10 of the best school bags for big and little learners
From kindergarten to high school and even university, the best school backpacks and bags will ensure your kids have everything they need while supporting their spine health.
The back to school (or starting school) period involves a lot of shopping and organisation. But choosing the right school bag can be a bigger decision than many people realise. Size, material, weight… they’re all important back to school decisions to ensure that your child has the best bag for them and their spine, whatever their age.
Plus, you want one that lasts too, right? By making the right choices, you can find a school bag that will last the test of time.
10 of the best school backpacks for 2025
To help you choose a backpack for the school year (and beyond), we’ve made a list of our top 10 based on features including the size, shoulder and back support, design and price.
Bluey Backpack
from $20 at Target
Designed for school and beyond, this Bluey Backpack is perfect for carrying books, snacks, and all your little one’s essentials.
Key features:
- Dimensions: 40cm (H) x 29cm (W) x 13cm (D)
- Two main compartments with zipper openings
- Mesh side pocket
- Padded adjustable shoulder straps
- Hanger-hook tab
Mambo Barrel 4-Piece Set – Floral
from $45, Big W
This set is not just stylish – it’s great value too, featuring a backpack, pencil case, drink bottle, and lunch bag all in one bundle.
It’s also available in three other prints to suit different styles, and the actual backpack has padded shoulder straps and a padded back panel for comfort and support.
Key features:
- Dimensions: 46cm (H) x 30cm (W) x 13cm (D)
- Set Includes; Backpack, Pencil Case, Lunch Bags and Water Bottle
- Large main compartment for books and other essentials
- Front pockets and two side mesh pockets
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
Quiksilver The Poster Logo Medium Backpack in Estate Blue
from $29.99 (usually $49.99) at Myer
This Quiksilver backpack is ideal for heading to school, hitting the slopes or just about any other excursion you can imagine.
With a handy outer pocket and thoughtfully designed internal compartments, it keeps all your gear neatly organised and ready for whatever the day brings.
Key features:
- Includes an internal laptop pocket, and fleece lined goggle pocket
- Moulded shoulder straps and adjustable sternum strap
- Removable waist belt
- Comfortable air mesh at back
- Vertical snowboard carry system
- Vertical ski carry system
- Shovel and probe rescue compartment
- Volume: 16 L capacity
VASCHY Kids lightweight waterproof backpack
from $41.98 at Amazon
This small backpack features a fun, colourful collage of dinosaurs and can easily fit a lunch, two small notebooks, two books and a water bottle, while keeping everything organised.
It also has padded shoulder straps and an adjustable chest strap for extra stability and comfort. A best-seller on Amazon (it was #2 for kids backpacks when we wrote this), it also comes in over 10 prints to suit different styles and interests.
Key features:
- Waterproof, lightweight material
- Includes an inner divider that fits an A4 tablet, activity books and more
- Padded shoulder straps and adjustable chest straps
- Zippered front pocket organiser
- Side pockets
- 11.5 L capacity
Fjallraven Kanken Rainbow Backpack
from $132.96 (usually $189.95) at The Iconic
This compact rainbow-strapped backpack is perfect for school, uni or work. Made from durable, water-resistant Vinylon F fabric, it features comfy straps, a built-in seat pad, and plenty of pockets store stationery and accessories.
With a reflective logo and an address tag inside, it’s as functional as it is fun and is sure to brighten up anyone’s day.
Key features:
- Dimensions: 36cm (H) x 27cm (W) x 12cm (D)
- Woven shell
- Fixed top handle
- External zipped pocket
- Pocketed design
- Zip closure
- Branded design
- Adjustable shoulder straps
3 Piece Gamer Backpack Set – Anko
from $20 at Target
Budding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fans will adore this gamer-print backpack set, perfect for school or excursions.
The set includes a backpack, an insulated lunch bag and a 600ml water bottle for all their daily adventures.
Key features:
- Backpack dimensions: 45cm (H) x 31cm (W) x 16.5cm (D)
- Backpack has padded shoulder straps and padded back with main compartment and 2 side mesh pockets
- Insulated lunch bag
- Water bottle is BPA free
Puma Phase II Backpack
from $45 at Myer
With adjustable padded shoulder straps and a padded back panel, comfort is a priority for the popular Puma Phase II Backpack. It also has a two-way zip main compartment, zip front pocket, and side mesh pocket to keep school items organised and secure.
Key features:
- Two-way zip opening for easy access to the main compartment
- Zip opening for the front pocket
- One side mesh pocket for extra storage
- Puma branded 150D polyester lining with PU backing for durability
- Adjustable, padded shoulder straps with binding for comfort
- Reflective Puma Cat branded loop for visibility
- Padded back panel with stitching detail for extra support
- Webbing carry handle for easy transport
- Branded metal zip pullers on the main and front pockets
- Reflective tape for added safety and style
3 Piece Good Vibes Backpack Set – Anko
from $20 at Target
This adorable bundle includes a backpack with padded shoulder straps for added comfort, an insulated lunch bag to keep meals fresh, and a 600ml BPA-free water bottle.
The backpack also features fun, removable charms and plenty of pockets to keep all your kid’s essentials organised and easy to find.
Key features:
- Includes; backpack, insulated lunch bag, water bottle and seven novelty charms
- Backpack has padded shoulder straps and padded back with main compartment and two side mesh pockets
- Insulated lunch bag
- Water bottle is BPA free
Santa Cruz MFG Dot Backpack
from $39.99 (usually $54.99) at City Beach
Head back to school in style with the Santa Cruz MFG Dot Backpack. Built to last, this durable polyester backpack features two zippered compartments, a padded laptop sleeve, mesh drink bottle holders, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and bold Santa Cruz graphics for a standout look.
Key features:
- Zip closure
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Padded back
- Side drink bottle holders
Seed Heritage Initial Backpack
from $59.95 at Myer
Perfect for personalisation with your kid’s initial, this backpack is roomy enough for everything they need, featuring a top handle, front zip pocket, stretchy side pockets, and adjustable straps for a comfy fit.
The colour-block design and quilted finish make it the ultimate choice for everyday adventures.
Key features:
- Top handle
- Initial patch or blank design available
- Front zip pocket
- Zip around opening
- Elasticated side pockets
- Seed logo patch
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Durable fabric
- Dimensions: 35cm (H) x 27cm (W) x 13cm (D)
Choosing the right-sized school bag for your child
As cute as a little kindergartener may look with a backpack that is bigger than them, ideally a child’s backpack should be proportionate to their size. A simple way to check this is if they’re sitting down with it on their back, it should not extend up past their shoulders, and it should not be wider than their chest.
Once you have the right size, the shoulder straps should be adjusted so your child can stand and walk straight without having to lean forward for balance. The base of the bag should not be lower than their hips
The wrong sized bag, or wearing the right sized bag in the wrong way, can contribute to acute and long-term spinal problems, it’s so important to get it right. Encourage your child to always wear their backpack correctly, with both straps on their shoulders from an early age.
Is a 25 L backpack good for school?
A 25 L backpack is typically considered to be a medium-sized bag, which could be a good choice for high school students as they need to carry more books, sports clothes and other gear. For primary school, kindergarten or daycare, you might want to focus on backpacks with a volume range between 11 L and 23 L, depending on how much your kids need to fit in there.
Not sure what the volume means? It’s typically calculated based on a bag’s dimensions. So, for example, a 25 L backpack might have dimensions around 48cm (H) x 30cm (W) x 17cm (D).
What to look for in a school bag
So what kind of bag should you be looking for? As a mum of four, my tips are first and foremost to find one that is washable, or at least wipeable. Kids are gross.
Similarly, we would suggest finding one with a drink bottle pocket on the outside to help keep inside contents dry.
For practicality I would suggest finding a good sturdy bag that looks like it will make it out of the playground alive. Choose one with a solid, reinforced base that will survive asphalt scrapes, with the rest of the bag made from a material that will hold it’s shape, and is waterproof, or comes with a waterproof cover.
