Nursery backpack: what to pack and how to choose one

Starting nursery is a big step, and the backpack is the first thing your little one will carry as "theirs" every morning. A good backpack has to be comfortable for them, practical for the nursery staff and easy to recognise among all the others on the coat rack.

In this guide we tell you what usually goes inside and what to look for to choose the right one.

What to pack in the nursery backpack

Every nursery has its own rules, so the first thing to do is ask your nursery for their list. Even so, these are the things they usually ask for:

• A full change of clothes: bodysuit or T-shirt, trousers, socks and, if they are out of nappies, underwear. Ideally in a bag with their name on it.
• Nappies and wipes, if the nursery asks you to bring them from home.
• A bib for mealtimes. A waterproof cotton one protects their clothes and is easy to wash.
• Their dummy, if they use one, with a clip or in a little case.
• Their comfort object, if the nursery allows it. A familiar blanket or soft toy helps a lot in the first days. We explain more in what is a comforter.
• Cream or toiletries, only if the nursery asks for them. If you want to keep them organised, our guide on what to pack in a baby toiletry bag may help.

And one tip the staff always appreciate: label everything with their name, from the backpack to every item in the change of clothes.

How to choose a nursery backpack

The right size for their age

The backpack should be in proportion to the child's body: if it is too big, it hangs down, weighs on them and gets in the way when they walk. Nursery does not call for much space, just enough for the change of clothes and the essentials.

Lightweight

A 1- or 2-year-old should not be carrying weight. The lighter the empty backpack, the better.

Adjustable straps

Adjustable straps let you fit it to their back now and keep adjusting it as they grow. A short top handle is also handy for hanging it on the coat rack or carrying it by hand.

Easy to open and close

A top zip and an easy-to-reach front pocket make life easier for the staff and, little by little, for the child too, who will start wanting to open it on their own.

A pleasant, washable fabric

The backpack ends up on the floor, at the park and at snack time, so it needs to be washable. A cotton outer fabric is soft to the touch and pleasant for the child.

Personalised

There are lots of similar backpacks on the nursery coat rack. If it has their name or a picture they like, the child recognises their own straight away and the staff do not mix them up. On our backpack, the name is embroidered.

Our nursery backpack

The Jyoko nursery backpack is designed precisely for this stage:

• It measures 22 × 30 × 10 cm, a size in proportion for children from 12 months to 5 years.
• 100% organic cotton outer and a padded interior in breathable technical fabric, certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
• Top zip, front pocket with snap fastener, short handle and two long adjustable straps.
• It can be personalised with the child's name embroidered.
• Handmade in Barcelona. Wash at 30 °C, no bleach and no tumble dryer.

You can see all the models in nursery backpacks.

For the first days

Settling in takes time and every child has their own pace. If your little one is finding it hard, we share some ideas in my baby doesn't want to go to nursery, and if you are getting everything ready for the new school year, take a look at back-to-school essentials.

Frequently asked questions

From what age is a nursery backpack used?

From when the child starts nursery. Ours is designed for children from 12 months to 5 years.

What size should it be?

Small and in proportion to their back: just enough for the change of clothes and the essentials.

Should it have their name on it?

It is highly recommended. It helps the staff and lets the child spot their own straight away.

How do I wash it?

At 30 °C, no bleach and no tumble dryer.

In short

Ask your nursery for their list, label everything with their name and choose a backpack that is small, light, has adjustable straps, is easy to open and is washable. If it also has their name embroidered on it, your little one will recognise it from day one.