kids are allowed to get backpacks with wheels, but are not allowed to roll the backpack on school property (it becomes a hazard when it's rolling behind them and kids aren't watching where they're going, so they trip over them). We found it easier not to have one at all, but we're over a mile from school, so we drove their kindergarten year.

I would tend to get a simple backpack (large enough for a folder and lunch - I agree, you don't want them carrying their lunch separately - it will be forgotten in the car). The more pockets and padding it has, the heavier (and more expensive) it will be.

Our school allows water bottles, but has some (loose) guidelines: it should have a "sport top" (the kind that pops open to drink, so you don't have to unscrew the lid ever time). They also suggest the koozie-type thing that keeps it insulated (for their purposes, there's less condensation making a puddle on their desk).

We usually get our supplies at WalMart or Target... Good selection; great prices.

Good luck! This is a fun time!
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I'd just take your son to the store maybe to try some on. It needs to be big enough to fit a folder. Most schools aren't allowing the wheeled ones. They typically only bring home a folder and then crafty work so it doesn't have to be too big.

My daughters teacher actually required that the kids bring water bottles to class so that they don't have to keep leaving to get drinks and to promote drinking water often. We used a few throughout the year...a plastic Hannah Montana one from Walmart and then regular plastic ones like an adult would use. I would think anything would be fine.

You should have a meet and greet with the teacher before school starts. Be sure and write down all your questions and then you can ask while you are there. (Like ours changed up the supply list a bit from what the school issued one was)

Check with your school - our school does not allow backpacks with wheels, the kids things go into cubbies and they will not fit. You might check out your school website and try to find some anwsers if the school is not open right now.

not sure about kinder "rules" but i have gotten backpacks from the disney store - and they are super durable. its fun for the kids to pick a fun one out...and they also usually have lunch boxes that match and will attach to the backpack. they are well-made and the same price as a regular one....
grapevine mills has a disney store outlet where you can find them on sale!

my kid start las year with a cars backpack from walmart and a plain red one from nautica store and both last it all year

I have taught kinder for 16 years... no wheels is a great recommendation! They do not fit in cubbies or lockers at all. Be sure that a regular folder will fit inside the backpack though... several students had smaller sized backpacks last year and their papers and folders were always sticking out of the top and not able to be zipped up, or the corners of everything got bent by getting folded down to fit in. Good luck!

I know this is late in responding -- please forgive me. Our daughter was in Kindergarten last year. We went to the school website and downloaded a copy of the supply list prior to registration. Our list specifically said "no wheeled backpacks". Once I saw the wooden lockers outside the classroom, I understood why. Get a backpack your child will enjoy carrying. Have them try it on at the store. Don't get one that will overwhelm the child, but get one big enough to fit file folders and notebooks. I wish you better luck with your first day than I had with mine. Good Luck!!

Chilrens Place!!! They always have them in 2 sizes with lunch bags and water bottles if you want to coordinate!! They are the best, i can't tell you how many of them i have purchased. They are durable and styish, and best of all affordable!! My favorite CP store to go to is the HUGE Store in Grapevine Mills mall!

Kinders don't need a lot, usually just big enough to carry their folder in that will have work in it plus a library book they'll get to check out at school. I always put my daughter's lunch box in her back pack so she didn't have two things to keep up with. If you check out lillianvernon.com, there are some cute backpacks that you can have his name put on and they are very reasonable. We also got one a few years ago at LL Bean but they are significantly more pricey but it has lasted several years and has been her favorite.