Pottery Barn backpack for Kindergarten size?

[nellgirl]

My daughter is starting K in the fall. She’s quite tall for her age and strong, but I don’t want to get her something that’s overwhelmingly large.
She needs to be able to fit lunch (Yumbox and Funtainer), water bottle, home reading books, spare change of clothes, snack for after care, space for mitts and toque, as well as room for a 9x12 pocket folder.
I promised that I would get her a fun (ie character or cute creature) backpack for K since her pre-k one is boring (her words), nearly worn out after 4 yrs of hard use, and too small. I want to get her something durable. We’re in Canada, so some things aren’t available, but PBK is and has some cute patterns.
What size would be good for an incoming K? I know that her tastes will change, but I’m hoping to get K and gr 1 out of it!

[lessel]

We got the large for our kindergartener last year. DS was 5 and in the ~80th percentile for height at the time. Also a strong kid. The large is a bit big but not in a super-awkward way. He’s grown into it a bit as the year has gone on.

I will say that it hasn’t held up as well as I’d hoped. We had a small PB Kids backpack for travel stuff that’s a couple years older and it just seemed like the quality was better on that one. On his current backpack there are a few seams that are coming apart…like they just weren’t sewn well and not really a spot where you’d see wear-and-tear damage. That said, it’s held up waaaay better than the Ninja Turtle backpack we got for his Pre-K year. I think we’ll probably get another year out of the PB Kids one.

ETA: Got a pic this morning for size. He was 48in tall in his last doc appt in March.

[simpsongal]

I'd just get the regular sized PBK one, she'll grow into it. My DD uses one for preschool (she's a tiny 4.5 yr old). But we're glad to have the bigger bag to fit all her stuff which she now takes back and forth daily thanks for covid.

My DS used the shark PBK backpack for K and 1st...I think we might stick w/it for 2nd, but it's taking a beating thanks for heavy laptops and other items (it seriously weighs 20-25 lbs).

[nicolewi]

I always get the small (not the super tiny one), and then upgrade around second grade or so. Usually they are ready for a different design then, anyway. However, you were talking about carrying quite a bit of stuff in that backpack. In your case, maybe I will just go with the regular size. We carry snow clothes in winter (shoes bc wearing the boots, snow pants) in a separate bag.

My kids are on the shorter side so the larger one looks huge on them in kindergarten, but if you need to fit a bunch of the stuff on your list you might need the room!

[secretagent]

My older kids got L bags in K. They're small (my smallest was something like 42" and 35 lbs starting K). They used them through 3rd, and we got new bags for each in 4th. I'll probably do the same for my preeschoolers. It's nice to have space for jackets, etc.

[thegan]

I got my 3 year old the small last year (daycare preschool) and my 4 year old the large (TK). This year, my youngest can probably still use the small for TK, but next year, he will need something a little bigger. I say go with the large. It’s a little big at first, but it will last longer.

[smock]

I got the small for my now-1st grader and incoming K kiddo. It seems really big for a small and it's held up really well, it will definitely still work for 2nd grade.

[imojoebunny]

My daughter was tiny, and we got the large size. She used it for 4 years. The large held her coats and sweaters, which made them much easier to keep up with.

[steamboat185]

We started out K with the small size, but it was too small and quickly switched to the large. Especially with Covid they move so much stuff back and forth it’s just easier to have the space.
Edit- I know you mentioned some winter clothing, but at our school to have “fun” recess you have to have winter boots. DD ends up carrying sneakers in her backpack to change into for most of the winter. Plus hand sanitizer, masks, computer, and this year they couldn’t use the water fountain and had to bring huge water bottles. Yesterday they had to bring a beach towel and a box of otter pops today sheets to build a tent.

[twilightmv]

I got DS2 a smaller size (not the pre-K, but maybe one size up from that?) and I regret it.  Between the chunky lunchbox, extra clothes/snow clothes we have to send every day, and now the chrome books, it's a tight fit. I would advocate for a bigger backpack. 

[aspentosh]

We did the small (not pre-k?) for kinder and first. DD was 44" when this photo was taken. Large would have swallowed her. 

This pretty easily fit a folder, weekly workbook, jacket, and lunchbox. We upgraded to the next size for 2nd. 

[Susie]

We did LLBean, IDK if that's available for you?  She got it in pre-k, but has used it this year for K.  It's been a good size.  

www.llbean.com/llb/shop/118986?page=junior-original-book-pack-print&bc=50-816&feat=816-GN1&csp=f&pos=5

Even if you don't have LLBean, the dimensions are listed on the page.

[noodleoo]

We got the Large Mackenzie backpack based on recs here and seeing them in store. The school told us it needed to fit a full size folder and carry an iPad every day. It seemed big at first but DD1 quickly grew into it. I'm glad we did the bigger size because it has been stuffed, especially in the winter. I was disappointed that the inside folder pocket ripped the first few weeks of school. Other than that, it has been pretty durable, but I'll probably buy her a new one next year. I was expecting it to last longer.

I also bought a matching lunchbox but we don't use that because it ended up being too small for her.  We often send leftovers in a thermos container and it doesn't fit.  She takes a lot of snacks too, so it is way too small.

[starburst]

We did the large for DS1 when he started kindergarten this fall. It was useful in the fall when he was doing virtual learning from daycare and had to bring a lot of supplies back and forth everyday. Now that he's in school everyday and leaves most of his materials at school, it's definitely roomy and should last him at least a couple more years.

[egishere]

Large for sure...I got my kids the small size for kindy and it was too small