TWEEN School Bags

Trendy Sling Backpacks: One Strap Designs for Middle School

2013-07-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

Colorful One Strap Backpack for Middle School Girls

I'm impressed that some of the mainstream school bag companies have picked up on the trendy one strap backpack for tween and teen students. The example pictured here is so much nicer than those I saw just a couple of years ago. The colorful design is appealing, and the bag style is much more spacious than the early examples. The sense in the design is based in the fact that most tweens and teens don't use both straps on a traditional backpack. First, this isn't seen as very cool. Secondly, tweens tend to give the minimum, especially when it comes to carrying school bags. The two strap varieties almost always lead to one strap carrying. Might as well eliminate the obsolete strap!

Check out some of the following sling pack options, or check here for more ideas.

Zebra Print Purple Sling Pack for Middle School

One Strap Camo Backpack for Tween Boys

Plaid Sling Pack for girls

Sling Pack for Middle School Boys

Boys or Girls One Strap School Bag

Unisex Messenger Bags for Middle School

2012-08-01T09:03:00.003-07:00

Unisex Messenger Bags for Middle School

If you have a middle school student, then getting off to a good start in the academic year can hinge greatly on one piece of equipment: the school bag. While many automatically opt for a backpack, I can speak from experience as a middle school teacher. Some backpacks are terrible for organizing.

A messenger bag for middle school is an excellent tool for organizational needs of a tween. It's not a gaurantee that your tween will be organized, of course. You need to be involved in the process and teach your tween to be more organized. It's not learned by osmosis, and organization is definitely a valuable life skill.

Your tween will be in a mobile environment. In most cases, a middle school student moves from class to class, carrying a number of books. Backpacks can condense that weight and make it hard to handle. Messenger bags for middle school students create an environment of distributed weight and easier carrying.

At middle school, boys run the risk of being teased if their messenger bags are too purse like. Consider neutral colors, canvas, military styles, or sportslike bags to keep things simple. The Jansport messenger depicted is an excellent example.

Quicksilver Messenger Bags

2012-08-01T08:53:00.001-07:00

Quicksilver Messenger Bags for Middle School
Middle School book bags can be tough to manage,
but a messenger is great for organizational and management needs of tweens.

If you are looking for a basic middle school book bag, then you will appreciate the simplicity and quality of Quicksilver. This messenger bag for tweens is excellent in terms of providing a more manageable approach to carrying school bags. It also is well suited to organizational needs of a middle school student.

Backpacks can be bulky and difficult to lug. The concentration of books and folders into a bulky area can make things difficult to carry and heavy on the back. A messenger bag distributes the contents a little more uniformly and the crossbody strap allows for carrying in front or back with better weight distribution. I lugged a backpack around a college campus recently, adjusting constantly, while another parent carried a messenger bag and didn't have one problem with carrying his things. While backpacks are popular, messenger bags are sensible for middle school book bag needs.

You will find a variety of styles and choices in tween messenger bags. There are many unisex styles that work for boys and girls. Explore more messenger bag styles here.

Cool Backpacks for Middle School Boys

2012-07-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Tween boys need backpacks that aren't overly cutesy, and especially at middle school boys need to ditch some of the characters of earlier years. There's too much frustration ahead for the youngster with a childish pack, and while he may love his faves of yesteryear, facing unkind remarks and rude behavior is a reality for too many middle schoolers. Help him with the transition by thinking about the backpack you choose...make sure that he's fine with the choice. Colorful isn't bad, especially if it's trendy and interesting. Just run it by your son first.

One of the brands I like for middle school boys bookbags is Quicksilver. There are lots of designs and plenty of motifs, both plain and colorful. You will find just a few displayed here, but be sure to check out their line.

Best School Bags for Tween Girls

2012-06-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

Tween Fashion with Functionality

Tweens are energetic, and tween girls are fun to be around. Having taught the age group, and raising a few of my own, however, I know that when it comes to keeping track of school materials and books, they can be a little scatterbrained. School bags are important tools, but the self-conscious tween may be a little bit picky about which school bag they will accept.
Fashion, of course, is important to the tween girl. Function is important to parents and educators. At the middle school level there may, or may not, be access to locker storage. With most school systems stretched to the limits on schedule and space, though, tweens must carry materials for several classes at a time, in spite of locker storage. Come the end of the school day, there may barely be time to dash to a locker before catching the school bus. Hence, it's very important that your tween daughter have a good, sturdy school bag, one which will handle the weight (as much as 40-45 lbs) that some kids' school books create.

	Jansport Big Student Backpack(White/Blue Light RhondaPlaid) Amazon Price: $55.00
	JanSport Trinity Core SeriesDaypack (Pure Purple/PunjabiPurple/Optimus Grey) Amazon Price: $55.00
	JanSport Callback ClassicsSeries Daypack (RomanceRed/Majestic Pink) Amazon Price: $40.95 List Price: $60.00
	JanSport Trinity Core SeriesBackpack, Grey Humboldt/RedCurtain/New Storm Grey Amazon Price: $55.00
	JanSport Scraper Core SeriesDaypack (Black/High Risk RedGlare) Amazon Price: $39.95 List Price: $70.00
	JanSport Classic 90's PackBackpack, Calypso Blue/CalypsoBlue Grunge Amazon Price: $60.00

Backpacks for Tween Girls

Backpacks are a standard these days, though they weren't when I was in middle school as a student. I would have loved one, if I had thought of it at the time. Now, it's no big deal for a tween girl to carry a backpack. A couple of hints, though, if you are selecting a backpack for your tween daughter or granddaughter: skip the characters! No Barbie, no Hello Kitty, no Hannah Montana! Nothing against the characters, per se, but middle school students can be ruthless teasers, and the tween girl who unsuspectingly shows up with something the older kids perceive as childish will face certain problems. I've seen it happen.
Colorful backpacks are great, and work with the tween's interests. School bags will hold heavy loads, so finding something from a trusted name such as Jansport is a good choice. Extra zipper pouches for pencils and other writing tools is a good organizational help, something most tweens seem to need. If you know her tastes in color and design, work from that point of reference.

	Van Gogh Almond BlossomsDesign Messenger Bag - SchoolBag - Laptop Bag - ReporterBag - Unisex - Ideal Gift forall occassions! There are so many styles anddesigns in messenger bags,backpacks, and sports bags fortweens, at Amazon...you havethe luxury of a multitude ofstyles at your virtual fingertips! Amazon Price: $39.99
	Red / Black Trail Maker SchoolStudents Sling MessengerShoulder Bag / Cross BodyBookbag Amazon Price: $17.50

Messenger Bags for Tween Girls

Messenger bags have become very popular, and make a sensible alternative to a backpack, when it comes to school bags for kids. The backpack allows for weight of books and school materials to be carried on the back, the messenger bag allows for crossbody carrying. Both approaches work, but the constant adjustment of the backpack on the shoulders can be a little frustrating, whereas the crossbody bag is a little more stationary in its position.
Again, with tween girls, avoid anything that might be perceived as baby-ish by classmates. Colorful patterns are great, if it's something she loves, and many plaids and prints in tween school bags are tasteful, without being obnoxious.

adidas Santiago IV ReversibleSackpack, Black/Diva,

Amazon Price: $12.42
List Price: $15.00

Sports Bags for Tween Girls

If you are looking for a school bag for a girl who is athletic, or who will be participating in school or community sports, you may want to find a sports bag, in addition to a school bag, backpack, or messenger bag. Depending on the sport, you may just want a simple, small duffle or tote, or a larger sports bag, if there is a lot of equipment to be carried. My tween really likes the simplicity of many namebrand sports bag styles, and found coordinating tote (sackpack) and duffle which work well for her needs, one for soccer season, the other for softball.

Sports Bags for Tween and Teen Girls: Sack Packs

2012-06-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Organizational Issues?

School bags and sports bags for kids are important organizational tools. Having the right bag can make it easy for your child, whether elementary aged, or teen, to keep things together and stay focused. Take it from someone who struggled to stay organized through her high school years, a good school bag would have been a great idea. Unfortunately, at the time, such bags weren't commonly carried at school, and as a result, I toted what seemed like tons of school books with me to and from, class, locker, bus.
If your tween or teen is involved in sports, a sackpack is a great way to help her keep her simple sports gear separate from her books and other class related materials. Of course, if she has a lot of gear to handle, a duffle bag is more appropriate. However, a sackpack is lightweight, slings over the shoulders, and has plenty of space for a water bottle, cleats, and clothing. During the softball season, my teen daughter uses a duffel, but during soccer season, a sack pack is perfect for carrying her things.

	New Balance Women's Lace UpFor The Cure Sack Pack (Black) Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $15.00
	Pocket Two Tone DrawstringBag, Purple Amazon Price: $6.19 List Price: $10.95
	Drawstring Backpack (Purple) Amazon Price: $9.99
	New Balance Women's Lace UpFor The Cure Sack Pack (Pink) Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $15.00
	New Balance Unisex AdultEndurance Drawstring Sack Pack(Pink) Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $10.00

It's wise to instruct your tweens and teens about cautions with personal belongings, and that a sports bag does not insure safety of materials inside, nor security. Cell phones tucked in bags can still be damaged, and valuables left unattended can be stolen. If it's possible to stow belongings in a locked area during athletic practice, there's a little more security. If not, help your child to learn to be aware of the goings on in the area.
Also, be conscious of temperatures and conditions during the sporting season. While most coaches provide plenty of water, be sure your young person makes a point to drink plenty of water, even during colder weather. A good hydration bottle is sensible, as it can be refilled from team jugs, or at water fountains.

Canvas Messenger School Bags for Middle School Girls

2012-06-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Pink Canvas Messenger School Bags for Middle School Girls

Middle school girls have lots of adjusting to do, especially in the first year. Transitioning from a self-contained classroom to a rotating schedule is confusing enough, but keeping books straight and homework papers organized is really challenging. Lockers can help, but many schools limit locker visits to before and after school and lunch time in order to maintain a fast-moving transition during passing time. When every instructional minute counts, the last thing the school wants is wandering students stalled at lockers.

A messenger is a great way to organize your middle school daughter's books and materials. The Rothco model pictured here is of heavyweight canvas, making it durable like a military messenger bag. Pink makes it more feminine. The design is also available in a deep blue that's really attractive. Your middle school girls messenger bag is great for saving her shoulders when she's carrying several books at a time. Crossbody bags for tween girls provide a better distribution of the weight of the books. I like the extra pouches in this model, as tween girls school bags can be tough to manage...more pouches means better options for keeping writing tools separate from papers.

Camouflage Messenger Bags for Tween Boys

2012-06-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

Camouflage Messenger Bags for Tween Boys

When you are thinking about messenger bags for tween boys, you have to consider the environment your son will be engaged in. While many students are fine in the middle school setting, the change from being in a self-contained classroom to being in a busy and fluctuating environment will expose him to a lot of people. There's a huge amount of change going on for all students, and sometimes peer opinion can make a big difference. Maybe it shouldn't, but I've seen a lot of cruel behavior at this age range, and I've experienced it as well. Whether you are a student or a teacher, you can encounter some harsh attitudes in other children. That said, your child should be encouraged to be himself. Bullies aren't tolerable, and you need to engage your child in important discussions about his own conduct and about dealing with the conduct of others. Meanwhile, keep style in mind. A camouflage messenger bag for middle school boys is definitely not purse-like. The style pictured has compartments that enable good organization. The camo motif is popular in many circles. If you are looking for a non-camouflage style, there are many khaki and green canvas messenger school bags for boys, including those pictured below.

Canvas Military Messenger Bags for Middle School Boys

Find more military style messenger bags for middle school boys.

Angry Birds School Bags for Tweens

2011-11-17T06:48:00.001-08:00

Angry Birds Messenger Bag
for tweens.

If your tweens love the popular Angry Birds apps on their iPods, iPads, or android devices, then you may find that the theme will easily translate into a fun backpack choice. While tweens often leave character backpacks to younger kids, the Angry Birds theme isn't quite as "little kid" as some, and depending on your tween's interests, may be a great fit. Of course, defer to your tween, as tween boys will have a sense of what is acceptable in his peer circles, while tween girls may feel a little less inhibited in choosing character book bags.

Blue Angry Birds School Bag for a Tween

The backpacks featured here (images link to product details, via Amazon)include a messenger school bag, a very popular crossbody style book bag, and a great alternative to traditional backpacks for distributing book weight in front, where it's not taking quite the toll on your tween's back. The backpack styles shown highlight the various birds featured in the Angry Birds games.

Angry Birds Backpack for Tweens
in Yellow

While many parents might look at the Angry Birds craze as an extension of a silly video game, I think it's worth noting the great visual depiction of Algebra 2 concepts, with the depiction of parabolas as birds are aimed at a variety of structures. While algebra grades don't directly vary according to video game play, this is a great means of establishing an informal understanding of something that is often quite abstract. I'm sure the physics applications are even more impressive, though I'm not a physics teacher!

Dark Blue Angry Birds Bookbag

In addition to school bags, you will find that there are Angry Birds pencil cases, notebooks, and backpack clips, all fun ways of making the school year a little more interesting for your tween.

Red Angry Bird Backpack

Angry Birds School Bag in Black

2011-09-02T12:42:00.001-07:00

One Strap BackPacks for Tween Girls and Boys, in assorted colors.
Pictured school bags available through Unbeatable Sales, Inc.

Sling backpacks are a popular new style, and make a lot of sense for tweens and teens, being that one strap carrying is more common, than putting a backpack over both shoulders in traditional carrying mode. There are many colorful styles available, for both boys and girls, as pictured above (images link to pricing details and availability).

Fun Fashion for Tween Girls: Customize Your Book Bag, and More!

2011-09-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Fashion Playtes is a fun option in school bags, lunch totes, and other fashion for tween girls, in that she can customize her own accessories and clothing. With easy to use templates, she can select symbols, monograms, colors, and fabrics from the many choices offered, to put together her own unique look. This is right up the alley of the tween girl, with regard to self expression. What a fun Christmas or birthday gift idea, for your tween daughter, grandaughter, niece, or friend...create a personalized piece, or give her a gift certificate, so she can create her own!

Jansport Reversibles: Cool Backpack Style, with Wild, or Mild choices

2011-08-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Cool reversible backpack for a tween.

Jansport's Reversibles are great for middle school students...two styles in one backpack! Wilder designs are available, with an alternate, inside out simple (mild) choice. Great for tween boys, or girls, these are a fun way to provide some expression, and variation in a traditional backpack style.

Jansport Cisco: One Strap Sling Backpack

2011-08-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jansport is a top name in backpacks...ask many former college students about the familiar favorite from the campus bookstore! The one strap style sling bag is a newer trend, but displayed here from an older, trusted name in packs.

Jansport Cisco Sling is available in many colors,
making it a cool one strap backpack for many tween interests.

School Bags in Stock?

2011-08-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

I tend to notice timing on the back to school supplies being populated on the shelves of my local big box store, as well as with Christmas displays, and other holidays. The unique thing I'm noticing this year, though, is the significantly lesser amount of school bags for kids on the shelves. There are plenty of materials, but only a handful of backpacks. There are, in fact, only two styles that are obviously feminine, intended for girls, in matching floral designs, one pink, the other blue. Several solid color backpacks don the area, and I see no signs of childhood favorite characters. Meanwhile, at my favorite grocer, there are a total of 4 backpack styles, with only 2-3 of each in stock. Two of the 4 styles are childhood characters, and smaller in size, aimed at younger children.

Given economic conditions, it's likely that a lot of kids are recycling their school bags this year. If you need to replace a bag in a small shopping community, your options may be very limited. However, there are plenty of inexpensive backpacks for both boys and girls, available online. Watch for shipping discounts to make the most, if you are looking for something a little more unique than what your big box store has to offer...check out the under $25 selection of school backpacks for tweens and kids at Amazon.

Hello Kitty for Tween Girls? If you are searching for it, here it is!

2011-08-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hello Kitty Plush Doll Backpack for Tween Girls

I never cease to be amazed at tween girls. They swing between the childish and fun side of life, to the mature and sophisticated, and in that odd middle school stage, they seem to have a hard time finding the balance. I grinned when one tween walked into the Burger King, wearing this plush pack. It totally didn't go with the heels she was attempting to wear. However, I just shrugged it off. Then her friend walked in, wearing the same backpack. Hmmm. I thought they quit trying to match in elementary school, but apparently not. Nevertheless, if you are hunting for that plush Hello Kitty Backpack for your tween, it's accessible by clicking the image above.

Purple Polka Dot School Bag

2011-08-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Purple Polka Dots
Superbreak Backpack for Tween Girls
by Jansport

If you love polka dots, or purple, or both, then don't miss this fun school bag from Jansport...they've come a long way in a few decades, and you aren't relegated to the same old styles and colors. This fun pack is great for the middle school girl who loves a bit of color, or for a teen, or college student, as well.

High Sierra Floral Backpacks for Middle School Girls

2011-08-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a cute tween school bag in a floral design, then you'll love these fun styles from High Sierra. Each style featured here is available in solid black or blue, as well, from Bag King, accessible by clicking the linked images below, for up to date sales and availability.

High Sierra School Bags for Tween Girls in Floral Motifs are Pretty and Fun

High Sierra Murray Bag
is a pretty floral backpack for middle school girls.

High Sierra Mugsy is a Floral Highlighted Tween Girls Backpack available in many other colors and patterns.

Levi's Backpacks for Girls

2011-08-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

You might only think of Levi's for blue jeans, when it comes to back to school shopping. However, there are also school bags for both boys and girls, designed by the Levi's company. A few of the selections suitable for girls are shown here, with images being clickable, for up to date availability at Amazon.

One Strap Backpacks by Levis

2011-08-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

One of the more popular backpack styles this year is the unistrap, or one strap backpack. The shape is unique, slightly asymmetrical, and the one strap style is well-suited to the manner in which so many students already carry backpacks, slung over a single shoulder. Based on the sole review at Amazon, thus far, there can be space limitations for middle and high school students, if heavier books and materials consume their locker space. However, a unistrap bag is a great idea for carrying gym clothes, or for the upper elementary tween, who isn't into all the cartoon character bookbags, but doesn't have a heavy slate of books to tote. Check out the images below, clickable for up to date Amazon pricing and availability.

Levi's Railer Unistrap/One Strap Backpack for Boys

Levis Grey Cross Check One Strap Backpack for Boys

Jansport Backpacks for Middle School Boys

2011-07-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

When you are looking for a school bag for your middle school son, there seem to be less interesting options than are available for girls. Aside from the fact that tween boys are ready to ditch the superheroes and cartoon characters of earlier years, there is the challenge of middle school social life. Attracting too much attention with an obnoxious backpack style could mean frustration in the difficult social environment of middle school. However, cool geometric graphics, with subtle colors, can be a great choice. You can find a great selection of Jansport school bags suitable for the middle schooler, at BagKing, whether you are interested in simple, subtle graphics, or solid colors. Jansport is one of the top names in school bags and backpacks, and provides numerous styles.

Jansport Deranged Backpack is a cool and simple motif,
perfect as a more laid back version of the popular brands backpacks appropriate for middle school boys.

Cool backpacks for middle school boys can be hard to find in stores, and online sources are great for getting off
the beaten path.

Jansport Felon design doesn't live up to its name...
the graphic is interesting and unique, making this another great backpack for tween boys.

Jansport Thrash is a good style, conducive to organization and
cool enough to keep your middle schooler from being frustrated by peer criticism.

Each item pictured links to product details and additional color selections.

Ogio Backpacks for Middle School Boys

2011-07-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a simple backpack for your tween son, Ogio offers quite a number of sleek, cool styles, with simple graphics and logos. Plaids are extremely popular, and are great in a white on black contrast. As well, a solid colored school bag, with a contrasting logo, is a style that works well for the middle schooler.

Ogio Backpacks for Middle School Boys
This design is available in at least 10 color and print combinations,
perfect as an interesting but cool design for tween boys.

Dickies Backpack Styles for Middle School Boys

2011-07-26T05:33:00.000-07:00

You might not expect to find cool backpack styles for tween boys from a name like Dickies, but think again! With geometric graphics, and simple colors, Dickies has actually produced some vivid styles that will work perfectly for storing his school books, and getting him off on the right foot, this school year. The selections featured below are clickable, for up to date pricing and availability at Amazon.

Black and White Checkered Backpack

Dickies Black and Red Plaid Backpack

Retro Geo Illusion Backpack By Dickies

Black and Grey Plaid Backpack

Black/Blue/Grey Plaid Backpack

Black Checkered Backpack with Multicolored Lines

Camouflage Backpack by Dickies

Gridiron Backpack in Black and Blue

Basic Backpack

Sports Team Backpacks for Middle Schoolers

2011-07-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

If your middle school son is an avid fan of a particular sports team, then a team-themed backpack or book bag can be a great way to get the year off to a good start. My first year teaching at that level showed me that a youngster who loves his team will go all out for it...endless debating over which team rules doesn't matter, he will be loyal, and love to express it!

Logo Baseball Backpack
Available in many team logos.

One strap sling backpacks are popular this year, and whether you opt for a logo sling pack, or for a traditional backpack with a team logo, are good choices if your son loves a particular team. Featured below are a few examples of logo backpacks and sling backpacks in a sports team theme, clickable for current pricing details at Amazon.

Backpacks for Tween Girls, by Three Cheers

2011-07-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for unique school bags and backpacks, then you'll love some of these girly backpack selections from Three Cheers, available at Amazon. (Images are linked to current pricing details.) Three Cheers pulls in fun graphics with pretty colors, to create striking backpacks that are perfect for elementary and tween girls. Having a cute school bag is a great way to encourage good care of school supplies and books, and a super step in approaching the coming academic year with a positive attitude. Be sure to check out the school bags featured below, as well as all of the Three Cheers offerings at Amazon.

Cute Floral Backpack for Girls
In Pinks, Blues, and FUN!

Floral Pink Backpack for Girls

Tie Dye Backpack for Girls

Fox BackPacks for Middle School Boys

2011-07-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

Backpack selection for middle school boys is a little challenging, but there are several companies that provide tasteful, yet cool, backpack designs. Some of these entail interesting graphics, whether geometric, or unusual, while others incorporate contrasting colors, often a bright highlight against a dark bag. Fox is one such company, and highlighted below are some choices, perfect for that middle school age range, and up.