Tween Fashion with Functionality
Tweens are energetic, and tween girls are fun to be around. Having taught the age group, and raising a few of my own, however, I know that when it comes to keeping track of school materials and books, they can be a little scatterbrained. School bags are important tools, but the self-conscious tween may be a little bit picky about which school bag they will accept.
Fashion, of course, is important to the tween girl. Function is important to parents and educators. At the middle school level there may, or may not, be access to locker storage. With most school systems stretched to the limits on schedule and space, though, tweens must carry materials for several classes at a time, in spite of locker storage. Come the end of the school day, there may barely be time to dash to a locker before catching the school bus. Hence, it's very important that your tween daughter have a good, sturdy school bag, one which will handle the weight (as much as 40-45 lbs) that some kids' school books create.
Fashion, of course, is important to the tween girl. Function is important to parents and educators. At the middle school level there may, or may not, be access to locker storage. With most school systems stretched to the limits on schedule and space, though, tweens must carry materials for several classes at a time, in spite of locker storage. Come the end of the school day, there may barely be time to dash to a locker before catching the school bus. Hence, it's very important that your tween daughter have a good, sturdy school bag, one which will handle the weight (as much as 40-45 lbs) that some kids' school books create.
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Amazon Price: $55.00
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Amazon Price: $55.00
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Amazon Price: $40.95
List Price: $60.00 |
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Amazon Price: $55.00
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Amazon Price: $39.95
List Price: $70.00 |
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Amazon Price: $60.00
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Backpacks for Tween Girls
Backpacks are a standard these days, though they weren't when I was in middle school as a student. I would have loved one, if I had thought of it at the time. Now, it's no big deal for a tween girl to carry a backpack. A couple of hints, though, if you are selecting a backpack for your tween daughter or granddaughter: skip the characters! No Barbie, no Hello Kitty, no Hannah Montana! Nothing against the characters, per se, but middle school students can be ruthless teasers, and the tween girl who unsuspectingly shows up with something the older kids perceive as childish will face certain problems. I've seen it happen.
Colorful backpacks are great, and work with the tween's interests. School bags will hold heavy loads, so finding something from a trusted name such as Jansport is a good choice. Extra zipper pouches for pencils and other writing tools is a good organizational help, something most tweens seem to need. If you know her tastes in color and design, work from that point of reference.
Colorful backpacks are great, and work with the tween's interests. School bags will hold heavy loads, so finding something from a trusted name such as Jansport is a good choice. Extra zipper pouches for pencils and other writing tools is a good organizational help, something most tweens seem to need. If you know her tastes in color and design, work from that point of reference.
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There are so many styles and
Amazon Price: $39.99
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Amazon Price: $17.50
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Messenger Bags for Tween Girls
Messenger bags have become very popular, and make a sensible alternative to a backpack, when it comes to school bags for kids. The backpack allows for weight of books and school materials to be carried on the back, the messenger bag allows for crossbody carrying. Both approaches work, but the constant adjustment of the backpack on the shoulders can be a little frustrating, whereas the crossbody bag is a little more stationary in its position.
Again, with tween girls, avoid anything that might be perceived as baby-ish by classmates. Colorful patterns are great, if it's something she loves, and many plaids and prints in tween school bags are tasteful, without being obnoxious.
Again, with tween girls, avoid anything that might be perceived as baby-ish by classmates. Colorful patterns are great, if it's something she loves, and many plaids and prints in tween school bags are tasteful, without being obnoxious.
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Amazon Price: $12.42
List Price: $15.00 |
Sports Bags for Tween Girls
If you are looking for a school bag for a girl who is athletic, or who will be participating in school or community sports, you may want to find a sports bag, in addition to a school bag, backpack, or messenger bag. Depending on the sport, you may just want a simple, small duffle or tote, or a larger sports bag, if there is a lot of equipment to be carried. My tween really likes the simplicity of many namebrand sports bag styles, and found coordinating tote (sackpack) and duffle which work well for her needs, one for soccer season, the other for softball.
Tween backpacks can be a challenge in terms of management, and as a parent, you may want to keep tabs on the condition of your middle school son's school bag as the new school year gets under way, as the management of a rotating class schedule, locker, multiple books, and new friends can all compete for the young person's attention. Make it a point the help your son establish some routine in terms of keeping things organized.
