The best first grade binders in the UK 2023

Are you worried that you won't be able to find a good, ergonomic schoolbag or a small, practical and sturdy school bag for your child's first steps in first grade? Choose a model that doesn't strain the child's growing spine and that ensures ideal posture. But which one to choose from among the many models of first grade school bags available? Read this guide to find out.

Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm 1
9/10

Best value for money

Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm

The best first grade binder in 2021

With this cute lady bug binder, your little princess will be eager to start the school year. The design of the schoolbag has been well thought out to ensure the child's safety and excellent posture throughout the year.

35,99 £ on Amazon
Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm 2
9/10

Best value for money

Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm

The best entry-level first grade binder in 2021

Your child will be delighted to be accompanied by his favorite superheroes throughout the school year. This schoolbag is not only appreciated for its stylish design, but also for the safety and ergonomics it provides.

29,56 £ on Amazon
Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm 3
9/10

Best value for money

Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm

The best high-end first grade binder in 2021

Tann's schoolbags are timeless. Their manufacturing quality is excellent, their look is rather nice, and the children who choose them are guaranteed never to suffer from a lumbar deformation.

49 £ on Cdiscount

Discover all the know-how of the great French brand Tann's through this made of plastic from recycled bottles. The schoolbag is light (860 g) and has adjustable straps and a padded back for a comfortable wear. The size is just right to fit a child in first grade. It's also waterproof, has reinforced corners and a sturdy bottom to keep your child's belongings safe.

The name tag on the front of the schoolbag is also very practical in case your child loses it. It is also equipped with a gusset that can accommodate A4 documents. Offering a capacity of 17 liters with two compartments and a special ruler pocket, this schoolbag meets the needs of children in CP, CE1 and CE2. Given its sturdiness, it will serve your child well for a long time.

Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm 4
9/10

A great choice

Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm

This binder from Chameleon is simply beautiful. With a vintage look, it is available in three colors: yellow, turquoise and pink and offers good storage options and ergonomic straps.

44,72 £ on Amazon

This binder will be your child's best ally throughout first grade and beyond. It offers two large storage pockets that can easily hold A4 files, notebooks and folders, as well as other small zipped pockets. Its back and shoulder straps are padded, ergonomic and breathable for optimal comfort.

Practical, it offers a name tag on which your child's name can be written. With the Chameleon schoolbag, your child's safety is assured thanks to the reflective strips around the bag. At first, it may be a little difficult for your child to undo the clips to open the bag, but once they know how, it will be a breeze.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best first grade schoolbag

Any specific needs?

The best first grade binder in 2021

The best entry-level first grade binder in 2021

The best high-end first grade binder in 2021

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best first grade binders

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm 5
9/10
Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm 6
9/10
Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm 7
9/10
Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm
Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm
Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm
Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm
With this cute lady bug binder, your little princess will be eager to start the school year. The design of the schoolbag has been well thought out to ensure the child's safety and excellent posture throughout the year.
Your child will be delighted to be accompanied by his favorite superheroes throughout the school year. This schoolbag is not only appreciated for its stylish design, but also for the safety and ergonomics it provides.
Tann's schoolbags are timeless. Their manufacturing quality is excellent, their look is rather nice, and the children who choose them are guaranteed never to suffer from a lumbar deformation.
This binder from Chameleon is simply beautiful. With a vintage look, it is available in three colors: yellow, turquoise and pink and offers good storage options and ergonomic straps.
Dimensions (L x W x H)
38 x 16.5 x 33 cm
38 x 14 x 33 cm
38 x 29 x 15 cm
35 x 11 x 30 cm
Weight
650 g
730 g
860 g
960 g
Number of compartments
2
1
2
2
With reflective stripes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Waterproof
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

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Buying guide - first grade schoolbag

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How to choose your first grade schoolbag

To get your child's back-to-school season off to a good start, here are a few things to consider when choosing a schoolbag.

#1 - The weight

To ensure ideal posture and prevent your child from suffering from back pain, choose a lightweight schoolbag. Avoid school bags with wheels, as they generally weigh 1 kg more than traditional models. They are also impractical for going up and down stairs. Your child's back will be constantly twisted when carrying this type of schoolbag. This can cause significant lumbar strain over time. Apart from the wheeled schoolbag, shoulder bags should also be avoided, as they cause muscle imbalance since they are worn on only one shoulder.

#2 - Robustness

To ensure the sturdiness of your child's schoolbag, opt for waterproof materials such as resistant polyester or leather... When purchasing, remember to inspect the schoolbag carefully. Pay special attention to the finish, seams and corners. Make sure that the bottom of the bag is rigid and avoid bags with Velcro. With such a bag, your child won't risk losing his or her belongings because of a cracked seam. Also, its waterproof and sturdy material will allow the schoolbag to protect its contents well.

#3 - The size and the straps of the schoolbag

Choose a schoolbag that is less wide than your child's shoulders, with ergonomic straps, that is, wide and well padded. The straps should be adjustable to fit your child's body. For your child's safety, choose a schoolbag with reflective strips to avoid accidents in low light or in winter. Thanks to this, your child walking on the side of the road will be seen from several meters away.

#4 - Security

First grade binder: instructions for use

  • Label your child's schoolbag. Toddlers aren't good at keeping track of their stuff. Labeling the inside with your child's name and class number will help you keep the binder longer. Include your contact information, this is very helpful in case of an emergency.
  • Use all the straps in the schoolbag. Make sure your toddler knows how to carry the schoolbag on both shoulders and with the waist strap. His schoolbag will last longer if used properly. Help your toddler practice using the straps several times before school starts. This will help her learn to put her schoolbag on her back by herself and get her excited about school.
  • Clean your child's schoolbag regularly. Check the schoolbag after each use. Clean it whenever it gets dirty.
  • Fit the schoolbag snugly on your child's back. An ill-fitting schoolbag can wear out quickly and be uncomfortable for your child. Check the bag regularly to make sure it still fits your child properly and adjust the straps if necessary as your child grows.

Important

According to the standards set by the French Education Ministry, the weight of a child's schoolbag (including school equipment) should never exceed 10% of the child's weight.

School bag or backpack?

Both backpacks and briefcases are worn on the shoulders with shoulder straps and can hold the same amount of stuff (for the same size). But what differs from each other is the storage accessories that each offers, as well as their durability.

School binder

The school bag is ideal for children in kindergarten through third grade. It is pleasant to carry and offers a good support thanks to its two well thought straps. With this type of bag, the load is evenly distributed on both shoulders of the child (provided that the straps are well adjusted). In addition, the shape and design of the bag allows for the proper storage of school supplies (notebooks, folders, books) without damaging them.

The school bag is a complete piece of equipment that offers practical and well-organized storage. Most school bags have at least one main compartment for books, another for notebooks, two front pockets for snacks and water bottles, a zippered pocket for personal belongings, a narrow zippered compartment on the flap of the bag, and additional small compartments (pencil case holder, water bottle holder, ruler holder, etc.) depending on the model of the bag

Backpack

Unlike the school bag, the backpack offers fewer storage options. It has only one or two main pockets, a small zippered inside pocket, and a front pocket. Ideal especially for upper grades, i.e. for students from fourth grade to middle and high school, the backpack also offers good support. It distributes the load evenly over the child's shoulders (provided that the straps are well adjusted).

In terms of sturdiness, the backpack (unless it is made of leather) is less resistant than the school bag and offers less protection for school material. Finally, its closure system makes it fragile and its less rigid design makes it easily vulnerable to perforations from pens, pencils and folders.

Verdict

In short, from a carrying system point of view, backpacks and school bags finish in a tie thanks to their wide, adjustable and well-padded shoulder straps. On the other hand, the school model wins over the backpack insofar as the conception of the latter is more focused on design than on ergonomics. Finally, in terms of resistance, for the same quality and price, the school bag is much better than the backpack. In conclusion, for a school use, it is better to turn to the schoolbag.

Tips

Choose the ideal size of schoolbag

For a child in first grade, a schoolbag between 35 and 38 cm long (and no more) for 12 to 15 cm wide is just perfect. If possible, respect this size so that the schoolbag is not too difficult for your child to carry.

Avoid leather: a rather heavy material

If your child has chosen a leather schoolbag, be aware that although this material is durable and sturdy, it may be heavy on the young shoulders of a 6 or 7 year old.

Keep it simple

A schoolbag with two compartments (and no more) is a winning option to allow your child to easily find his way around when looking for a particular school supply. This will also prevent him from having to take out the entire contents of his schoolbag to find what he is looking for.

Check the weight of the schoolbag from time to time

To ensure the health and well-being of your little one, remember to check the weight of his schoolbag from time to time. If the schoolbag exceeds the weight limit recommended by the French Ministry of Education (10% of the child's weight), talk to his/her teacher.

Teach your child to respect his or her belongings

When the new school year arrives, teach your child to take care of his/her belongings including his/her schoolbag. As a result, don't allow your child to throw away his or her schoolbag once he or she gets home. Instead, ask them to put it gently in its place. Do this until the child is used to doing it.

FAQ

How long should a school bag last?

A (well-maintained) school bag should survive the wear and tear of at least four years of study, as well as weekend getaways and long trips.

How to deodorize a schoolbag's shoulder straps?

The easiest way is to spray vinegar on the straps of the schoolbag. After that, rinse the straps with hot soapy water to remove the vinegar smell.

How to remove mould from a schoolbag?

UV rays from the sun kill mould. To do this, hang up the binder and expose it to the sun. Spray white vinegar on the stain and remove it with a damp sponge.

How to maintain a leather satchel?

To restore a leather satchel to its former glory, simply spray it with a waterproofing agent. You can find it in any leather shop or department store.

Can a cloth schoolbag be washed in the washing machine?

No. It is always better to opt for a traditional hand wash with soapy water to extend the life of the schoolbag.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , quechoisir.org
  2. , baranne.fr
  3. , cultura.com
  4. , astucesdegrandmere.net
  5. , journaldesfemmes.fr
  6. , equiterre.org
  7. , consoglobe.com
  8. , teteamodeler.com
  9. , assurance-prevention.fr
  10. , consumerreports.org
  11. , gurukulworld.co.in
  12. , momspresso.com
  13. , collegeinfogeek.com
  14. , cartable-scolaire.com
  15. , m.leparisien.fr
  16. , clubmamans.com
  17. , moncartabledunet.fr
  18. , cpdesanleane.blogspot.com
  19. , moncartabledunet.fr
  20. , moncartabledunet.fr
  21. , aufeminin.com
  22. , m.leparisien.fr
  23. , auchan.fr
  24. , zalando.fr
  25. , berceaumagique.com
  26. , 20minutes.fr
  27. , amazon.co.uk
  28. , auchan.fr
  29. , cartablecps.org
  30. , berceaumagique.com
  31. , monoprix.fr
  32. , auchan.fr
  33. , elle.fr
  34. , auchan.fr
  35. , auchan.fr
  36. , teteamodeler.ouest-france.fr
  37. , education.gouv.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm 9
Cartable Miraculous secret identity 38 cm
Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm 10
Bagtrotter Avengers satchel 38 cm
Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm 11
Tann's Chloe satchel navy 41 cm
Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm 12
Chameleon Vintage satchel 35 cm

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