The best toddler and baby backpacks for nursery

Baby backpacks suited for nursery

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

There are so many backpacks on the market that choosing the right toddler and baby backpacks for nursery can feel overwhelming, especially if they're starting nursery or school for the first time.

When your child starts nursery, they may need to bring some supplies with them, such as a toddler-friendly water bottle, spare clothing, and perhaps some baby sunscreen in the warmer months. They'll need a toddler-friendly baby backpack to store everything in.

The best baby backpacks for nursery at a glance:

Best personalised baby backpacks for nursery: Personalised Fluffy Bear Character Mini Backpack - Buy here on My 1st Years, £30
Best large baby backpacks for nursery: Disney Toy Story Blue Character Backpack - Buy here on George at Asda,£17
Best Bluey baby backpacks for nursery: Bluey and Bingo Ocean Shaker Rucksack, Buy here on George at Asda, £12
Best mini baby backpacks for nursery: Personalised Pink Tiny Backpack - Buy here on My 1st Years, £20

Your child might also be taking snacks or a packed lunchbox with them to nursery now, rather than having everything provided on-site, so you'll need a bigger rucksack than normal to contain everything safely. We'd also recommend making sure all their school supplies are labelled with their name in case anything gets lost too, and this includes their backpack.

We’ve taken a look at our favourite baby backpacks for nursery and for younger children too!

Best personalised baby backpacks for nursery

Expert rating:
5.0
Best baby backpacks for nursery Personalised Fluffy Bear Character Mini Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

Our mum tester loved this bag and mentioned that she gets so many compliments from people about itand has found it really useful for her son's items.

With the option to personalise with a name, the boucle design is soft and makes it easy for washing. It has a front storage pocket that is ideal for storing nappies and wipes, while the larger compartment can fit a bottle and spare clothes in, making it ideal for nursery.

Pros

  • Incredibly cute design
  • Comfortable for little ones to wear on their back
  • Two storage compartments for separating belongings

Cons

  • Doesn't come with a drinks holder
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    4.5
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    4.0
  • Functionality:
    4.5
Dimensions:28 x 22 x 8cm
Fastening:Zip closure
Chest strap:No
Recomended age:N/A
Washing instructions:N/A
  • Option to personalise with name
  • Bear ear features with bear face
  • Boucle design
  • Two storage copartments

Best Dinosaur nursery backpack

Expert rating:
5.0
Personalised Grey Dinosaur Print Medium Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

The Personalised Grey Dinosaur Print Medium Backpack gives you the choice of adding up to seven characters, meaning you can add your little one's names or initials.

Our mum tester found there to be plenty of room to add a spare change of clothes, water bottle and snacks, with the front pocket adding extra storage space.

This bag is a calming grey colour, with dinosaur favourites printed onto it. If your little one isn't into dinosaurs, they might prefer the Disney Toy Story Character Backpack.

The bag also wipes clean only, so it's not as practical for when cleaning stains. However, the material is really good quality, and our tester found it did wipe quite well.

Pros

  • Enough space for what your little one needs
  • Chest buckle for support when worn by your child
  • Option to personalise the bag

Cons

  • It can't be washed, and is wipe clean only
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    5.0
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    3.0
  • Functionality:
    5.0
Dimensions:22 x 30 x 13cm
Fastening:Buckle and zip
Chest strap:Yes
Recommended age:3 to 8 years
Washing instructions:Wipe clean only
  • Option to personalise with name
  • Chest strap fastening
  • Front pocket

Best baby backpacks for nursery with two bottle holders

Expert rating:
5.0
Best baby backpacks for nursery Personalised Pink Bunny Medium Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

Our mum tester, Lisa, said her daughter loved the fact that her name was on the Personalised Pink Bunny Medium Backpack. While described as a medium size too, she also added that there was more than enough space in the bag for all her daughters school belongings.

The bag also comes with two spaces on the sides of the bag for storing drinks bottles, or you could even store suncream in one of the sides. If you're not too bothered about a pink bag for nursery, you might prefer the Bluey and Bingo Ocean Shaker Backpack, which has an interactive glitter feature too.

This bag was also easy to wipe down and helped to keep the contents inside the bag dry. If you add a name, it'll also be easier for your little one to spot on their nursery peg.

Pros

  • There's plenty of storage space for all the essentials
  • It's easy to clean
  • There's an option to personalise it with a name or initials

Cons

  • A smaller bag might be preferred
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    5.0
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    5.0
  • Functionality:
    5.0
Dimensions:33 x 10 x 27cm
Fastening:Zip and buckle
Chest strap:No
Recomended age:3 to 8 years old
Washing instructions:Wipe clean only
  • Zip up front pouch
  • Bunny face design with ear features
  • Two net side pockets
  • Space to write name inside
  • Option to personalise

Best large baby backpack for nursery

Expert rating:
5.0
Best baby backpacks for nursery Disney Toy Story Blue Character Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

With ample storage space for everything your little one needs for nursery, the Disney Toy Story Blue Character Backpack is also a sweet design for Toy Story fans.

Our mum tester, Lucy, mentioned that she could fit changing essentials and spare clothes in, with plenty of space for any other items. It has practical storage sections, including a front zip pocket, side pocket and an internal slip pocket.

Lucy found these sections were great at being able to find things in the bag, which also made it more practical for nursery teachers to find what they needed.

Pros

  • It's a large design with plenty of space
  • It can be used by a grown up or a child
  • There's an internal slip pocket for any books to keep them seperated

Cons

  • The character design is different to the characters from the film and is more cartoonised
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    5.0
  • Design:
    4.9
  • Ease of cleaning:
    5.0
  • Functionality:
    5.0
Dimensions:37 x 28 x 10cm
Fastening:Zip
Chest strap:No
Recommended age:N/A
Washing instructions:N/A
  • Single carry handle
  • Adjustable shoulder straps
  • Front zip pocket
  • Mesh side pocket
  • Internal slip pocket

Best Bluey baby backpacks for nursery

Expert rating:
5.0
Best baby backpacks for nursery Bluey and Bingo Ocean Shaker Rucksack©MOTHER&BABY

If your little one is a fan of Bluey, then they will love this Bluey and Bingo Ocean Shaker Rucksack! Featuring both Heeler pups, the bag has a translucent front pocket with shell shakers, so your little one can move them around the bag.

Described as spacious by out parent tester, there's plenty of room in the bag for all your tots nursery essentials. While it doesn't have compartments inside the bag, it does have a front and side pocket for separating items if needed, and a space for their water bottle to go.

The bag also doesn't have a chest strap, which if you'd rather have one then the Personalised Grey Dinosaur Backpack and the Pink Bunny Backpack do have one.

Pros

  • It has a shell shaker confetti for added fun
  • The design is really popular for children who love Bluey
  • There's a handy mesh side pocket for water bottles

Cons

  • It doesn't have a chest strap, so it's easier for your child to take off and throw
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    5.0
  • Design:
    4.5
  • Ease of cleaning:
    5.0
  • Functionality:
    4.5
Dimensions:31 x 24.5 x 9cm
Fastenings:Zip and buckle
Chest strap:No
Recommended age:N/A
Washing instrcuctions:Wipe clean only
  • Single carry handle
  • Adjustable shoulder straps
  • Marble print design
  • Shell shaker front pocket
  • Mesh side pocket

Best dinosaur backpacks for nursery

Expert rating:
4.5
Tiny Backpack About Friends©MOTHER&BABY

The Tiny Backpack About Friends has plenty of space for nursery essentials, such as a spare change of clothes. It's a lovely design, which our mum tester Natalie said her son loved, and it was comfortable for him to wear.

While you might prefer the Dinosaur Print Backpack alternative, this lovely backpack features a stegosaurus face and spike features. It also has padded, adjustable shoulder straps.

It's made with a showerproof outer, which Natalie also found relatively easy to clean.

Pros

  • It's a unique design
  • It comes with a chest strap for keeping secure
  • There's ample storage

Cons

  • Some may prefer the dino=print alternative
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    4.0
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    4.0
  • Functionality:
    5.0
Dimensions:20 x 9.5 x 24cm
Fastenings:Buckle and zip
Chest strap:Yes
Suitable for ages:2+ years
Washing instructions:Wipe clean only
  • Showerproof outer shell
  • Adjustable and padded shoulder straps
  • Drinks bottle holder
  • Name label

Best horseprint backpack for nursery

Expert rating:
4.5
Allan Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

The Allan Backpack is available in several different designs, and our mum tester loved the Horse Dark Rosetta print for her daughter.

It has a front pocket as well as a double-zipped main compartment, which makes it easier to find items in the bag. While it doesn't have a pocket on the side for water bottles, which our tester would have preferred, so nothing risks getting wet inside the bag, it is a more eco-conscious choice.

Pros

  • It has plenty of storage space
  • The design of the bag will grow with your child
  • It's made from recycled polyester

Cons

  • It's quite bulky for smaller children to wear
  • Comfort:
    3.0
  • Durability:
    4.0
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    5.0
  • Functionality:
    5.0
Dimensions:28 x 23 x 11cm
Age recommendation:3 to 7 years
Chest strap:No
Washing instructions:Wipe clean only
  • Made from recycled polyester
  • Adjustable straps
  • Plenty of storage space

Best neutral backpack for nursery

Expert rating:
4.5
Best baby backpacks for nursery Personalised Colourful Print Classic Mini Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

Designed with minimal nursery essentials in mind, the Personalised Colourful Print Classic Mini Backpack looks perfect for your little one to take to nursery!

It features sweet characters such as an apple, bee and rainbow, and our mum tester found that it was easy to identify at nursery and she loved the name personalisation too.

There's a smaller front pocket for smaller essentials such as suncream, but the main pocket has enough space for a spare change of clothes and a sunhat if needed.

It's the right size for toddlers to wear themselves. However, adults might struggle to put it onto one shoulder to carry.

Pros

  • Gender neutral design that's suitable for nursery
  • Ideal if you don't need a bulky bag for nursery
  • Can be personalised with your childs name or initials

Cons

  • You might need a larger backpack for nursery
  • Comfort:
    0.0
  • Durability:
    0.0
  • Design:
    0.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    0.0
  • Functionality:
    3.0
Dimensions:21 x 9 x 26cm
Recommended age:1 to 3 years
Washing instructions:Wipe clean only
Closure:Zip
  • Option to personalise
  • A simple design
  • Front storage pocket

Best mini baby backpacks for nursery

Expert rating:
4.0
Personalised Pink Tiny Backpack©MOTHER&BABY

If you're looking for a backpack that doesn't require much space for nursery days, then the Personalised Pink Tiny Backpack is ideal. It's small enough to fit a spare pair of clothes in, but if you want to fit anything extra in, you'd need to opt for a bigger backpack, such as the Personalised Pink Bunny Medium Backpack.

This backpack is really easy to put on your little ones back, and it has a chest strap too to keep it secure. It's an ideal size for giving your toddler some independence when carrying their own bag to nursery. Our parent tester said that their daughter enjoyed being able to fasten the backpack on, and it was lightweight and comfortable for her to wear.

Pros

  • It's easy enough for children to wear and carry
  • There's a convenient chest, to keep it on your tot if they're wearing it
  • It can be personalised with your childs name or initials

Cons

  • It might not be big enough if you need to take more items to nursery
  • Comfort:
    5.0
  • Durability:
    5.0
  • Design:
    5.0
  • Ease of cleaning:
    5.0
  • Functionality:
    4.0
Dimensions:16 x 20 x 8cm
Closure:Zip and buckle
Chest strap:Yes
Washing instruction:Wipe clean only
Age recommendation:1 to 3 years
  • Option to personalise with a name
  • Chest buckle to keep secure when worn by your child

Things to consider in a toddler's backpack

Size: Your little one will not be able to carry an adult-sized bag, so consider how big the bag actually is.

Design: It is best to pick a backpack that reflects their style and personality. This will mean they are more likely to want to carry it and it will also be easy for them to identify.

Practicality: Whilst you may be tempted to purchase the cutest bag possible, it is important that the bag has enough space to carry all of your child's necessary belongings.

When should I get my toddler a backpack?

It depends on the child and their walking abilities. If they're going to be carrying it themselves, it depends on how steady they are on their feet. If they're a bit wobbly still, you may want to hold off on getting one (or store one in a cupboard) until they're ready. You could always purchase one for all of their essentials, such as a change of clothes, a water bottle and some snacks and carry it yourself until they're able to.

Samantha Ball is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.

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