Is is just me, or is the kids’ backpack situation completely different from what it was when I was a kid?
The last couple years I taught at an elementary school, and it was almost comical to see how some of those little kindergarteners had backpacks that were almost as big as them. Some of them looked like they could topple over backward any minute if they wren’t careful!
This year I’m teaching at a middle school, and what’s really weird to me is that the kids have lockers, but aren’t allowed to use them during the day. So they could put something like a coat in it first thing in the morning, but that’s it. Many of my homeroom students don’t even know their locker combination.
So these kids have to lug everything they need around with them all day long.
All that to say — kids of all ages use their backpacks a lot, and they put a lot of stuff in it — so they’d better have one that they really like and that is really durable.
I went in search of cat-themed school backpacks for all ages from toddler through high school and college. I even included a few mini-backpacks that are more like purses, because why not?
After reading this post, you’ll be able to find the perfect cat backpack for your and/or your child’s needs.
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Black Cat Ears School Backpack
Black Cat Ears School Backpack
This black backpack with cat ears is made with durable, water resistant polyester and has adjustable mesh padded straps for maximum comfort.
It measures 12 by 5.5 by 17 inches.
Its compartments include:
- Padded main compartment that’s large enough to hold a 15.6 inch laptop
- Exterior front zipper pocket
- Side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella
- Interior cell phone pocket
- Interior wallet pocket
- Two interior pen sleeves
- Interior zipper pocket
- External USB port with built-in charging cable
- Hole for headphones so you can listen while walking
Reviewers loved how this backpack was spacious with lots of pockets, had a shimmer to it when the light hits it the right way, and was super cute “without being tacky.”
JanSport Cat Face Print Backpack
JanSport Cat Face Print Backpack
If you’re a fan of the quality and design of JanSport backpacks, you’ll want to check this one out.
It’s lightweight and made of coated durable fabric that make it three times the industry standard for abrasion and water repellency. It has one roomy main compartment and one front pocket (because some people find more pockets to just be more hassle) and comes with a lifetime warranty — if it breaks, JanSport will either replace it or fix it, no questions asked.
This Vine Voice Reviewer explains why these backpacks were a great purchase for their kids:
My kids are so hard on backpacks. From the moment they start school in Kindergarten, their poor backpacks are mistreated- left in the rain, thrown on the floor, walked on. We empty them out, wash them, and they are good to go again.
I got tired of buying two less expensive backpacks a year and just switched all the kids to Jansports. I haven’t regretted it a bit!
My youngest is 4, the backpack is nearly as long as she is, but I know it will last her multiple years. I picked up the middle child’s backpack and was surprised to discover it was so heavy. 2 encyclopedia volumes and a pocket full of actual rocks, because of course he was walking a mile home like he was prepping for a backpacking trip. The good news is, the backpack lasted. Despite being sorely mistreated, these are sturdy backpacks that clearly have room for everything!
Plush Kitty Backpack for Toddlers
This backpack is made of super soft material and can be machine washed.
It measures 11 by 4.7 by 8 inches and is designed for young children who need a way to carry their toys, books, and snacks. It has a top hanging loop and matching zipper pull designed for little hands.
It comes in either grey (like the photo above) or brown.
Click here to see a photo of a 3 year old wearing the brown cat version.
Reviewers said this backpack was the perfect size for 2-5 year olds and loved how their children could easily zip and unzip the two sections without any help.
Lightweight Cat Print Backpack
Lightweight Cat School Backpack
This lightweight backpack is made of 600D polyester and is waterproof, anti-scratch, and high load-bearing.
It has one top-loading compartment with one laptop sleeve that snugly fits a 15.6 inch laptop. There is one front exterior easy access zipper pocket for small items like keys and cell phone, plus two side water bottle pockets.
Reviewers liked how the material was thick and heavy and that the backpack appeared to be well-made.
Cute Canvas Cat Backpack for School
Cute Cat Backpack for Teen Girls
This backpack is Amazon’s Choice in the “Kids’ Kitty Backpack” category.
It’s made of canvas, measures 11.4 by 6.9 by 15.4 inches, and can hold a laptop up to 15 nches.
If you prefer a backpack with lots of pockets and compartments, this is for you. It contains:
- Main zipper pocket
- Front zipper pocket
- Two side pockets
- Interior laptop pocket
- Interior zipper pocket
Canvas Black Cat School Backpack for Kids
Canvas Black Cat School Backpack for Kids
This black kitty backpack is available with white or pink eyes and paw. It’s made of high quality waterproof canvas and the interior is roomy enough to carry a 14 inch laptop and some ultra-slim 15.6 inch laptops.
A fun little bonus is that this backpack comes with a pretty postcard and a cute little carrot-shaped pen.
Cute Mini Cat Backpack
Cute Cat Mini Backpack for Toddlers
Little girls will love this adorable pink and white mini-backpack. (Although some adult women were very happy using it as well!)
The paws are magnetic so that the kitty can play peek-a-boo. How cute is that?!
The backpack is made of PU leather and has a polyester lining. It has a main compartment, two small pockets, and one front zipper pocket. The shoulder straps are both padded and adjustable, so girls can choose to wear it high, low, or off the shoulder.
Even though many adults liked this bag, it is definitely not a full-sized backpack and won’t hold a laptop. One reviewer described the size as “bigger than a 90s mini backpack but smaller than a kid’s school backpack.”
Pink and Black Cat Face Backpack for Girls
Pink and Black Cat Face Backpack for Girls
This cat backpack features a sweet, smiling cat face and bow. It’s made of 100% Nylon and is water-resistant (one reviewer said that “liquid rolls right off it”) and easy to clean.
It comes in two sizes — large and medium — and has one main pocket, a vice pocket, and two side mesh pockets.
In addition to the black version shown above, it also comes in light pink and darker pink. Note that the doll shown in the photo does not come with the backpack.
This reviewer describes the backpack as “solid, large, and cute.”
My little one loves this. We got the large one as she takes a lot of stuff with her, and it’s pretty cavernous. Fits her Chromebook, school books, has a few extra pockets for organizing pens and pencils and other supplies, a good water bottle pocket, and probably spots for other things she can think of.
The material is well put together and reinforced. The bottom is thick and padded, and should last for a while. The material does well in the rain, water stays off and things stay dry … It’s also a cute, discrete design that makes my little one happy but is subtle enough not appear too childish. The darker pink color is lovely, I’m glad I went with that.
Cat & Fish Print School Backpack
Green Cat Print School Backpack
This backpack, decorated with prints of fish and cat faces, is made of durable water resistant (although not completely waterproof) eco-friendly polyester fabric
It measures 11.8 by 15.7 by 5.5 inches and has a padded laptop pocket with a velcro strap that will hold most 13 inch laptops.
It also has:
- Two side pockets that can hold a water bottle and an umbrella
- A front utility pocket so important stuff like your keys and phone are easy to access
- Two inner open pockets
- Two pen holders
- An inner zipper pocket
- A key chain
- A top loop for easy grabbing or hanging
Disney’s Aristcats Backpack for Girls
Cat Printed Girls Backpack Kids School Bookbag for Primary Students Pink
This pretty pink backpack, designed for girls ages 8-14, features Marie, one of the kitties from Disney’s 1970 movie The Aristocats.
Video – “Scales & Arpeggios” from The Aristocrats
The backpack is made of waterproof material, measures 17.7 by 12.6 by 5.9 inches and has:
- A main pocket
- Two vice pocket
- Front zipper pocket
- Two side mesh pockets
- Adjustable S-shape shoulder straps
- A strap and handle on top, making it easy to hang on a hook
It also comes with a matching pencil case, which is a nice little extra.
Not surprisingly, reviewers loved how beautiful this backpack was — although one pointed out the downside of it being a “dirt magnet.”
Joymoze Leisure Cat Print Backpack
Joymoze Leisure Cat Print Backpack
This neutral-colored backpack is made of waterproof, lightweight anti-scratch, soft polyester and has a nylon lining.
It measures 12 by 5.3 by 17.3 Inches and includes:
- Roomy main compartment that can fit for 15.6 inch laptop
- Laptop sleeve
- Interior zipper pocket
- Two interior pen sleeves
- Cellphone pocket
- Wallet pocket
- Key ring
- Two external side pockets
- Front zipper pocket
The shoulder straps are mesh padded and adjustable.
A customer on the product page’s Q & A section discussed how much this backpack can hole
I’m a senior in high school i use this bag to fit a 15inch laptop, 2 spiral journals, 3 notebooks, a composition book, and finally a 2 pencil cases.
On the side pockets I store a water bottle on the left and a 35 piece gum back in the right. In the front pocket I store 10 mechanical pencils, my iPhone 7, a pair of headphones, a charger, 2 pens, 2 sharpies, and lastly a granola bar …
Loungefly X Disney Cheshire Cat Mini Backpack
Loungefly X Disney Cheshire Cat Mini Backpack
Maybe you or someone you know is a fan of another Disney cat — specifically, Alice in Wonderland‘s Cheshire Cat.
This is more of purse than a “school backpack,” but I couldn’t help but include it in this list. And by the way, these Disney Loungefly backpack purses are great for a day at the Magic Kingdom or other Disney World parks.
This mini backpack is made of faux leather and measures 9 by 12 by 4 inches. It has a front zippered pocet closure, adjustable straps, two side pockets, and a soft, fluffy tail that moves from side to side.
Oh … and the eyes glow in the dark! How cool is that?
Cute Cat Face School Bag for Kids
Cute Cat Face School Bag for Kids
This backpack has an adorable cat’s face and bow on the front, plus small colorful kitty print decorating the straps and sides. It’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about anything getting ruined on rainy school days.
This backpack measures 10.2 by 6.3 by 13.8 inches and includes:
- Main pocket with laptop compartment
- Vice bag
- Upper front pocket
- Lower front pocket
- Two side pockets
From the reviews it looks like the sweet spot for this backpack is early elementary age — say from kindergarten to about third grade.
One nice unique feature is the safety reflective stripe on the front pockets and bearing belt to give a little extra visibility on foggy or rainy days.
Reviewers liked how this backpack was not only cute, but also sturdy and easy to clean.
Waterproof Cartoon Cat Backpack
Waterproof Cartoon Cat Backpack
This light purple backpack is decorated with a 3d-style cartoon cat face and bow.
It measures 8.3 by 3.9 by 10.2 inches and is intended for toddler and preschool age (about 2~5 years old).
A few reviewers said this was a nice transition away from a huge diaper bag as their kids got older — the perfect size for a few diapers, wipes, a few small toys and a cup and snack.
Weighing barely more than half a pound, this backpack is super-lightweight, making it perfect for a toddler. There is a loop at the top for easy hanging when they arrive at daycare or preschool.
Cute Black 4 Piece Cat Backpack Set
Cute Black 4 Piece Cat Backpack Set
If you like matching sets, then this is for you. It comes with:
- Backpack
- Crossbody bag (which can be used as a lunch box, although it is not insulated)
- Clutch bag (for a cell phone and other basic supplies)
- Pencil case
The photo above shows the set in black, but it also comes in several other colors, including deep blue, pink, and grey.
Click here to see a photo of the same set in green.
Reviewers thought this set was a great value.
Pusheen The Cat Backpack
Pusheen The Cat Backpack With Cat Face
Know any young fans of Pusheen the Cat? They will love this cute, comfy, and fuzzy backpack!
It’s advertised as “standard size” and comes in a few different colors (although not all of them are “fuzzy” like the one in the image above.) I has one pocket in the front.
You can read all the negative 1-star reviews here.
Galaxy Cat Printed School Backpack
Galaxy Cat Printed School Backpack
This beautiful and colorful backpack measure 8.9 by 12 by 5 inches and is made of polyester.
Reviewers said they were pleasantly surprised at how “crisp and clear” the image was.
An insulated lunch bag and a large pencil box in similar styles are also available.