A child’s backpack should not weigh more than 10% to 15% of their body weight.

While many families may not be ready to accept it yet, the summer is coming to an end, and back-to-school shopping is in full force. Summer may be fun, but it must always come to an end, and this means that children are heading back to school, and they need all the supplies to make sure they succeed.

One of the biggest things they will need is a new backpack, and children can go through these every year, so it is not surprising that mom has to run out every summer and get their child a new backpack.

While it may seem like an easy purchase, there are some things that mom should look out for when it comes to making sure she is getting the right one.

Your child may look at one, and make their decision based on what character is on the front of it. However, there are more things to take into consideration that just what color it is, or what the design is.

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Before mom heads out to the stores, we are going to go through some points to make sure that mom picks out the right backpack for her child.

Believe it or not, there are specific guidelines that are advised to be followed when it comes to backpacks.

According to Cleveland Clinic, a child’s backpack should not weigh more than 10% to 15% of their body weight. If we want an example, a child who weighs 75 pounds should not have a backpack that weights more than 11 pounds.

This is important to take into consideration because mom will need to choose one that is light on its own, because she has to take into consideration everything that her child will be putting in her backpack that could make it weigh more.

A backpack that is too heavy can cause back problems, and strain around the neck and shoulders.

The very first thing that mom has to do is make sure that the backpack is a perfect fit for her child. This means that it has wide straps that are padded, and when your child wears it, the backpack should sit 2 inches above their hips.

It is important that your child knows to wear the backpack the proper way, and this means that they should not just throw one strap over and carry it that way. They need to have both straps on, and they need to be tight, but not too tight that they are digging into the skin.

Backpacks are made in all types of material, and this is something that is important to take into consideration.

According to Active Parents, mom will want to stay away from leather backpacks. They may look “cool,” but this is likely the heaviest material you will find, and it will add a lot of unnecessary weight to your child’s back. It also does not allow for breathing, which can be a lot on the hot days.

It is best to choose a backpack that is made of vinyl or canvas. These are lighter materials, and they will be easier for your child to carry. There are many backpacks on the market made out of this material, and your child will have no shortage of choices.

The more durable the better, because mom does not want to have to buy more than one backpack a year. It is always wise to invest a bit more at the beginning to ensure it lasts.

When choosing a backpack, take some time to really think about how it will be used. According to Landsend, mom needs to spend some time thinking about the backpacks use, because then she can get an idea of what her child needs depending on what they are going to carry.

A backpack that is primarily being used for school, needs to be durable. It is likely to be dropped, dragged and have things spilled in it. Mom needs to make sure that it is going to last.

Think about the supplies that your child will be carrying, and this will be different for each family, dependent on what grade their child is in. Do they have a locker that they will be emptying their backpack contents into? These are all things to think about when trying to find one that is big enough. If they are packing their lunch in their backpack, you have to make sure it is big enough for that.

However, keep in mind that your child should only be packing what they need that day, and no added weight should be added.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Active Parents, Landsend