Which school bag should you choose for children?
When a child needs a new school bag, it is not only about colour and design. A good school bag should be practical, comfortable to carry and have room for the things the child uses at school and in everyday life.
There are many different school bags and children's backpacks, so it can be difficult to know what to choose. Should the bag be large or lightweight? Should it have many compartments? Is a model with a pencil case best, or is the backpack itself sufficient?
In this guide, we review the most important things you should consider when choosing a school bag for your child.
What should a good school bag be able to do?
A good school bag should first and foremost suit the child's everyday life. It should have room for books, a pencil case, a lunch box, a water bottle and other small items, but at the same time it should not be too heavy or difficult to carry.
It is an advantage to choose a school bag with:
• ample space
• padded shoulder straps
• adjustable straps
• several practical compartments
• side pockets for a water bottle
• lightweight material
• a design the child likes
When the child likes the appearance of the bag, there is often a greater chance that they will enjoy using it every day.
How big should a school bag be?
The size depends on the child's age, height and how much the child needs to bring to school. For schoolchildren, a children's backpack around 38-41 cm in height is often a practical size because it provides room for most everyday items without seeming too large.
A school bag measuring approximately 38 x 30 x 20 cm, 40 x 29 x 17 cm or 41 x 28 x 20 cm can be a good size for school use for many children. It typically provides room for books, a lunch box, a pencil case and a water bottle, while still being easy to carry.
If the child needs to carry many books or folders, a slightly larger model with several compartments can be an advantage. If the bag is primarily to be used during the first school years, for leisure activities or on short school days, a lighter model may be sufficient.
Comfort is important in everyday life
A school bag is often used every day, so comfort is important. Padded shoulder straps can make the bag more comfortable to carry, especially when the child has books, a lunch box and a water bottle with them.
It is also an advantage if the straps can be adjusted so the bag can be adapted to the child's body. The bag should sit comfortably on the back and not hang too low.
A lightweight school bag is often a good choice because the child already has to carry several things throughout the school day. The lighter the bag itself is, the more comfortable it will be to use every day.
Compartmentalization makes the school day easier
A practical school bag should have good compartmentalization. This helps the child keep track of their belongings and makes it easier to find books, a pencil case, a lunch box and small items.
Side pockets are particularly practical for a water bottle, so the bottle does not lie loose inside the bag. Several interior compartments can also be useful if the child needs to carry books, paper, a pencil case and smaller items.
For many families, it is an advantage to choose a bag with room for both school and leisure activities. This way, the children's backpack can be used for school, outings, leisure activities and weekend trips.
Should you choose a school bag with or without a pencil case?
Both can be good choices. It depends on the child's needs.
A school bag with a pencil case can be practical if you want a matching set in which the bag and pencil case have a coordinated design. This can be an especially convenient solution at the start of school, when the child needs both a bag and a pencil case anyway.
A school bag without a pencil case can be more flexible if the child already has a pencil case, or if you would like to choose a separate pencil case.
If you are buying a school bag for the start of school, a model with a pencil case can be a practical solution. If, on the other hand, you only need to replace the bag itself, a model without a pencil case may be sufficient.
Design also matters
Although function and comfort are important, design also means a lot to the child. Many children choose their bag based on colors, patterns and style.
Some children prefer cute and adventurous designs, while others like sporty or cooler motifs. For parents, it is often about finding a balance between a design that makes the child happy and a bag that is practical enough for everyday use.
A school bag should ideally be something the child wants to put on in the morning. Therefore, it may be a good idea to let the child help choose between different designs.
Which school bag is best for your child?
If your child needs a bag for school, you should choose a model with plenty of space, comfortable straps and practical compartments. If the bag will also be used for leisure, outings or weekend trips, a spacious and lightweight children's backpack that can be used for multiple purposes may be an advantage.
For children who love colors and cute details, a school bag with a charming and adventurous design can be a popular choice. For children who prefer a sportier or cooler look, a bag in darker colors or with an action-inspired design may be more exciting.
The most important thing, however, is that the bag suits the child's everyday life and is comfortable to use.
Short summary: What to look for
When choosing a school bag for children, you should especially look for:
• suitable size
• light weight
• padded and adjustable shoulder straps
• good compartment organization
• side pockets for a water bottle
• durable and practical material
• a design the child likes
A good school bag should make everyday life easier for both the child and the parents.
See our selection of school bags and children's backpacks
At Lilla Villa, you will find practical school bags and children's backpacks for school, everyday use and leisure. Choose from different designs, sizes and features to find a bag that suits your child's needs.
School bags and children's backpacks
More guides about school bags
See also our practical guides and find school bags, backpacks and accessories at Lilla Villa.