22 Best Kids Backpacks for Back-to-School 2024: Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, more

It’s officially that time again… back-to-school season.

But before class is officially back in session, shopping must be done. We’re sure you know the drill by now: with a new school year comes the need for new school clothes, supplies, and most importantly, backpacks.

While it’s simple to find a basic, solid colored bag, there’s not much fun in that! Instead, honor the pop culture that makes you or your kids the happiest with a character backpack.

shopDisney, Target, Walmart, and more — these are all places you can go to see the latest character backpacks, and if you shop now, you’ll definitely get them in time for the first day of school!

Below, we’ve rounded up 22 of the best backpacks for this back-to-school season, along with where you can get them.

1. Disney Kids’ The Little Mermaid 16″ Backpack, $15

   Side mesh pockets (perfect for water bottles) and a padded laptop sleeve are highlights of this backpack, inspired by this year’s live-action The Little Mermaid, and perfect for kids ages 5+.

   TARGET

2. Nintendo Kids Super Mario Bros. 17″ Laptop Backpack, $15

   Its-a-me, your new favorite backpack! Store everything you need with plenty of pockets both inside and outside of the bag.

   WALMART

3. Funko POP! Batman Backpack, $20, original price: $25

   Bat-fans, this one’s for you! Inspired by Funko Pop! figures, this bag has a roomy interior with plenty of pockets, and a mesh side for water bottles.

   WALMART

4. Toy Story Backpack, $28, original price: $40

   While the front of this bag primarily features the aliens of the Pizza Planet claw machine, the sides are covered in an all-over print with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang.

   SHOPDISNEY

5. Marvel Avengers Backpack, $18

   This old school comic-inspired bag is printed with pop art inspired POW! speech bubbles, and Captain America, Black Widow, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Spider-Man.

   WALMART

6. Disney Kids’ Princess Backpack, $30

   A new, sketch-y princess design featuring Moana, Rapunzel, Ariel, and Tiana is accented with notable princess accessories, like the glass slipper, Belle’s red rose, the gleaming lanterns, and Mulan’s floral hair pick.

   TARGET

7. Simple Modern Disney Kids’ Medium 15″ Backpack, $40

   For a more subtle Disney touch, try this school-ready backpack from Simple Modern, which is covered in a print that sees flowers create Mickey Mouse head shapes.

   AMAZON

8. Disney Princess 16″ Adaptive Backpack, $20

   This backpack was designed primarily with function in mind. It has shoulder straps that tuck away, so it can be used like a regular backpack, but additional straps and buckles make this backpack secure to be strapped to a wheelchair or walker.

   WALMART

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 17″ Adaptive Backpack, $20

   With design and function identical to the backpack above, the only thing that’s different is the print; this one has a colorful, sketchbook inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pattern.

   WALMART

10. Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Marvel’s Spider-Man Glow-in-the-Dark Backpack (Large), $51, original price: $65

    This backpack has a hidden talent: the outline around each and every Spider-Man printed on the bag glows in the dark. There’s also an option to add an embroidered name or monogram to the front of the backpack.

    POTTERY BARN KIDS

11. Disney Kids’ Cars 12″ Backpack, $19

    This backpack definitely wins first place — ka-chow!

    TARGET

12. Gear-Up Harry Potter Herbology Large Backpack, $52, original price: $75

    Perfect for bigger kids and teens, this backpack is 17″ high and has enough pockets to hold every item they’ll possibly need to take on the day. The print is Harry Potter-inspired, with herbs, flowers, and creatures you’ll find in the pages of those books.

    POTTERY BARN TEEN

13. Disney Kids’ Star Wars 16″ Backpack, $30

    Your little cuties deserve a cute backpack, don’t you think?

    TARGET

14. Spider-Man Backpack, $20, original price: $30

    The flap closure is a unique and fun element of this backpack which also features bold colors and a iconic spiderweb design.

    SHOPDISNEY

15. Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Aqua Disney Frozen Small Backpack, $43, original price: $55

    PB Kids’ signature backpack style gets a Frozen makeover perfect for all of the princesses and ice queens out there. It also comes in mini and medium sizes so kids ages 2+ will have a bag that fits them perfectly.

    POTTERY BARN KIDS

16. Black Panther “Wakanda Forever” Backpack, $20, original price: $30

    Fans of Black Panther will love this backpack, which features a bold geometric pattern inspired by the nation of Wakanda.

    SHOPDISNEY

17. Simple Modern Avengers Assemble Medium Backpack, $40

    A fun, colorful take on the Avengers logo is the centerpiece of this colorblock backpack. Did you know Simple Modern makes matching water bottles to all of their bags, too?

    AMAZON

18. Disney100 Unified Characters Backpack, $28, original price: $40

    As part of the Disney100 merch line, characters from every facet of the Disney universe — the original Fab 4, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel — come together in one epic lineup.

    SHOPDISNEY

    TARGET

19. Miraculous Ladybug 16″ Backpack, $25

    If your kids recently watched and loved the Netflix original movie Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Movie, they’ll be happy to know that a backpack featuring Ladybug is available from Walmart just in time for the school year.

    WALMART

20. Mickey Mouse Genuine Mousewear Backpack, $50

    Perfect for big kids and teens who are looking for something with just a subtle touch of Disney flair, this light pink backpack just has an embroidered Mickey Mouse on the large front pocket.

    SHOPDISNEY

21. Simple Modern Toy Story Medium Backpack, $50

    Andy’s toys take center stage on this bag, which also has elements of the blue sky wallpaper from Andy’s room. The gang’s all here!

    AMAZON

22. Star Trek Gear-Up Glow-in-the-Dark Backpack, $45, original price: $75

    Boldly go where no student has gone before with this glow-in-the-dark Star Trek backpack.

    POTTERY BARN TEEN

For more like this, check out the Decider Shopping section.