Cool Backpacks for Middle School Boys

Tween boys need backpacks that aren't overly cutesy, and especially at middle school boys need to ditch some of the characters of earlier years.  There's too much frustration ahead for the youngster with a childish pack, and while he may love his faves of yesteryear, facing unkind remarks and rude behavior is a reality for too many middle schoolers.  Help him with the transition by thinking about the backpack you choose...make sure that he's fine with the choice.  Colorful isn't bad, especially if it's trendy and interesting.  Just run it by your son first. 

One of the brands I like for middle school boys bookbags is Quicksilver.  There are lots of designs and plenty of motifs, both plain and colorful.  You will find just a few displayed here, but be sure to check out their line.

Angry Birds School Bags for Tweens

Angry Birds Messenger Bag
for tweens.

If your tweens love the popular Angry Birds apps on their iPods, iPads, or android devices, then you may find that the theme will easily translate into a fun backpack choice. While tweens often leave character backpacks to younger kids, the Angry Birds theme isn't quite as "little kid" as some, and depending on your tween's interests, may be a great fit. Of course, defer to your tween, as tween boys will have a sense of what is acceptable in his peer circles, while tween girls may feel a little less inhibited in choosing character book bags.

Blue Angry Birds School Bag for a Tween

The backpacks featured here (images link to product details, via Amazon)include a messenger school bag, a very popular crossbody style book bag, and a great alternative to traditional backpacks for distributing book weight in front, where it's not taking quite the toll on your tween's back. The backpack styles shown highlight the various birds featured in the Angry Birds games.

Angry Birds Backpack for Tweens
in Yellow

While many parents might look at the Angry Birds craze as an extension of a silly video game, I think it's worth noting the great visual depiction of Algebra 2 concepts, with the depiction of parabolas as birds are aimed at a variety of structures. While algebra grades don't directly vary according to video game play, this is a great means of establishing an informal understanding of something that is often quite abstract. I'm sure the physics applications are even more impressive, though I'm not a physics teacher!

Dark Blue Angry Birds Bookbag

In addition to school bags, you will find that there are Angry Birds pencil cases, notebooks, and backpack clips, all fun ways of making the school year a little more interesting for your tween.

Red Angry Bird Backpack

Angry Birds School Bag in Black

Quicksilver Messenger Bags for Middle School

Given the disaster that can inhabit a middle school bookbag, I like the style of a messenger bag because of its open design.  It's easier to keep things organized in this format, though tweens will be tweens, and will not learn organizational skills by osmosis.  A little bit of oversight and instruction can go a long way in assuring that your middle school student is keeping things tidy. 

Quicksilver offers some cool messenger bag styles, with colors and patterns that would be suitable for boys or girls.  Plaids are popular with both middle school boys and girls.  Solids, and Quicksilver logo messenger bags are among other unisex messenger bag choices.

***Images are clickable, for Amazon pricing and availability.

Quicksilver Logo Messenger Bag, "Slacker" style.

Quicksilver Slacker Messenger Bag in Black/Cement

Quicksilver Shifty Messenger Bag in Black/Grey Plaid

Hurley School Bags for Middle School Boys

If you are hunting for a great backpack for your middle schooler, you know that there can be limited options in stores.  Too old for character school bags, and sensitive to social influences, tween boys don't seem to have a lot of room for fashion expression in this realm.  However, there are many brands that create simple styles of backpacks and school bags, well suited to the middle school boy, and to teens as well.  Hurley Backpacks provide several viable tween school bag choices.

***Images are clickable, for current pricing and availability.

Hurley Honor Roll Backpack for Middle School Boys and Teenagers
Subtle grey and black plaid incorporates a popular school bag trend,
without being overwhelming.

Hurley Einstein Backpack for tween boys.
Simple colors, and the Hurley name, and logo,
make this a subtle, yet fashionable choice.

Hurley Livewire Backpack



Hurley Honor Roll Skateboar Backpack in Black



Hurley Honor Roll Backpack in cinder/royal