should kids carry backpacks

[lilpeople]

i have never been to Disney and we are going for the first time in June. we are thinking about letting the kids carry small backpacks for their poncho and autograph books. my dh thinks this is a bad idea. please help. is is it really a bad idea or should i just put it in mine?

 

[PEANUT1]

Depends on how old they are. Mine are 4 and 7 and I think it would be rough on them to carry backpacks.

I think maybe 10-12 is the youngest for a backpack..maybe a little fanny pack would work if they are young and can't carry a backpack.

i have never been to Disney and we are going for the first time in June. we are thinking about letting the kids carry small backpacks for their poncho and autograph books. my dh thinks this is a bad idea. please help. is is it really a bad idea or should i just put it in mine?

 

[Hannathy]

Once mine hit 5 if you want it you carry it! Mom is not packmom.
I did break down and carry my DS's poncho a few times because I wanted him to bring it and he didn't. He only brings what he can carry in his pockets. My DD carries a bag either a small back pack or a bag of some sort.
cameras go around the neck.

the real trick is not to bring extra junk. You really need very little for a day at Disney.

 

[Jessica527]

Bad idea It will be ok for like 2-3 hours but then the afternoon will kick in. I would make sure that they are the sports bags that are easy to fold up to put into you bag just in case.

 

[elilala]

I have been carrying a backpack around disneyland ever since I can remember. As long as there's nothing too heavy in there, it shouldn't be much of an issue

 

[Becc1]

I know alot of people have their children bring their own bags for anything they may want in the parks but for me it seems as though it would be more of a pain having to keep track of each of their bags rather than I just carry their books and ponchs in my own backpack. Also it would be 2 more bags you have to have checked at security, for me it's just easier to deal with our one backpack that my DH, my DS15 and I trade off carrying unless it's in the stroller.

 

[Hannathy]

Bad idea It will be ok for like 2-3 hours but then the afternoon will kick in. I would make sure that they are the sports bags that are easy to fold up to put into you bag just in case.

why is it a bad idea and what does the afternoon have to do with it?

I just looked her kids are older and more than capable of carrying whatever they want to bring.

 

[nchulka]

My kids were 8 and 6 turning 7 on our trip and they both carried their own backpacks all day. They loved it because they could put whatever they wanted in them. I had some small ziplock containers that they could fill in the mornings with whatever snacks they wanted (stuff like goldfish, animal crackers etc.) They also each had a wallet with their own spending money, water bottle, autograph book and pen, light spinners for night, and whatever little toys they wanted to play with in line or at restaurants. They had no issues carrying them at all. We went to the parks from open to close with no breaks and were there for over 2 weeks. They were smaller kid sized backpacks. I think it really helped that they were Disney themed and "Mickey" brought them as presents our first morning there filled with goodies.

They also each had a water sprayer/fan that attached to the outside of their bag with a hook. They loved those

 

[LittleFlounder]

I think small backpacks for older kids are a good idea. Not a big backpack, or they will get too hot. To me, its their stuff and they should carry it if they're old enough. I'm not a pack mule!

Just brought my nephews who are age 10 & 12 to WDW a couple weeks back. Each of them wore a small sling-style backpack (the kind you can slide around to the front and unzip w/o taking it off) to carry their autograph books, small snacks, hat, sunglasses, waterbottle and ponchos (on the days we needed them). They wore them all week and never complained once about them being too heavy or not wanting to wear them. Every morning, it was their responsibility to make sure they had everything they needed in their bags before we left for the parks...I think they enjoyed that!

 

[LynneyPooh]

You guys changed my mind. My first inclination was to say NO! Thinking of my DD I can hear her now, Mom, carry this, I'm tired or carrying this, etc etc... However, she is now 9 and my string bag will be a lot less heavy if she carries her own. (In Jan. with only DH and myself I kept thinking, boy my bag is light.) So in June, while I'll have my bag that I can pass off to DH, if she want's to carry anything I think I'll let her wear her small string bag. I'll do less on and off getting snacks etc for her. Sounds like a plan to me!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

The chance that all of my kids would go a whole day without losing a bag is slim to none. We travel light, and we only needed one backpack. I can't imagine trying to make sure that each kid had his or her backpack after every ride, bathroom break, meal, etc.

 

[Jessica527]

why is it a bad idea and what does the afternoon have to do with it?

I just looked her kids are older and more than capable of carrying whatever they want to bring.

I have 8 newphews, 2 nieces ranging from age 2 -18. When we went to Disney as a family, the 8 and 10 year old girls wanted to hold the bags so bad and bring them with. It went well in the morning but by the afternoon their were exhausted and the bags were hot on their back. This is why I don't think backpacks are a good idea.

What I did suggest was a smaller, sport string back that can be easily folded up and put in another bag if necessary.

It is of course up to the person and their children but that is my opinion

 

[laughinplace199]

I know alot of people have their children bring their own bags for anything they may want in the parks but for me it seems as though it would be more of a pain having to keep track of each of their bags rather than I just carry their books and ponchs in my own backpack. Also it would be 2 more bags you have to have checked at security, for me it's just easier to deal with our one backpack that my DH, my DS15 and I trade off carrying unless it's in the stroller.

ITA!

 

[spacemountainmom]

My kids have carried string backpacks for years. They carry what they want and stuff for mom too. It's payback for all the years I carried them and their diaper bags everywhere!

 

[RMulieri]

Once mine hit 5 if you want it you carry it! Mom is not packmom.
I did break down and carry my DS's poncho a few times because I wanted him to bring it and he didn't. He only brings what he can carry in his pockets. My DD carries a bag either a small back pack or a bag of some sort.
cameras go around the neck.

the real trick is not to bring extra junk. You really need very little for a day at Disney.

This is my philosophy too..If you want it you carry it.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

My family brings as little as possible into the park. No bags at all, let alone one per person.

 

[momH2the4th]

My 2 oldest began carrying a backpack and fanny pack at 8/9 yrs. old. My 3rd child will have the option of using one this year. As soon as they can take care of their own things, it's one less thing that I have to keep up with. A fanny pack is easy since it really doesn't have to be taken off for rides. We've had great success with this!

 

[missdaisy]

Mine were 6 & 8 the first time we went to the parks in April and carried string backpacks. They knew not to leave the room without 1 bottle of water; a sweatshirt, autograph book and a snack. At that point they were both still carrying a small lovey as well. No issues at all. I think if you limit what is in the pack, use a small string type bag it will be fine. In the end I carried the autograph books as it was just faster to get out in their excitement. If the weather was warm, we stashed the sweatshirts in a locker so the bags were even lighter.

 

[Perditamarie]

I have found that no matter what, all items migrate to mom, especially if you dont want them lost. Consider that you will spend all day reminding everyone after every ride, show, parade, bathroom break etc to look after their bag, that it will just be easier for you to carry it and therefore defeat the purpose of everyone carrying their own bags.

I am with the camp that recommends to bring as little as possible...consider a caribiner clip/holder for a bottle of water and small sunblock, chapstick and a camera in a waterproof/ziplock bag that can be tucked in a few pockets.

 

[lilpeople]

as signature states kids are 9 and 8. my thing is i dont know exactly what to bring in parks. i do know that i will be carrying a canon xs with a 18 to 200mm lens. i also know we wil be carrying 2 ds lites and ponchos. also snacks. dd 8 has over working metabolism and autism. when blood sugar is low she can be a bear. my problem is that i was hit by an eighteen wheeler in august and have back and necked problems. i will not be able to carry a heavy bag. was thinking fanny pack would be the way to go.