School bag chaos - help needed!

[bjorkie]

Most days I have to carry 3-4 separate bags (awkward long book bag with just a handle, lunch bag, pe kit and school shows/wellies in plastic bag depending on the weather) to schools so to keep hands free (for holding hands and umbrella) and ensuring no bags are lost on the way I started looking for something to chuck all the little bags in.

After searching high and low I found this bag on Amazon canvas bag which seemed to be the answer but unfortunately it didn't last even two weeks before one of the straps came off and the school reception bags aren't even heavy.

I'd prefer to have something that either one of us can carry on our back to prevent any back issues.

So any ideas/recommendations for a replacement bag or method for transporting all the pesky school bags pls. TIA

[redskybynight]

A standard rucksack should be fine - my DC manage to get all their bits and pieces in (they cycle). Can the PE kit stay at school. And the DC carry their own bags?

[Spidertracker]

I use one of those Orla Keily print bags they sell in Tesco for about a fiver.
I can just about fit it on my shoulder so both arms free.

[bjorkie]

thanks ladies, unfortunately the book bag is too long to fit into a standard ruck sack. PE kit needs to travel only on 3 days a week but I'm also likely to have art pieces to carry on 2-3 days.

I like the look of the Orla shopping bags but ideally I'd like a bag with a zipper to keep everything in... maybe I should look for a big beach bag...?

[mrz]

Why are you carrying the bags can't the children carry their own?

[multivac]

My kids carry their own bags; a bookbag in one hand and lunchbox in the other in reception/infants, and a rucksack in juniors that holds everything.

[Copperspider]

Another one voting for a rucksack for your DC - PE kit, lunchbox and spare shoes should fit (plus art apron, pencil case, jumper, coat...) One hand holding the book bag, which is usually the right size and shape for artwork.

Does the PE kit need to come home as often? As you're caring the bags I'm guessing DC is small - ours keep them at school for a whole half term until Year 5 (when some of them do start to get a bit sweaty, to it goes home every week.

If you do want to stick to lots of small bags, would one of those blue IKEA bags work? Carried over your shoulder rather than on your back, but great for lots of little things, lasts, and folds up small-ish. (Doesn't zip up though.)

[chapca]

I have the same problem. My kids (age 3 and 5) scoot and it's about 20 minutes. I would worry about them scooting with bags. Sometimes I take the buggy and hang them on there but it is still a problem in the rain. I have had a few occasions of torrential rain when the books in the book bag have got soaked. So I am looking for a waterproof bag to put them all in. Which I could put over my shoulder or hang on the buggy.

[redmimi]

Can the kids help carry the bags? If not these are quite good but maybe a bit big.

www.dotcomgiftshop.com/jumbo-storage-bags?ll=tile

[cityangel]

Watersport bags were the answer for me as they have tough zips, they survive the wet UK playground floor etc. and are durable. I chuck everything in my GUL one. OverBoard/ North Face/ Osprey = other brands. Especially good if you get a holdall that has internal net pockets/ compartments as mobile phones etc. can be placed inside on wet days if you are consolidating bags but still easily retrieveable.
Google: 40 litre duffel bag waterproof
I would look for one that's has backpack straps. They are not a suitable for long walks but brilliant for short trips lugging bags & precious craft pictures in the rain!
Keep it in the boot and use a cycling backpack with clever clips for just the book bags on a dry day.
Buy some acrylic paint and label it with your surname.
I stopped losing so much stuff after I could stuff it all into one bag!

[cityangel]

www.amazon.co.uk/Karrimor-40L-Dufflebag/dp/B00JMF99JW?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

or you might need a 70L one

[FishWithABicycle]

My child scoots to school on a mini micro scooter with the book bag slung over one handlebar and the lunch box slung over the other. On the rare occasions we also need to transport the pe kit I carry it if I am feeling kind or it goes on his back as a rucksack - but there's no point bringing sports kit too and from home all the time - it doesn't need washing every time it is worm for 45 minutes. On welly days it's easier for the wellies to be on his feet and then shoes can go in either the book bag or the sports kit. I rarely carry anything - not being mean and lazy, teaching important lessons of independence and self reliance.

[bjorkie]

I'd love to dd to carry her own bags but our branded book bag is oversized so if she is carrying it it'll drag on the ground as it only has one small handle hence awkward for a shorty to carry. Also the branded pe kit bag had really long strings so the bag is literally pouncing on the back of her knees...
The school is really strict about their kit code and only the branded bags are allowed in school hence me trying to find something at least I can carry.

PE kit goes in on a Monday an comes back on Thursday and swimming kit goes in and comes back on Friday. We can leave the trainers and plimsols at school but nothing else over the weekend.

Thanks city angel, I really like the look of those duffel bags so I'll do some investigating on the 40litre ones. And they would definitely be more waterproofed than beach bag.

[moonbells]

I'd go to Sports Direct or Argos and get a wheeled sports bag. They're usually fairly waterproof and you can get absolutely loads in them. If you get a cricket one then there's even a slot in the side for bats which is also very good for umbrellas!

Failing that, just an old wheelie suitcase.

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

Tie knots in the strings of the sports bag to shorten them. Then dc can carry it.