Back to School: Best backpacks for preschoolers/ pre-k

July 29, 4:07 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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Backpacks are an essential back to school item for kids of all ages, even preschoolers getting ready to make their school debut.

It can be hard to find backpacks that are proportionate to preschoolers. The ones I've seen in most stores swallow up my preschooler (who is in the 75% in size for her age) because they're really bulky and too big for her to carry comfortably.

But there are some great ones out there. I've done the hunting for you. Here's a look at the best...

Blabla backpacks from Blablakids.com - These are the cutest packs. They come in butterfly, ladybug, tiger, dog, kitty, giraffes, piggy, koala, and frog. The Blabla backpack is made out of 100% natural cotton, is machine washable, and has one zippered fully-lined pocket. They're handmade in Peru by local artisans (paid with fair trade wages). The Blabla packs have a small pouch to fit their small size. But they can still fit a pencil case filled with markers, a snack and a juice box. Once kids need to carry around a folder - the Blabla bags need to move to the "purse" category because they're much too small for that but will last well past the preschool stage!They're high quality bags and will last you well through your tot's elementary years.

DanteBeatrix Little Kid Backpacks from Oompa.com - From bees to dinosaurs and sharks to penguins, DanteBeatrix has some cute little packs for kids 2-5 years old. They have padded backpanels and padded straps with a top hook for hanging up at school. There's a label on the back to write your child's name and a contact  phone number. The front has the cute design - we have the lady bug and she is adorably friendly- plus a ring  for hooking on whatever you might need to. Inside there's a big pocket that can serve as a pencil case or a spot for sunglasses to wear out at recess. The inside is roomy  enough to pack a spare set of clothes, a lunch and homework too. Though loading as much as can fit in this one would weigh your tot down quite a bit. But it  stays small and manageable with just a few things inside. My two year old  (in the 90th percentile for her age) easily carts this pack with a few library books in it around town - and LOVES doing so!

Skip Hop Zoo Packs from Gifts.com - This is such a cool toddler backpack. The pack itself is the animal's face. We have the dog pack and dig it so much. It's made with kid-safe materials - BPA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free. The outter pouch is insulated to keep a juice box and snack cool. There's an expandable mesh pouch on the side - perfect for holding a water bottle or sippy cup. The straps are padded and there's a big top handle for easy carrying and hanging up at school. The zipper is little-kid designed too - with a big pull tag (in the case of the dog it's a bone shapped pull). The inside is one big area big enough to fit a change of clothes and homework with a spot to write your tot's name.

Personalizable Toddler Backpacks from FourPeasOnline.com - With a design to match almost every personality these backpacks are cool and won't be mistaken for one of another kid in the class - as they're also personalizable. Your little one will love seeing his or her name front and center across the top of the pack! All of Four Peas packs are PVC-free and they have coordinating lunch packs if you need one of those too. It has padded straps and a padded top handle. These backpacks have two areas to store stuff. The outter pocket is pefect for a sandwich, juice box and pencils. It also has a label to write contact info. The big part is one giant section - with more room for stuff than your toddler can possibly carry -so don't stuff it all the way. This one is plenty big for a full size folder (and lots more), so Kindergartners can easily use it as well.

Super Pooki Backpack from Oompa.com -  Made by Pooki and Co out of Paris, France this bag is fun and functional for wee ones. It cleans easily and is a simple design. The straps are padded for comfort and have a reflective stripe down them for safety. The inside is one big area -perfect for a few kids books or a spare outfit and snack -with a small zipper pocket -  a good size for keeping sunglasses, lunch money or crayons, but not much else.