Do You Buy New Backpacks and Lunch Boxes Each Year?

We buy new ones, but I usually buy them at Ross or TJ Maxx because they're fairly cheap (I've found some really neat ones for $6) and she always loves the excitement of a new one every year. Because they are less expensive, they don't last forever, but that's okay because we buy new ones!

we ended up getting new backpacks each year til they hit maybe 4th grade. Each year we had to do it as kids would drag them, and they would get holes in them. at about 4th grade the books got heavier and we got better bags. they ended up using those through 8th grade. and new bag for highschool which they generally took to college. its worth it spending the big bucks on one that is going to last 4 or 5 years.

This depends upon the quality of the backpack and the habits of the kids. When very young in elementary school, the cheap themed back packs like Spiderman and Horse-anything didn't last more than a school year.

When we lived in Seattle I bought a rubberized Jansport backpack that lasted a couple of years, through 5th & 6th grades. We needed that bottom because it's always so wet there and if my daughter put her backpack down anywhere, it became soaked.

Lunch boxes just gross me out by years end, so I toss those and buy fresh. No amount of wiping with Clorox wipes or soapy rags gets the nitty grime out of the corners.

I always bought new ones. My boys were so hard on theirs! They looked so ratty and the lunch boxes were always nasty even though I cleaned them out all year.

I liked the lunch boxes I got at Costco. They were terrific. I wrote my kids' names on the outside with colored sharpies.

I was lucky if we got through the year with one backpack. We'd end up with torn straps, even when I paid good money for quality. My kids commuted to school and it was hard on those backpacks.

Don't know what to tell you - your kids are in different circumstances. It's really up to you. Maybe buy new ones while they're on sale and only use them when you feel like what they have are on their last legs?

My firstborn had a cheap character backpack for preschool and Kindergarten that wore out. I ended up replacing with an LL Bean backpack. I also got an LLB backpack for my younger child when he started Kindergarten. They used these through 6th grade, as well as the same Thermos brand character lunchboxes.

When they went to Jr High (7-9) I got them new LL Bean backpacks that were larger and could hold more. Also new lunchboxes that were neutral rather than characters. My older son is of to high school next year and will not need a new backpack.

They still use their old backpacks for overnights and stuff because they are still in sturdy physical shape!

I co-moderate a group that helps people get their finances in order. This is a topic that often comes up in the fall and there is an interesting statistical trend. Households with less money are more likely to buy new backpacks frequently. This is both an immediate financial issue over spending $10 vs $40 at once, as well as an emotional issue, because a new backpack feels like a special treat when finances are a struggle. The more stable a household's income, the more likely the parents are to pay more for a high quality backpack that will last for for a long time. There does come a tipping point though, where high income households might let their kids have multiple backpacks for the sake of variety and whims.

The first year we had to buy a new pack for the next year. We had purchased a cheaply made backpack and lunchbag set that wouldn't hold up to washing. I learned my lesson and have purchased Jansport and High Sierra packs, which both have warranties, wash beautifully, and hold up to pretty much anything. I no longer purchase backpacks year to year.

We always buy new ones. I adore back-to-school shopping for supplies and whatnot, so it is a fun thing that we do as a family together early the Monday morning before school starts (yes, I take advantage of sales all year long, but we hold off on the bags and notebooks until right before school starts). We let the kids pick out what back-packs and lunch boxes they want for the year. As they get into upper grades I know we will be spending more on backpacks that are more sturdy, but for now, while they are young, we indulge at back-to-school. :)

Yes, I do buy new every year. Every summer I use her backpack for camp. So if it had any life left in it, camp destroys that.

As for lunch boxes, I never reused them year to year except this year. I bought a Pottery Barn lunchbox that after last year was still in fantastic shape so we used it this year as well. I can probably use it next year, too. So I recommend their lunchboxes. Their backpacks I find flimsy and not worth the price.

My husband told me that he had one backpack from Kindergarten to 8th grade. He can't figure out why I buy them new every year! :)

We always used them until the fall apart. Of course the little buggers figured this out by first grade and started making sure they fell apart by the end of the year. Once they hit middle school they took pretty good care of their stuff.

When my son started middle school I gave him my northface backpack I used all through college. He is still using that same bag five years later. When my daughter started middle school I bought her one too. Figured it would take her through college.

I buy PB kids and wash them even break from school in the machine and hang dry. Always get 2 years often have figured we might get 3 years out of them.

Nope. We used the same ones until they fell apart.
If you can't put it in the washing machine, try using a scrub brush and some soapy water on it.

Mine reuse them. I throw them in the washing machine. I usually buy lands end back packs and get at least 3 years out of them. My 2nd child has a jansport now. My jansport lasted m all through high school and college, so I don't anticipate buying him another one for quite awhile.

Lunchboxes yes, backpacks no.
I avoided the cheap "character" backpacks and bought either Lands End or Jansport backpacks. My son had an orange backpack that he used from 8th through 12th grade, and boy was it trashed in the end but he was attached to it lol!

we got new ones. when they were in elementary school we didn't get expensive ones, and a new backpack and lunchbox were part of the fun of back-to-school shopping.
when they started community college they both requested good backpacks (wanted to look the part, i suspect, being on the young side) so those lasted a LOT longer.
khairete
S.

I grew up using LL Bean backpacks. I had the same one all through high school and beyond. I tend to just keep doing things that work for me, so I bought my kids LL Bean backpacks. My kids preferred the fun ones with their favorite characters on them, so I buy those for their afterschool activities (like their dance bag, etc.).

During the week, I just wipe the lunch boxes out with damp cloth but if get gooey, I just submerge them in soapy water in sink, rinse and dry in drying rack. Whatever material (Nylon?) they use with the plastic liners dries super quickly.

I'm not sure they are meant for washing machine ... probably not, but it's never harmed them (my LL Bean backpacks and lunch boxes). On gentle. Other times when they've taken them camping, I hose them out and hang on line.

My older kids are planning on getting something different this next year that's more their taste.

Good luck :)

Buy LL Bean and they last forever!! I bought good ones in the beginning and did not have to replace for many years.

It depends. My daughter has had the same lunchbox for two years and it is still in good shape. Every once in awhile I will really scrub it in the sink when I wash dishes and then let it air dry. My son's lunchbox will probably last a few more years.

We have had to buy my daughter a new backpack every year. Usually because of broken zippers or holes that have developed in the bottom. My son's backpack barely made it to the end of the year because of stuck zippers. But, we have always gotten backpacks that although they weren't cheap they were cheaply made. Last fall we bought my daughter a better brand (can't think now what it is). It held up all year and will definitely be usable again next year. I'm not sure how I will clean it, but I will before school starts again.

My boys re-used theirs for years. We bought good backpacks that held up well and didn't really even seem to get too dirty, or I just didn't notice. The boys used good lunch boxes like you get at the Container Store, and they wiped clean pretty well. Now my oldest is a senior (as of today), and he just used a pocket of his messenger bag to hold his lunch instead of taking a separate lunch box.

If they were still in good shape, yes she used them in the fall.

The backpacks were usually worn out.. until she was in High school.

She used the same one for about 3 years. It was more of a Book Messenger Bag by that point. Having a locker helped. The 4th year it was trashed, but she refused to replace it.

As needed. If it's in good shape my kids usually want to keep the one they have.

We buy high quality and scotch guard them. My oldest used the one she has now for two years so she'll need one in the Fall. The little girl just asked if she can re-use hers as she loves it. Honestly we really don't buy anything just for the sake of buying. If it works don't fix it.

I didn't buy anything new that I didn't have to. Backpacks typically were trashed by the end of the year, but you can wash them in the washer if they are only dirty.

It's fun to buy back to school supplies, but I don't believe in waste or overspending, so school supplies, new clothing, etc. were purchased on an as-needed basis.

Reading below: I guess it would have been worth it to buy higher-quality backpacks.

I used to buy new, because I bought cheap character backpacks and lunch bags, and they were falling apart by the end of the year. Then I invested in some good backpacks, and they have been using those for 4 years now. I bought the older one an expensive lunch bag, and he has been using it for a couple of years. The younger one is hard on his lunch bags, so I have been buying dollar store for him so when he loses it or ruins it I buy a new one. I wash them on gentle in the washer and hang to dry.

I have to buy 2 backpacks at the beginning of each year for my high schooler because she has to carry so many books with her about 1/2 way though its ripped and worn out. This year her second one ripped with about 5 weeks left of school and she had it duct taped. When I noticed I told her I'd buy her a new one but she said that school was almost over and she didn't care. lol

Now my son is going into 7th and his backpack this year survived but barely. So I think I'll have to buy an extra for him now too. He's the only one that takes his lunch and I tend to have back up lunch bags anyway. I think I have 3, 2 are cheap ones and his favorite I think was $15 which I think is RIDICULOUS! It's just a dumb blue one, nothing fancy like transformers or anything lol. Anyway, I have thrown it in the washer when his bbq cup broke and it survived.

So if yours are still in good shape I would reuse them but maybe buy a backup on sale just in case. Good luck.

My son used his backpack for two years and it's not in good shape anymore. He'll need a new one for next year. My goal is to get two years out of each one at least. I don't believe in buying a new one each year just for the sake of it.

I think this is also his second year using his lunch box, but it might have only been his first. I plan to have him use it next year, too. It's from Pottery Barn so I spent a lot and don't want to replace it yet.

For backpacks it depends. My oldest seems to need a new one each year. They just seem to fall apart by the end of the year. My youngest has gotten 2-3 years out of the Jansport backpacks. Although I just yesterday trashed one that suffered a major lotion bottle/make up spillage issue.

No more lunchboxes. I just got disgusted cleaning them out. Kids brown bag it or take school lunch.

I definitely re-use and yes, wash beforehand.. My son had the same lunchbox (a soft material) for several grades. The backpack, that was a different story, it tended to last a grade and a little beyond.. it was one on wheels and since we walk to school, it had a lot of wear and tear..

now, he will attend High School and will no longer use one on wheels, but more of messenger pack.. for what it cost............ he WILL be using it for as long as possible :)

If that "harder plastic inside" on the backpack is just the flat base in the bottom of it, you probably can pull that out (it'll be covered in fabric) and wash the rest of the backpack. If you aren't sure, call or e-mail the maker. We get fairly inexpensive backpacks and I wash them, during the school year as well as at the end. Even these cheapos do hold up OK, but again, check if you're not sure--otherwise, spot clean. And if you get new ones in the fall, buy a can of Scotchgard to use -- but remember to use it outside in good weather with plenty of time to dry outside!

Lunchboxes? Again, we buy pretty cheap ones at the grocery store ($9-$15) and can wash the exterior, then pull up the silvery lining and wash that by hand too.

Sorry, didn't answer but you know the answer by now-- nope, don't buy new ones every year. Probably every other year, though the current one might last for three, and it was just one from Target!

we buy from LL Bean and only replace them when they are truly worn out. I machine wash everything, my boys, the one I married and the one I made swear I would use the same technology on them if I could.

Anyway, I find that keeping some of the older ones that aren't any longer functional for school come in handy for sleepovers and summer camp excursions.

:-) S.

Nope. We buy new when the kid needs it. My DD has a yubo box we've used for 3 years now - just change the handle or faceplates as needed. She'll use her Jansport bag again next year unless there's a major problem. I washed it earlier this year and it still looks great. Next fall will be the third year with that bag. Backpacks like Jansports can be put in the washer and line dried if they don't have any leather on them. My DD's lunchbox can be disassembled and put through the dishwasher. I'd handwash any other kind of lunchbox.

My SD is in college and has used the same Jansport bag every year.

And FWIW, I don't buy new jackets, either, unless she outgrew it. I buy a size up to try to get 2 years out of each one. A little big one year, about right the next.

ETA: that is an interesting point about household income and quality items. That goes for many things, not just school supplies. People who can afford bulk will buy bulk and save later, but people who cannot shell out $10 for a raft of paper towels will have to pay the $2 per roll price as needed. I used my backpack til it wore out when I was a kid, but we also couldn't afford the expensive ones, even if it was better down the road.

Sometimes you can wash them - usually you have to use the "soak" cycle or the "fine delicates" cycle so there's practically no agitation and just a lot of dissolving of dirt or grime. You can also try soaking them in a large bucket or even the bathtub with a bunch of baking soda or white vinegar if they're kind of stinky. In the washer, add vinegar to the rinse cycle. Rinse and air dry in all cases. (We did it outdoors but not in the sun.)

By 6th grade, we were investing in a good backpack from LL Bean and we got 3 years out of them, minimum. The cheap ones don't hold up with heavy textbooks. Especially the corners and sometimes the zippers.

But if kids are still little enough that they lose things, I'd go with cheaper ones. I tried to get ones that were a little different - it was confusing for kids if 5 of them had backpacks with the same TV character, and the classroom cubby area became a disaster zone as they put stuff in the wrong pack.

I bought mine from pottery barn kids and have to say that they look brand new two full school years later. She'll be using it a third time for sure and maybe even more. I pop mine in the wash on the hand wash cycle. I paid about $80 total for a simple lunch sack and the med. size back pack plus monogram on both items. From the responses below, I'm feeling pretty good about the millage we are getting. Think I may even hand it down to little sister. At the rate its wearing, I can see us easily using it for about 6 years.

I usually buy new ones every year because by the end of the year they are damaged in some way. The backpack my daughter has now is still in good shape and so is the lunchbox so she may reuse. I haven't really decided yet.

Two years ago we bought LL Bean backpacks for all 3 kids and last summer we bought Thirty-One lunch boxes for them. We don't plan to replace either unless they fall apart. The LL Bean backpacks should last for life, because they replace them for free if something happens to them. The lunch boxes will need replaced at some point, but not yet.

I reuse them.
The backpack I just spot clean. When the lunch box is too dirty for spot cleaning only, I actually put it through the dishwasher. The fabric holds up fine.

I used to run out and buy new things every year, but having worked in schools and seeing how kids actually throw out brand new looking things I realize what a waste that is.
So I save what I can. If you have to have something new be sure to donate to needy people and watch for the sales!
I always loved new shoes at the beginning of the school year. Still do.

We use them till they fall apart LOL backpacks aren't exactly cheap.

As for cleaning them .. I've never really worried about it much. If it gets really icky inside I'll toss it in the washer on delicate or normal ... depending on what it's made of.

Edited to add: I've got a Jansport backpack that I got when my kids were little and I was "the field trip mom" (I was a chaperone for a LOT of field trips) and that bad boy is STILL in good shape. In fact I've used it now that I'm a college student :)

Mine doesn't use a lunchbox, and he prefers a drawstring bag. We replace when crummy. This years is pretty gross.

We replace when they are needed.

Spot cleaning has worked for us. We replace the lunch boxes every couple years because they just get soooo nasty.

We reuse until they start falling apart.
Our son used the same backpack from kindergarten through 5th grade.
Middle school and high school are a lot harder on backpacks - they carry so much stuff and although they have lockers - nobody uses them.
With that kind of wear and tear we might get 2 years out of a backpack before we have to use another one.
We've learned to have a backup backpack at home in case the one in use falls apart.

To clean the lunchbox:

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-insulated-lun...

Backpack-- has to last at least two years. We paid for a nice one from Land's End or LL Bean, and I don't allow it to be dragged around, etc.

Lunchboxes-- one per year is fine. Not sending my kid to school with a dirty lunchbox for a whole year.

No! My youngest had the same backpack from age 2 (daycare) through 1st grade. He got a huge on last year in 2nd grade that should be good through middle school. My kids all basically moved from truly junior packs (daycare, pre-school and early elementary) to basic youth packs through 6th/7th grade and then into a really big, heavy-duty one through high school. All LL Bean.

Lunchboxes are the same - canvas, used year after year.

Honestly, I don't really care it they're not looking new and don't wash them but I have mostly boys and even my daughter's packs are dark colors, so dirt doesn't really show. I believe that most canvas bags are machine washable.