Columnist Muriel Stevens: Be careful with kids’ backpacks

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Her dining column appears Friday. Reach her at 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

School days are upon us. Parents with kids in tow (unless they're teens who prefer to make their own choices) are buying clothes, school supplies (wish I'd had pens with gel ink when I was a kid) and such necessaries as lunch bags and backpacks.

Most parents use good common sense with back-to-school purchases, but the choice of a backpack appropriate for young kids can be a challenge.

Stop at any school crossing when the school year starts and watch as small children struggle with the burden of a backpack that's too large or too heavy for the kids' body weight. Young backs need lighter weights they can carry without much effort.

Backpacks are not items that should be chosen because they're colorful or appealing to the eye. I've been checking out backpacks for youngsters and have learned that price does not determine quality. This is especially true with in-demand logo backpacks. A good part of the price is for the licensing cost of the logo.

It may be a status symbol to tote a name logo, but do little kids really care about status symbols? Well, maybe Winnie the Pooh or Pokemon. Sadly, yes. They're subject to marketing pressures just like grown-ups.

Good sources for reasonably priced backpacks include Walgreen's, Sav-On Drugs, Target, Mervyn's, Kmart, Office Max and Office Depot -- the only store I found that designated "Big Student" backpacks. More upscale, but wonderful stuff for kids, can be found at Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Dillard's.

Why am I making such a big deal over a backpack? Because a too-heavy backpack could hurt a child's back.

Take a child with you when buying a backpack. First look the bag over. Check zippers, seams and Velcro-taped pockets. Heft the backpack. If it's heavy when empty it's probably the wrong choice. Explain to the child what you're doing and why. Kids are a lot smarter than some of us give them credit for, and they love being included in decision making.

Make certain the bag is sturdy enough to withstand the treatment it will receive during a school term. Of course, until youngsters get their schoolbooks, and other vital paraphernalia, it's difficult to judge the size bag they'll need, so listen when they complain and watch how they walk when a backpack is full.

What teens want: Hot off the press from the Boulevard mall: a fashion rundown for femme teens who just want to have fun. They'd better have a job or rich parents if their fashion icons are the navel-flashing bad-taste teen Britney Spears or Madonna or singer Willa Ford. The look is the glamour of the '80s with extreme makeup, high boots and lots of Playboy logo dreck.

But don't give up, Mom. The preppy look is still in vogue, even the short bob with flippy ends. Sports culture fans will make parents proud with navy, red and gray sports attire and accessories -- denim organizers and wallets.

Other teen icons (according to Boulevard mall fashion mavens): Sarah Michelle Geller, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Tara Reid and Jessica Simpson. Teen fave fashions are located throughout the mall.