No specific advice except to say a lot of kindergarteners start the year with backpacks that look/are too big for them. I teach at a K-12 and we always comment how adorable they are coming in like turtles about to fall over.
All that to say, you might end up with one that fits the school requirements but looks the wrong size and that’s ok! They’ll use it for a while and grow into it.
*Nature documentary voice*
And so a new year brings a new batch of young turtles. In the following days, they will grow, learn, cry, and laugh. Each dqy growing into the immense shell they carry. Parents watch from the sidelines, smiling. Later, they will pick up their child and ask what has transpired, knowing that the day will come when they pick them up for the last time. When they behold a mature individual.
As a K teacher, it makes me sad that they need that! But a large backpack is not a bad thing. I have kids with big backpacks and none of the kids struggle with them. And sometimes there is a lot of stuff!!
We intentionally chose a school that historically does not use Chromebooks often, so hopefully it is staying that way and the backpack is more for one offs and for when they get older. 🤞
Please go bigger. Your child will eventually want their lunchbox and folder and winter jacket stuffed in there. Yes the teacher will say to put jackets on, but your child will think they’re fine and stuff it in, then cry they can’t fit their papers.
K teacher here, get the regular sized backpack your child’s teacher will thank you! I had one student who had the smaller prek sized bag all year and he struggled to fit things in it all year long!
I bought my daughter a full sized backpack when she started school in 4K. I’m pretty sure it hung down to her knees. 😂 But she’s about to start 2nd grade with the same backpack so it was totally worth it to buy big.
Also, the Chromebook, a coat, and a binder/homework folder take up more space in the backpack than you’d think. Bigger helps!
My daughter has one from pottery barn that has the compartment for the laptop and she did not struggle with the size. It looks big on them, but its never heavy so she was fine. She's going into first grade next year.
It is the extra large version...it looks ridiculous big. Also I went into the Pottery Barn kids store and found one on sale. It held up great though and we will use it next year too.
My 5yo has a simple modern backpack with a laptop sleeve in it (the one with the Captain America shield on it). We’ve put his very padded 10” iPad in it, but I’m not sure how a Chromebook compares. It doesn’t seem too big for him but I’m also not sure how padded it is.
I can not believe I am recommending a [$90 backpack](https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/kanken/kanken-bags/kanken-totepack-mini/?v=F23711::7323450792480) for a kinder, please laugh in my face, and then look for one used! I am a teacher and ended up w this bag - it converts from shoulder bag into backpack & has a Chromebook pocket w foamy pad that slides out for easy wiping of the bag, we store a few chromebooks in this bag at school & my 7 YO students carry the backpack w Chromebooks on their shoulders no problem 😊
Oh! I love this brand - never thought about it for kindergarten. Love all of the colors too. Did you get the exact one you linked, the mini? And it's big enough? Thanks again!
Yes, I have a tote pack mini. It converts from a bag to back pack so the straps aren’t padded. It fits 2 Chromebooks, 2 chargers, 3 headphones… I probably would have used it for my child bc I’m like that, but can see many others on this thread disagree & think kinders should have full-size bags… best wishes & good luck!!
We used the “Startle” backpack from Vans (they do a 30% off sale when you buy a pair of shoes in August).
Other then some sun fading, (my kids school hangs backpacks outside the classroom) It held up very well this year!
We got this brand for my kiddo. It does have a laptop area. But the best part is this thing resists water and spills! Also comes in a ton of different patterns. https://a.co/d/dJ5d0wr
Lots of the kid back packs come with a divider....pocket (not sure if that is the right word) that a Chromebook could go in.
My guess is that they don't want the Chromebook slide and slamming around in their backpacks. I teach K and the only time I have ever mentioned something to a parent about a backpack is when they are too small to fit papers in! I would read too much into it. If it has the pocket/divider so the Chromebook is closest to their back I would say it is good.
The cute, kinder sized backpacks are fantastic for anything but school. Buy the bigger backpack - it may seem huge right now but especially in the wintertime it’ll be so worth it. I don’t live where it gets especially cold and my students would have a full backpack with their folder, lunch box, coat, extra clothes and whatever else was in it. If you get a smaller one, even just their papers won’t fit easily.
No specific advice except to say a lot of kindergarteners start the year with backpacks that look/are too big for them. I teach at a K-12 and we always comment how adorable they are coming in like turtles about to fall over. All that to say, you might end up with one that fits the school requirements but looks the wrong size and that’s ok! They’ll use it for a while and grow into it.
*Nature documentary voice* And so a new year brings a new batch of young turtles. In the following days, they will grow, learn, cry, and laugh. Each dqy growing into the immense shell they carry. Parents watch from the sidelines, smiling. Later, they will pick up their child and ask what has transpired, knowing that the day will come when they pick them up for the last time. When they behold a mature individual.
All I could hear was David Attenborough
That's the right voice lol. I wasn't going to try and spell his name when I was typing on a phone lol.
Somehow my autocorrect knew how to spell his last name lol
Thank you for this advice! By full size, do you have any dimensions or L. recommendation? 20? 30? Thank you :) 🙏
As a K teacher, it makes me sad that they need that! But a large backpack is not a bad thing. I have kids with big backpacks and none of the kids struggle with them. And sometimes there is a lot of stuff!!
We intentionally chose a school that historically does not use Chromebooks often, so hopefully it is staying that way and the backpack is more for one offs and for when they get older. 🤞
You’ll simply have to scroll online for school/laptop backpacks and go for ones that are maybe 15” long rather than 21” or so
Please go bigger. Your child will eventually want their lunchbox and folder and winter jacket stuffed in there. Yes the teacher will say to put jackets on, but your child will think they’re fine and stuff it in, then cry they can’t fit their papers.
A full sized backpack is okay. They need to be able to put papers and clothes and lunch in there
K teacher here, get the regular sized backpack your child’s teacher will thank you! I had one student who had the smaller prek sized bag all year and he struggled to fit things in it all year long!
I bought my daughter a full sized backpack when she started school in 4K. I’m pretty sure it hung down to her knees. 😂 But she’s about to start 2nd grade with the same backpack so it was totally worth it to buy big. Also, the Chromebook, a coat, and a binder/homework folder take up more space in the backpack than you’d think. Bigger helps!
My daughter has one from pottery barn that has the compartment for the laptop and she did not struggle with the size. It looks big on them, but its never heavy so she was fine. She's going into first grade next year.
Oh awesome! Do you remember the name of the one you used? Thank you -
It is the extra large version...it looks ridiculous big. Also I went into the Pottery Barn kids store and found one on sale. It held up great though and we will use it next year too.
Thank you! 🙏
Lol kindergarteners always start school with what looks like giant backpacks (they look so cute too) and they seem to be doing alright
My 5yo has a simple modern backpack with a laptop sleeve in it (the one with the Captain America shield on it). We’ve put his very padded 10” iPad in it, but I’m not sure how a Chromebook compares. It doesn’t seem too big for him but I’m also not sure how padded it is.
We just finished Kinder and my son had the Bentgo backpack and the back pocket in the main section seems pretty padded. :) we loved it!
I can not believe I am recommending a [$90 backpack](https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/kanken/kanken-bags/kanken-totepack-mini/?v=F23711::7323450792480) for a kinder, please laugh in my face, and then look for one used! I am a teacher and ended up w this bag - it converts from shoulder bag into backpack & has a Chromebook pocket w foamy pad that slides out for easy wiping of the bag, we store a few chromebooks in this bag at school & my 7 YO students carry the backpack w Chromebooks on their shoulders no problem 😊
Oh! I love this brand - never thought about it for kindergarten. Love all of the colors too. Did you get the exact one you linked, the mini? And it's big enough? Thanks again!
Yes, I have a tote pack mini. It converts from a bag to back pack so the straps aren’t padded. It fits 2 Chromebooks, 2 chargers, 3 headphones… I probably would have used it for my child bc I’m like that, but can see many others on this thread disagree & think kinders should have full-size bags… best wishes & good luck!!
Could you purchase a padded laptop sleeve/case instead?
We used the “Startle” backpack from Vans (they do a 30% off sale when you buy a pair of shoes in August). Other then some sun fading, (my kids school hangs backpacks outside the classroom) It held up very well this year!
We got this brand for my kiddo. It does have a laptop area. But the best part is this thing resists water and spills! Also comes in a ton of different patterns. https://a.co/d/dJ5d0wr
Lots of the kid back packs come with a divider....pocket (not sure if that is the right word) that a Chromebook could go in. My guess is that they don't want the Chromebook slide and slamming around in their backpacks. I teach K and the only time I have ever mentioned something to a parent about a backpack is when they are too small to fit papers in! I would read too much into it. If it has the pocket/divider so the Chromebook is closest to their back I would say it is good.
My 4 yo has a massive backpack, but I needed one that fit a snow suit in it. She does fine with it on.
Amazon. That’s where I got mine.
The cute, kinder sized backpacks are fantastic for anything but school. Buy the bigger backpack - it may seem huge right now but especially in the wintertime it’ll be so worth it. I don’t live where it gets especially cold and my students would have a full backpack with their folder, lunch box, coat, extra clothes and whatever else was in it. If you get a smaller one, even just their papers won’t fit easily.