Choosing the right size of your schoolbag: complete guide!

A new year is about to begin. Your child has grown up well and needs a new school bag. After checking the trends of the moment, a question is nagging at you: What size school bag to choose ?

Indeed, theNumber one school accessory is chosen above all according to its size. Opt for a Luggage too small or too large causes inconvenience...

Just imagine: the Wheeled bag chosen turns out to be too small to carry the large format notebook imposed by the teacher. Or again, the Ring binder is so imposing that your child has difficulty moving around with it...

For Don't make a mistake in buying your child's future school bag, there is only one solution: an article that lists the dimensions of each model according to the age and grade level of the young learners ! This is precisely what you will find in the following lines...

Attacking school bags! From kindergarten to high school...

From kindergarten to high school students, each student has the right to a solid luggage to carry the school equipment necessary for any learning. This accessory comes in many forms.

Different models are necessary: here they are...

The best school bags in kindergarten and primary school

Kindergarten children, fans of backpacks with and without wheels

The two popular models of school bags in kindergarten are the backpack and the wheeled bag. These accessories are taller than they are wide and offer a large compartment ideal for carrying supplies imposed by the teaching team. Small communication notebook, change of linen, cuddly toy, small snack: the small luggage is ready to receive everything you need for a great day at school.

▶️ The Backpack Easily hooks up over the shoulders with adjustable shoulder straps. It ensures easy movement: with the accessory on the back, children remain free to move. They have both hands available to go and pick a flower or to give mum and dad a last hug before meeting up with their friends.

▶️ The trolley bag is undoubtedly the favourite of the little ones. A sort of transitional object between a toy and an accessory for adults, it finds its audience among young children from 3 to 5 years old. They like to pull it like a toy to roll. Their mission is to take care of it, because it is also their work tool!

✨In recent years, the rectangular schoolbag has been gaining ground in kindergarten playgrounds. This small piece of luggage, wider than it is high, adapts to the needs of young students and promises a retro look that parents love... What do you think?

➡️ To go further: Find out how to choose the right kindergarten schoolbag !

Primary school students are spoiled for choice

No less than Four models of school luggage coexist in primary school : the school bag and its wheeled counterpart, the backpack and the wheeled bag. These accessories each have their own particularity: they all have their advantages and disadvantages.

Thus, a Wheeled bag is ideal if the student is walking to school. But, it is to be avoided if the school is full of stairs.

Similarly, a rectangular binder provides a perfect storage frame for all the supplies that teachers request. However, it is quickly bulky (and heavy because of its structure) on the shoulders of small children.

As you can see, before looking at the size of the schoolchild's luggage, it is important to define the model. You will discover that each of them offers different dimensions...

The equipment of middle and high school students

In 6th grade, we change bags ! From secondary school, and in this case middle school, The schoolbag is abandoned in favor of the backpack. 

The students rely on light travel. The structural arrangement of the rectangular model is no longer necessary for these young teenagers who now know how to organize and store their belongings properly. Well, for most of them...

Some middle and high school students prefer to opt for a model with wheels. These accessories, like suitcases on wheels, relieve young students of the often overwhelming weight of school supplies.

Finally, others let themselves be caught up in the fashion of crossbody bags. Like backpacks, they offer freedom of movement and free the hands from any wearing constraints. A little extra: thanks to this model, the transported belongings remain easily accessible while on the move.

You now know all the models of school bags on the market. So let's get to the point: how do you choose the right size?

What size school bag should I choose? It all depends on the model, the age and the level of education...

The size of the luggage is chosen according to three criteria:

✅ the model;
✅ the age and in particular the student's build;
✅ and of course, his or her academic level.

It is impossible to ignore one or the other of these criteria. Otherwise, you expose yourself to two major risks:

1️⃣ future physical problems for your child, consequences of a bag not adapted to his morphology;
2️⃣ the impossibility of transporting all school supplies because of undersized luggage.

So to help you choose the right size of schoolbag for your child, we offer tables according to each model.

The school bag

Even if it is not the most popular model in kindergarten, the schoolbag can be worn from 2 to 3 years old.

For these little ones, choose a piece of luggage that measures between 27 and 28 cm. In the middle section, depending on the size of your little one, you can opt for a size of 32 cm. At the end of kindergarten, at a time when supplies are starting to be necessary, it is preferable to adopt a 34 to 35 cm schoolbag.

✨ For information, we are talking about the width here: this is how the size of a school bag is defined.

Here is a summary of the sizes of the rectangular accessory for primary school. For the start of first grade, it is generally between 35 cm and 38 cm tall.

⛔ Please note that the 35 cm wide luggage will not be able to accommodate a large format binder! So find out about the nature of the material requested by teachers for the year.

In CE1, the schoolbag is 38 to 41 cm wide. For the last three years of primary school, i.e. CE2, CM1 and CM2, it is preferable to choose an accessory with a minimum width of 40 cm. Thus, books, 24 cm x 32 cm binders, small notebooks, pencil cases, etc., all the School supplies can invest in the favorite baggage of schoolchildren.

Discover our table of dimensions for school bags from kindergarten to CM2!

The backpack

For backpacks, the measurements differ.

✨ The dimensions of this luggage, which is taller than it is wide, are defined by the height.

Thus, for toddlers (around 2-3 years old), choose a height between 24 and 30 cm. In the second year of kindergarten, around 4 - 5 years old, the ideal backpack is between 30 and 34 cm high. Finally, children in the first grade, aged 5 to 6, need an accessory with dimensions ranging from 34 to 38 cm.

In primary school, the backpack is adorned with one or two compartments. In CP, the size varies between 38 and 40 cm in height. A measure to be defined in relation to the school supplies requested. (Again, a large format binder won't fit in a 38 cm high backpack!)

From CE1, prefer dimensions ranging from 40 to 42 cm in height. In CE2, depending on your child's growth, the ideal bag measures between 40 and 45 cm.

For students at the end of primary school, CM1 and CM2, opt for luggage with a minimum height of 42 cm.

Do these various measures seem too complicated to you? Here is a small summary table!

Shoulder bags

This sympathetic Messenger bag, with a large strap, offers a rectangular frame to easily carry stationery or a digital device. Lightweight and space-saving, it is often used for extracurricular activities: transporting sheet music for budding musicians, moving drawings for art lovers, a practical container for library enthusiasts, etc.

As far as dimensions are concerned, choose a width of 30 to 34 cm in CP and CE1. From CE2, this luggage measures between 35 and 41 cm. It's up to you to define the right size according to what your child needs to carry! Few models exceed 42 cm.

✨ The most important thing in this kind of container is the length of the shoulder strap. And to make sure you make the right choice: prefer an adjustable strap! This will allow you to adjust it correctly on your child's shoulder, making sure that the top of the bag does not go down below their hips.

Wheeled luggage

Still other dimensions?

When it comes to luggage with wheels, it's very simple. The size is calculated in relation to the shape of the chosen model. So, if you opt for a satchel on wheels, refer to the satchel size chart. For wheeled bags, you will have all the information on the backpack size chart.

➡️ What about the size of the telescopic handle?

Wheeled luggage offers a system called a trolley that includes two (or four) wheels and a telescopic handle. The manufacturers have calculated the length of the latter so that it corresponds to the size of the children for whom these accessories are intended. These dimensions are based on the growth curves established by health professionals. So you don't have to worry about it!

You now have all the keys in hand to choose the right size of your child's future school bag. The question "what size schoolbag should I choose?" is no longer a question for you...

But remember, these measures are general. The choice of size can also depend on the brand luggage storage. So to put all the chances on your side, check the list of supplies imposed by the teachers beforehand and measure your child's height!

Finally, take into account his morphology, and it's certain, you won't make a mistake in the choice of your child's future school background! At least, not in the dimension...

See all our school bags!

Sources:
Growth charts by AFPA and CompuGroup Medical