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Step 1
Look for a backpack with rubber treads on the bottom. Children think nothing about slinging their backpacks on the ground and rubber treads keep school supplies dry on rainy and snowy days.
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Step 2
Purchase a backpack with wide padded shoulder straps. The pack must also feature a padded back to prevent sharp books from poking her. Ask the child to try the pack on with a book representative of the weight she normally carries before you purchase.
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Step 3
Consider a backpack with wheels if the child totes heavy loads. Children are at risk for neck, shoulder and back pain if they carry more than 15 percent of their body weight in their backpack.
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Step 4
Make sure the backpack fits in the child's locker or cubby. Take the backpack to the child's open house before school starts for a test run.
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Step 5
Select a backpack with the right amount of pockets. Although five or six pockets might seem handy, the pockets are useless if they are too small to be functional. One big pocket and two smaller pockets meet the needs of most children.
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Step 6
Think carefully before choosing a backpack that features your child's favorite cartoon character. Children are fickle about characters, and this year's favorite might be next year's embarrassment. Solid colors have staying power.
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Step 7
Pick a backpack large enough for young children to fit their artwork in. It's disappointing to see a treasured painting get crushed in the pack. Choose a backpack that accepts a piece of construction paper.
