I learned the hard way, as have many parents, that if you buy a cheap backpack for your kid, even your toddler, you will be buying a second (and possibly third) backpack before the school year is through. So now I look for good quality, functionality, and still a cute design.

Because another thing I’ve learned: it’s harder for my kids to forget their bag at home every morning if they actually look forward to showing it off.

CMP favorite mom-run SoYoung Mother now is meeting all these criteria with an adorable new selection of kids’ backpacks
made out of a sturdy but comfy canvas, with leather-like trim, hold the
PVC. There are three refreshingly unique motifs to choose from (no cartoon characters!)
including a cool camera, a global map, and a really pretty pink peony,
which is far more subtle and sophisticated in person than the bright photos on
site.

I love the wipeable contrasting fabric inside, although if you use those
bottle pockets on the outside, hopefully you won’t need to wipe it out
much.

Bonus: Each backpack comes with a matching insulated lunch pack that collapses down and fits inside perfectly.

The backpacks can handle full-size homework folders and a few books for
early grade schoolers, and it does have a chest strap–but obviously
don’t offer the kind of super techno lumbar support you want for a teen
with 600 pounds of textbooks.

However if you’ve got a toddler who
doesn’t need more than a lunch and maybe a change of underwear and a
smiley face note from home, there’s an adorable selection of toddler backpacks too. (I heart that red Vespa.)

The big kids backpacks are $75 and the toddler ones are $65. According to my math, either of those are cheaper than $35 + $35 + $35. –Liz

Find a selection of toddler backpacks and children’s backpacks plus lunch accessories, all online from indie shop SoYoung Mother.