Hitting the road or navigating the airport and flights with kiddos can add a new level of excitement and complexity to any trip, especially when your travels take you far from home or away for a long time. And while littles might be excited about having their very own piece of luggage, generic wheelies plastered with cartoon characters aren’t known for being long-lasting or facilitating the best organization.
We were curious if there was a way to balance cuteness and functionality, so we researched various luggage brands to find the best of the best. Here are top-rated kids’ luggage options that the whole family will love. If you need more guidance, we also included a comprehensive guide on how to find the best luggage on the market for little explorers.
The Best Kids’ Luggage
The littlest up-and-moving travelers will be all about the animal-inspired Zoo Luggage from family favorite Skip Hop. Go for the classic monkey (complete with tiny bananas on the zipper pulls), or select from a host of other characters with equally thoughtful details. These wheelie bags boast 800+ five-star reviews on Amazon from buyers who say they live up to the hype and that kids love them.
In addition to being the perfect size for preschoolers and early graders to manage on their own, Skip Hop’s kids luggage with wheels invites you to get matchy with backpacks and other travel accessories. Note that these roller bags are approximately adult backpack size, so the bulk of your kiddos travel gear may need to wind up in a checked bag if they deem this their carry-on.
Pros
- Perfect size for younger children
- Undeniably cute
- Additional, themed products available for purchase
Cons
- Small--the majority of essentials will have to be packed elsewhere
- No internal pockets or organization
- Children will grow out of this luggage quickly
Key Features
- Mesh side pocket perfect for keeping a beverage handy
- Crafted details including themed zipper pulls
- Made of durable poly-canvas fabric
- BPA-free and Phthalate-free
Specifications
- Brand: Skip Hop
- Dimensions: 7 x 12.5 x 18 inches; 1.76 pounds
The Trunki ride-on suitcase makes traveling with the whole family an adventure in itself.
This precious trunk-style suitcase will be a blast for kiddos to use because it doesn’t just store belongings. There’s a saddle on the top of the suitcase that kids can ride on, and thanks to an attachable strap, parents or grandparents can guide their kids through the airport with ease. This makes life easy for kids and adults, too! When the little ones get exhausted, they can take a ride on their trunk--it’s that simple!
The trunk has nine different designs that cater to every kiddo’s interests like a firetruck, fiercely cute tiger, and adorable unicorn.
The saddle can hold up to 75 pounds and has a secure lock so you can be rest assured your little one’s belongings are protected.
Trunki’s outside-the-box design might not be on the radar for every traveler, but if you’re in the market for luggage that pairs fun with function, this ride-on suitcase might be the one for you.
Pros
- Adorable designs that make traveling a blast
- Kids can easily pull their l
- Can double as a toy case when at home
Cons
- Expensive for the size
- Kids will outgrow this suitcase eventually
- Might need to use additional luggage
Key Features
- Comfy saddle and horn grips
- Strap that doubles as a leash or shoulder strap
- Has a secure lock to keep belongings in and kids out
- Can hold up to 75 pounds
- 14.75 gallon interior capacity
- Soft rubber interior with internal pocket and elastic strap
- Five year warranty free of charge
Specifications
- Brand: Trunki
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 8 x 12.2 inches; 4.25 pounds (shipping weight)
AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage is a suitcase that is built to last. It is made with a scratch-resistant hard shell that can handle being dropped, thrown around, and still stand tall at the baggage claim. It’s practically kid-proof.
The suitcase comes in a variety of sizes, but the 21" carry-on side is the perfect size for little ones. Or, order the 2- or 3-piece set for the whole family to use!
Able to expand up to 15% for more storage to stash even more belongings, this luggage is perfect for growing kiddos with growing traveling needs.
Pros
- Extremely durable material
- Four spinner wheels allows for easy pushing or pulling
- Lots of storage to pack all the little one's necessities
Cons
- Heavier option than other items on list
- No exterior pockets
- No kid-specific colors or designs could be a pro or con
Key Features
- Extra-thick ABS scratch-resistant hard shell
- 150D-polyester lined interior complete with 3 divider and 3 zippered pockets
- Telescoping handle
- Four double spinner wheels
- Expandable up to 15%
- Variety of color and size options
Specifications
- Brand: AmazonBasics
- Dimensions (including wheels): 14.9 x 10 x 21.6 inches; 7.34 pounds
If you are on the lookout for luggage for your little one, maybe also consider investing in luggage the whole family will love.
With Coolife’s luggage set in 3- or 4- pieces, you will have storage for everyone and every adventure. The sets come with a 20’’, 24’’, and 28’’ suitcase, the 4-piece featuring a 16" suitcase, for everyone in the family to share. While you’re waiting for your next adventure to start, you can internally stack the set, making storage efficient.
The 16" or 20’’ suitcase is the right size for a kiddo who doesn’t need to pack a ton, but still needs space to put their belongings.
The sets come in a plethora of colors, some bright, some neutral. You’ll never have to worry about losing track of your family’s luggage again since each suitcase comes in an identical color!
If you travel quite a bit, you’ll find comfort in this set because each suitcase has a 3-digit TSA-approved lock to stow away your belongings with the reassurance it won’t be going anywhere.
Pros
- 3 digit TSA-approved lock that gives you peace of mind
- Great for the whole family to have recognizable luggage
- Durable material
Cons
- This set is only necessary if you’re looking for luggage for the whole family
- Not expandable
- Could have more interior pockets
Key Features
- 100% ABS exterior shell
- Four 360 degree silent spinner wheels
- Ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle
- Lined interior with zippered, mesh pocket
- Built-in 3-digit TSA lock
- 3- or 4-piece set
- Two year warranty
Specifications
- Brand:Coolife
- Dimensions (16"): 12.75 x 8.25 x 19 inches; 4.7 pounds
- Dimensions (20"): 15.5 x 9.25 x 22.5 inches; 6.3 pounds
- Dimensions (24"): 18.25 x 10.25 x 26.5 inches; 7.9 pounds
- Dimensions (28"): 20.75 x 11.75 x 30.25 inches; 10 pounds
Kids’ Luggage Buying Guide
When on the hunt for luggage, you’re probably prioritizing price and functionality. When you throw kiddos in the mix, you might want to focus on price, function, and cuteness. In order to find the right luggage for your little loved ones, we compiled a list of things to keep in mind during your selection process.
Opportunity for growth
Little ones won’t be little forever. When in the process of looking for luggage for a kiddo, remember to think about the potential for them to grow with the luggage, not outgrow it. A four-year-old might love a neon pink suitcase with unicorns, but an eight-year-old might not. Unless you’re nonstop traveling the world, remember that luggage is an investment that is supposed to last a long time. So, maybe swap the rainbow suitcase of your four-year-old’s dreams for something still cute with a more timeless design! Or, if you have lots of little ones in the family, then bright unicorn luggage can be passed down from child to child.
Size
It’s nice to have options when you’re packing for a little one. Assuming they will want to bring a stuffed animal, coloring book, iPad, and other activities for a long flight or car ride, it’s a good idea to buy larger luggage to accommodate all their goodies. Also, the bigger the luggage, the more likely your little one will be able to use it for longer trips or as they age. Then again, it can be nice for the little one to move their own bag, especially when you already have your hands full, so consider the size option best suited to your needs.
Wheels
The great debate in the luggage world is over spinners and rollers. Spinner luggage has four free-spinning 360 wheels. You can roll a spinner while it’s standing upright and spin it any which way without the wheels putting up resistance. The spinner is easier to maneuver, feels lighter, and the wheels don’t get caught and stuck. Spinners are great for flat terrain, but if you’re looking for more durability, you’re best off with the other kind, a roller. Who is rolling the bag, you or the little one, should also be considered when choosing between the two.
Handles
Each bag is different. For a duffel, it’s likely you’ll only have a shoulder strap and maybe a handle. For good quality upright luggage, there’s a variety of ways to grab onto your luggage, like a primary telescoping handle–just a fancy name for an extendable handle–as well as fixed handles on the top and sides. Though it’s not necessary to purchase luggage with an abundance of handles, it’s definitely nice to have options, especially when you’re busy and your hands will probably be full if you’re traveling with little ones. It’s also important to keep in mind who will be carrying this luggage the most–you or the kiddo–and what is easiest for the appropriate party.
Exterior material
Traveling isn’t always roses and daisies. If you’re flying, we can only hope your luggage is being treated with care and compassion, but you can never know for sure. To invest your money in the right place, it’s a good idea to choose the material of the exterior of your luggage wisely. There are undeniable benefits to hard and soft shell luggage, but since we’re talking about luggage for kiddos, you might want to consider kid-friendly materials. Soft materials usually feature exterior pockets and are more lightweight, while hard shells are scratch-resistant and can offer a durable structure.
Lock
If you are prone to anxious travels (who isn’t?), purchasing luggage with a lock might instill a sense of security and calmness about your upcoming trip. Not all luggage sets have a lock included, but some do! This might not be top of mind when it comes to luggage for little ones, but is a feature that could be both beneficial to keep both airline employees and kids out of the bag, or conversely cumbersome if your kiddo needs access to a locked bag.
