School Backpacks that Grow with Your Elementary Boy

Backpacks are the best choice for elementary students who need to carry items back and forth between home and school. Like lunch bags, they tend to be one of the more expensive items on your school supplies shopping list. Choosing a versatile backpack that will last your boy two or more years is one way to cut down on the back to school spending. Here are a variety of backpack ideas, for elementary school boys of all ages.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Turtle Shell Backpack
This officially licensed TMNT backpack will make your little boy look like a real turtle, and comes with a set of four character eye masks so he can be a ninja turtle too! Roomy main compartment is spacious enough for carrying lunch, gym clothes, library books and homework. Inside organizer pockets for pencils and electronics. Padded back and wide shoulder straps make it a safe backpack for your child. Available through Hot Topics and Amazon, this backpack would also appeal to Franklin fans. Leave off the masks, and the only evidence of this being a TMNT backpack is the word "Turtles" in the back padding. This backpack would be a superb choice for a child in preschool or kindergarten now, as it will grow with him as he enters the early elementary grades and will give him something familiar to hang onto through the first weeks of his new school adventure. Great for building a Halloween costume around, too!

Kelty Grommet 850 Kids Backpack
This is a very lightweight backpack with good padding on the back panel and shoulder straps. Boys will love the fiery red background and the cool image of the bike rider. The backpack has a main compartment big enough to fit 8-1/2" x 11" folders, and a large outer pocket. Two side mesh bottle holders will encourage active boys to stop for water breaks. This backpack will take your boy from school to play, and doubles well as a bag for extra-curricular activities or weekend camping. It's a great choice for a younger boy, but durable enough to last a few years, and with the neutral biker design he won't be embarrassed to wear it again when he's older! There is a grape version of this backpack, decorated with butterflies, for his sister too. Kelty backpacks can be found in most stores that carry sporting goods.

JanSport Mesh Pack
This backpack meets requirements of some schools and venues for a see-through backpack, but is more sturdy than similar bags made from clear vinyl. It has plenty of space for carrying textbooks, assignments and personal belongings. The breathable compartments and pockets make this backpack ideal for carrying home gym clothes. Boys who have a tough time keeping track of their school supplies will appreciate that they can locate items quickly at a glance - this would be an ideal backpack for a boy who has ADHD. The bag is lightweight, and durable enough to last several years. Comes in an assortment of colours and patterns. Be prepared to protect books and papers during wet weather. Available wherever JanSport products are sold.