I bought this backpack for my 6-year old 1st Grader based on the other positive reviews and the LL Bean reputation. I now know that I should have purchased the next size up - at the time I was sure it would have been too large for my 45 lb. peanut! So I went with the kids size. In my opinion this is a great size for 2-5 year olds who are not in school. It is barely big enough to get her "required" spiral binder and library books into with not much room if she has to pack sneakers for gym class, and/or her lunch bag when she's a packer, and/or her gymnastics or karate clothing if she needs to go to those activities right after school - And she carried even more stuff as a Kindergartener! This backpack would have never sufficed last year at all. I'm pretty sure that it will last through 2nd grade but I'm sure it won't be large enough to haul everything next year. But overall the construction is good - sturdy material that seems like it will last 2 or 3 years, maybe more. Straps are perfectly padded and not too long when adjusted to the shortest. It's a great weekend bag when she goes to her friends houses to play. However, I believe this pack is more appropriate for 5 and under.
I bought this bookbag for my kindergarten daughter. I got the blue flower print and it is beautiful! She loves the bag and it is just the right size for her right now, but she will have to have a new one by second grade at the latest. I bought my son this bag, but in the regular kids size, when he went to kindergarten. His is in 4th grade now (his 5th year with this bag) and it is in almost perfect shape. These backpacks are very sturdy, reliable and definitely worth the money!
As a mother of three and a child care provider I have purchased many of these and other L.L. Bean backpacks over the years and would not go anywhere else. They are very roomy with well organized spaces and stand up to the tough wear and tear that my kids put on them. The best choice out there!
The Bean backpack is the best by in America! Once your child has one they never need another. My son has had two because he wanted a new color. He's twenty-five and still uses them.
