This fun backpack from Zid Zid kids is a practical gift idea for a little guy on the go. Many kids are fascinated by planes and other mechanical gadgets, and this plane-shaped bag is a great way to carry around toy cars, daily necessities, or other treasures. The metallic vinyl and brightly colored accents make it attractive and hip. It closes with a zipper for easy access. You can purchase one of these handmade bags for $52 at theredballoon.com.

Sweetly simple, this Pottery Barn Kids Preschool Elephant Backpack is designed with the youngest wearers in mind. A flap closure makes it easy for preschoolers to do it themselves. Its adjustable straps ensure a good fit. You can purchase one of these bags for $19, and shipping is free. You can have it personalized for $6.50 more. The matching lunch bag retails for $19. You can purchase both at potterybarnkids.com. This would make a fun, but practical gift.

My three year old recently moved up to the preschool classroom at daycare. In keeping with her new program of study, she needs a backpack of her very own. She has a cute Blabla pack, but it isn’t quite large enough for “school.” I’ve been scouring the Web for a child-friendly choice. I’m tempted by this Samsonite Kanga Roo School Bag, in part because my daughter quite humorously referred to the ground hog that lives in our back yard as a “grass kangaroo.” The simple design also looks easy for a small child to use. Best of all, this one’s highly affordable. You can pick one up for $17.09 at Overstock.com. Several other animal designs are also available.

My daughter’s school bag last year was one of these great Fleurville Kids Messenger Bags. I’m sad to say that she decided that drawing pictures on it with a Sharpie marker would improve its character. Before it met this fate, however, it was a great-looking bag that held up through all kinds of adventures. I like the fact that it can be used as either a backpack or a messenger bag, although keeping track of the removable shoulder strap proved to be a bit of a challenge in our house. I’d definitely recommend this bag, and it looks like there are some fun new styles for both boys and girls. You can purchase one for $49.95 at thetrendytote.com.

Dante Beatrix is known for its high-quality diaper bags. Now the company is making some great backpacks for little ones. All kinds of animal themed packs are available. I was immediately drawn to this fuzzy squirrel model. It is made for toddler-sized children, and can carry all the essentials–small toys, arts supplies, etc. It has a padded back and adjustable straps for comfort. You can purchase on for $47.99 at oompa.com. Coordinating lunch bags are available for most styles.

Well, now I guess it’s official: my son truly is starting kindergarten at the end of August. His new backpack and lunch kit arrived in the mail today from etoys.com. I really like this SpongeBob Square Pants set: the backpack is large enough, yet not too big for a 5 year old; and the lunch kit, while a bit small, is attached to the backpack with straps and velcro, so that it won’t get lost. Now that he’s all ready to go, am I going to be ready to put him on the school bus and wave goodbye? You can purchase this kit at etoys.com for just $12.99. If your little one’s not a SpongeBob fan, there are many other designs available, with free shipping offered on this set and manyother back to school items.

We’ve all seen the gorgeous prints that are available these days for slings, mei teis, and wraps, but those of us who love backpacks for our little ones are pretty much stuck with the same outdoorsy styles that have always been available. That’s why I was very excited to see these great carriers from Kokopax. These packs are as gorgeous as they are functional. I can’t believe no one thought of this sooner.

The fabric, which is available in a number of attractive prints, is 100% cotton canvas. The frame is made from anodized aluminum so it is sturdy, but light. A kickstand makes it easy to get your little one in and out, while a 5-pt harness keeps him/her safe and secure. It makes it a lot easier to get things done, whether you are at home or on the go. It can be used for children from 6 months up to 2 years. You can purchase one for $179.99 at Kokopax.com. Use code ub2009 to save 10% on any order.

Here is an intriguing and unusual diaper bag. As its name suggests, this diaper bag backpack from Sparkability looks as though it was made out of seatbelts. It reminds me of a memorable episode of Project Runway in which contestants had to make garments out of car parts. It features a number of interior pockets to keep everything you need for yourself and your baby organized and easy to reach. The bag zips closed at the top to keep everything in place, while two shoulder straps keep it firmly on your back and out of your way. I often wear my current diaper bag as a backpack and it is so nice to have my hands free and not to have a bulky bag bumping against my hip. This trendy pack measures 12″ x 6″ x 14″, and is available in a number of colors. It is sure to be a conversation piece. You can purchase one on sale for $150 at Sparkability.net.

This is the first time that my 2 year old son has become totally fascinated with a bag. Like me, he tries to stuff as many things in as possible, but unlike my bag his is much more stylish and he is proud to be seen out and about with it. This bag is so roomy that you can get plenty in and yet the straps are nicely padded so it’s easy to carry. The Dabbawalla backpack comes in a range of great designs like penguins, dogs, cows, traffic lights or watermelons. They are insulated so anything inside can stay cool or warm for hours. The material is stain resistant and washable and having put it to the test I can safely say very sturdy.

Not only is this bag great to look at but it has a nice story behind it too. The bags are designed in the USA but manufactured by a female owned and operated facility in Taiwan using lead safe PVC free bags and certified safe dyes. Dabbawalla Bags have provided them with a micro loan that has helped the company expand and in turn provided fair wage jobs for women in this rural area. A great bag with a great story! This bag is recommended for ages 2 and up, and sells for $47.99 at Oompa.com

I bought this great Blabla Giraffe Backpack for my middle daughter for her third birthday, and it is a huge hit.  I was drawn to its incredibly cute appearance.  My daughter, humorously enough, likes the more practical aspect of the bag.  Its small size is great for toddlers, so she can throw a few things in it and wear it comfortably.  This is perfect for her to take along to doctor appointments and other errands where we have to wait for a while.  My only complaint about the bag is that it doesn’t hold much.  The pack is already small and the way it is designed closes it off even further (It opens through a small zipper in the back.). I would, however, highly recommend this bag to other parents of small children.

Each of these bags is handmade by Peruvian artists following the design of Blabla’s Florence Wetterwald. You can purchase one for $42.99 at oompa.com.

If your little one is fussing over going back to school after the holiday vacation, why not tempt them back with a new backpack? After all, we moms have more than one purse in our closets. This Toddler Pink Funkier Monkey Backpack is fun and practical with spacious pockets and sturdy 600 denier plus nylon for ultimate strength. Visit BarefootBella.net to view this item, priced at $35. A matching Pink Funkier Monkey Lunch Bag is also available (sold separately).

This is one of the most useful diaper bags I’ve seen. The Jessica Messenger Backpack Diaper Bag in Lemon Lime Dot looks sophisticated and classy. What’s more, it can be worn four different ways: as a backpack, as a shoulder bag, across the chest, or on the stroller (using the included stroller straps). It is made of waterproof/stainproof material, a must for diaper bags. It comes with a changing pad and tons of compartments for wipes, bottles, cell phone, you name it. Mom looks good while carrying it as well.

Made by Bumble Bags, this diaper bag measures 18.5″L x 12″H x 6″W and costs $127.95 at SpiffyBaby.com.

If your family does a lot of traveling, you may want to look into this innovative product from Portable Playtime. The Backpack Tray Table Playmat is great toy is designed to keep your little ones entertained by converting an airplane’s tray table into a play area. Available in a number of designs to suit both boys and girls, this is one gift that parents will enjoy as much as kids.  It has been awarded an iParenting Media Award and has been featured on CNBC’s “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch”.

The toy can hold more than twenty small to mid-sized toys, along with snacks, pacifiers, and whatever other small treasures your child needs for comfort.  It also provides your child with a clean area for eating as well as for playing. Zippers keep everything secure as you travel. The simple design allows children to use this product without a lot of help from parents.  You can purchase one of these playmats for $39.95 at LittleJetSet.com.

My two year old is currently obsessed with bags and backpacks.  She likes to hoard small toys in them and carry them around with her.  It is actually quite cute to watch–I just have to make sure she doesn’t run off with my keys or cell phone.  Because she is having so much fun with this game, I think I may feed our Haba addiction with this great Solemio Little Bag for the holidays.

I love the gorgeous colors–the red is so deep and luxurious and the contrast between the red, pink, and green is really attractive.  The bag has a magnetic closure and pockets for all your little one’s treasures.  It is also machine washable.

You can purchase this bag for $7.99 at oompa.com.

Although we are still loving the Fleurville messenger bag/back pack that my older daughter got for school this year, she has already “misplaced” the lunch bag that came with it.  I’ve been environmentally remiss in allowing her to take paper bags to school.  We really need to get something reusable.  Luckily, I just discovered that Fleurville is now making a lunch box that matches the bag.  It is attractive enough that I think I can pass it off as a gift.  Plus, the colors are so bright that I’m hoping she won’t be able to lose track of this one.

Made from bright green and Pink Obo fabric, this lunch box is stunning.  I would even consider using it myself.  It is also a little larger than the bag that originally came with her backpack, and will fit quite a bit in it.  It comes with a detachable shoulder strap and has a padded handle.  It is PVC-free for safety.

Your child doesn’t need to be in school to enjoy one of these lunch boxes.  It is perfect for taking snacks to the park, or for small picnics.  I have yet to be disappointed by anything from Fleurville, and we are starting to build quite a collection of their products. You can purchase one of these cute little lunch boxes for $28 at fleurville.com.  A more masculine, Pirate Camo version is also available.