5 Best Toddler Backpacks, Tested by Five Tots Under Five

The Bump takeaway: The Itzy Ritzy Toddler Backpack is our overall best toddler backpack because its toddler-friendly size encourages independence while still offering enough room for daily essentials, all in a comfortable, durable and thoughtfully designed package.

After putting a range of toddler backpacks to the test, the Itzy Ritzy Toddler Backpack rose to the top. It’s adorable and holds everything they need, but what really sold our tester was how much her 2-year-old son loved it.

“He didn’t want to take it off,” Christine says. “He wore it all around the house and never once asked me to carry it for him when we were out—which, as a parent of a toddler, is pretty rare!” The padded straps are comfortable, the size feels empowering for a toddler and the clean, modern design made him feel like he had a “real” backpack, just like his big brother.

Size and capacity
Part of this backpack's success was undoubtedly its size. While many mini backpacks either feel oversized or barely hold anything, this one hits the sweet spot. “It doesn’t swamp him, but I was able to pack pull-ups, a change of clothes, snacks and a stuffed animal, with room left over for a small water bottle in the side pocket,” Christine shares. “That’s everything we’d need for a day out or a playdate.” It doesn’t fit a folder, but at this age, that’s not something they need.

Durability and design
The Itzy Ritzy is made from a soft but durable cotton canvas, which gives it a nice feel. While the canvas is flexible, it has a polyester lining that adds structure, helping the backpack stay upright and keep its shape while Christine's little one wears it. “It feels incredibly sturdy overall,” she says. “The stitching is clean and solid, and even the plastic buckles feel like they can withstand some serious wear.” She can also see it holding up through daily use and eventually becoming a great hand-me-down.

For quick outings, daycare or any occasion where a toddler is ready for a bit of independence, this backpack just works. “It’s cute, comfortable and really thoughtfully designed for this age,” Christine says.

Dimensions: 4.5" (L) x 11" (H) x 12" (H) | Capacity: 9.7 L | Weight: 11.7 oz. | Materials: 100% cotton canvas (exterior fabric); 100% polyester (interior fabric) | Age range: 18+ months | Fits a manila folder: N | Side pockets: Y | Safety harness: N

The Bump takeaway: The Skip Hop Zoo Mini Backpack is our best budget-friendly toddler backpack because it offers impressive quality, a playful toddler-approved design and plenty of room for everyday essentials, all at an affordable price.

If you’re looking for a high-quality toddler backpack that won’t break the bank, Skip Hop Zoo Mini Backpack is a total winner. It rings up for notably less money than the other options on our list, but I still absolutely loved the overall look and style of this backpack at first sight. And my son agreed.

As soon as I showed it to him, his eyes lit up and he immediately said, “Put it on! Put it on!” Toddlers can be opinionated, so getting their approval is half the battle. This one got two enthusiastic thumbs-up from my little guy.

Size and capacity
Toddler backpacks can be too small sometimes for the amount of stuff small children need. The Zoo Mini backpack is lightweight yet durable and super roomy. I could easily fit a water bottle, snacks, toys and even a small book! And for my almost-2-year-old, the size and capacity strike a fantastic balance, giving him a sense of independence without overwhelming them. That’s especially important at this age when toddlers are eager to do more and more on their own.

It’s also easy for little hands to manage, with a smooth zipper and single compartment that makes packing and unpacking painless. Their tiny fingers can’t navigate tiny pockets too well! At this rate, I could see it working well for travel, too, so your toddler feels like they're in charge of their own belongings on an airplane.

Safety harness and fit
If you have a runner on your hands, Skip Hop also offers the perfect solution: a four-foot safety harness you can attach to the bottom of the backpack. That said, because of where it attaches, I found the tether tended to pull the backpack upward. Still, it’s an easy and useful solution to help keep your little one on track when you’re exploring a busier environment.

The only minor downside I found was that the padded straps were a bit stiff, and the chest clip doesn’t offer much adjustability, which could make getting a comfortable fit trickier with bulky jackets or as your toddler grows.

Durability and design
For the price point, I was shocked at the quality and thoughtfulness of the designs. The zoo animals have charming 3-D details—from the narwhal’s metallic horn and tail to its sewn-on flippers and button eyes—that give the backpack a playful, almost handcrafted feel. It’s the kind of detail that makes it feel special, more like a little piece of art than a typical toddler backpack.

There are also so many animals to choose from, giving kids a chance to pick one that matches their personality. My personal favorites were the llama, octopus and narwhal. I love when children’s products really lean into the element of choice, which is such an emerging importance for kiddos this age. It’s a small but meaningful way to give little ones a sense of ownership.

The Skip Hop Zoo Mini Backpack offers great value for your money. It’s well-made and perfectly sized for little ones to increase their independence by carrying their own belongings and treasures. Everybody wins.

Dimensions: 9" (H) x 7.25" (W) x 3.5" (D) | Capacity: 3.7 L | Weight: 0.5 lbs | Materials: Polyester | Age rating: 1 to 4 years | Fits a manila folder: N | Side pockets: Y | Safety harness: Y

The Bump takeaway: The Ten Little Recycled Backpack is our best toddler backpack for hand-me-downs because it’s made from recycled materials, built to withstand everyday use and designed to be passed from one child to the next.

Some toddler backpacks are designed to get a year or two of use before a child moves on to something bigger. The Ten Little Recycled Backpack takes a different approach, with thoughtful features that make it especially well suited to being passed from one child to the next.

One particularly nice detail is the interior name tag, which has room for three names, with “pass it on” printed between the lines. It’s a small feature, but one that makes the backpack’s hand-me-down purpose unmistakable.

Size and capacity
At 12 inches tall, Korin thought the backpack was a good size for toddlers, telling us “it felt like a true toddler backpack.” The oversized zippers were another hit for little hands: “The big teeth on the zipper allowed my daughter to easily zip and unzip the bag, and I didn’t worry about her little fingers getting caught.”

The backpack also includes a chest clip, which kept it snug and secure while her daughter wore it comfortably on walks and park outings. Korin initially worried that the clip might not be as durable as the rest of the design—it “looks a little flimsy,” she says—but after clipping and unclipping it 25 times in a row, it continued to work without issue. What’s more, it proved a hit for her one-year-old, too. “She popped the backpack right on, clipped it on and was happy to show it off to everyone,” adds Korin.

Hand-me-down features
The backpack’s sustainability-minded design extends to customization, too. Ten Little sells removable weatherproof custom sticker patches that kids can use to decorate their bag, then swap out as it gets passed to a sibling or another child. That means each child can put their own stamp on the backpack without making it permanently theirs.

Durability and design
As our tester Korin says after using it with her one-year-old, “Ten Little is big on reusing things, and clearly designed this backpack with hand-me-downs in mind.” Made from 100% recycled polyester, it combines a sturdy, durable design with clever details that help extend its life beyond just one child. That durability held up in real-world testing, too. “My daughter took it to the park a few times—and even wore it on the swings—and it had no issues,” Korin says.

In a time when many families are thinking more carefully about what they buy and how long those products will last, the Ten Little Recycled Backpack stands out as a thoughtful choice: It’s made from recycled materials, built for durability and intentionally designed to be loved by more than one child.

Dimensions: 4" (L) x 10" (W) x 12" (H) | Capacity: 8 L | Weight: 11.7 oz. | Materials: 100% recycled polyester | Age rating: 2 to 5 years | Fits a manila folder: N | Side pockets: Y | Safety harness: N

The Bump takeaway: With its roomy 15-liter capacity, comfortable fit and practical design, the Herschel Heritage Kids Backpack gives growing preschoolers the space and support they need as they move beyond their first toddler backpack.

When a toddler is ready to make the leap into preschool, they're going to need a larger backpack that’ll level up with them. The Herschel Heritage Kids Backpack is an excellent choice for preschoolers aged 3 and up who are starting to outgrow the smaller, cutesier backpacks designed for toddlers.

Size and capacity
With a 15-liter capacity, the Herschel Heritage Backpack has the space kids need for daily essentials like a lunchbox, water bottle, a change of clothes and a manilla folder—all without overwhelming a preschooler’s frame. Korin, who tried it with both her one-year-old and 4-year-old, found the backpack most certainly hits the sweet spot for kids past the age of 3.

Practical without feeling overbuilt, the preschool backpack features a spacious main compartment, an exterior zip pocket and a large water bottle holder that Korin says was “the largest of all the backpacks I tested.” Thick, padded shoulder straps add comfort, while the chest clip helps keep the backpack secure and distribute the weight more evenly.

Korin especially appreciated the adjustable straps with secure elastic bands, which kept excess strap material neatly tucked away rather than dangling. Her 4-year-old wore it comfortably to preschool and on playground outings with no complaints, noting it felt smooth and comfortable against her back.

Durability and design
Herschel's backpack is made from 100% polyester and feels as sturdy as regular backpacks. “I have an adult Herschel backpack and this feels very similar,” Korin tells us, though noting the zipper teeth and pulls are far larger on this toddler option. One subtle-but-welcome design feature? “A mesh lining on the inside of the straps to lower the risk of sweat marks.”

While the functionality makes this a particularly good preschool pick, the backpack still has plenty of kid appeal. “Both my daughters were drawn to the backpack’s bold floral print, and it survived a tug of war over who got to use it first just fine,” Korin says.

That combination of a roomier capacity, comfortable fit and fun design makes the Herschel Heritage Kids Backpack a great step up when your preschooler has outgrown their first toddler backpack and is ready for something that can carry them through the next stage.

Dimensions: 5" (L) x 10.5" (W) x 14" (H) | Capacity: 15 L | Weight: 0.85 lb | Materials:100% Polyester | Age rating: 3 to 7 years | Fits a manila folder: N | Side pockets: Y | Safety harness: N

The Bump takeaway: The STEAMEDBUN Kids Backpack is our best backpack for kindergarten because its lightweight design, roomy interior and durable, water-resistant construction make it easy for young students to use independently year after year.

They may be big enough for kindergarten, but tell that to your 5-year-old’s small frame. The temptation to stick with a toddler backpack that doesn’t hit the backs of their knees or make them topple backward helplessly is strong. That is until you open the school email and realize a life of endlessly forcing folders, artwork and winter gear into a tiny space is not for you.

What stood out to me about the STEAMEDBUN Kids Backpack was how streamlined it is. I’ve seen plenty of little kids practically swallowed by their backpacks, but that’s not the case here. Your child looks like they’re wearing the backpack, not the other way around. And despite its lightweight feel, the STEAMEDBUN has plenty of room for everything a kindergartener needs.

Size and capacity
The STEAMEDBUN’s spacious main compartment easily fits a 15-inch manilla folder, along with binders, books and other school supplies, without having to bend corners or wrestle with the zipper. There’s also a large front pocket for smaller essentials like pencils, markers and little treasures.

I actually appreciate that there aren’t a ton of smaller compartments; the simple layout makes it easy for a 5-year-old to pack, unpack and find their own things independently. There’s even a nametag inside where they can proudly write their name. And when it comes to fit, the straps were easily adjustable and I could get a good fit on my son. More importantly, he could pick up the bag and put it on by himself no problem.

Durability and design
The lightweight polyester is surprisingly durable and water-resistant. To put it to the test, I literally held it under my kitchen faucet and the water rolled off of it like a dinner plate. If you live somewhere with frequent rain, that level of water resistance is a major perk! I also appreciated the reflective fabric on the straps for added visibility and safety. I just wish there were reflective details on the back of the backpack as well, so children would be more visible to cars from behind.

With its simple shape, subtle diamond detail and vibrant color combinations, the STEAMEDBUN has a bit of a retro, 1980s-inspired feel. There are 16 different color combinations ranging from classic primary color combo of blue red and yellow to a more contemporary combination of mint green, pink and dark gray. I initially wondered whether my child would be drawn to a backpack without a design on it, but he loved the colors and diamond detail.

While some kids’ backpacks are loaded with bells and whistles, the STEAMEDBUN keeps things straightforward. And honestly, I kind of love that. Kids get to choose a color combination that feels like them, while the classic design is something that won’t go out of style, allowing it to grow with them from kindergarten and beyond.

Dimensions: 5" (L) x 12" (W) x 17" (H) | Capacity: 15 L | Weight: 0.97 lbs. | Materials: Polyester | Age rating: 5+ years | Fits a manila folder: Y | Side pockets: Y | Safety harness: N