When browsing dozens of colorful backpacks online, it's easy to focus solely on which design catches the eye most. This is understandable—after all, the child will be wearing it—but for a preschooler, equally important, if not more so, are factors that are not immediately visible: wearing comfort, structural safety, and whether the backpack truly serves the child instead of hindering them. Below, we've gathered everything worth paying attention to before you click "buy"—including details that are easy to overlook during a quick first purchase.
Capacity tailored to age
A larger backpack doesn't necessarily mean a better one, and this is one of the most common mistakes when buying for the first time. For a child aged 3-5, a capacity of 20-22 liters is ideal—this is perfectly sufficient for an entire day, and at the same time, it doesn't encourage stuffing unnecessary items that only burden small backs. For an older child starting school and carrying more textbooks, models closer to 25-30 liters will work better—it's worth checking out the collection for older children, where sizes are already adapted to this stage.
Material matters
Not every fabric handles daily tugging, dropping on the floor, and stuffing into lockers equally well. The most common materials are polyester, nylon, and so-called Oxford—a densely woven fabric that copes exceptionally well with abrasions and intensive use. If the backpack also has a waterproof coating, the contents remain dry even during sudden rain on the way to preschool—a small detail that you'll particularly appreciate in autumn.
Wide, soft shoulder straps
It is the shoulder straps that determine whether a child will wear the backpack willingly or reluctantly. A good model distributes the weight evenly across both shoulders, so it's worth checking if the straps are wide enough and if they can be adjusted—children grow, and a backpack should last at least a season, so the ability to adjust the length is really useful. Contoured, softly padded shoulder straps further reduce pressure on the shoulders, which is important when carrying a backpack for many hours a day.
Weight of the backpack itself
Before you even put anything into it, the backpack itself already has some weight—and that also matters. For a preschooler, a good reference point is 300-400 grams empty; lightweight materials like polyester or nylon work much better here than heavy, rigid constructions. Every hundred grams less means genuinely less burden for a small, still-developing spine, which translates into greater comfort throughout the day.
Zippers and fasteners easy for children
If the preschooler is to open and close the backpack themselves—and most at this age already try—large, convenient zippers make a huge difference. Tiny, stiff sliders often lead to frustration for the child and the need for teacher assistance every time they need supplies. It's also worth checking if the main compartment opens wide enough to easily take everything out at once, without rummaging around inside.
Additional pockets - necessary or superfluous?
One or two additional outside pockets are a great convenience for storing a pacifier, gloves, or tissues—the child quickly learns where everything is. However, too many compartments for a small child often result in lost items in the wrong pocket, as it's hard for them to remember a complex system. In practice, simplicity works better here than extended functionality reminiscent of a hiking backpack.
A motif the child genuinely likes
Finally, we return to the starting point—because the child will wear this backpack every day, so it's really worth asking for their opinion. In our offer, you will find backpacks with capybara, dinosaur, or mermaid motifs, among others—the variety of designs allows us to cater to the taste of virtually every toddler. A backpack with a favorite motif is not only about aesthetics but also an additional incentive on more difficult mornings when leaving the house can be harder than usual.
Summary
- ✔ Capacity of 20-22 liters for preschoolers
- ✔ Oxford or polyester material, preferably with a waterproof coating
- ✔ Wide, adjustable shoulder straps
- ✔ Lightweight material - up to 400 g when empty
- ✔ Large, easy-to-use zippers
- ✔ Design chosen together with the child
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a preschool backpack last?
Usually one to two seasons, depending on the child's growth rate and intensity of use.
Is it worth buying a backpack with room to grow?
A small amount of room is fine, but a backpack that is too large will be uncomfortable—it's better to choose a size that fits the child's current height.
View the full collection of preschool backpacks and find the perfect one.