What’s hot: Style ideas for every age, every kid
by Shandley McMurrayBest backpacks
The most important thing to look for when choosing a backpack for your child is size. (We’ve all seen those packs that are practically bigger than the kid!) And you don’t want anything that will encourage him to carry too much – the most a child should carry is 15% of his own weight. That’s 7.5 pounds for a 50-pound kid and 12 pounds for an 80-lb child. Look for adjustable straps, too. Find other backpack tips here.
A pack with wheels on it can help ease your child’s load, or for the more fashion-forward, try a messenger bag, says Samantha von Sperling, owner and director of New York’s Polished Social Image consultants. Again, make sure it’s not too heavy, especially since the load will be distributed over one shoulder rather than two.
Girls
Hello Kitty couture backpack.
$15, Target stores or www.target.com.
Decorate-your-own-rolling-backpack.
$25, Target stores or www.target.com.
Old Navy embroidered messenger bag.
$18, Old Navy or www.oldnavy.com.
Old Navy backpack.
Available in pink/brown or blue combo.
$15, Old Navy or www.oldnavy.com.
The Children’s Place messenger bag.
Available in cocoa and multi.
$16, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
Little Things with Wings backpack.
Available in pink and purple.
$19, www.grandrivertoys.com.
Boys
Dinosaur rolling backpack.
$20, Target stores or www.target.com.
Old Navy backpack.
$15, Old Navy or www.oldnavy.com.
Old Navy messenger bag.
Available in neroli orange or new black.
$17, Old Navy or www.oldnavy.com.
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Standard 16” backpack.
$16, Target stores or www.target.com.
The Children’s Place wheelpack.
$30, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
The Children’s Place messenger bag.
$16, The Children’s Place stores or www.thechildrensplace.com.
