Kids Backpack

Kids Backpack

One of the basic items that any kid needs for school is a kid's backpack to make it easier for the child to carry all of their belongings. A backpack is a practical necessity, but all are not created equally. Finding the right one from amid a sea of choices is crucial for your child to get the most out of their backpack. A backpack must also be designed in a manner that doesn't put strain on the child's back. Aside from being attractive and in a color that the child likes (or adorned with their favorite Disney star) look for the following when choosing the right backpack for your child:

• Quality construction. Choose a kid's backpack that is built to withstand abuse and use. Kids are well-known for the unintentional abuse that they inflict on their belongings, and backpacks are no different. Choose a backpack made with sturdy materials that can hold up well to be thrown on the ground and pavement, drug through the mud, and scooted around from time to time. Nylon or synthetic fabric that is lightweight or durable may be okay, but canvas is heavier and more long-lasting. Leather is not ideal unless it is weatherproofed. For young children, consider a plastic backpack that is inexpensive but resilient.

• Stitching. Kid's backpacks must have sturdy seams and stitches that will allow for the occasional overload of "stuff" that kids transport back and forth to school. Look for double stitching with seams that are double sewn. Check the inside of the backpack to see that the stitches are well away from the fabric's edge; a good seam allowance lessens the chances that a hole will erupt through the seam. Also check the stitches that attach the straps of the backpack, as they will bear the brunt of the weight of the backpack's contents.

• Sturdy zippers and fasteners. Ideally, the backpack should have metal zippers and fasteners for added strength in lieu of plastic. A double zipper that will open from both ends is also a convenience for the child. The zipper should be sewn in firmly all the way to the ends. For young kids, Velcro fasteners may be the best bet, but keep in mind that Velcro wears out more easily than a zipper.

• Safety. And perhaps most importantly, kids backpack options must be safe for the child to carry. Look for only those backpacks that have wide, adjustable, padded straps, not narrow ones that can cause problems with their health – affecting their back, neck and shoulders. The backpack and everything that it contains should weigh no more than fifteen percent of your child's weight; for example, your 50 pound child should carry no more than 7 ½ pounds on their back.