The first day of school is approaching, and you can feel it: lists are popping up everywhere, with the school bag invariably at the top. It's no small decision, as that school bag will be on your child's back every morning, year after year. In this blog, we compare our school bags and backpacks from top brands like Jeune Premier, Own Stuff, and Hello Hossy, and we'll also tell you what else fits in and on that children's bag, from lunch boxes to water bottles. This way, you choose based on your child, not just the brand.
The first choice: satchel or backpack?
For nursery school, a backpack or a small satchel is sufficient: large enough for a lunch box, a water bottle, and possibly a favorite comfort toy for when things get a bit overwhelming. From the first grade onwards, this changes. Then folders, notebooks, and books are added, and they need to stay upright. A classic satchel with a sturdy shape and compartments keeps everything neatly in place and sits comfortably on small shoulders thanks to its wide back panel.
A frequently used guideline: a filled school bag should ideally not weigh more than about ten percent of your child's body weight. Therefore, pay attention not only to the design but also to the weight of the empty bag, adjustable shoulder straps, and a sturdy back.
For toddlers: small, light, and their own
Own Stuff preschool bag with magnetic closure (€134.99)
The very first real school bag is a milestone. The Belgian brand Own Stuff makes preschool bags from pure leather, with a magnetic closure that small hands can open and close themselves. In our collection, you'll find classic preschool bags in solid colours, as well as models with embroidered figures like Rabbit, Teddy, and Balloon. These make the bag instantly recognizable on the coat rack. And because it's leather, this preschool bag can easily last for several toddlers. It only gets more beautiful with time.
Hello Hossy backpack 2 to 5 years (€49.99)
If you're looking for something more playful and lighter on the wallet, the French lifestyle brand Hello Hossy is a bullseye. The colourful prints like Smiley, Mini Forest, and Playground stand out on the playground, and the backpacks are available in two sizes: 2 to 5 years for nursery school, and 6+. Handy if you want to keep the same print as your little one grows, and also usable for camps, hobbies, or a class trip.
Lässig Mini Square backpack (€39.99)
The German brand Lässig also has a great collection of first backpacks for toddlers and preschoolers: the Mini Square from the Little Gang collection is finished with cheerful embroidery and has a nice compact shape. Extra handy: the same Little Gang designs are replicated on the lunch boxes and water bottles, so your child will start school with a perfectly coordinated set that is, of course, easily recognizable among all the other lunch boxes and fruit containers.
For first grade: the classic satchel
Jeune Premier It Bag Midi (from €159.99)
Going to primary school for the first time calls for a satchel to show off. This is also often the school bag that children choose themselves. Another Belgian brand we are proud of is Jeune Premier. This bag brand from Ostend turns every school bag into a small work of art, and the It Bag Midi is the model for the first years of primary school. The new Little Legends collection for 2026 is now fully online, with designs like Disco Dip and Mermaids that will make your child's face light up. Those who love timeless classics will find what they're looking for in the Essentials collection, full of bestsellers such as the It Bag Midi Big Five and Little Gadget.
Jeune Premier Classic Midi (€129.99)
The Classics Collection by Jeune Premier: a clever selection of colourful, playful prints in a slightly simpler yet still wonderfully beautiful design. Ideal for parents who value design and also like to keep an eye on the budget. A bit more understated in shape and more affordably priced, but with the same recognizable Jeune Premier designs. A great entry point for those who want the iconic look without immediately opting for the top model.
Good to know: you can personalize every Jeune Premier school bag with keychains, and with the LED light set, your child will be extra visible on dark mornings. A filled pencil case in a matching design completes the look.
For those who choose for years: the leather satchel
Own Stuff Classic (from €199.99)
Some parents don't look for a bag for one school year, but for an entire primary school career. In that case, you'll find what you need with the leather school bags from Own Stuff. Pure leather that becomes more beautiful with experience, in a classic model that never goes out of style. The colour Chestnut has been in the collection for over ten years, and that says it all. You'll also find soft shades like Antique Pink, Peach, and Lilac, deep colours like Cobalt, Moss, and Aubergine, and even festive versions in Silver and Gold. This is a school bag you'll pass down later; that's sustainability in its most beautiful form.
What belongs in the school bag
A school bag is only complete with what's inside, and even there, it pays to choose well once rather than every year again.
For lunch boxes, snack boxes, and water bottles, the German brand Lässig is a consistent staple in both our physical store and our online children's store. The bento lunch boxes with compartments keep lunch neatly separated, and the stainless steel lunch boxes and leak-proof 500 ml stainless steel water bottles are made from safe materials and last for years. Additionally, the sets of three stainless steel snack boxes are ideal for morning snacks, fruit, or biscuits. Everything comes in the same cheerful designs like Little Gang and Happy Fruits, so matching with the backpack is effortless.
Belgium reigns supreme in our Back to School collection. The Belgian brand Trixie, a familiar face with us for years. The colourful animal friends immediately appeal to preschoolers and can also be used for trips or as gym bags in the first or second grade. The steel Trixie lunch boxes with Mr. Dino, Mr. Lion, Mrs. Rabbit and co (small €27.99, large €32.99) are sturdy, safe, and so recognizable that there's never any dispute at school about whose box is whose. Nice detail for parents: you can order separate caps with spouts for the water bottles, so a lost cap doesn't immediately mean a new bottle.
How to choose in three questions
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How old is your child?
Preschooler: a small bag or backpack (Own Stuff preschool bag, Hello Hossy 2 to 5 years). First grade and older: a proper school satchel (Jeune Premier or Own Stuff Classic). -
Who is actually choosing?
If your child can decide entirely for themselves, design wins: Jeune Premier. If you prioritize durability and timelessness, then Own Stuff is your brand. -
What is your budget?
From a cheerful Lässig or Hello Hossy backpack between €40 and €50 to a leather Own Stuff that lasts for generations: there's a good choice at every level. Quality is paramount for all our brands; we've already taken care of that.
Come and try them on in store or order online
Undecided between two models? Feel free to visit us in Lombardenstraat in Antwerp and let your child try on the bags themselves, because that's the best way to feel what fits. Prefer to choose from home? The complete Back to School collection with school bags and satchels and backpacks for primary school and nursery school can be found in our webshop. Tip: the most popular designs sell out quickly every year, so don't wait until the end of August to choose your favourite.
