As post-summer term time approaches once again, it’s time to start thinking about the school essentials your youngsters will need – and at the top of the list is likely to be a new school bag.
Not just a practical necessity for exercise books, lunch bags and bottles, backpacks have been a school style staple for years – and how you wore yours could make a bold fashion statement (remember when the ‘cool kids’ wore them slumped over one shoulder!).
So, what are the best school bags for high school and primary school kids this year? Whether they’re getting ready for their first day at school or are heading into their final year of secondary education, we’ve collected a few of our favourites to help your child look their best. We’ve also spoken to the experts for their top tips on what makes the best school bag, as well as how to wear a backpack safely.
Best school bags for primary school
At such an important milestone in their development, younger kids are bound to feel a little apprehensive about starting primary school. So, why not treat them to a cute and colourful bag to hold all their supplies? The best school bag will even help them to accessorise and show off their personality! We’ve rounded up a selection of the best school bags and backpacks that will take your primary-school youngster from reception onwards.
Best primary school bag on a budget
When it comes to shopping for the best school bags for reception, or any other school year for that matter, budget can be key for a lot of parents – but we’re here to show you that pinching the pennies doesn’t have to mean compromising on what your little ones’ love. If your child is a fan of Ryder and his team of pups, then they’re sure to love this Paw Patrol backpack for just £6!
Featuring our favourite police dog and the patrol’s second in command, Chase graces the front of this bag. With a zip closure and padded shoulder straps for added comfort, you’ll also find an external netted compartment, ideal for storing a matching water bottle.
Best school bag for younger boys
If your child adores the adventures of Pokémon, why not pick up one of our Pikachu drawstring bags? Excellent for the younger years in primary school when you need to carry less items, this smaller bag is great for slipping in just the essentials. With a simple design, it’s sized just right to hold any school necessities. Now every day can be a Pokémon day!
Top tip: This one is perfect for taking up less space if your child stores their bag on cloakroom hooks in school.
Best school bag for younger girls
One of our favourite bags for primary school – this pink backpack is the cutest option for your girl! Made from a nylon material, this bag is easy to wipe down after those fun arts and crafts days. Its quilted pouch at the front and adjustable straps make it a practical option for a day of learning. If a personal touch, your little one could even add a funky pen into the front pouch or extend the bag straps so they have space to add an array of colourful badges.
Best backpack for younger boys
Calling all Marvel fans!
For kids who live and breathe comic-book characters, this Spiderman backpack will make all their superhero dreams come true. Costing just £12, this stylish school bag showcases a zip-up front pocket for all their stationery staples, and cushioned straps for comfortable wear in the corridors. Also, with an easy-wipe PVC lining, it’s a piece of cake to keep looking like new.
Best school backpack for younger girls
If your little one is feeling nervous to venture past the primary-school gates, our super-cute Minnie backpack will give them the extra encouragement they need. This bag has adjustable, cushioned straps and a polka-dot canvas featuring stars, flowers, and the iconic Minnie Mouse character – all for just £6! Earning our vote as the best school backpack for girls, the bag even features a netted side to hold a water bottle.
Best school bags for secondary school
We get it, first impressions count. So, when style-conscious teens make the transition to secondary school, only the coolest school bags of the bunch are required. Whether they’re just starting year seven or they’re going into their final year of sixth form, keep reading for a budget-friendly selection of the best teenage school bags and backpacks for trendy young’uns at high school.
Most affordable school bag for high school
Whether they’re a stationary hoarder or a master of organisation, this black Patrick backpack will tick the boxes for both boys and girls. Boasting a spacious main compartment and a smaller, zipped front pocket –this bag makes storing textbooks, pencil cases and calculators as easy as pie (pardon the pun!). Not to mention, its simple monochrome design makes it one of our best unisex school bags online.
Best school bag for teenage boys
For the ultimate school bag selection, feast your eyes on this Umbro Axis set. A three-piece made up of a backpack, drawstring bag and pencil case, all in good-old reliable black, your trendy teen will have all he needs to carry his essentials throughout his time at high school.
From using the drawstring to keep his P.E. stuff separate from his books, to using the pencil case to keep his stationary essentials altogether, don’t miss out on this handy school bag set for the incredible price of only £25.!
Best school bag for teenage girls
If your teen girl is craving something other than a classic backpack for school, we’ve got her kitted out too. Why not try this handbag-style option to see if it suits her needs. Made from a smooth, faux leather, this piece is adorned with snake-print sides and finished with on-trend gold hardware -making the Wynsors Pia shoulder bag perfect for any budding fashionistas. With a sturdy strap, it’s easy to carry even when full, and the zip closure and inside pockets will keep her day-to-day essentials safe.
Best backpack for teenage boys
A classic style everyone’s sure to love – why not pick up a Nike backpack for your trendy teen this term? Featuring two exterior pockets and a large front-zip pocket, this unisex bag is ideal for storing any loose pens and pencils (and not to forget those breaktime snacks too!). The cushioned, adjustable straps offer the support needed for lugging around heavy school books safely.
What’s more, this bag is made from 50% recycled polyester – so your teenager can be kinder to the planet.
Best backpack for teenage girls
An option that will help your older girl ooze style and sophistication, this Hush Puppies Kayzel backpack is one of the best school bags for high school. Showcasing an alternative shape and design, a top zip and magnetic closure – they’ll be the talk of the school halls!
The backpack is simultaneously practical and stylish, featuring adjustable straps and inner padded compartments with zip pockets to keep any delicate items safe. A beautiful pastel pink and luxurious leather option, give your girl the bag she deserves.
How to wear a backpack properly
Finding the best school bags isn’t where the journey ends. It’s important to know that the way that your child wears their new accessory can be just as important as the practical or stylish features it has. As we all know, school bags can get uncomfortable when stuffed with heavy schoolbooks and supplies. So, we caught up with two experts – Dr. Diana Gall and chartered physiotherapist, Lyndsay Hirst, who specialises in back problems – to ask them for tips on how to wear a school backpack safely.
Dr. Diana Gall told us:
“When a heavy bag is carried on one shoulder, it forces the wearer to adopt an abnormal posture which can place unnecessary strain on the back, often causing muscle aches and pains.”
She explained that “bad habits when it comes to posture can often cause back problems later in life, leading to pain and frustration that could have been avoided.”
Both experts stressed that when wearing a backpack, it’s important to distribute the weight evenly – meaning that one-shouldered wear is not ideal (sorry to all the cool-kid wannabes!). The best way to wear a backpack is to make sure that the straps are over both arms and sufficiently tightened to ensure the bag doesn’t swing from side to side.
Tips for choosing the best school bag or backpack
- Choose a backpack that fits their back – don’t get a backpack that is too big for your child; Lyndsay reinforced the importance of a bag fitting between the top of the shoulders and just above the beltline.
- Ensure the bag isn’t overloaded – Dr. Gall also explained that bags should be no more than 10% of a child’s weight so as not to place unnecessary strain on their back.
- Look for plenty of pockets, dividers, and compartments – even out the distribution of weight and stop your child from compensating with bad posture.
- Make sure the backpack has broad straps with plenty of padding – to make wearing the bag more comfortable and provide the shoulders with more protection.
Check out the fantastic range of affordable school bags and backpacks online or pop into your local Wynsors store to grab yours! For more back-to-school advice, head over to our blog, packed full of useful tips for parents and handy shopping guides.
