At a glance:
Our panel of mum testers thought this clever backpack significantly improved the safety of their children and loved the dino design. We love how cushioned the straps were on little arms, the fact the material is wipe clean and the fact this clever bag is so appealing to tots.
What they say:
"The super-bright ActionPaks combine LittleLife's much loved backpack design with high-visibility fabric and a padded grab handle - perfect for parents who may need to keep a hold of energetic kids. The packs were designed especially to help kids stay safe and visible whilst scooting, learning to ride a bike, or walking in low light. Available in two designs with decorative reflective prints, they're an eye-catching edition to energetic outdoor activities!"
Tested by mum Fiona Waddell for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Yes, it’s a good size for older toddlers. It seems sturdy and the high visibility colouring means it is easy to keep an eye on your wee one if you are in a busy space. The back pack is easy to clean and rolls up easily and the dinosaur design was very appealing to my toddler.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product is perfect for taking out my older toddler and allowing him to carry his water bottle and snacks or spare clothes. Life was easier because it meant I could reduce the size of my change bag and allow him to feel like a 'big boy'. He loves it and now wants to take it everywhere!
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, the fun dinosaur design differentiates this from other back pack styles on the market! It does cost a little more but the quality is definitely what you are paying for. The strap around the waist made it comfortable for my toddler and was a good transition into a normal backpack.
What changes would you make to this product?
It doesn’t come with a wrist strap and I feel that it is necessary to still use one on busy roads so it's a shame one isn't provided.
Tested by mum Sarah Fletcher for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would highly recommend this product to other mums with toddlers. My three-year-old son loved the dinosaur design, bright colour and decorative reflective prints. As soon as I showed it to him, he wanted to wear it - even indoors! The backpack is spacious enough to fit toys and snacks but the perfect size for a toddler to carry on his own, as the padded adjustable straps support him. It has additional security features such as a waist strap and grab handle for toddlers on the move.
How did this product make your life easier?
I particularly liked the fact that the backpack was made of reflective material as my toddler could walk independently and I would always know where he was. The visibility of the backpack put my mind at ease, even when visiting highly crowded places such as a theme park. This freedom made days out much more enjoyable for both of us!
Would you choose this product to win?
I think this product should win the best safety product. I haven’t come across anything else that is as practical, promotes both security and independence but is also cool for both parent and child to wear. Children, at this age, are very active and parents constantly worry about the dangers surrounding them. Having a product that a toddler wants to wear and also makes you feel relaxed is worth every penny!
What changes would you make to this product?
The grab handle is particularly large and although good for the parent to hold onto quickly, it sometimes rubbed on the back of my son’s neck. Therefore, they could change the positioning of it or make the material softer.
Tested by mum Micia Lawrence for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I love the bright colour and reflective nature of the bag, it is a good head-turn, meaning my son will be noticed while walking or on his bike. The bag is easy for my son to open and close so he can load it for himself, and he can even put it on by himself, which he couldn’t with other backpacks.
How did this product make your life easier?
The material of the bag is wipe clean which is very handy for a mum of a little boy who likes to run and jump in puddles and mud. Also, this bags gives my son a sense of independence as he likes to put his toys in it and it is easy for him to open and close. The design is also perfect because he absolutely loves dinosaurs at the moment.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, the backpack is small enough to fit nicely on my toddler’s back and is very cushioned and comfortable. The design is fun and it is super practical and safe. It should win!
What changes would you make to this product?
This bag is not the most spacious I have seen. Maybe it could have more space inside? But that might change the ergonomic shape of the backpack, in which case I would not change anything else!
Tested by mum Nicola Jones for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this product to other mums, particularly because it is so easy to clean. You can either wipe it down or pop it in the washing machine just as easily. I loved the fun design, as my daughter completely took on the role of being a dinosaur!
How did this product make your life easier?
This product makes life easier as a mum because my daughter has no issues putting it on every morning, she loves being a dinosaur for the day. When she is wearing it, I always know where she is because of the reflective, bright colour of the bag.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, I think it is both affordable and easy to keep clean, which are two crucial elements. People have commented on how unusual the bag is and my daughter happily shows off the backpack! It is so much easier to get her to walk now, as before she wanted to be carried.
What changes would you make to this product?
A longer lead would be nice, so I can keep hold of her when she runs off. Also, maybe some colours would be nice, such as neon yellow or pink.
Tested by mum Joanna Robson for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this product to other parents. I am really impressed with it from a safety view point, as well as how comfortable and lightweight it is for my daughter to wear. It doesn’t dig into her shoulders, which has been a problem with previous bags.
How did this product make your life easier?
It’s a really lovely product that my three-year-old daughter has taken an instant like to. The brightness is ideal from a safety point of view and the padded strap at the top makes it easy to carry. The lightness of the bag makes it easy for my daughter to walk with or when she is riding her balance bike.
Would you choose this product to win?
I’m not sure. This is my favourite design out of all the bags I’ve bought for my little one, but I am unsure if I would pay the retail price. But I do think that if you were frequently travelling with your child in the dark then this would be a crucial purchase because of the high visibility and I am very impressed with how light it is.
What changes would you make to this product?
The price would be the only aspect that I would change as I have been impressed with every other aspect of the product.
Tested by mum Linda Jackson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this product to any parent. It's the perfect size for a toddler. The padded straps are easily adjustable, I especially liked the flexibility of the torso straps which held it securely in place. It has a bright fun design and a spacious compartment to keep small toys for play on the go. The bright fabric helps to keep track of your child in crowded places and also on dark nights. The grab handle is useful if your toddler gets too far ahead of you or if you're nearing the road.
How did this product make your life easier?
The fun and compact design entices your child to want to wear it so you're not left holding the bag. The grab handle feature means that you can go out knowing that you still have a way to keep hold of your child without having to confine them to the buggy or use reins though there is a D-ring should you decide to use them with the product. The bright design means that you will be able to spot your child among others even during the day, especially if they are scooting around in the park.
Would you choose this product to win?
It is designed as a fun accessory, yet also a safety device to maintain control of your toddler when out and about. I love the compact design and so does my child. It even has a label inside to enter your contact details should it get lost. It is a practical and an effective addition for any parent to have.
What changes would you make to this product?
The only thing I would change about this product would be the carry handle at the top. It stands up and is quite stiff and my child found that it irritated the base of her neck somewhat. It is useful when the product is not in use since the straps are far too small for a parent to hang over their shoulder, but could have possibly been made with a finer fabric so that it could be tucked down easier out of the way when in use.
Tested by mum Jenni Ellermann for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I have to say that I would definitely recommend the High-Vis Toddler ActionPak to a friend as I think it's fab. My daughter loves hers and calls it her 'dinosaur backpack' and she always asks to take it with her everywhere. She loves it, and it's great to find a bag that she wants to carry - it makes my life easier!
How did this product make your life easier?
It makes my life easier because my daughter wants to use it. It's small enough that she can't pack it and make it too heavy for her to carry. But big enough that she feels like she can take the things she wants to with her. The Hi Vis element of the High-Vis Toddler ActionPak is fab and it really stands out.
Would you choose this product to win?
The design of the High-Vis Toddler ActionPak is wonderful from the colour to the size to the style. My daughter loves hers, and I think it's the tail on the bag that makes it extra special. And I love that she loves it! The High-Vis Toddler ActionPak is fantastic and the fact that it's completely hi Vis and can be seen really easily helps put my mind at rest
What changes would you make to this product?
I don't think I would change anything about the High-Vis Toddler ActionPak to be honest. My daughter loves it and and she is always happy to wear it. Which is a bonus because it's nice to have something like this which can help to keep her safe that she wants to use and wear. The design is just fab too!