We bought one for our son the year before buying one for our daughter. The monogram is a great asset, no questions who it belongs to. They hold up very well to our kid's rough treatment, We have washed them several times with no fading or other problems. By mid-year the quality construction stands out against their classmates back packs. The vibrant colors make the kids easy to see from a distance. The quality to price is outstanding. We expect to get a least five years use of them. Spot on LL BEAN!!!!
We bought these for our twin five-year-old boys for school. They are large enough to carry what they need but not so big as to be unwieldy. Our only complaint--and this is a big one--is that there is no side pocket for a water bottle.
The description for this backpack and all the reviews keep talking about how this is a perfect size for very young kids. Well, I don't have any kids and I am on the constant lookout for a small backpack I can use on a daily basis. Most kids backpacks are not suitable for adults in that I don't really want to walk around with a Spiderman pack over my shoulder or one covered with pink giraffes or race cars.
This one is a great size when I don't need to carry around a laptop and a bunch of other stuff. The organizer in the front zipper pocket is useful and overall, this will work for me.
I do agree with other reviewers in that it needs a holder for a water bottle. To make it perfect, a couple of outer pockets would be great to hold a cell phone and sunglasses. Kids could use them for something else, but a lot of kids have cell phones and sunglasses nowadays, too. My how times have changed.
If you're getting one of these for your little ones, think about one for yourself as well.
I have purchased three of these junior backpacks over the past 10 years. Each time upon the birth of a child. My children are now ages 10, 4, and 3 years old. I use it as a diaper bag for 2 years, and then once potty trained, as preschool and kindergarden backpacks.
QUALITY I love the fact that these bags hold up through all the years. They NEVER wear out. We have never had a problem with a zipper or with the straps. All are heavy duty and stand up to wear and tear (and dirt!).
SIZE While not large, these bags easily hold all the essentials. When my kids were babies they comfortably hold 1 pkg wipes, a stack of 5-8 diapers, formula dispenser, and a bottle the main compartment. Pacifiers and antibacterial gel in the front compartment.
Once they hit the toddler stage, it held plenty of wipes, snacks, and sippy cups, plus a toy or 2.
Through preschool and kindergarden they hold 1 take home folder and a pair of tennis shoes, light jacket, or extra hat and mittens. They are not big enough to hold hold snow pants or other large items.
EASE OF USE Backpack arm straps conveniently slip over umbrella stroller handles. It keeps things light and easy when traveling! As an adult I've worn these backpacks many times to keep my hands free. The straps do adjust to comfortably fit an adult. Also, once my toddlers were big enough, I did have them schlep their own diapers! They loved feeling "big" and having their own backpack of supplies.
My ten year old did want a bigger backpack once he got older, even though his junior backpack looked almost brand new. This would be an easy item to pass on to someone else, as I did, because it will hold up to years and years of use.
