To complement their new school fashions, kids need fun packs to keep all their books, folders, pens and pencils together. Here are some of our favorites.

Elementary School

For Girls: Fittingly named, the Sprout Backpack is perfect for budding new pupils taking their first few steps away from home. If you’re not ready to let them go quite yet, use the convenient, parent-friendly front handle to keep them from leaving your side too fast.

Sprout Back Pack, $30, The North Face

For Boys: This roller backpack is sturdy enough to keep up with the most energetic kids who race from activity to activity without taking a breath. The backpack’s light-up wheels ensure he’s seen wherever he goes.

Rolling Backpack with Lightening Wheels, $54.40, J World

For Both: These “Zoo Packs” are all the rage for their creative details and durable, easy to clean material. The roomy main compartment is perfect for books, toys, or a lunchbox, and parents with forgetful youngsters can inscribe their names on the write-on nametag inside.

Zoo Packs, $20, Skip Hop

Middle School

For Girls: Whether your tween prefers a backpack or a satchel, colorful printed patterns add a dose of fun to any outfit (and dreary math lesson).

Cool Backpack, $70, Hadaki

Key-Per Messenger Bag, $108, Fossil

For Boys: For the cool kid who skates to school, the ELEMENT backpack is equipped with skateboard straps and a fleece-lined audio pocket with a headphone exit.

ELEMENT Woodranch Backpack, $48.99, Tilly’s

High School

For Girls: By the time she’s thinking about driver’s ed and SATs, your daughter probably wants something a little more sophisticated in which to haul her books. LeSportsac is known for its lightweight, sporty bags made with high performance fabrics, like this chic quilted backpack, which comes in several other styles. For a more classic carryall, try a leather messenger bag.

Joyrich Backpack, $158, LeSportsac

Grayson Flap, $168, Fossil

For Boys: With completely customizable fabric choices for the bag’s interior and exterior, the TIMBUK2 messenger is all about freedom and personality. Alternately, this durable, retro-style backpack from The North Face features a padded laptop sleeve and front pocket with organization compartments for pens and pencils.

Messenger, starting at $100, TIMBUK2

Shirker Backpack, $99, The North Face

Still shopping for back to school clothes? Check out these trends featured in our August magazine.