Dbat, he will be self-carrying once he's older. But at just turned 5 years old when he starts K in the fall, there is no way we could let him carry it. Can you imagine the disaster when he out of curiosity would open it and use it on himself or someone else? Or any of the other kids took it from him frown. So, there will definitely be a time when he will have it on him but probably not until say 3rd grade or so. But I love the idea how it's displayed in your daughter's classroom!