Back to School Backpack & Lunchbag New or Reuse?

[lemondog]

It really depends on the quality. Starting in 4th grade I bought my oldest both an LL Bean deluxe rolling backpack and a Lands End regular backpack. Both are still in perfect condition and I think the 2 combined should last her thru 8th grade. She got a lunchbox from Thirty-One that she used all last year and is still in perfect condition as well.

I just bought my younger ones Lands End backpacks this year so they should be good for a few years...they prefer the cheapy character lunchboxes from Target so I pretty much have to buy a new one every year...those things get nasty!

 

[aprilgail2]

The last day of school the backpack goes in the garbage along with the lunchbox-I dont care what shape it is in it is gone-I get tired of looking at the darn thing so I am sure she is tired of it after the year too! New school year is all new fresh supplies including backpacks. Now that she is in Jr. High no one carrys a lunch box anymore- its brown bags only so don't have to buy lunch boxes anymore!

 

[mamacatnv]

When the kids were young we bought the character backpacks and bought one every year along with a matching lunch box.

When DS hit high school I bought him a Jansport that lasted 4 years, we still use it to travel. When he was a freshman in college, another new quite spendy Jansport. He is entering his Sr. year of college and the backpack is going strong.

2 years ago, bought DD a pretty spendy Jansport, she will be using it again this year. She takes a lunch and last year she got a "Twilight" lunch box that I think she plans on using again this year as she is still not over her mad middle school crush on Jacob.

All in all, buying the spendier backpacks has paid off in their longevity

 

[MichelleinMaine]

DD10 used the LLBean back pack that I had used as her diaper bag through 2 years of preK, K and 1st grade. In second, she pointed out she'd like a bag SHE actually picked out. (Touche'!) That one, also LLB, still looks great and is heading off to 5th grade next month.

DS15 picked out one at LLB for kindergarten That lasted into 1st grade when the zipper blew out. That one's free replacement lasted through 4th grade when he really needed something bigger. Bought a bigger LLB backpack that is heading to 10th in the fall.

We've "customized" the bags through the years with key chains/etc of favorite characters on the zippers or whatever. The nice thing about LLBean is they aren't trendy or something they will outgrow in a phase. I don't see the point of buying new for the sake of a new school year. (We also don't do big "back to school" clothes shopping. If they need new underwear in February, that's when I buy it, not August because it's a new school year. They do get to pick out a new first day of school outfit and the usual assortment of folders/notebooks/pencils, etc.

 

[scrapquitler]

So after seeing all of the threads on school supplies and discounts I'm wondering how many parents purchase their kids a new backpack and or lunchbag every year for BTS? My dd9 is going into 4th grade and I buy a new backpack and lunchbag each year. Her style and interests change & I always thought it made back to school a bit more exciting (and less painful) for her to start the year with cool new gear. After reading on some of the other boards how people's kids have been using the same ones for 3&4 years I'm thinking maybe I am nuts? Growing up I always looked forward to picking my new gear & I guess I just figured that was the way it worked. What do your kids do?

New Every year.

I buy myself a new purse and new winter coat every year even though I have perfectly serviceable ones. Why shouldn't my child have some nice new thing to start the new school year.

 

[aprilgail2]

New Every year.

I buy myself a new purse and new winter coat every year even though I have perfectly serviceable ones. Why shouldn't my child have some nice new thing to start the new school year.

I agree!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I bought backpacks from LL Bean, they are solid colors and they re-use them every year. Lunchboxes are from Walmart and they get new ones.

 

[woodkins]

I buy better quality to begin with so we don't need to buy new every year.

My girls will be re-using. Thankfully I learned on these boards and bought them a GOOD backpack on sale and and a GOOD lunch box so this will be year 3 of lunch boxes and year 2 of the backpacks. I am not sure how long they will be able to reuse and right now they all need a run in the washer but they look darn good and will be continued to be used until otherwise.

Do your kids mind re-using the same ones each year? My daughter wants multiple ones each year because she gets bored of the one! This year she has chosen the tie dye initial backpack and lunchbag from Justice, last year was a Jansport patterned with a Smurf lunchbox etc. I'm more than willing to spend the money on LLBean, Lands End etc, but they are not "cool" and I enjoy having a cool/stylish handbag or tote & feel like she should too, especially for something that she has to carry every day.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

We're another LLBean family. To be honest - I trade them out every 3-4 years only because I get tired of looking at them otherwise they'd probably last forever - lol

They are great quality, come in many colors and styles and can take a beating not only from the kids, but from repeated spins in the washer too.

 

[keypooh90]

My sister and I have LL Bean Bookbags.

I've had the same bookbag from LL Bean since my sophomore year of high school (2007). I'm getting a replacement this year (junior year of college), because last year when I was home from school over break, my dog chewed the whole front pocket off the bag.

My younger sister (junior in HS), has had the same LL Bean bag since 7th grade, but needs a new lunchbox because it is nasty inside from being used since 6th grade.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We do LLBean backpacks as well so no need to buy new ones each year.

I do buy lunch boxes every year because they get gross. I've already bought DD one and am keeping an eye out for one for DS.

 

[marcyinPA]

I buy good backpacks and they use them until they fall apart. Considering they are L.L. Bean bags, they pretty much NEVER fall apart!

Personally, I can't see spending money on something that is still in good shape. Seems like a waste to me.

As for lunch bags...my kids are in MS and HS now, and they only use paper bags.

ETA: in response to a PP's post...I don't buy myself a new purse or a new winter coat every year either. As long as the purse is in good shape, and the coat still fits, they get re-used. I probably buy new every 3 to 5 years, depending.

 

[KristaTX]

I don't have kids, but y'all are making me want a new backpack just because . I don't need one, and I am not going to get one. But I've just spent 7 or 8 minutes looking around on the LL Bean site at backpacks, rucksacks, etc.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't have kids, but y'all are making me want a new backpack just because . I don't need one, and I am not going to get one. But I've just spent 7 or 8 minutes looking around on the LL Bean site at backpacks, rucksacks, etc.

I have bags for myself from LLBean. I think you should get one!

 

[mamacatnv]

I buy good backpacks and they use them until they fall apart. Considering they are L.L. Bean bags, they pretty much NEVER fall apart!

Personally, I can't see spending money on something that is still in good shape. Seems like a waste to me.

As for lunch bags...my kids are in MS and HS now, and they only use paper bags.

ETA: in response to a PP's post...I don't buy myself a new purse or a new winter coat every year either. As long as the purse is in good shape, and the coat still fits, they get re-used. I probably buy new every 3 to 5 years, depending.

Same here. I know most of us have our things that we want or replace on a regular basis when someone else would use it/wear it till it wore out but I tend to be more practical than fashionable.

 

[shaylyn]

My younger kids have used the same backpacks for the past few years (their choice). I also use metal lunchboxes for them (the old school kind) so they reuse those too.

DD has been using the same backpack since 7th grade--she's in her 2nd year of college now!! It's a Jansport brand, canvas, and has held up wonderfully!

 

[brookmey]

DD is starting 2nd grade soon and I've bought her a new backpack each year, mainly because she wanted character backpacks. This year, though, no character and she wanted a messanger bag instead. So, if this no character thing continues into 3rd grade, then I will splurge on something that she will use for more than 1 school year.

I also buy a new lunchbox each year, simply because the ones she uses get NASTY over the course of the year! Doesn't matter how much I try to clean the outside, it still looks dirty and gross.

DS is starting pre-K this year and he's using the same backpack and lunchbox he's had since he was 2. They're still in great shape since he hasn't been in school yet, so very little wear on them. He's not as fickle as his sister, so I can see him using this Star Wars backpack into Kinder next year if it's still in good shape.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Do your kids mind re-using the same ones each year? My daughter wants multiple ones each year because she gets bored of the one! This year she has chosen the tie dye initial backpack and lunchbag from Justice, last year was a Jansport patterned with a Smurf lunchbox etc. I'm more than willing to spend the money on LLBean, Lands End etc, but they are not "cool" and I enjoy having a cool/stylish handbag or tote & feel like she should too, especially for something that she has to carry every day.

My kids don't mind at all. I think I mentioned previously that i offered DS a new backpack twice (I think I did DD too)--he didn't want it. Both kids like what they have, they like that they can quickly find their backpacks in a pile on a field trip bus because they have been looking for the same one for years and really no one else has just the same thing anymore. They like that they can pretty much find every pocket with their eyes closed. Etc.

Like the PPs who answered, I am pretty practical myself. I hate purse shopping and only get one when the previous one has worn out. New coats I get more often (I spend a lot of time out doors in the cold) but not just every season--basically if a good (meaning very warm) brand is on for a good price I may consider it. I still have clothes in my closet, that I wear, that I bought in college almost 20 years ago :lmao I guess they take after me in that way

I don't have kids, but y'all are making me want a new backpack just because . I don't need one, and I am not going to get one. But I've just spent 7 or 8 minutes looking around on the LL Bean site at backpacks, rucksacks, etc.

You can always use a good backpack

 

[miralys]

My niece and nephew only got new items when the old ones wore out. But, every year I got them a backpack and lunch pack (just plain old generic so they would never be "out of style") during back to school because it's cheaper to get the items then. That way one was always on hand if it had to be retired during the school year.

 

[princessmom29]

DD gets a new lunch bag every year bacuase thwy are trashed by the end of the year. No matter what kind I buy it ends up stained and frayed. I think the fact that they eat outside a lot of the time makes a difference. DD doesn't get a new nackpack every year, but got one this year becuase they are going from rolling bags to carry bags. K and 1st are required to have rolling, but 2nd needs carry bags becuase they have to do stairs. She used the smae rolling bag for 2 years and is getting a carry bag this year. I am hoping it will hold up for a while. Ibuy quality (Jansport or LL Bean) so they last a while.