How to Choose a School Backpack, Lunch Bag & Lunch Box

Back-to-school shopping isn't just about finding a backpack your child likes.

The backpack, lunch bag, lunch box, drink bottle, hat, books and everyday school essentials all have to work together.

After decades of helping Broken Hill families prepare for school, there are a few things we recommend considering before choosing your child's school gear.

Start with the backpack

Choose the backpack based on what your child actually needs to carry rather than simply buying the biggest bag available.

Think about their age, school requirements, books, folders, lunch gear, drink bottle, hat and anything else that regularly travels between school and home.

Look for comfortable adjustable straps, useful compartments and storage that makes everyday items easy to find.

And don't forget the child carrying it.

A backpack they genuinely like is much more likely to become their bag rather than something Mum or Dad chose for them.

Spixal has school gear organised for different ages and stages, making it easier to explore backpacks and school gear for kids.

Check the lunch bag and lunch box together

One of the easiest mistakes to make is choosing a lunch box and insulated lunch bag separately and discovering they don't fit properly.

Check the dimensions of both before buying.

Consider how much food your child normally takes, whether they prefer separate compartments and whether additional snacks need to fit alongside their main lunch.

Spixal takes a coordinated approach, with lunch gear designed to work together as a system rather than a collection of mismatched pieces.

Think about how your child eats

Some kids are perfectly happy with a sandwich and piece of fruit.

Others prefer several smaller foods or don't like different foods touching.

A compartment-style bento can make it easier to separate foods and pack variety, while larger containers or insulated food jars can work better for older children and bigger appetites.

Don't forget the drink bottle

Check whether the bottle fits securely into the backpack's bottle pocket and whether your child can easily open, close and refill it themselves.

The same principle applies to lunch boxes and food containers: school gear works best when children can actually manage it without needing an adult every time.

Make the whole setup work together

The easiest school setup is often the one where everything has a place.

Backpack.

Lunch bag.

Lunch box.

Drink bottle.

Hat.

Pencil case.

When those pieces work together, packing the school bag becomes much easier to repeat each morning.

Spixal's approach is to coordinate these pieces from the beginning. You can browse the complete Spixal school and lunch range to compare the different options.

Back to school at Spicer's

Spicer's Office Choice has been helping Broken Hill families prepare for school for decades.

Visit us at 168 Argent Street for school supplies, stationery, exercise books, pencil cases, calculators, folders, school bags, lunch bags, drink bottles and more.

Our team can help you work through your school list and find the gear you need for the year ahead.