What size backpack does your child need for daycare?

If you’re like me, no backpack is big enough. I always find more things that I absolutely need to stuff into my backpack. Obviously you can’t do that with your child’s daycare backpack even though there are so many things you need to bring everyday. There are snacks, water bottle, bedsheet, favorite toy, change of clothes, and in some daycare centers, you even have to pack your own lunch! How big must your child’s backpack be to fit all of these things? The answer doesn’t depend on how much you need to carry to daycare but solely depends on how big your child is. Your toddler only needs a children’s backpack that is a maximum of 10 to 15 inches high for daycare. There is only so much your child can carry and it is not safe for them to carry a backpack that is too big for their frame.

What is the best size backpack for daycare?

The average size backpack for daycare is between 10 to 15 inches high but the best size depends on your child’s frame. Check out this article for how to quickly measure your child for a backpack. It doesn’t matter how many things you have to carry to daycare, your child can only carry up to 10% of their weight and their backpack has to be small enough that they can carry it safely. If you have more than you can safely put into your child’s daycare backpack, you’ll need to carry it for them in a separate bag.

Average size chart for daycare backpacks

Age (in years)	Maximum backpack height
1	It doesn’t matter since 1-year-olds shouldn’t carry backpacks
2	9 inches
3	10 inches
4	11 inches
5	12 inches

A good rule of thumb is to make sure the top of the backpack doesn’t peep over their shoulders while the bottom of the backpack doesn’t go lower than their hips.

Best daycare backpacks by age group

Best daycare backpack for a 2-year-old

Finding a backpack small enough for your 2-year-old is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But all is not lost when your child can carry this 8-inch Mandalorian Baby Yoda Backpack around. You might be nurturing a life-long Star Wars fan.

Check it out on Amazon

Best daycare backpack for a 3-year-old

3-year-olds are ‘big kids’. At least that’s what Claire says. They can carry ‘bigger’ toddler backpacks up to 11 inches high. Just make sure you don’t let them overload it. How cute is this SkipHop backpack? There are also plenty of other animal designs if you don’t like llamas.

Check it out on Amazon

Best daycare backpack for a 4-year-old

This is when they start going crazy about cartoon characters. Check out the merchandise that comes with this original Marvel Spiderman backpack:

Check it out on Amazon

Best daycare backpack for a 5-year-old

Is this when they start going all serious on you? When they snub their nose at cartoon characters because it’s so baby? Well, here’s a serious ‘Mom, I’m not a kid anymore’ backpack for your know-it-all 5-year-old. It comes with a matching lunchbox.

Check it out on Amazon

Does my toddler need a backpack for daycare?

If your toddler attends a daycare center that requires you to bring everything under the sun for them every day, you might be thinking if it’s worth getting your toddler a backpack since you’ll be carrying everything anyway. I think it’s important for your toddler to have their own backpack for daycare. It fosters responsibility and independence. Plus, they will feel proud and happy to be carrying their own stuff, even if it’s just a water bottle and snacks while mom carries everything else.