Start the School Year Off the Right Way With the Best Girls' Backpacks

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As summer break starts coming to an end, it's the perfect time to get your little girl geared up for the school year. Shopping for new supplies is part of the fun of returning to the classroom. Traipsing the various aisles, on the search for the perfect pens, folders, and notebooks. And of course, the pièce de résistance, the backpack. It’s the one major item she’s going to be wearing every day for at least the next 180 days (maybe even years, if you're lucky), so it has to be just right.

Other than finding the coolest style or design that'll make her stand out amongst her peers, the best backpack for your kiddo should also be functional. The amount of pockets, material, and comfortability are all important factors to consider when shopping for her school bag. If your little girl participates in peewee or youth sports, consider a backpack that has tear and water-resistance, so it can accompany her on and off the field. Is she quite the little adventurer? A couple of pockets might be ideal, so she can keep her school supplies handy but still store all of her souvenirs from your trips down the trail.

To help ease your stress of back to school shopping, we did an internet deep dive and have settled on the following assortment of chic, fun, and practical backpacks that are sure to get your youngin' through preschool and beyond.

Cow Print Backpack for Girls

Your munchkin will be fully equipped with everything she needs for class and the cafeteria with this backpack, lunchbox, and pencil case set.

Each piece is made with canvas and polyester, so it's tear-resistant and splashproof. The lunchbox is insulated to keep meals fresh, and there are several pockets in the main backpack for storing essentials.

Mackenzie Lavender Disney Princess Backpack

Carry the magic of Disney World no matter where you are with this princess-themed backpack. Famous heiresses like Jasmine, Cinderella, and Belle are featured in an allover print, and the polyester material is durable and water-resistant.

There are mini, small, and large sizes available, so the backpack can grow as your kiddo does.

Superbreak Plus Backpack

JanSport has been around since the late 60's, and for good reason. Its backpacks are sturdy, durable, and reliable (the backpack I used through every year of highschool is proof).

This design has one large main compartment, a side pocket for a water bottle, and strong straps for carrying everything your little girl might need.

Hustle Sport Backpack

Going straight from school to soccer practice? No worries. This sporty backpack for girls from Under Armour has you covered. The exterior will stand tough against the elements, and it is also stain and water resistant. The front sleeve has an adjustable bungee cord, which is perfect for carrying cleats, sneakers, and even uniforms.

Explorer Backpack

This is the perfect girls’ backpack to encourage exploring in the classroom and out in nature. Complete with organizer pockets, a folder sleeve, a roomy main compartment, and two water bottle holders, this bag can take anything your rough-and-tumble young lady can dish out.

More: 30 Gifts for 11-Year-Old Girls That Help Express Their Creativity

PBK Recycled Floral Backpack

Packed with pockets, straps, and gear loops to keep everything in place, this girls’ backpack is the perfect combination of dainty and sturdy. Plus, it has a glow-in-the-dark effect that can last up to four hours for extra fun.

And since it’s made of recycled plastic bottles, you and your kiddo can feel good knowing you’re being kind to the environment.

Ruffle-Strap Backpack

The perfect girls’ backpack for the little lady who leans into frills. The pink floral exterior is complemented with a turquoise interior and is accented with ruffles along the straps and edges for flair and embellishment.

A roomy interior with a hidden pocket and zipper closure is ideal for storing books and writing utensils, and the top handle makes it easy to grab before your kiddo misses the bus.

15-Inch School or Travel Backpack

There will be no mixups at the cubbies thanks to this adorable paisley-print backpack. It has a padded back and adjustable straps for comfortable wear, and it’s just her size. There are two spacious main compartments that have enough room to hold all of her school supplies, travel activities, trinkets, collections of sticks, rocks, bugs...you know, the essentials.

Black Flower Print Backpack

The back-to-school shopping sibling rivalry can end here, since there are several prints and designs available in this backpack style from Joymoze.

The roomy main compartment includes a laptop sleeve plus pockets for pens, a cell phone, a wallet, and a key ring. Perfect for the girl who tends to lose things.

Tarn 18 Backpack

Got a young trailblazer on your hands? The Tarn 18 backpack from REI is ideally for kids 8 to 12 years old. Design elements have balance and security in mind, and we just love the hip belt — it has pockets!

Perfect for snacks or her favorite lucky talisman or toy she likes to have on hand.

Back-To-School Trifecta

Available in a variety of styles, this girls’ backpack comes with a coordinated insulated lunchbox and pencil bag so she can head back to the classroom (or lunchroom) fully prepared!

With extra-comfortable wide straps and pockets for all her various devices, we love how much room there is for storing her essentials.

Monogram Logo Backpack

The girls’ backpack for the girl who leans into her preppy sensibilities, this iconic Ralph Lauren has been synonymous with polo and a certain look for decades, exemplified by this light, breezy pink and classic design.

Internal and external pockets have enough space to carry anything the school day throws at her.

Geometric Design Backpack

We’ve never met a busy geometric pattern we didn’t like, and this girls’ backpack is no exception.

Available in two sizes for your little or not-so-little girl, this design is cute, roomy, and comes highly reviewed on Amazon by parents of children of all ages.

Pop-It Backpack

A novelty toy and a practical girls’ backpack? Sign. Us. Up. Now. This truly unique design features an entire exterior of Pop-Its!

With multiple compartments, there’s plenty of room for essentials (or more toys), but it does run a little on the small side and may be better suited for smaller kids.

Sequin Unicorn Backpack

For the little girl who loves glitz and whimsy, this sequin unicorn backpack with a matching lunchbox is the perfect school accessory!

The 3D foam plush ears and horn make for a backpack that’s also a magical friend. But don’t worry: It still comes with a spacious main compartment and front pocket, as well as mesh pockets for water bottles.

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