Anyone who has packed a bag for a three-year-old at 7.30 in the morning knows how much rides on it. It has to hold a drink bottle, a spare set of clothes and a lunch that will not be squashed by morning tea. It has to survive being flung on the floor of the car, dragged through the sandpit and left on a wet beach towel. And it has to be something your child actually wants to carry.
Here is what to look for in a kids backpack and lunch bag, and how the Swim Shady Kids range stacks up. It was created by Australian parents for little adventurers aged 3 and up, whether the day ahead is kindy, preschool, a family holiday or a trip to the beach.
The short version: look for padded straps for small shoulders, a few separate compartments, side pockets that keep the drink bottle apart from everything else, and a water-resistant outer for splashes and damp days. For lunch, an insulated lining, a wide opening and room for the lunchbox you already own make the morning easier. A bag with some personality helps with the daily handover.
A backpack that is comfortable to carry
A bag that digs in will be dropped by morning tea. Padded shoulder straps spread the load across small shoulders, and a few separate compartments help kids find what they need without tipping everything out on the classroom floor.
The Swim Shady Kids backpack has three separate storage compartments and padded shoulder straps, plus two side bottle pockets so drinks stay within easy reach. It also comes with a detachable coin bag, which suits a canteen order or a few spare coins for the ice cream van.
Drinks in their own pocket
Kids bags have a hard life. Water bottles leak, juice boxes burst and the beach is never far from a puddle. The best defence is keeping drinks away from everything else, which is what the two side bottle pockets are for. The outer is water-resistant, so it copes with splashes and damp days. It is not waterproof, so make sure bottle lids are on tight and wipe up any spills promptly.
A lunch bag that makes packing easy
The best lunch bag is the one you can pack in a hurry. A wide opening and a couple of internal pockets save time, and an insulated lining helps keep food fresh through the day.
The Swim Shady Kids Insulated Lunch Bag has a wide dual-zip opening and an insulated lining. It is roomy enough for many popular bento and snack boxes, with two internal pockets for snacks, cutlery or ice packs. An internal name tag helps it find its way home when it gets left behind.
Charms that make it theirs
Every Swim Shady Kids backpack and lunch bag comes with six collectible charms, so kids can personalise their bag and swap them around whenever they like. There are 24 exclusive designs across four themed collections, from frangipani and a cool koala to a fairy bread slice, a beach thong and a life saving flag, all with Australian beach days in mind.
The charms are also sold in Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and Set 4 at $14 each, which makes them an easy add-on for a birthday party gift or a swap with a friend.
What to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters | Swim Shady Kids |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Small shoulders tire quickly | Padded shoulder straps |
| Organisation | Helps kids find things themselves | Three compartments, two side bottle pockets, detachable coin bag |
| Splashes and damp days | Bags live a rough life | Water-resistant outer (not waterproof) |
| Lunch | Fresh food, easy packing | Insulated lining, dual-zip opening, two internal pockets |
| Lost property | Bags get left behind | Internal name tag in the lunch bag |
| Personality | Kids look after what they love | Six collectible charms with every bag |
The range at a glance
Swim Shady Kids comes in two colourways, Blue / Green and Lilac / Pink. Backpacks are $69 AUD and lunch bags are $49 AUD.
Blue / Green Charm Backpack$69 AUDLilac / Pink Charm Backpack$69 AUDBlue / Green Charm Lunch Bag$49 AUD
Lilac / Pink Charm Lunch Bag$49 AUD
And for the grown-ups
Packing for a family beach day usually means more than the kids' bags. A Luxury Beach Towel and a reversible beach bag, our Swim Bag, carry the rest, and the Swim Shady solo beach shade, designed for one person, gives you a shaded spot to watch the sandcastles go up.
Frequently asked questions
What age are Swim Shady Kids bags for?
The range is designed for little adventurers aged 3 and up.
Do the bags come with charms?
Yes. Every backpack and lunch bag comes with six collectible charms.
How many charm designs are there?
There are 24 exclusive designs across four themed collections. Extra charms are sold in sets of their own.
Will a bento box fit in the lunch bag?
The lunch bag is roomy enough for many popular bento and snack boxes. It also has two internal pockets for snacks, cutlery or ice packs.
Is the lunch bag insulated?
Yes. It has an insulated lining to help keep food fresh through the day.
Are the bags waterproof?
No. Both the backpack and the lunch bag have a water-resistant outer, which copes with splashes and damp days but is not waterproof. Keep drinks in the side pockets with the lids on tight.