On Monday we were all about gear for the bigger kids as they head back (or start) school.  Today, we’re going a bit smaller and heading to preschool.  Luckily for us (and our little ones), the gear is just as great for the toddling set as it is for the binder bunch.

Now that our little ones are older, they seem to have more stuff to take with them, so we kitted them up with a fantastic neoprene backpack from Dabawalla.  We filled it up with snacks, toys, and sun gear, and it worked like a charm.  The straps are extendable, so either kiddo or mum can wear the pack (depending on who is most tired), and the neoprene washes easily.  Our tester was most happy with the vintage flyer pattern on his pack and we think all the other patterns are equally as awesome.

While backpacks are great, lunches are cool too.  We tested two preschool appropriate lunch bags that are sure to keep your kiddo fueled and ready for action.

We gave the insulated lunch box from So Young Mother a try and were, as expected, impressed.  But while it’s perfect for sandwiches and smaller containers, we found it a bit too flat for anything bigger (like a large apple, water bottle, or soup thermos). We do love the designs, and think they are the epitome of retro chic and sure to be the envy of the playground.

We also checked out the small cooler bag from JuJuBe.  It had more than enough room for an ice pack, water bottle, and food for our tiny tot.  We loved the utensil holder on the underside of the lid, perfect for the always forgotten spoon for that applesauce or yogurt.  The design of the bag itself is nice and neutral, making it the perfect lunch carrier for anyone in the family.

Our preschooler is a big fan of the lunchbox snacks, so we filled up our kiddo’s bag with snack sacks from GoGo Bags.  We are big fans of reusable snack bags, and these ones are now on our list of favourites.  The patterns are cute and fun, and the bags wash up like a dream.  We are particularly happy with the fold over bag closures that are Velcro-free — much easier for tiny fingers to navigate. GoGo Bags come in many different sizes, including cutlery carriers that are perfect for taking your cutlery with you as opposed to relying on icky disposable (plastic) flatware.

Now that they’re hooked up with the gear, our kiddos are ready to head to preschool.  If only we were ready to let them go…

Yo, mama! If you are big on safe and litterless lunch containers you might find these timely:

• better baggies
• safer storing
• the lunch bunch