Change of clothes? Check. Water bottle? Check. Extra jacket? Check. Random treasures collected on the way? Also check. When a toddler starts daycare or preschool, they also start needing their own backpack. And at the end of day, you want everything to fit without bursting the zips.
Enter the toddler backpack. It’s compact, yet roomy. Fun, yet practical, with a special place for all the essentials. Yes, that includes the pebble they found next to the bus stop.
So, fasten those adorable straps, pack up those pint-sized treasures, and let’s dive in.
Tips for buying a bag for toddlers
- Can you hang it on a hook off the floor?
- Is it easy for little hands to open and close the zips?
- Is it big enough to carry everything they need for the day; lunchbox, change of clothes, book/toy, soiled clothes/nappies, jumper etc
- Is it lightweight so it’s still comfy to carry when fully loaded?
- Does it have a drink bottle holder on the outside?
- Is the drink holder large enough to fit your drink bottle? (or do you have to buy a matching one?)
- Does it have a separate pocket on the outside for notes?
- Will the backpack fit into the cube storage box at daycare?
- Is it a unique design or have personalisation to help them find their bag easily?
- How do you clean it? (they will get filthy)
Tie a ribbon or tag something to the ends of the fiddly zips so it’s easier for little kids to open and close the zippers.
OUR PICK OF THE CROP
17 Toddler Backpacks Mums Recommend
As baby product experts with 16 years of experience and a community of over 100,000 Australian mums, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect backpack for your little one’s next school adventure.
Below, you’ll find 17 of the best toddler backpacks recommended by the mums from our Grapeviner community, listed in no particular order.
TRIXIE
TRIXIE Backpacks ($59.95)
These adorable backpacks feature adjustable padded shoulder straps, a convenient top handle and a chest strap to prevent slipping. They’re ideal for daycare or any exciting journey with a spacious main compartment, a handy front pocket and a water-repellent design.
One customer left the review, “We love this backpack. He’s the second in our family. And both boys are super happy! So are the parents too.”
Material: 100% cotton & water repellent coating
Size: 31 x 23 cm
Washability: Spot clean only
Tinyme
Tinyme Personalised Backpacks (from $43)
Offering a plethora of personalisation options, Tinyme backpacks are ideal for all daycare or school essentials. Packed with features including zippered compartments, a drink bottle holder, padded back and adjustable straps these backpacks are irresistibly cute, you might want one for yourself!
“These backpacks have been amazing from daycare to primary school. My daughter has used hers for 2-3 years now and we’ve just purchased one for her younger brother! The size is perfect, and the bags are comfortable.” said one customer online.
Material: 600 denier polyester
Size: Junior – 33cm x 22cm x 10cm, Everyday – 40cm x 29cm x 10cm
Washability: Spot clean only
Penny Scallan
Penny Scallan Kids’ Backpacks (from $39.95)
Bursting with colour and cuteness, Penny Scallan backpacks have a roomy central compartment and adjustable shoulder straps. We love that they come in three sizes and feature a scratchproof and water-resistant coating to withstand years of use.
One reviewer said, “This backpack is just as it looks in the picture! The colours are vibrant and the pattern is happy and playful. Extremely well made and the fabric is great!”
Material: 100% coated cotton canvas
Size: Small – 26cm x 20cm x 7.5cm, Medium – 34cm x 26cm x 16cm, Large – 39cm x 29.5cm x 20cm
Washability: Machine wash on a cold gentle cycle
Alimasy
Alimasy Kids’ Waterproof Backpacks ($58.99)
Sure to stand out with colour galore, Alimasy medium backpacks are built to last with a lifetime guarantee. Made from 100% waterproof fabric and zips, they feature two spacious pockets and two deep elasticised side pockets. We love the padded base and handy hook for keeping it off the floor.
One mum commented “Honestly this is the only brand of bags I’m buying from now on. The quality is beyond expectations, my 5-year-old and one-year-old love the colours and prints. They’re stylish, comfortable and durable, and even waterproof.”
Material: Water-resistant 600 denier polyester
Size: Midsize – 40cm x 30cm x 18cm, Large – 46cm x 32cm x 18cm
Washability: Spot clean only
Confetti Kidz
Confetti Kidz Early Years Backpacks ($52.95)
Crafted with the coolest and most unique designs, these backpacks are perfect companions for babies, daycare and kindy-aged children. With their vibrant prints and durable construction, these backpacks add a splash of fun to your child’s day.
Material: Water-resistant shell
Size: 33cm x 29cm
Washability: Machine washable
Wonderland4Children
Wonderland4Children Backpacks (from $57.75)
Available in two sizes for both daycare and school, these bags come with easily adjustable straps, a comfortable padded back panel and a water-resistant surface adding an extra layer of protection. We found them to be lightweight and super comfy to wear, even when fully loaded.
“Beautiful design and lot more spacious than I originally thought. It fits so much, perfect size for our little girl!” said one happy customer.
Material: Water-resistant 600 denier polyester
Size: Mini – 32cm x 29cm x 10cm, Small – 40cm x 31cm x 16cm
Washability: Spot clean only
jude&moo
jude&moo Kids’ Backpacks ($69.95)
Buckle up for playtime adventures and turn everyday outings into epic journeys. These vibrant vehicle designs come with adjustable straps, roomy compartments, and fun extras like bottle pockets and d-clips make these backpacks perfect for preschool, playdates, and beyond!
A reviewer wrote, “Love this backpack so much! My 4-year-old has one, he’s had it for a couple of years & it’s still great, we decided to get one for his little cousin. Excellent quality, excellent size!”
Material: Waterproof coated polyester
Size: 38cm x 29cm x 20cm
Washability: Spot clean only
MontiiCo
MontiiCo Kids Backpacks ($69.95)
The perfect bag for kids and adults alike, these lightweight and durable bags boast three zip-up sections, a padded laptop sleeve and deep side pockets. With comfortable, adjustable shoulder straps and a convenient handle, it’s ideal for school, travel, sleepovers and more!
“I’ve bought this backpack for my daughter to start school with and cannot wait to give it to her. It’s a perfect size and has multiple pockets- perfect for lunchboxes, books and homework.”
Material: Water-resistant fabric
Size: 45cm x 38cm x 23cm
Washability: Machine washable
The Custom Co
The Custom Co Toddler Backpacks ($94.95)
Ideal for daycare and primary school, these backpacks offer a perfect blend of spaciousness and convenience. Padded adjustable straps, front and inner pockets, a mesh bottle holder, and anti-fading fabric ensure durability. Perfect for your little ones’ needs and comfort.
One please grandmother commented, “The backpacks are well made and you can wash them in the washing machine! My granddaughter loves it!”
Material: Polyester blended canvas
Size: 37cm x 25cm x 10cm
Washability: Machine washable
Spatz
Spatz Personalised Kids’ Backpacks (from $54.95)
Featuring beautiful hand-illustrated designs, Spatz backpacks can be personalised for easy identification. Made from super durable black canvas to withstand rough use (and hide the dirt), they’re easy to clean and have a padded back and adjustable straps.
“The quality of these backpacks and other products is so good. I bought a backpack for my now 6-year-old grandson 5 years ago for daycare and it is still going strong.” said one happy customer.
Material: Durable canvas
Size: 44cm x 30cm x 15cm
Washability: Cold machine wash
Little Renegade Company
Little Renegade Company Kids’ Backpacks (from $49.95)
These backpacks offer the perfect balance of size and style for parents who prefer a compact yet essential bag. We loved the unzippable bottom that reveals a mesh base to allow you to shake out crumbs, dirt, and sand or simply to aerate the bag.
“This backpack has been amazing so far – it is nice and roomy, and easy to open and close. The separate pockets at the front have been handy for notes, a hat etc. Very happy with the quality too!”
Material: Durable canvas
Size: Mini – 25cm x 32cm x 10cm, Midi – 30cm x 42cm x 15cm
Washability: Hand wash only
More of our favourites…
Know a daycare backpack to add to our list? Contact us and let us know, we’ve been curating Australia’s best baby products into helpful lists for over 15 years and we’re always happy to support new brands and businesses.
Read next …
- 13 Kids Library Bags That Aren’t Too Big
- 10 brilliant ways to help kids write their name
- 13 Insulated Lunch Bags That Are Easy to Clean
- DIY heart hug buttons for anxious kids
Ask other mums
Looking for backpack for your little one’s school adventures and still not sure if any of these are right for you? Join the huge Grapeviner community in one of our private Facebook Due Date Groups and ask thousands of other mums with babies the same age as yours which ones they recommend. Get answers today!
We want you to know
We’re Mum’s Grapevine, a team of mums who’ve been there and done that (we have a combined 19 kids, so we know a thing or two about parenting!). We’ve been writing about all things baby and parenting for over 16 years, and we’re passionate about helping new mums find the best products for their little ones.
Sometimes, we do include paid inclusions in our reviews, but we promise that we only recommend products that we truly believe in and have either used or personally seen. Our goal is to give you, our Grapeviner mums, the inside scoop on the latest and greatest parenting products, and we’re always striving to maintain our high standards of quality and honesty.
Thanks for trusting us to be your go-to source for all things baby-related!
xoxo
