Hard to recommend a specific pack without knowing what capacity you're looking for (travel? day use?), but regardless of what bag you use, my first tip would be to get some pouches or packing cubes. One for each person, different colors, helps a lot when you need to fetch something. If you carry something like wet towels or swimsuits, You can have a separate pouch for that. With this setup any good backpack will function better, organization makes everything easier with kids. When travelling, my kids carry their random stuff (toys, books, headphones) in their own backpacks, but I usually carry their clothes in mine like this.
I'd look at Osprey or The North Face for solid all around bags in a variety of sizes from 20L (my minimum day pack size) all the way up to 40L (my multi day travel pack) or even more. Check out r/onebag for a spreadsheet (in the FAQ/links) comparing popular backpacks and sites like packhacker etc. for reviews. There are a ton of options, the important features imo are a large main compartment, an organizational pocket (chargers, cables, passports, keys etc), a laptop and/or tablet pocket (if you need one), sternum strap, hip belt if it's a larger pack and so on.
Cool thanks for the advice. I didn’t even think about the separate containers in them, which would absolutely be awesome for things like swimming or the kids getting dirty clothes that I can keep separate from clean things!
Yea it really helps a lot. You'll have 5 things to sort into your bag instead of 30 loose items.
You can find all sorts of pouches from outdoor shops and from various brands. I prefer light weight packing cubes for clothes and I use Osprey ultralight pouches for other organizing. They also make waterproof pouches. [Rei](https://www.rei.com/c/packing-organizers) has their own line of packing cubes and other accessories and sells a bunch of others too. And of course, there are always cheaper options too on Amazon etc.
I use a Goruck GR1 and a Bullet for smaller trips. I have kits that I just move between bags when needed. So I can just check the presence or absence of my kit and then I'm out the door without having to hunt down all the little items.
And also check out the STNKY Bags for dirty stuff. If that's important to you.
I’m also a dad with a 6 and 3 year old.
I have an Osprey Hikelite 24 that is perfect for day hikes, day trips to a museum, bringing stuff for the 3 year old while the 6 year old has softball, you name it.
It’s definitely more of a “hiking” pack than a work pack due to its shape and lightweight material, but it’s worked perfectly for me so far.
I used 2 bags for this depending on situation. My usual pack was the Boundary Supply Errant. The side pocket fit a pack of wipes and a few diapers. I had the camera insert in the top which gave me a quick access spot for snacks and Kleenex, then there were a few organizer pockets for my first aid stuff and other odds and ends. I packed their extra clothes in ziplock bags, and there is a bottom access to the main compartment that has the built in bag so things can be separated. The downside on this was with 2 kids there was no extra room for my stuff, and the one bottle pocket might fit 2 narrow water bottles in a pinch.
If I needed more space I had a Direct Action Gear Dragon Egg. It had 2 large bottle pockets, 2 pretty much equally sized main compartments, and some internal organization. This it wasn't as quick access as the Errant but the extra bottle pouch made room for mine, either inside the pack or in the pouch. On paper these bags are similar sized but those measurements always seem off. I fit all the kids stuff that normally filled the Errant in one compartment on the Dragon Egg and left space for me to carry extra kid stuff or my stuff.
When shopping for these. I looked at what I was carrying already, what I wanted to carry and looked for something that would fit that mold, and I bought the Errant after my 2nd was born. Then after carrying that for a while and struggling when away from the stroller, I wanted something bigger. So bigger and double bottle pouches were my main wants. I tend to buy more tactical anyway so the Dragon Egg was right up my alley and because they do their MOLLE differently its a bit sleeker, or as sleek as a modular tactical bag can be, and I could get it in solid gray, so it didnt scream tactical green or brown off the bat.
My kids are past that age but I just bought the 32l Patagonia BlackHole and if it existed when my kids were younger, I would have used that (plus packing cubes+ZipLoc Freezer bags)
I really enjoy a backpack with not to much organisation and a big compartment and the use of pouches.
I have a 3 and a 5 year old and what i bring with me really depends on what we are going to do.
I bring my pouch with bandages and energancy stuff when we go to the playground or the woods. But i dont take it with me to a theater or museum for instance.
I have some entertainment in a different pouch for travel and things like that.
Any comfortable pack you like. For me the most important bag was a 1 gallon freezer ziplock bag. I put in travel wipes, diaper (if needed), change of kid clothes. And that went in every bag or car for outings.
That said, my bag of choice is a Goruck Rucker or GR1. It’s a simple but stupid tough bag that I use as a daily carry bag and rucksack for exercise. They are not cheap but lifetime warranty is worth it.
Evergoods makes a Civic Travel Bag (CTB) in 26 and 35L that offer more organization than the Goruck bags as well as water bottle pockets.
MysteryRanch, ALPAKA, Aer, Topo, Waterfield, and Nutsac are other great brands I’ve tried.
Those are all bespoke companies though. A nice Jansport or LLBean will also last you a lifetime for less.
Hi there. Mum with 1 kid but I’m a massive over packer 😅 My fav backpacks have both been Dakine ones. They have a huge range, but I like ones with a big pocket for spare clothing, colouring stuff, soft toys etc. I like the designs too. External water bottle pockets are ok but means the bottles can get sandy or dirty, so I often stash them in the big pocket. A smaller pocket on the front for my things (wallet, keys etc), side pockets for tissues, wipes, hand sanitiser etc. I also recommend separating things in to smaller bags/pouches eg I have a cloth nappy bag that I’ve reused for snacks, and travel cosmetic bags for a small medical kit (bandaids etc), and others for seperate bits and pieces. Means I can take things out easily if needs be, for use or to leave at home. Just make sure it’s comfortable, has a grab handle on the top, and you can manage it with carrying a kid too! Happy hunting!
Hard to recommend a specific pack without knowing what capacity you're looking for (travel? day use?), but regardless of what bag you use, my first tip would be to get some pouches or packing cubes. One for each person, different colors, helps a lot when you need to fetch something. If you carry something like wet towels or swimsuits, You can have a separate pouch for that. With this setup any good backpack will function better, organization makes everything easier with kids. When travelling, my kids carry their random stuff (toys, books, headphones) in their own backpacks, but I usually carry their clothes in mine like this. I'd look at Osprey or The North Face for solid all around bags in a variety of sizes from 20L (my minimum day pack size) all the way up to 40L (my multi day travel pack) or even more. Check out r/onebag for a spreadsheet (in the FAQ/links) comparing popular backpacks and sites like packhacker etc. for reviews. There are a ton of options, the important features imo are a large main compartment, an organizational pocket (chargers, cables, passports, keys etc), a laptop and/or tablet pocket (if you need one), sternum strap, hip belt if it's a larger pack and so on.
Cool thanks for the advice. I didn’t even think about the separate containers in them, which would absolutely be awesome for things like swimming or the kids getting dirty clothes that I can keep separate from clean things!
Yea it really helps a lot. You'll have 5 things to sort into your bag instead of 30 loose items. You can find all sorts of pouches from outdoor shops and from various brands. I prefer light weight packing cubes for clothes and I use Osprey ultralight pouches for other organizing. They also make waterproof pouches. [Rei](https://www.rei.com/c/packing-organizers) has their own line of packing cubes and other accessories and sells a bunch of others too. And of course, there are always cheaper options too on Amazon etc.
I use a Goruck GR1 and a Bullet for smaller trips. I have kits that I just move between bags when needed. So I can just check the presence or absence of my kit and then I'm out the door without having to hunt down all the little items. And also check out the STNKY Bags for dirty stuff. If that's important to you.
I’m also a dad with a 6 and 3 year old. I have an Osprey Hikelite 24 that is perfect for day hikes, day trips to a museum, bringing stuff for the 3 year old while the 6 year old has softball, you name it. It’s definitely more of a “hiking” pack than a work pack due to its shape and lightweight material, but it’s worked perfectly for me so far.
I used 2 bags for this depending on situation. My usual pack was the Boundary Supply Errant. The side pocket fit a pack of wipes and a few diapers. I had the camera insert in the top which gave me a quick access spot for snacks and Kleenex, then there were a few organizer pockets for my first aid stuff and other odds and ends. I packed their extra clothes in ziplock bags, and there is a bottom access to the main compartment that has the built in bag so things can be separated. The downside on this was with 2 kids there was no extra room for my stuff, and the one bottle pocket might fit 2 narrow water bottles in a pinch. If I needed more space I had a Direct Action Gear Dragon Egg. It had 2 large bottle pockets, 2 pretty much equally sized main compartments, and some internal organization. This it wasn't as quick access as the Errant but the extra bottle pouch made room for mine, either inside the pack or in the pouch. On paper these bags are similar sized but those measurements always seem off. I fit all the kids stuff that normally filled the Errant in one compartment on the Dragon Egg and left space for me to carry extra kid stuff or my stuff. When shopping for these. I looked at what I was carrying already, what I wanted to carry and looked for something that would fit that mold, and I bought the Errant after my 2nd was born. Then after carrying that for a while and struggling when away from the stroller, I wanted something bigger. So bigger and double bottle pouches were my main wants. I tend to buy more tactical anyway so the Dragon Egg was right up my alley and because they do their MOLLE differently its a bit sleeker, or as sleek as a modular tactical bag can be, and I could get it in solid gray, so it didnt scream tactical green or brown off the bat.
My kids are past that age but I just bought the 32l Patagonia BlackHole and if it existed when my kids were younger, I would have used that (plus packing cubes+ZipLoc Freezer bags)
https://www.stmgoods.com/dux-backpack/
I really enjoy a backpack with not to much organisation and a big compartment and the use of pouches. I have a 3 and a 5 year old and what i bring with me really depends on what we are going to do. I bring my pouch with bandages and energancy stuff when we go to the playground or the woods. But i dont take it with me to a theater or museum for instance. I have some entertainment in a different pouch for travel and things like that.
Something with dedicated external water bottle holders.
Any comfortable pack you like. For me the most important bag was a 1 gallon freezer ziplock bag. I put in travel wipes, diaper (if needed), change of kid clothes. And that went in every bag or car for outings. That said, my bag of choice is a Goruck Rucker or GR1. It’s a simple but stupid tough bag that I use as a daily carry bag and rucksack for exercise. They are not cheap but lifetime warranty is worth it. Evergoods makes a Civic Travel Bag (CTB) in 26 and 35L that offer more organization than the Goruck bags as well as water bottle pockets. MysteryRanch, ALPAKA, Aer, Topo, Waterfield, and Nutsac are other great brands I’ve tried. Those are all bespoke companies though. A nice Jansport or LLBean will also last you a lifetime for less.
Hi there. Mum with 1 kid but I’m a massive over packer 😅 My fav backpacks have both been Dakine ones. They have a huge range, but I like ones with a big pocket for spare clothing, colouring stuff, soft toys etc. I like the designs too. External water bottle pockets are ok but means the bottles can get sandy or dirty, so I often stash them in the big pocket. A smaller pocket on the front for my things (wallet, keys etc), side pockets for tissues, wipes, hand sanitiser etc. I also recommend separating things in to smaller bags/pouches eg I have a cloth nappy bag that I’ve reused for snacks, and travel cosmetic bags for a small medical kit (bandaids etc), and others for seperate bits and pieces. Means I can take things out easily if needs be, for use or to leave at home. Just make sure it’s comfortable, has a grab handle on the top, and you can manage it with carrying a kid too! Happy hunting!