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Not everything about shopping for back-to-school essentials is fun. (Let’s face it — there’s little excitement in picking out rulers and calculators.) But when it comes to backpacks, that’s about the most fun a kid can have as they gear up for the classroom!
Backpacks are by far the best opportunity for kids to show off their style to classmates, and can even be a beacon to help them bond with new friends over common interests. This is especially true for the youngest of the bunch, and the excitement of picking out a brand-new backpack is sure to set their school year off on the right foot.
Depending on the grade they’re entering, their backpack needs will change — and that’s even more important to take into consideration when you’re shopping online where all of the backpacks look like they’re the same size.
How to Pick the Right Size for Your Kid’s Backpack
Here’s a quick-ref guide to determine the best size for your child’s backpack, measured by its length from top to bottom:
- Little ones in preschool and early elementary school will need smaller backpacks. You can go as small as 10 inches if they don’t need to carry much, but anything bigger than 15-16 inches and they’re more likely to tip over like a turtle in a shell!
- As kids progress through elementary and middle school, you can step up to about 17 inches in length, depending on your child’s height. These backpacks will often have more pockets for organization, however, so they should also offer a little more depth than those made for younger kids.
- High schoolers often need a bit more space for all of their academic essentials, so a backpack around 19 inches should be a good fit.
Where to Find Backpacks Fit for Every Grade
Once you’ve found the right fit, rest assured that Walmart has made it super easy to browse backpacks for kids of all ages in The Backpack Shop. There, you can sort your options by school age and pick from a wide variety of backpacks featuring your kids’ favorite characters, like Bluey, the Avengers, Pikachu and tons more. Just add them to your cart and have what you need shipped to your door in as little as two days. Or, order online for pickup in-store to get the goods even quicker.
Best of all, Walmart’s everyday low prices will easily keep your back-to-school budget in check!
The 10 Best Backpacks From Walmart for Every Grade
To help you find the best backpack for your child this school year, we picked out some of our favorites from Walmart below. Looking for some more backpack inspo? Find more fun backpacks fit for every grade at Walmart.com.
Preschool
Wonder Nation 16″ Backpack
A slim, 16-inch backpack like this one should be just the right size for little ones entering their very first day of school. The design is simple enough for little hands, too, with one large interior pocket, one zipped exterior pocket and two mesh pockets on the sides to ensure they’re hydrated and well-stocked for snack time. This cute unicorn-and-rainbows pattern is undeniably sweet, but there are several other styles — like dinosaurs wearing sunglasses — that kids will love too.
Price: $4.98, $6
Marvel Avengers 16″ Backpack & Insulated Lunch Bag
The first day of school isn’t quite as scary when your favorite superheroes have your back! This 16-inch backpack features bold and colorful prints of Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man, Hulk and more. Plus, it comes with a matching insulated lunch bag that attaches securely to the backpack so they can’t lose it — or it can be removed if they don’t need it yet.
Price: $18.69
Elementary School
BBC Bluey Family Trip Children’s Laptop Backpack with Lunch Bag
This adorable duo includes a 17-inch backpack and matching lunch bag featuring the Aussie pup family we all know and love. The attention to detail is unmatched, with a cute “family road trip” print (complete with crossing guard!) on the exterior pocket and sides, and amateur photogs Bluey and Bingo on the back. It has a padded laptop sleeve in the main compartment, a zippered front pocket and two mesh pockets on the sides to stash all their essentials.
Price: $19.98
Disney Minnie Mouse Girl’s 4-Piece Backpack with Lunch Bag Set
This set has everything your little one needs for an organized school year. The 17-inch backpack features a padded tech sleeve in the main compartment, a zippered accessory pocket at the front, two side mesh pockets and reflective strips on the shoulder straps for safety. The set also includes a lunch tote, a zippered pouch for small supplies and a matching ID lanyard. And, if Minnie isn’t their favorite, there are other options like Stitch, Spider-Man and Elsa and Anna.
Price: $24.98
Pokemon Pikachu Boys 17″ Light Up Backpack
Aside from its bold and eye-catching design, this 17-inch Pikachu backpack features a padded laptop pocket inside and a large zippered exterior pocket for maximum organization. But its best feature of all is the fact that it lights up with just a tap! Backpacks don’t get much cooler than that — but you can choose from several other options with light-up features, including Disney princesses and Minecraft.
Price: $14.98, $16.94
Eastsport Unisex 3-Piece Combo Backpack with Lunch Box and Pouch
This roomy 16.5-inch backpack offers lots of pockets to help your child organize all of their school essentials. Plus, the set includes a matching insulated lunch box and a matching pencil pouch for peak accessorization. This pastel diamond print is super pretty, but the set also comes in a ton of other options to suit your kid’s style, including blue dinos, red camo, floral, leopard and galaxy prints.
Price: $29.70
Middle School
Reebok Kids Alfie Laptop Backpack
This 17.5-inch backpack features a jersey-lined sleeve within its main compartment — perfect for keeping a laptop or tablet protected throughout the day. It also has two exterior side pockets for quick access to essentials and a water bottle, plus two zippered front pockets for keeping small stuff organized and within easy reach. You can get it in this cool blue or black with white accents.
Price: $20
Eastsport Unisex Large Mesh Backpack with Bungee
Some school districts have been moving toward a clear or mesh backpack requirement, so this is a great option if your kid falls in that category. It fits the safety requirements but still offers a bit of discretion and plenty of style to show off their personality. Durable yet lightweight, the breathable mesh is also a great choice if your kid tends to forget their sweaty gym clothes in their backpack! This bright and vibrant option is fun, but you can pick from a few other colorways like aqua-and-coral or black-and-pink floral.
Price: $20.40
High School
Reebok Unisex Adult Laredo 19.5″ Laptop Backpack
For students who need a bit more space to carry all their textbooks and everyday gear, this 19.5-inch backpack has plenty of room for it all. Inside, there are two slip pockets for organization, including a lined storage sleeve to keep a laptop or tablet safe. There are also lots of exterior pockets to keep small items from getting lost in the abyss. Plus, the sleek black camo provides impeccable style while the padded adjustable straps and reflective accents ensure comfort and safety.
Price: $36
Reebok Women’s Maisie Laptop Backpack with 13” Laptop Sleeve
This 19-inch backpack offers spacious compartments for maximum style and organization. The jersey-lined laptop sleeve inside is perfect for a tablet or laptop up to 13 inches, and the front zippered compartment and mesh side pockets give easy access to all the little essentials. This dreamy lilac is a pretty choice, but it’s also available in black with rose gold accents or two-tone heather gray.
Price: $28
Find more fun and affordable back-to-school essentials in our Walmart Prep Rally series.
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