Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best School Bag

 

Back to school season is upon us and mothers are confused. If this is your child’s first school year, you will definitely find yourself lost in a sea of backpacks and clueless when it comes to the preferred criteria. It’s more than just a budget-friendly bag with your child’s favorite cartoon character. Some mothers opt for huge bags so children can use them for more than one year. Others believe that a trolley backpack is the best choice for the child, only to realize that they are banned at their children’s school.

 

Here are 5 criteria to consider while shopping for a school backpack:

 

Size

 

• While shopping online is the easy option, your child should try the bag on to make sure it fits his size and height.
• The bag must have enough room for all of your child’s school supplies.
• Big and heavy school bags might harm your child’s back.
• Bags should not be wider or longer than the child’s torso.
• According to the Association of Pediatric Chartered Physiotherapists, a suitable loaded school bag has to be 10% of the child’s weight.
• If your child is expected to take a lot of supplies and books to school daily, it’s better to go for a trolley bag.
• Bags should not be less than 16 inch to fit an A4 paper, as this is the size of most sheets and booklets.

 

Quality

 

• It’s important to get a durable school bag that can last throughout the year.
• Look at the areas where fabrics meet to ensure that they will not rip if heavily loaded.
• Zip and unzip the bag more than once to make sure that the zippers are sturdy and easy to use.
• Before buying one with a trolley, check out the wheels and extend the handle.

 

Style

 

• For young kids, it’s better to buy a backpack with many pockets, dividers, and compartments with a side pocket for the water flask. This will keep the bag organized for your child.
• Keep the lunch bag in a separate pocket to protect the books and sheets if anything is spilled.
• Avoid a trolley bag if your child’s classroom is not on a ground floor to avoid adding the extra weight of the trolley on their backs.

 

Straps

 

• Opt for a bag with a padded back and wide shoulder straps, preferrably with a waist strap to support the weight which makes carrying the bag more comfortable and safe.
• The straps should be adjustable so the bag rests firmly against the strongest part of your child’s back to avoid any pain or spine problems.
• Remind your child to always carry the bag with the two straps to evenly distribute its weight.

 

Color

 

• It’s nice to let your children choose the school bag they like to get excited about school.
• Offer colorful and dark options for your child to choose from.
• Avoid light colored school bags as they will definitely get stained easily.

 

Further reading: 10 Places to Buy School Bags in Egypt