Best Kids’ Messenger Bags in 2023

Wildkin Messenger Bag

First on our list of the best kids’ messenger bags is the Wildkin Messenger Bag. With eight eye-catching designs to choose from, you’ll be hard-pushed to pick just one.

The bags measure 13 x 10 inches, so you’ll have room for all your school equipment as well as a few cheeky extras. We love that, as well as the spacious main compartment, there are two internal and two external pockets to help keep things organized. The shoulder strap is adjustable to help the bag fit people of different heights and is padded too to fend off any shoulder aches.

The main flap of the bag seals via a Velcro mechanism, so even if someone forgets to seal it properly, it will catch and stop things from escaping. The durable polyester exterior is incredibly easy to wipe clean, which is an important feature if your kids are prone to spillages.

It also offers some water resistance which, combined with the moisture-resistant interior lining, will help to keep your possessions dry even in wet conditions.

One thing we’d like to see on this bag is an external water bottle holder but, given how spacious this bag is, you’ll be able to pop a drink inside without too much trouble – just watch out for leaks.

Also, although the designs are said to be unisex, we can’t help but feel that they will go down better with the girls than boys… but overall, this is a great range of funky, spacious bags that will help your kid organize their school gear.

Purple Ladybug Messenger Bag

The Purple Ladybug Messenger Bag is a fantastic way to ensure your child never forgets their favorite bag. It comes with a design outlined on the front, and some glitter traces for that extra bit of magic, and a set of 10 super colorful permanent markers. And not only that, but it also comes with a pencil case you can carry in too – just when you thought the fun was over!

Not only does this give your child a means to channel their inner creativity, but they’ll be so proud of their handiwork that this bag will rarely leave their side! It also makes a great gift for any upcoming classmate’s birthdays.

Aged 4 years and upwards, this makes the perfect first bag for your little one, and it’s adjustable too so you can simply extend the strap as they grow to increase the longevity of the bag. It’s sturdy too, and the Velcro opening means you can access your items quickly.

It is lacking slightly in the additional pockets department, but we still think this is a great little bag for young children. Unfortunately, at the moment, it’s only available in one rather feminine design – tough luck for all the boisterous boys and tomboys out there!

RICHEN Messenger Bag

Introducing the next on our hit list… the RICHEN Messenger Bag. We love the unique designs on these and the fact that, unlike some similar models, the designs are printed on both the front and back of the bags.

The bag is made of easy-to-clean neoprene, which will smell a little upon opening but don’t worry, this fades after a day or so. The main compartment on this bag is sealed with a double zipper to help you access your items quickly and to make sure nothing tumbles out, and it has a soft inside lining.

This is a great bag to pop your laptop in, and the external pocket is the perfect place to pop your charger, mouse, or other accessories. It’s also nice and spacious and sealed with a zipper so you don’t have to worry about placing even tiny objects inside.

It’s also available in a range of sizes, so you can make sure you find the right one for you and aren’t carrying around extra weight for no reason. One small gripe is that the depth of the bag could be a little larger – you will struggle to get oddly shaped items to fit alongside your laptop but, other than that, we’re big fans of this bag and think your kids will be too.

Kemy's Over Shoulder Messenger Bag

Introducing a slightly smaller bag than the previous ones – Kemy’s Over Shoulder Messenger Bag. This bag is primarily aimed at teenage girls, but we’re sure some women will be tempted too!

This cross-body bag is as functional as it is beautiful, with an incredible amount of pockets for its size – two open pockets, one inside zip pocket, one from and one back zipper pocket as well as the main compartment itself. With all these compartments, this bag makes a great travel companion.

All of the designs are equally intricate, and you’ll have a tough time choosing which one to go for. The bags are available in either nylon or canvas and, although we love the look and feel of the canvas bags, the nylon ones will certainly be easier to clean as the canvas is notorious for picking up dirt.

On top of that, the nylon bags are water-resistant whereas the canvas ones aren’t, so make sure you weigh up how important design is versus functionality.

The main compartment itself has a thick foam padding to keep your belongings safe, and the strap is durable and adjustable. If you like to coordinate, there are matching purses available too, although they aren’t included.

Overall, this is a great bag that will keep all your bits and bobs safe and secure – and we wouldn’t be surprised if you end up buying one for yourself as well as your little one!

Back to School Messenger Bag

The Back to School Messenger Bag, as the name suggests, makes a great high school bag.

You can fit 13-15.6 inch laptops, and there are a couple of additional compartments for your phone, pens, and other possessions. There’s also a bottle compartment on the outside, which is a great feature as it protects your laptop from leaks, although it might not be the largest around.

So that you don’t get any aches and pains from carrying your bag around, the shoulder strap is padded and has an airflow design so you don’t get too hot and bothered while you’re on the go.

The designs are simple and inoffensive – perfect if you’re not the kind of kid that always wants to make a statement – and there are unisex designs available.

The vinyl exterior offers some water resistance and the top flap seals with Velcro. Although this provides quick access, you’ll want to keep an eye on any small items as there aren’t any zip-sealed pockets.

Overall, this is a simple bag that can fit laptops, ring binders, and other school-related items without breaking the bank.

Boys' Crossbody Messenger Bag

Advertised as a Boys’ Crossbody Messenger Bag, but appropriate for tomboys too, this is a great little bag for school as well as weekend activities.

The cross-body design means it’s less likely to slip off and get left somewhere, which is great if your kids can be a little on the forgetful side, and the strap is comfy and adjustable too. Plus, it only weighs around 2 ounces, so you shouldn’t get many complaints about heaviness.

We like that the small back compartment seals with a zip, so you can put important objects like keys, medication, or a phone in there. The main compartment also seals with a zipper and has an inner section to help keep things organized.

Although there is a range of designs available, you can also send in your own photos and get them printed on your bag – pretty neat huh? And on top of that, these bags are some of the cheapest we’ve seen.

They are pretty small, so don’t expect to cram too much in there, but if you’re after something you can pop the basics into then this is a great option.

Terry Messenger Bag

Neither a laptop bag nor a crossbody pouch like the previous models, but instead somewhere in between… the Terry Messenger Bag is one of our favorites and it’s easy to see why.

Not only does this bag have a spacious main compartment, but we just can’t believe how many other pockets and other sections there are. Underneath the main flap, there’s an organizer section where you can pop your cards, pens, and other essentials for ease of access.

There’s also a pocket on the back that you can easily slide notebooks and other objects in and out of, as well as a zip pocket on the front for valuables such as keys.

On top of that, there’s also a mesh water bottle holder on the side of the bag and a pocket for your cellphone – although both of these are unfortunately slightly on the small side. And we love that the main flap fastens with buckles so you don’t have to worry about velcro loosening or zippers getting stuck.

The bag also comes in a huge range of super stylish designs, so you can be sure to find one that you love. It’s ergonomic too, with an adjustable shoulder strap and weighing less than one pound. With a polyester exterior, this bag is somewhat water-resistant and it also features a fabric lining, although this is sadly missing from a couple of the extra pockets.

If you want something you can take to school as well as on shopping trips on the weekend, then look no further than this bag.

High Sierra Messenger Bag

If you want something that’s built to last and won’t let you down, then look no further than the High Sierra Messenger Bag.

High Sierra is serious when it comes to bags, with a focus on bags built for outdoor adventures, so if you can trust anyone to manufacture a durable messenger bag, it’s them.

This bag has a padded main compartment to fit laptops up to 17 inches in size, and the main flap is secured via quick-release buckles for easy access but also has a zippered seal for peace of mind. It’s spacious too and is essentially a hybrid of a duffel bag and a laptop bag, so you’ll be able to fit your lunch in alongside your laptop with no problem.

There’s a handy organizer underneath the main flap, as well as an open compartment – more than enough for all your notepads and accessories. There’s also a side pocket for your cellphone and one for your water bottle.

This is a great bag if your teenager likes jetting around on a bicycle thanks to the reflective material and loop for securing an LED blinker. It really is a great bag for traveling, and we love that as well as a padded adjustable shoulder strap you also have the option to carry your gear using the handles at the top of the bag.

It is more expensive than the other bags featured here, but it’s certainly at the lower end of the price spectrum for outdoor gear. Overall, if you want something durable that you can use on the go, then this is a fantastic option.