16 kids' backpacks to keep all their gear organized

Gearing up for back to school starts with one of these great kids' backpacks. Not only are they cute but they're also functional for lugging lunches, water bottles and library books. But the right backpack has to do more than carry all your kid's essentials—it also needs to be comfortable. So what should you look for to ensure a good fit?

Choose a bag that is properly proportioned to your kid. Most preschoolers don't need a full-size backpack so look for something smaller that they can carry on their own. Most elementary school kids will need a backpack big enough to hold their lunch, water bottle, books and a folder. Your best bet is to take your kid shopping so they can try on different bags to check the size and to make sure it suits their style. (So resist the temptation to buy a bigger bag that'll last a few years; it can cause back and neck pain.)

Other things to keep in mind: The bag should have wide padded shoulder straps for adequate support; a padded back for comfort; water-resistant material that's durable and lightweight; and for extra safety in the winter, reflective straps that help your kid stay visible.

Now let's start shopping!

1. Wonder Co. Camo Shark Backpack

2. Jetstream Children's Backpack

3. Herschel Into the Sea Heritage Backpack

4. H&M Patterned Backpack

5. MEC Cub Daypack

6. Adidas X Lego Classic Backpack

7. L.L.Bean Blue Flowers Original Book Pack®

8. Skip Hop Zoo Clark the Crocodile Backpack

9. Tracker Watermelon Backpack

10. Pottery Barn Mackenzie Aqua Sunshine Glow-in-the-Dark Backpacks

11. Burton Ballad Blue Summit Jumble Backpack

12. So Young Under the Sea Backpack

13. Fjallraven Kånken Me Mini Customizable Backpack

14. Jetstream Twin-Pocket Backpack

15. Trailblazer Laptop Camouflage Backpack

16.Genuine Dickies Varsity Backpack