When we were in Halifax, the kids were constantly asking Grammie to hold things for them in her bag (which i would then carry!): hats, suncreen, sweaters, etc, until Grammie's bag literally fell apart. So I took them shopping at Mountain Equipment Coop for these day packs, so now they can carry their own stuff: hats, waterbottles, snacks, gum. They love them and it works great for me!