Outdoors
Kids hiking backpacks: what a small child can actually carry
A child's hiking backpack should be about 10 litres, weigh under about half a kilo empty, have a chest strap and padded straps, and be waterproof, so it carries a drink, a snack and a spare layer without slowing them down.
Updated
Children walk further when they carry their own bag. They also stop sooner if the bag is heavy, rubs or lets their snack get soggy.
Here is what to look for in a day pack for a small walker.
plop in short
- 10L waterproof roll-top backpack for children aged 3 to 10.
- 32 cm high, 25 cm wide, 13 cm deep and about 450 g, so A4 books sit flat.
- Soft matte TPU fabric with welded seams, a reinforced base and a hidden magnetic roll-top closure.
- Padded adjustable shoulder straps and a chest strap a three-year-old can clip alone.
- £39 with free UK shipping, 30-day returns and a 2-year guarantee. Made by plopkids LTD.
How many litres for a child's day walk?
About 10 litres. That fits a bottle, a snack, a waterproof layer and the finds collected on the way. Bigger and it hangs too low and invites adults to put their things in it.
How much weight a child should carry
Roughly a tenth of their body weight at most. For a five-year-old that is about two kilos, including the bag itself, so a light bag matters.
Chest strap and fit
On uneven ground a bag that swings throws a child off balance. A chest strap holds the straps in and keeps the bag still. Check they can clip it themselves.
Rain, mud and forest school
Walks rarely stay dry. A waterproof roll-top bag with welded seams keeps the spare jumper dry, and a smooth surface wipes clean after it has been put down in mud.
- Water bottle.
- Snack in a box, not a bag.
- Waterproof jacket or spare layer.
- Hat or gloves depending on season.
Common questions
- What age can a child carry a hiking backpack?
- From about three, with a light bag of around 10 litres carrying only their own drink and snack.
- What size backpack for forest school?
- About 10 litres is enough for a bottle, snack and spare clothes. Waterproof and wipe-clean matter more than size.
- Is a school bag OK for hiking?
- A small, light, waterproof school bag with a chest strap works well for family walks and doubles as a school bag.