How to Choose Your Toddler's First Backpack

Choosing your toddler's first backpack is one of those little practical decisions that you can turn into a memorable experience for your two-year-old. It's an excellent opportunity to teach them how to become more responsible and more independent. However, there are also several pitfalls that you have to avoid.

Before you can use a backpack to teach your toddler anything, you have to purchase the right backpack. There are three factors you must take into consideration. The first factor is the size of the backpack. If you pick one that's too bulky, you'll probably end up carrying it. If you pick one that's too small, your child will soon outgrow it. Either way, you won't get your money's worth.

Next, you should check how easy it is to clean. You'll never know what mess your toddler might get into, so it's best to choose a backpack lined with plastic or with another waterproof surface. Make sure this lining covers the inside and the outside of the bag. Not only does this render the backpack impervious to stains, it also makes clean-up a breeze. If your toddler's bag doesn't have this feature, it will soon start to look old and worn. Bags that aren't waterproof also take a long time to dry.

Don't indulge your child if he or she asks you to purchase a backpack that prominently displays brand names or cartoon characters. These items may be fashionable at the moment, but they are also impractical in the long-run. Once that brand or that character goes out of style, your child will most likely ask you to buy a new bag, even though the old one is still serviceable. However, that doesn't mean your child's backpack has to be boring. Involve your child in the selection process by allowing them to choose the color of their backpack. Most children will happily accept this compromise. They will feel a sense of pride because they helped make the decision. This sense of pride will also encourage them to take good care of their backpack.

Now that you know how to choose the right backpack, you can start thinking about how to teach your child good values. Apart from teaching your toddler how to take care of his or her belongings, you can also teach him or her how to prioritize. There will probably be a time when your toddler wants to stuff his or her entire toy collection into their backpack. Take this opportunity to teach them how to limit their park toys to just a few favorites.
The backpack can also come in handy during long trips. As you probably know from experience, toddlers are notorious for throwing temper tantrums when they are bored. To prevent this from happening, you might want to hide a small present in the bottom of the backpack. When your toddler starts becoming fidgety and restless, you can tell him or her to search the bag for "hidden treasure." You'll probably be feeling just as bored as your toddler during the journey, so why not get creative and turn the treasure hunting into a full-fledged game? This is an effective diversion that should last at least an hour, especially if the present is a little puzzle that the two of you can solve together.