[begaines]

Hi, this past year Abby had a disney book bag but it seemed like all of the girls had the same bag. I want something cute and original. Does anyone have any suggestions for back packs for a 4 year old that are cute and girly.

[momraine]

I like some of the Lillian Vernon ones, you can even put thier name, or if you don't want to do that, you can put something cute on there like "princess", or "loved" or I love horses, or whatever.

[purplecat]

We found ours at The Limited and Justice. They had a great variety to choose from and are very cute and girly but, I am not sure about age appropriate for 4 year olds.

[my3guats]

I absolutely LOVE backpacks from Lands' End. You can get them monogrammed. They have different sizes but I would get the regular size even for a little one as they last forever! Our kids got them when they were in PRE-K and I got the small ones, well the bags were fine the next year but I knew they needed a larger one as their take home folder didn't fit in it. So I purchased the regular size one for all three of them. Now the boys are going into fourth grade and they are still fine! Now if you know my boys that is a miracle! One year Callie wanted a different one so I bought one and with a couple of months the zipper was broke so she then went back to the Lands' End one.

[joepegcamp]

I dig the Lands' End bags. High quality and cute as all get out. I didn't want a bag that was too commercial (think Disney or SpiderMan). Kids grow and change so much that the bag I buy this year wouldn't be the 'in' thing with my son next year.

We got an orange bag with navy blue trim. Cute, unique and durable. My kind of book bag.

[MamaS]

Try the "Chasing Fireflies" website. They have backpacks in smaller sizes for smaller kids AND matching lunchboxes. I got the Ladybug for my granddaughter and Spiderman wants the Shark.

[avoel]

We have done the Pottery Barn Kids ones...cute and girly and they also last forever--on year number 3 for one of them. Also have a Children's place one leftover from a preschool year that was just retired in favor of a PBK one, and it is still going strong--we take it on vacations etc and it has held up well.

Have eyed the Hanna Andersson ones too because they are SO cute...just waiting for the PBK ones to finally wear out!

[Leebert2]

Hanna Andersson has cute backpacks!

[blminter]

Children's luggage, children's backpacks, lunch boxes, kids luggage

loved our toddler back pack. chocolate with pink polkadots. just recently ordered a rolling duffel bag. you can also monogram.

[bhouston]

One thing to remember about having a name on your childs backback....is total strangers can call to them and the child will think they know them...I saw this on a safety show once to not do it so we have never had anything with Brooklyns name on it...just something to think about....Beth in Idaho

[sak9645]

Land's End and L.L. Bean have great backpacks/rolling backpacks. They can often be customized with designs like ladybugs and butterflies, as well as names or nicknames, and come in "girly" colors like hot pink. You can also get lunchboxes to match or coordinate. I, personally, am partial to the L.L. Bean backpacks, but the Land's End ones are good, too. They are not cheap, but they are far more durable than anything you would get in the average store.

You may not want to pick something too, too girly, since these backpacks are, as I said, very durable, and you may find that your daughter can use them for several years. Kids' tastes change, so be sure that the backpack will be as acceptable at eight as it is at four. (The lunchbox may have to be replaced before then, as lunchboxes can get remarkably grungy.) I'd recommend getting a solid color backpack that has a single applique that is not too cutesy, like a flower or an animal. Most kids like personalized backpacks, and if they will not be walking home alone, there should be no problem with having their first name on them.

And think about size. The Land's End and L.L. Bean backpacks are given age ratings, because there is evidence that many young children are carrying much too heavy loads on their backs. While you wouldn't want to buy a backpack rated as 12 and over for a 4 year old, you might find that a backpack aimed at the preschool/kindergarten set won't be roomy enough, once a child starts needing binders and chapter books. If your child isn't going to be doing much walking with her backpack on, it won't hurt to get the "regular" size, unless she is very petite.

Sharon

[akasohappy]

Just bought Kate the butterfly backpack from Gap.
It is sooo cute. Kind of on the small side, but is tall enough to fit a folder......
had a matching lunchbox for sale too.

[my3guats]

Just a couple of other thoughts about backpacks. The size of the backpack isn't what makes it heavy...it is what is inside of it! It is nice for the kids to have some extra room in their backpacks for large artwork so it doesn't get scrunched before it gets home! Personally I do not like the wheeled ones for elementary kids. They are large and cumbersome at school. The non wheeled ones can mold into the shape that is needed to hang on hooks whereas the wheeled ones can't. I am a teacher and some years our hook space is limited so being able to squish in a backpack is important when you start adding coats, snowpants, etc. to what has to go on the hook. And also at the end of the day when the hall is crowded with kids all over those wheeled ones are very unhandy so often the kids just carry them anyway! And one more thing if you live where there is nasty winter weather with snow, ice, slush, etc. the wheeled ones just get to be a mess. Just some thoughts from a mom who has bought backpacks for lots of years and a teacher!