# 11 Tips on Choosing the Right School Bag for Your Child - Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/kids/choosing-the-right-school-bag-for-your-child/ - Published: 2015-01-10T12:00:31+11:00 - Author: Clare Whitfield Choosing the right school bag for your child might not be high on your list, but the last thing you want when you are choosing a school bag for your child is one that will cause them pain. It is reported that nearly 80% of school children say that their back pack feels heavy and is hard to carry around. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to choose the right school bag for your child, whether you opt for a back bag, book bag or other option. ### Basic guideline on choosing the right school bag for your child: * A backpack should always be worn with both straps, not just one. A book bag is usually worn across the shoulder to distribute the weight evenly. * Your child’s bag should not weigh more than 10 percent of your child’s body weight when it is filled. For example, if your child weighs 20 kg, then the bag should not weigh more than 2 kg. * The heaviest items in your child’s back pack should be placed closest to his back. For example, if he is carrying a textbook, then this should be placed parallel to his back at the back of the pack[.](https://stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/School-backpack1.jpg) [⌊Adidas Performance Kids Backpack - Stay at Home Mum⌉](https://prf.hn/l/7RLoRbp) * It might be a good idea to choose the right school bag with several compartments, such as a place for a water bottle and a separate area to put pens and smaller items in the front. That way it is easier for your child to find these smaller items. * �Some backpack materials are going to be more lightweight than others. For example, canvas backpacks are lighter than leather backpack varieties. * Your child’s lunch bag may be too big to fit in the backpack and thus you may want to choose a carry-on bag to carry your child’s lunch. This will depend on his age, however. A 15-year-old boy will probably be less than willing to carry around a Spiderman lunch bag than a 5-year-old. * Choose a pack with adjustable shoulder straps as well as a strap to go around the waist. This takes the pressure off the shoulders and readjusts the weight to the back and legs as well. * Clean your child’s backpack at the end of each day. That way you can ensure they are not carrying around leftover food, extra water bottles and other items that are causing them more weight. Furthermore, it also means you can be sure you are actually getting any forms, notices or homework assignments that they ‘forgot’ to give to you. There are a number of things that need to go into your child’s backpack. When they are attending kindy or prep they may not have to drag around textbooks but they will require a lunch, a spare change of clothes and some other items. As they get older they will acquire more school books, notepads and even laptops in some instances. Only pack your child’s backpack with the items that they definitely need so they are not carrying extra weight around unnecessarily. Choosing school supplies for your children is not an easy task. In addition to finding the right school bag that will carry all of the required items without hurting your child in the process, you also want to be sure it is not breaking the bank. Let your child be there when you choose the backpack. Most children will know exactly what they like and do not like. Furthermore, letting a younger child pick out their school bag is an easy way to get them excited about going to school and to persuade them to actually go. Check out our article on [Where to Shop for School Backpacks at a Great Price](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/schooling/school-backpacks/) ![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/ 12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1) Clare Whitfield Chief Editor Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work. [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)