We are ready to move from the diaper bag to a backpack for my son so I'm looking to purchase a cute, decent quality backpack for my son who's almost 2. I would like for it to have his name on it as well. As far as size, I need it to be big enough to hold extra changes of clothing, snacks and a few toys but not so big that he can't carry it.
Does anyone have recommendations for a good place to order or purchase one - one that will last? I want to keep the cost under $50. I've looked in a couple of magazines but it's hard to tell the size sometimes and I definitely cannot tell the quality just based on a picture.
Any recommendations are appreciated. Thank you!
Thank you all for all the great suggestions for backpacks. I actually ended up finding one at Children's Place this weekend on clearance for $5! I've found that their clothes tend to hold up well so hopefully the backpack will as well. Also, thank you for the warning about putting his name on it. I think I will just have it monagrammed with his initials. I am definitely going to save all of the responses so that when this pack wears out, I can look back at all the recommendations. Thanks again!
I have gotten personalized backpacks from Kids Travel Zone.
http://www.kidstravelzone.com/kidsluggage.htm
They are very well made and a great size. You can put their initials, nickname, graphics, whatever you like. They will embroider it on for you.
Jansport makes a great backpack that holds up well and they a small style for little kids. Unfortunately I don't know where to tell you to get one, but maybe if you look online at the jansport website they will have a list of retailers that sell them. As for putting his name on it, I do embroidery and would be able to do that, as would any embroidery shop.
LL Bean...buy a backpack and they monogram for free....You can order online
I agree with Aimee to an extent...I personally think it is much more dangerous when parents put school stickers on back of their car along with the sport their child plays including their name. So a pedifile knows what school your child goes to, her name and what sport she plays..... I think that's way more risky than a young child with a name on his pack. I have my son's name on his backpack b/c he only takes it to school.
try Cabela's. I have a friend that purchased 2 there and had them personalized - they are super cute!
Hometown Threads inside of Walmart has some cute backpacks. I got my nephew one as a baby shower gift. They even put the name on the backpack for you. Lots of designs to choose from!
http://www.hometownthreads.com/htt3001/
Another place to look would be inside of Willow Bend Mall. On the second floor near Dillards is another engraving type place that sells lots of nice things. I am pretty sure they have backpacks too.
Hi K.:
I just received my order from Land's End. My 2 year old started preschool, so I wanted one that was also big enough to hold a light folder.
They have toddler and little kid sized backpacks, embrodered names in a variety of styles, and embroidered pics (i.e. football).
Land's End has always had very great quality items. They even have a guarantee on their clothing and shoes that states if anything falls apart while your child can still fit into it, they will replace it free. If you buy mittens from them and your child loses one, they will replace the lost one free of charge.
I believe I paid about $40 for the backpack, name and an embroidered football.
Good Luck.
Hi K.,
You may want to try www.lillianvernon.com (type in backpack and a variety of them will show).I purchased a perosnalized backpack about two years ago for my daughter and we are still using it!!
Good luck!!
S.
Check out www.laura-louise.com
They have some cute bags & stuff for babies & toddlers. :)
Look at Pottery Barn Kids online
Look on ebay for Stephen Joseph Backpacks. They are super cute and really practical for the little guys! You can also have them monogramed. I've noticed that different ebay stores carry them. I purchased mine almost 2 years ago and we still use it. I tried to remember which ebay store I bought it from but for the life of me, I couldn't remember...sorry!
www.staymybaby.com has backpacks. Check it out, I've used this website alot and the lady that runs the business is awesome and reliable!!
Good luck!
Randa
Hi K.,
We do custom embroidery. Call us if you need anything...our website is www.nanapuddins.com
Thanks!
J.
You may also check out Personalization Mall.com and Personal Creations.com
Without a doubt, Lands End!
M.
"My son eats 15 fruits and veggies every day. Without a fight."
Check my Mamsource profile to see how we do it
Learning Express. They have cute little half size backpacks with themes. The backpacks are 24.99 I believe and then the do embroidery for an additional flat $10. They also have full size backpacks for kids that are 29.99 plus 10.00 for embroidery. www.learningexpress.com - look up the site and find the location closest to you.
Another place is you can order them from vendors on ebay for about 20-30. just search "personalized backpack" and you will get all kinds of results. they usually have different designs that you can choose from and the total cost ends up less than most stores, esp less than Lillian Vernon, etc.
Hope that helps!
A friend of ours got our son a personalized backpack off of the Nike website. They will stitch his name on a little backpack and our son loves his. I'm sure they still do it! Good luck!
Alot of the walmarts have a monogram shop in them and they have alot of cute backpacks in different sizes. I would suggest starting there. You can see and feel the quality for yourself, choose the right size and pick what and how you want it personalized.
Pottery Barn Kids has a sale going on right now and I saw a bunch of backpacks on their website.
Something you might not have thought of...
I never put my children's names on the outside of their clothing or bags. If we are ever seperated in crowds, etc.they are more of a target for child predators if their name is where it can be read and used to lure the child by the predator.
This may not be too big of a deal now, but as he gets older and their are more opportunities for him to be apart from you, it is something to consider.
Hi K., I like the Disney store, and Lilly Kids (it's Lillian Vernon for kids). The both have nice backpacks for toddlers or children. Some backpacks at Disney are on clearance, also.
I worry about personalizing them, some stranger may see their name and act like they know your child. Kinda scary!
Good Luck!
K.,
I know you don't want to hear this but you do NOT want to get a backpack that is personalized since anyone walking behind him will know his name and if he is like most kids he will respond to his name and it will be a stranger saying it and there are some creepy people out there. Trust me I want to let my son have a backpack with his name on it but after my husband explained why we couldn't I completely understand.
K.
My son is an ex law enforcement officer. The idea is really cute, but for safety reasons, I would recommend that you do NOT get a personalized backpack. It may allow for people (creeps/freaks, etc.) to see his name, and possibly give them reason to create "trouble." This is just the honest opinion of a concerned mom that truly believes in protecting children even more in this day and time:-).
Try Lillian Vernon or Pottery Barn kids online.
