Bag Charms and Name Tags: How to Personalise Your Child's School Bag

The quickest way to personalise your child's school bag is to add one name tag and one or two clip-on charms, rather than covering it in accessories. A name tag makes the bag easy to identify in a pile of identical backpacks, while a charm lets your child show off what they love. With the year-end school holidays running from 21 November to 31 December, it's a good moment to refresh last year's bag, or set up a new one, before school starts again in January.

Why bag charms are everywhere right now

If your feed seems full of keychains dangling from handbags, you're not imagining it. Bag charms have been one of the most talked-about accessories of 2025 and 2026, from playful plush characters to enamel shapes and pom-poms. Trend reports put it down to a simple idea: a charm personalises a bag you already own, and refreshes it without buying a new one.

Children got there first, of course. Anyone who has done a school pick-up knows that a backpack with a keychain or two is the norm, not the exception. The difference now is that the grown-ups have joined in, which makes it a lovely thing to do together: you choose a charm for your tote, they choose one for their school bag.

Start with a name tag: the practical bit

Before the fun extras, think about the problem you're actually solving. In a classroom, at enrichment or at a birthday party, bags pile up and many of them look alike. A clear name tag saves a lot of "is this mine?" moments.

Our LPS Bag Tag in Royal Blue Stripes is a soft, six-layer cotton gauze tag that can be personalised with a name of up to six letters. The letter patches are included in the price, and a ring attachment clips onto bag handles, straps and zips. That means it can move from a backpack to a lunch bag or bottle bag as needed. Personalisation takes around 3–5 working days, so build that into your plans if you're shopping for the first week of term.

A parent tip: some families prefer initials or a nickname over a full name on the outside of a bag. Either works with a six-letter tag, so go with whatever you're comfortable with.

Choose a bag that's made to be customised

If your little one is starting preschool or kindergarten next year, it's worth choosing a bag that already has a home for charms. The Explorer Backpack in Panda is designed for children aged 2 and up, and its straps have loops for hooking on keychains or velcro patches (sold separately). You can also add your child's name or initials with embroidery or patches through our personalisation service. It's lightweight canvas with a padded back, a chest buckle and reflective strips, with a bottle sleeve and divider inside for snacks and small books.

Bear in mind that personalised items are final sale, so double-check the spelling before you check out.

Let them pick a charm that says something about them

This is the part children love. A charm is a small, low-stakes way for them to make a choice and say "this is me", whether that's the sport they play, a favourite food or a little piece of home.

• For the sporty ones: our Badminton Keychain and Pickleball Keychain are an easy nod to after-school CCAs and weekend games.
• For a bit of Singapore: the A Singapore Series Otter Keychain is from our Singapore Series, our love letter to the neighbourhoods and playgrounds we grew up with.
• For browsing together: the full Bag Charms collection includes shaker and sports keychains, Singapore Series charms and Jellycat bag charms, all made to clip onto school bags, water bottle bags or lunch bags.

How many charms is too many?

It's tempting to keep adding, but a few practical limits help a school bag stay comfortable and tidy:

• One tag, one or two charms is a good starting point for younger children. It keeps the bag light and easy to spot.
• Clip charms to straps or handles rather than zip pulls they use often, so they don't get in the way when your child is opening the bag on their own.
• Check your school's rules. Some schools have guidance on what can hang from bags, so it's worth a quick look before the new term.
• Rotate rather than accumulate. Keep a small pouch of charms at home and let your child swap them each term. It keeps things fresh without the bag becoming cluttered.

Don't forget the grown-ups

Part of the appeal of this trend is matching with your mini. Our Phone Strap in Sonic Blue can be worn crossbody, around the neck or looped on the wrist, which is handy on busy school runs and holiday outings when your hands are full. It comes with a strap card that slips between your phone and its case, and you can buy two or more colours to swap around. Pair it with your child's bag in a similar colour and you've got a subtle family match.

A simple holiday project

The year-end break is a relaxed time to do this together. Sit down with your child, choose a name tag colour, let them pick their charm, and hang everything up ready for January. It's a small ritual, but it gives them a sense of ownership over the new school year, which can make that first morning a little easier.

Ready to give their bag a little personality? Browse our bag charms and name tags online, or visit us at Paragon, Resorts World Sentosa, Jewel Changi Airport or Downtown Gallery to see the full range in person and ask our team about personalisation.