To Want To Know Where To Buy A Nice School Bag?

[Toomuchtooyoung01]

DD is starting reception in September 😭 I really want to kit her out with a lovely school bag and shoes etc and was wondering where do you actually buy nice little girls school bags? I’ve seen that Smiggle shop in town but it seems really expensive for quite tacky looking bits to be honest! Where’s the go to place?! (Yes I know I’m overthinking what school bag to get a 4yr old, I’ll be honest I was never the kid with the cool gear when I was younger so just want it to be different for DD)
Thanks!

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MNHQ

John Lewis usually has a pretty good range.

Your Idea of cool for a 4 year d and a 4 year ds idea of cool might be very different. I would get a pleasant enough bag to start ("do they need a bag?) with then wait to see what they start asking for because all. Their friends have some thi g.

My class (Yr5) seem to have Smiggle. Cath Kidston are cute. I used to buy them for my daughters from Gap.

I always get DS2 the bag he wants, which at the moment is a black bag which says "GAMER" on it. DD2 is in secondary and has to have the extortionate logo'd bag.

Does your DD's school want them having backpacks rather than book bags? In my class, the book bags go in their trays/drawers and backpacks never seem to fit properly.

Also, whatever bag you do get, attaching a keyring or something pretty identifiable is a good idea as your DD will be able to find it amongst the other 29.

I got a really nice one from m and s, reasonably priced

Ours all have a school book bag in infants.

Reception classes around here usually have a school issued book bag. They don't carry very much at that age.

I've always found that Argos has a pretty good variety of bags.

I had presumed they would all have school branded book bags but the uniform guide doesn’t actually mention book bags etc just that there is a school branded rucksack if wanted.
I will probably take DD to choose a little rucksack (to keep spare uniform etc in and bring books etc home?)

I am certain it will feature unicorns and plenty of glitter.
Key rings are a great idea, thankyou xx

Does she need a school bag? At DC's infants they were discouraged from bringing anything except book bag and a draw string bag for PE (there was no room to put anything else).

Double check her school - most infant schools use book bags (with school logo) and drawstring pe bags not backpacks. Be aware that what your dd thinks is nice won't be the same as you and they wreck most things especially schools so get ones with a good rubber bumper!

School book bags are the best because they often have to fit into a particular size tray. I used to personalise with charms and name tags.

Our school doesn’t allow children to bring additional bags - only school book bags and PE kit bags allowed. Check your school allows it - and don’t spend too much, it’s guaranteed to go ‘missing’.

Double check with school, schools bags still aren't permitted at my dc school 'cause covid 🤷‍♀️. Water bottles are the only thing that can be taken to/from school, even lunch needs to be sent in a disposable paper bag. They're sticking with these rules next term.

Double check her school - most infant schools use book bags (with school logo) and drawstring pe bags not backpacks

I don't know any school that does that so it can't be most.

I'd ask your daughter what she wants. Your choice of a nice bag probably isn't going to be the same as hers.

Ds1 starts school in august and he's chosen a ghost busters bag. He's really pleased with it.

DS uniform guide does not mention the book bag either but that is all any child in infants has & is usually as mandatory as anything is in primary school. If you've seen the local kids with a book bag it's likely that's what's expected in infants, as they get their lunches provided so don't need a rucksack.

When the time comes, let her choose her own bag (within reason eg in terms of budget, appropriate for school). Your idea of a trendy/classy/tasteful bag for a child are unlikely to be what she or her peers appreciate.

Oh and smiggle is expensive but there are quite regular sales. It might look "tacky" to you but the kids LOVE it.

tbh somewhere like ASDA / Sainsburys / Tesco will probably be fine. She is unlikely to mind if 3 others have the same bag, infact girls at that age seem to positively like having exactly the same as someone else. You can personalise it with keyrings or whatever.

However as pp have said, school may not allow bags so check. DD did have a bag, and then her school bookbag was inside that. Better 1 bag for her to practice wearing than separate book back, water bottle, jumper etc.

Don't waste money on Smiggle at age 4.

Smiggle is the go to place.. it's tacky to us as we are not the target age group but youg kids love them!

Do they have bags?
Many schools don't and some that did no longer do due to CV19.

I got a lovely bag from the shein website for DS

Book bag in reception year 1 and 2 - I brought a personalised bag for them with their name - same with water bottle - just easier straight off Amazon arrived in 48 hours

Many schools have limited space and may request that backpacks aren’t used.
I recommend Wildkin backpacks for kids.
Also try places like mountain warehouse.

Useful to have enough space for a lunch box, a pocket for a water bottle, perhaps waterproof if you walk to school.

Smiggle currently have bundle offers so you get a bag, lunchbox, water bottle and pencil case for just over 20 quid. They aren't my first choice either but are very popular with the kids.

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