Who Is Harlequin Kids? (And Why So Many Aussie Parents Trust Us)

Let’s rewind to 1996. Tamagotchis were the emotional support pets of choice, shoulder pads were still recovering from their heyday and a little Aussie brand called Harlequin quietly started a revolution in school bags. 

At first, we weren’t a retail brand. We were school uniform suppliers; the go-to team for schools who wanted real quality gear for their students. We didn’t do flashy. We didn’t do fast fashion. We did durability, ergonomics and bags that worked as hard as your kids do. Back then, you’d find our products in school uniform shops, with parents whispering to each other: “Get the Harlequin one. It’ll last.”

Today, Harlequin Kids is a leading name in retail school accessories, offering ergonomic, customisable school bags and matching gear directly to families all over Australia. We've proudly fitted over 6 million Aussie kids with high-quality, Aussie-designed school bags that support their backs, reflect their personalities, and actually go the distance.

From School Uniform Shops to Your Front Door

Our evolution from wholesale-only to a thriving e-commerce destination wasn’t accidental, it was driven by demand. Parents wanted school bags that were:

• • Comfortable enough to wear for a full day
• • Strong enough to survive school and the bus ride home
• • Stylish enough that kids would actually want to use them

So we made the leap. Harlequin Kids was born! Now, we’re your one-stop-shop for all things school bag:

• • Backpacks for daycare, kindy, primary and high school
• • Lunch bags, library bags, pencil cases, and water bottles
• • Fully personalised with your child’s name and choice of over 100s of exclusive designs
• • Built with eco-friendly fabrics and guaranteed by a lifetime warranty

Every order is hand-printed in our Sydney HQ and shipped with care.

Why Families Choose Harlequin (Over and Over Again)

Let’s talk about why Harlequin Kids isn’t just another school bag brand. Here’s what makes us different and why we’re trusted by thousands of Aussie families every year.

Ergonomic Design That Protects Growing Spines  -  We’re not here to sell cute-but-useless backpacks. Our ergonomic school bags are independently tested and endorsed by Australian chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists. We design our bags to support children’s natural posture, distribute weight evenly, and reduce pressure on the shoulders and spine.

Personalisation That’s Actually Useful  -  Every bag we make comes with your child’s name and chosen design, free of charge. It’s not just adorable, it’s practical. No more mix-ups at school, no more writing names in permanent marker, and no more tears over lost gear.

A Lifetime Warranty (Yes, Really)  -  We believe in making products that last. Our Harlequin-branded bags are covered by a lifetime warranty because we’re confident in the quality of our materials, stitching, and construction. If something breaks because of a fault, we’ll fix or replace it. Simple.

Environmentally Responsible Materials  -  We use high-quality, water-resistant fabrics made from 100% recycled PET bottles in many of our products. And because our bags last for years (not months), they don’t end up in landfill.

Designed in Australia, Loved Nationwide -  All our products are proudly designed in Australia by a team who get the Aussie school experience, from muddy footy days to Book Week hotglue drama. We know what works in the playground, on the bus and in the lost property bin.

Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust 

We’ve been in this game since 1996. That’s nearly 30 years of designing, testing, refining and obsessing over every zip, strap, panel and pocket. We’ve worked with schools, health professionals, and thousands of Aussie parents. Our reputation is built on results: longer-lasting products, fewer replacements, and happier backs.

When you buy from Harlequin Kids, you’re not just buying a bag. You’re investing in expert-approved design, Aussie craftsmanship, and good old-fashioned service.