It’s an annual tradition for us that when it’s back-to-school season, each kid gets to pick out one charm or backpack charm to hang on their backpacks. In a desperate attempt to steer my youngest from a poop emoji squishie (sigh), I may point her towards the lovely keychains from Jill Makes, an Etsy shop helmed by indie maker Jill Foreman.

It’s such a neat way to personalize a kid’s backpack — and you know if you’re sending your kid to a uniform school, that backpack flair is pretty much everything.

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Hand-painted inspirational quote key chain pairs to decorate backpacks for back-to-school | JillMakes on Etsy

Best Friends key chain pairs to decorate backpacks for back-to-school | JillMakes on Etsy

Giant initial keychains for decorating your kids' backpacks | JillMakes on Etsy

I love the hand-painted inspirational quote key chains decorated with tassels and phrases like “Be Kind”  and “Be Brave.” There are also wonderfully simple one-word banner keychains that feel like vintage varsity flags in retro sherbet colors. There are colorful pairs of BFF keychains too that are perfect for some kids, and while it’s a little more spendy, I think there’s something really fun about the simplicity of an eye-popping hot pink acrylic initial keychain complete with pompoms, dangling from your new backpack.

Or hey — even your old backpack. It will just make it feel like new.

Find a whole assortment of fun, affordable handmade keychains at Jill Makes, if you’re looking to personalize your own kid’s backpack.