What are the Best-rated Messenger Bags for Kids?

Is your child excited for the first day of school? Pair their eagerness with one of these best-rated and stylish messenger bags for kids that will jumpstart their day. If you’re lucky, waking them up every school morning won’t be as difficult.

Which one of these best-rated messenger bags for kids should you pick?

We have listed a bunch of best-rated messenger bags for kids, complete with reviews to help you decide on the right one for your child. Dive in!

Wildkin Retro Kickstart Messenger Bag

This bag is made from polyester and is 13” high and 10” wide. It will fit most of your kid’s belongings for a day in school, or a visit to the grandparents, or just a getaway to his friend’s place. This is perfect for school because it comes with two utility pockets underneath the flaps where he can put his smaller school items such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners, etc.

PROS

There are over 20 designs and colors to choose from. Your child will really have an exciting time choosing the one that best suits his personality. Boys will love the horse, camouflage, and zebra patterns while girls will swoon over the bright pink leopard, dainty flowers, and dots. Velcro holds the front flaps tightly so that none of your belongings will spill out of the bag.

The interior has plenty of room; it can fit all the books your child will need for school as well as packed lunch, snacks, and a change of clothes. This trendy messenger bag for kids also comes with a sturdy shoulder strap that is padded and adjustable. This gives comfort to the wearer despite the heavy load.

CONS

The majority of the reviewers complained about the seams ripping only after a few months’ use. Many said that the stitches aren’t very well made. These may be quality control problems, as the majority didn’t complain about quality issues.

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

High Sierra Tank Messenger Bag

This messenger bag made of high-quality polyester is top-rated on Amazon, with 4.4 out of 5 stars given by 289 reviewers. It’s a quality bag that has lots of compartments and pockets for easy organization. The main compartment is roomy enough to fit all the stuff your kids need for school.

PROS

Like the Wildkin Messenger bag, this High Sierra bag comes in 24 great designs and colors. Girls and boys alike will have a hard time picking the one they want because they’ll surely love many of them.

The designs are really creative, and the color combinations are catchy. Any kid wearing this High Sierra messenger bag will feel really proud. It’s also very durable as High Sierra uses rip-stop fabric that holds up incredibly.

The functionality of this bag is outstanding as well; it comes with an adjustable flap with quick-release buckles and hook/loop closure so that you won’t have to worry about your stuff spilling out in case you drop your bag or tilt it sideways. There is a zippered pocket in front, which can be used to store items that you always access. There’s a side mesh beverage compartment as well as a cellphone pocket.

CONS

Some customers have received bags with defects. However, they quickly returned them, and Amazon sent them a replacement. Others have complained about the size of the bag; it is either too big or too small. Check the measurements first before purchasing this bag, as it may not be the right size for you.

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Hello Kitty Large Glitter Messenger Bag

Kids who love Hello Kitty will truly feel satisfied with this messenger bag that just screams of cuteness. The flaps feature Hello Kitty’s face in complete detail (with the classic pink ribbons) and holographic glitter effect.

Customers who bought this said that the photos on Amazon don’t justify the real item, as it was shinier and prettier in real life. This is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars.

PROS

This bag is for those who are saving up but really love Hello Kitty without the ridiculous price tag that a licensed product requires. After all, you don’t need to pay for something solely because of the product license/brand name.

This messenger bag functions the way it should, with its wide compartment enough for your daughter’s supplies for school. The straps are also thick enough to support the weight comfortably.

CONS

Although it is made of sturdy materials, don’t expect that it will hold up when used daily with tons of heavy books and other materials. The stitches and seams aren’t top-notch. It’s also only good for whatever stuff a six or seven-year-old can bring. If you’re aiming for a bag for kids older than this age, find a bigger one and a sturdier one.

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Sonic, The Hedgehog X, Face Blue Messenger Bag

This messenger bag is perfect for boys aged ten and below. Above that age, they might not appreciate the style and design, or it may not be enough to hold their school supplies and books.

This product is an officially licensed Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise, so you’re sure that you’re getting an excellent quality.

PROS

It has a zip atop the main compartment to protect your kid’s stuff from spilling in case of dropping and tilting. The front flap, which has the bright blue face of Sonic, is secured by Velcro. The main compartment is divided for more organization.

It has a zippered mesh pouch inside, a zippered back pocket, and two side pockets. The shoulder strap is padded and adjustable, so you can adjust it to your child’s height accordingly. The overall polyester material is very sturdy and keeps its shape naturally.

CONS

What owners wouldn’t like about this product is the size, depending on how they intend to use it. You won’t be able to fit too much in it, which is a shame because of the sturdy built of this product. However, for its target market, which is youngers of about seven or eight, the size is just right as kids of this age don’t really need to carry too much to school.

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Kemy’s Cross Body Messenger Bag

This is a small shoulder bag that can be used every day without hassle. It comes in a variety of different color options as well, so you are sure to find your favorite color. This is a smaller crossbody bag that is multifunctional and comfortable. It can hold a cellphone, wallet, and sunglasses easily. It can also hold pens, small toys, and other small objects.

It is made from a lightweight canvas material as well as polyester and has thick foam padding and solid hardware for durability.

PROS

It is a small bag that is ideal for everyday wear. It also comes in a variety of stylish colors and designs that your kid will love. Because of its small and compact size, it will not become overly heavy when filled or hard to carry. It can even fit an iPad Mini or eReader, and the thick foam padding will protect these electronics.

It also features adjustable straps so you can find the perfect fit. It is well made and durable, and easy to wear across the body or on the shoulder.

CONS
This bag is best suited for smaller children as it is more compact and doesn’t hold as much as some other shoulder bag varieties. It also does get dirty very easily but can be washed with no problems. Some also wish the shoulder strap was just a bit longer.

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Richen Messenger Bag/Shoulder Bag for Boys

This shoulder bag for boys is perfect if they need to carry their essentials around for school or travel. It is a messenger bag made with high-quality neoprene materials and features high-quality prints your child will love. It comes in a variety of different designs for boys, including basketball fire (as pictured above), a pure black design, and a white dog design. There are also several designs for girls available for this messenger bag as well.

The outside handle is soft, and the shoulder straps are adjustable, making it easy and comfortable to carry. You will find the image on both sides of the bag. It is also waterproof, lightweight, comfortable, washable, easy to dry and fade resistant.

PROS

Double zipper design makes it more durable. The zippers are also reinforced to better secure the devices you may carry, such as a tablet or laptop. There is also an external pocket that can be used to store an adapter and a mouse. It is machine washable, easy to dry, and the print will not easily fade. The material is also waterproof, breathable, and flexible.

CONS

Only a few designs will appeal to boys, with the majority of the options being geared toward girls. Some also found that this shoulder bag for boys was smaller than expected but came at a more than affordable price.

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Boys Messenger Bag

This messenger bag for boys comes in various styles and prints, including the dinosaur print as pictured above as well as other dinosaur varieties and animals. It has wide and adjustable straps that are long enough to use this bag as a crossbody bag. There is one main zipper pocket with a separate compartment on the interior for organizing different items.

PROS

In addition to the many dinosaur and animal prints you can choose from, you can also take advantage of their customized service so you can have your favorite picture put on the messenger bag. You can also get a matching school bag, pencil case, lunch bag, or drawstring bag.

This messenger bag is suitable for a variety of uses, including school, traveling, and hiking. It can hold a cellphone, Kindle, books, iPad, and whatever other items your child might want to carry with them throughout the day. There is also enough room in the main compartment to safely store these items while still allowing them to be easily accessible.

CONS

Some users reported that this bag is a bit smaller than they expected, so review the dimensions before making a purchase.

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Conclusion

Messenger bags are a great way to shift away from the standard backpack used by kids to school. There are a lot of stylish and colorful products to choose from, which will make your child eager and excited to go to school. Make sure to bring them when going shopping for bags, so you’re sure that he or she is getting the one they really like.