Back to School / 6 August 2026

The Best Back to School Backpacks

New school year, new adventures. From first-day essentials to after-school clubs and weekend outings, a great backpack has to work hard. We've rounded up 15 of our favourite kids' backpacks that combine clever design with plenty of room for books, snacks, water bottles and, of course, the odd conker or treasured find along the way.

By Bonita Turner

Junior Magazine Back to School The Best Back to School Backpacks
Junior Magazine Children’s British Style Schoolbag, £35, LondonWard

Children’s British Style Schoolbag, £35, LondonWard

Junior Magazine State Bags Kane Striped Backpack, £74, Smallable

State Bags Kane Striped Backpack, £74, Smallable

Junior Magazine Liewood Lennon Backpack, £54.99, Westwing

Liewood Lennon Backpack, £54.99, Westwing

Junior Magazine YYRA Backpack, £50, Smallable

YYRA Backpack, £50, Smallable

Junior Magazine Tiny Cottons Colourblock Backpack, £58, Smallable

Tiny Cottons Colourblock Backpack, £58, Smallable

Junior Magazine Kanken Mini Backpack, £80, from a selection at Fjallraven

Kanken Mini Backpack, £80, from a selection at Fjallraven

Junior Magazine Adventure Waterproof Backpack, £79.95, Red Equipment

Adventure Waterproof Backpack, £79.95, Red Equipment

Junior Magazine SEOUL Large Backpack with Laptop Protection £98, Kipling

SEOUL Large Backpack with Laptop Protection £98, Kipling

Junior Magazine LÄSSIG Mini Outdoor Backpack, from £42, Amazon

LÄSSIG Mini Outdoor Backpack, from £42, Amazon

Junior Magazine JOJO FACTORY Best Friend Small Backpack, £40, Smallable

JOJO FACTORY Best Friend Small Backpack, £40, Smallable

Junior Magazine Sticky Lemon Tricolour Recycled S Backpack Blue, £38, Smallable

Sticky Lemon Tricolour Recycled S Backpack Blue, £38, Smallable

Junior Magazine Classic Mini Backpack, £35, from a selection at Goodordering

Classic Mini Backpack, £35, from a selection at Goodordering

Junior Magazine Hype Black Lava Backpack, £30, NEXT

Hype Black Lava Backpack, £30, NEXT

Junior Magazine adidas Kids’ Tiro Graphic Backpack II, £25, John Lewis

adidas Kids’ Tiro Graphic Backpack II, £25, John Lewis

Junior Magazine Survey Backpack, £85 Herschel

Survey Backpack, £85 Herschel

Also in
Back to School