25 way cool backpacks for preschool, kindergarten

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 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.

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

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 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!)

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 $45, SoYoung
These coated linen backpacks from a favorite mom-run company hold up forever. We love them!

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!