Guides
School bag guides, without the affiliate links
Sizes, fit, waterproofing and cleaning for children's school bags and nursery backpacks. We make a bag, so every figure here is either ours or taken from another brand's own product page.
- ComparisonBest kids school bags: an honest comparisonThe best kids school bag is the one that fits A4 books flat, keeps rain out at the opening rather than only on the fabric, and can be fastened by the child without help.
- Buying guideSchool backpacks for kids: how to choose one bag that lastsA kids school backpack should be about 10 litres and roughly 32 cm by 25 cm so A4 sits flat, weigh no more than a tenth of the child's body weight when loaded, and close in a way the child can manage alone.
- Buying guideSchool rucksacks for primary school: size, fit and book bagsA primary school rucksack of about 10 to 14 litres, roughly 32 cm by 25 cm, takes a reading folder flat with lunch and a bottle, and it should sit between the shoulders and the waist.
- ComparisonBest toddler backpacks and rucksacks: what to compareA good toddler backpack holds about 2 to 10 litres depending on age, closes in a way the child can manage alone, and wipes clean, because a toddler's bag spends its life on the ground.
- Buying guideNursery backpacks and nursery bags: what to look forA nursery backpack needs about 10 litres, roughly 32 cm by 25 cm, to hold a full change of clothes with lunch, a bottle and a folder, and it should wipe clean and open without adult help.
- Buying guideNursery bag for a 3 year old: what to pack and what to buyFor a 3 year old, a nursery bag of around 10 litres, roughly 32 cm by 25 cm, holds a full change of clothes, a lunch box, a bottle and a folder, and the child should be able to open and close it unaided.
- Buying guideWaterproof kids backpacks: what actually keeps the rain outA backpack is only genuinely waterproof if the material itself keeps water out, the seams are welded or taped rather than sewn, and the opening closes without leaving a gap.
- Buying guideWaterproof school bags: how to pick one that lasts the yearA waterproof school bag needs to take A4 books flat, close at the top without a zip, and have welded seams and a reinforced base, because that is where school bags fail first.
- Buying guideWaterproof rucksacks for kids: roll top, welded seams, no rain coverA kids rucksack is only waterproof if the material itself blocks water, the seams are welded or taped rather than sewn, and the opening closes with no gap, which in practice means a roll top rather than a zip.
- Size guideSchool bag size guide: will A4 fit, and what size by ageA4 paper is 29.7 cm by 21 cm, so a school bag needs internal dimensions of at least about 31 cm by 23 cm to take books flat; around 10 litres suits most children aged 3 to 10.
- Size guideWhat size school bag for a 4 year old?A 4 year old needs a school bag of about 10 litres, roughly 32 cm high by 25 cm wide by 12 cm deep, which takes an A4 reading folder flat with lunch and a bottle and is no wider than their shoulders.
- How toHow to clean a school bag: mud, paint, spills and smellsEmpty the bag, brush off dry mud, then wipe it with warm water and a little washing-up liquid and air dry it away from heat; keep any waterproof bag out of the washing machine.