Day bag with young children

[feb1982]

We've finally moved away from the nappy bag stage 💃🏼 and now looking for recommendations for a good day rucksack to carry around all DD's (ages 2 & 4) things on a day out. Only requirement is that it has a water bottle pocket on each side. Somewhere between practical and nice-looking would be ideal! Thank you 😊

dont look online look in the shops its better to handle it your self ,that way you know what your getting

but i do find asda great for little bags

https://direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/disney-toy-story-backpack/G007831929,default,pd.html?redirectFromInt=1

Thanks @rosydreams that looks really sweet. I was thinking more of a bag for me/DH to carry spare clothes, snacks, colouring books as the girls' own little bags are usually full of their treasures!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335300673487?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=335300673487&targetid=1817264051475&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006641&poi=&campaignid=19097525516&mkgroupid=147591788601&rlsatarget=pla-1817264051475&abcId=9303861&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1eCTBhqHMD5rDf7wzj8LnRGH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu62RlMWRhQMVtJFQBh25TAHUEAQYASABEgKmKvD_BwE

I bought one of these 18 years ago (this eBay one isn’t mine!) and it was my nappy bag and then my toddler bag -I used a normal camping rucksack for proper days out and they carried their own stuff

They both had one of these each where they carried a few wipes plaster water bottle snack and some tissues each from about 3 upwards and felt very grown up.

I appreciate you said rucksack for a bag though….

We have a Skip hop leather look backpack one which is great and very roomy although only one water bottle pocket.

This was my actual day out kind of bag although I took the leather one to coffee shops, parks, play dates etc and I still have it although she is nearly 17!

https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-urban-22-backpack-791068?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17597583573&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&cq_con=139404206618&cq_med=pla&cq_pos=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhoHfzMaRhQMVCYlQBh3azA3oEAQYAiABEgJlk_D_BwE#colcode=79106824

This one but different colour

I like osprey bags as they look smart and you can get what ever size suits you.
More on the expensive side but mine is over 10 years old and I use it every day.
https://www.osprey.com/gb/osprey-comet-f22#color=Black

I picked this up from a charity shop years ago and it's still going strong, quite cheap and washes well
https://thebagshopltd.co.uk/shop/elephant-tapestry-ruck-by-metro/

Appreciate it's not everyone's style haha but I'm sure there's other designs of tapestry backpacks. Sports Direct quite good for non offensive backpacks

I have a Fact & Fiction black leather backpack that I've used since DH4 was born. Perfect size as a baby changing bag and now for snacks, water bottles and toddler crap. On days I'm commuting I use it as my laptop bag and it's the perfect size. Don't think the brand exists anymore but it was pretty much a knock off of the Tiba & Marl ones that everyone has.
Fact & Fiction is now called Somewhere: www.somewhere.online/collections/backpacks/products/lea-backpack-black-vegan-backpack and the Tiba and Marl one is here - https://tibaandmarl.com/products/elwood-twin-changing-backpack-black-gold

Looks like there are some nice ones in taupe actually!

I have this rucksack from decathlon https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hiking-backpack-23l-nh-escape-500-rolltop/_/R-p-334561 and it's absolutely bloody brilliant!

Ticks all your boxes, has lots of handy storage and really well thought out, plus best bit it unzips from the bottom as well as the top so you don't have to empty whole bag out to find stuff, another zip to access from the back and the front zip means the whole bag opens out so very easy to find things.

It was recommended via MN initially and I recommend it to others all the time. I have to admit it makes me pleased every time I use it as it's so well designed and really aesthetically pleasing. I have the yellow which is nice mustard shade, but comes in other colours too.

Another vote for Osprey. But try and get to a shop where you can try them on. Wearing a comfortable rucksack that fits (even with not much in it!) makes a lot of difference.

I have this one from Decathlon. Can't claim it is the most stylish thing, but it's got a cooler compartment at the bottom which is great for easy access to the constant supply of food that my children believe is necessary.

I use a Herschel backpack to cycle to work. It has 2 side holders for water bottles, umbrellas etc. as well as a front mini pocket and an inside laptop sleeve.

I just got a lovely pale pink Oliver bonas backpack - really roomy, looks nice and has a pocket on each side for a bottle.

However as most of our trips are muddy and outdoorsy, most of the time i use a slightly smaller old superdry backpack which also has bottle holders on each side.

I never had a nappy bag, just bought this rucksack and has been great, from birth (DS is now 4), also use it for work (fits laptop, lunch etc).

https://day-et.co.uk/collections/backpacks/products/day-gweneth-re-s-bp-b-black

I use one of these in the medium size and it's perfect as a day bag, even for longer days out when you need more stuff. I got mine on vinted, so paid around half the price.

Roka bags are great. They have various sizes, and some great colours and patterns. I’ve been using one for years to cart around things for two children and it’s as good as new.

DH and I both have the Lululemon Wunderlust backpack in different colours . Water bottle holders each side. Lots of pockets. It’s perfect because it’s not structured like a backpack, it’s a drawstring with a laptop case compartment making it flat no solid for your back. That means you can chuck stuff in and find it easily to rummage. It holds loads of stuff but when it’s empty it’s very lightweight and not large. It fits things like folding toilet seat, spare change of clothes, snack and lunch boxes. https://www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/wunderlust-backpack-25l/142177327.html

It’s out of stock but they restock in different colours

I have this one. It’s like a doctor’s bag so it opens wide. Used both by parents and for going to work. So many pockets, including a water bottle holder pocket on each side. In total it has at least 8 compartments, including two zipped ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KROSER-Laptop-Backpack-Repellent-Port-Black/dp/B0784LMD7J/ref=asc_df_B0784LMD7J/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309903005216&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5290734398175140023&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045936&hvtargid=pla-561824590206&psc=1&mcid=8b46c2dddcc6346eb3a05c4ef0644c20

We have this one for days out.

https://www.trespass.com/albus-unisex-multi-function-backpack

Roka rucksacks are fantastic,

A light canvas book bag with two mesh bottle holders would be nice.

jansport.co.uk/collections/backpacks/products/central-adaptive-pack-misty-rose?_gl=11bp369r_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppJ6BXGBoiAaGKmn8faf0ulqYYGz08fSXj2asnLW8RG2c48W0MPmdAxoCd9AQAvD_BwE
This one might work.

Tiba & Marl bags - am not a backpack fan but they do some nice ones and the shoulder bags are so nice