Baby's Got Back

Backpack, that is.

Maybe you've given your tot his own Louis Vuitton luggage set. Or you've gone the other route and prefer to let your 5-year old drag a Jansen sportsac through the airport.

If you're like us, however, you fall somewhere in the middle. Louis Vuitton, God help us, not yet. But the ubiquitous monotone backpack? Too anonymous and boring. God forbid Junior puts it down at the airport, you'll never find it again.

Enter Little Packrats. This company, created by mother-of-twin-boys Cathy Berse-Hurley, makes backpacks that are creative enough to catch a child's fancy without being too whimsical. They're small enough for a toddler to carry while still being "cool" enough for the teen set. While these bags are not big or sturdy enough to use as checked luggage, they're great for carrying games and other "keep busy" items on board. (Which should reduce the burden on your shoulders by half, no?)

Made of durable vinyl, these will appeal to those who eschew leather. But even fans of animal hide will appreciate the quality of these bags, and with most of them at $40 a pop, you can equip your kid with a full menagerie for school and travel.