We can’t believe it’s already back-to-school shopping time, but indeed it is! And since cool preschool backpacks for back-to-school are one of the top priorities of parents with kids heading off to school for the first time (sniff), we thought that would be a great place to start in our 2018 Back to School Guide.

So take a look at more than two dozen way cool backpacks we’ve tracked down for for preschool, kindergarten, lower grades, and the young at heart. Hey, mini backpacks are all the rage in 2018!

Whatever your price range, whatever theor style, surely there’s something here that’s just right for your little scholar.

CMP is an rstyle affiliate.
There’s been no compensation in exchange for recommendations in our back-to-school guide – just the stuff our editors love!

Madpax Spiketus Rex Backpack in Extinct Pink: Cool preschool and kindergarten backpacks for back to school 2018

Madpax Spiketus Rex Half-Pack Backpack $56, Madpax
Also shown at top, we LOVE this bag in “Pink Extinct” but take a look at the other not-so-Jurassic-era hues.

21 cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Loungefly Disney Vintage Mickey Mini Backpack

Loungefly Disney Vintage Mickey Mini Backpack  $56, Amazon
Retro-chic, and beautifully made.

21 cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Leopard Zoo Bag by Skip Hop

Skip*Hop Leopard Zoo Pack Backpack $19.99, Amazon
One of the newest characters in the beloved collection of preschool backpacks and we love her!

Parkland Edison backpack in robot print for preschool or kindergarten

Parkland Edison Robot Preschool Backpack $29.99, Parkland
Parkland backpacks are equal parts durable and adorable, sustainably made, and their growing collection of Bayside backpacks are the perfect size for preschoolers and kindergarteners. (And how much do we love these robots!)

21 cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Arizona Mini Backpack in Plaid

Arizona Mini Backpack in Plaid $12 on sale, JCPenney
Note that JCPenney is a recent sponsor, but we love their stuff so much — and wow, that price!

Black Shark preschool or grade school backpack from SoYoung: Coated linen is so durable!

Black Shark Preschool or Grade School Backpack $45, SoYoung
These coated linen backpacks from a favorite mom-run company hold up forever. We love them!

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Minecraft Creeper Backpack

Minecraft Creeper Backpack $26.99 on sale, Target
Minecraft shows no signs of waning with your younger kids. Yours too?

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Star Wars Rey Small Backpack

Star Wars Rey Small Backpack $14.99 on sale, Pottery Barn Kids
PBK makes such sturdy, durable backpacks and wow, the discount on this is fantastic!

Cool preschool and kindergarten backpacks: Glow-in-the-dark space pack from JCrew

Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Space Backpack $49.50, JCrew
Oh you know, just a backpack that glows in the dark. Like that won’t be the hit of the classroom.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Banaya Backpack 

Banaya Backpack  $15.29 on sale, Target
Kittens! Donuts! Bananas! What’s not to love?

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Madpax bubble half-pack backpack

Madpax Bubble Surface Half-Pack Preschool Backpack $64, Madpax
It comes in a full-pack too, for the big kids. Or uh, us.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Unisex Wee Gallery nordic print backpack from SoYoung

SoYoung Wee Gallery Nordic Grade Preschool Backpack $45, SoYoung
One more from SoYoung — this new unisex print in collab with Wee Gallery is wonderful!

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Incredibles 2 Backpack

Incredibles 2 Backpack, $22.50, JCPenney
A whole new generation of kids just became Incredibles fans!

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Monique Lhuillier Metallic Backpacks

Monique Lhuillier Metallic Backpacks  $49.50, PBK
The perfect backpack for the preschooler or grade-schooler who wants to sparkle wherever she goes.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Dabbawalla Panda Backpack in neoprene

Dabbawalla Panda Backpack $39.74, Amazon
Neoprene is a great choice for a first backpack, since it’s sturdy and washable! This cool, women-run company makes some of our very favorites and this new panda is awesome.

 

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Lego Brick Backpack

Lego Brick Backpack $50, ebags
Bonus: It won’t embed in your feet when you step on it!

 

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Molded Darth Vader Star Wars backpack by Loungefly

Loungefly Star Wars Molded Darth Vader Backpack $42.95, Amazon
For those who are dabbling with the dark side.

Cool preschool and kindergarten backpacks: Skip Hop's new Bat Zoo Pack

Skip*Hop Bat Preschool Zoo Pack Backpack $19.99, Amazon
Another new favorite character from the Zoo Pack collection. The moon key pulls are a wonderful detail! Psst…there’s a matching straw water bottle too.

 

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Neon quilted backpack in multiple color combos

Fuel Quilted Neon Mini Backpack $14.99 ebags
Comes in a few great colors, but this pink is speaking to us.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Wonder Woman Preschool or Little Girls Backpack

Wonder Woman Preschool or Little Girls Backpack  $16.19 on sale, Target
For your future Wonder Woman

Parkland Edison Blue Camo Backpack $29.99, Parkland
Also available in classic olive camo and pink — and a slightly larger size if you’ve got a kid with more stuff — and one in a slightly smaller size too.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Initial Unicorn Flip Sequin Backpack

Initial Unicorn Flip Sequin Backpack $24.90, Justice
We know some kids who would go gaga for this bag — add an initial and she will never forget her backpack!

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Shark Preschool or Little Kid Backpack

Shark Preschool or Little Kid Backpack $25.99, ebags
Fierce!

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: Dickie's Mini Backpack

Dickie’s Mini Backpack  $17.99, ebags
The mylar balloon look is in, and it’s so amazing on this affordable preschool backpack.

cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten and little kids: SkipHop llama zoo pack backpack

Skip*Hop Llama Preschool Backpack $24, Amazon
Okay fine so one more from Skip Hop. I mean..llamas! C’mon!