Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Backpacks can be fashionable and functional. However, they can also be too heavy – weighed down by digital devices, musical instruments, sports equipment and more.
As families begin back-to-school shopping, here’s how to tell if a backpack is too heavy.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, signs a backpack may be too heavy include a child leaning forward to support its weight or having difficulty walking. Straps should not dig into shoulders.
Don’t wait for a child to express discomfort or pain to lighten the load, experts say.
Experts recommend choosing a backpack that fits the child and has two broad, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, compartments to distribute weight and a waist or chest strap to redistribute the load.
Backpacks with wheels can be helpful, especially for children with injuries, but experts say they may be problematic in schools with stairs or crowded walkways.
