The best luggage for kids needs to be lightweight enough for them to lift, hardy enough to cope with family trips and functional enough that mum and dad won’t end up dragging it.
For most travellers, our suitcase of choice is the American Tourister Disney Kids 18-Inch Spinner. It essentially functions as a small adult suitcase, offering an organised interior with wheels and plenty of space for clothes, toys and everything else they’ll need on the flight. For younger kids that get tired on their feet quickly, you might be better suited by the Trunki Kids Suitcase, or consider the Stokke JetKids BedBox for regular long-haul adventures.
Our Top Kids’ Luggage Picks
| Product | Award | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Tourister Disney Kids 18-Inch Upright | Best overall | Holidays and air travel | Kids design may not be relevant as kids grow |
| Trunki Ride-On Suitcase | Best for toddlers | Airport waits and short trips | Limited packing capacity |
| Stokke JetKids BedBox | Best for long-haul flights | Toddlers who need help resting | Expensive and relatively heavy |
| iPlay, iLearn 2-Piece Luggage Set | Best value set | Younger children who need two bags | Wheels are better on smooth floors |
| Wildkin Kids Rolling Luggage | Best for weekends | Road trips and overnight stays | Less protective than a hard shell |
How We Chose the Best Kids’ Luggage
We judged these products on criteria that are particularly important when travelling with kids:
- Kids love to pull, push and ride on luggage.
- Lightweight and spacious packed dimensions.
- Wheel and handle quality.
- Interior pockets and compartments.
- Durability/lifetime & ease of cleaning.
- Air travel, road travel and hotel usability.
- Growth.
- Value vs frequency of use.
We combine family-tested travel experience with confirmed manufacturer details and additional research. We’ve flown with the products below through airports in Doha, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore; endured long haul flights to Zurich and road trips to the beach with younger relatives and small kids in tow.
Keep in mind that carry-on restrictions vary by airline. Remember to check your airlines’ baggage policy and compare against the complete outer dimensions of any product (when wheels and handles are extended) before booking your flight.
What Type of Luggage Is Best for Your Child?
The right suitcase for your child depends more on your child’ standard carry-ons do.
Toddlers and preschoolers
Parents of toddlers and preschoolers know that airport journeys can be exhausting. A ride-on suitcase helps your child walk longer distances and wait patiently. Bear in mind that ride-on cases usually have less storage space than a standard rolling suitcase. You’ll probably end up towing both your kid and their luggage.
Children aged roughly five to eight years
For children who are capable of dragging their own luggage, a compact rolling suitcase with a low adjustable handle will serve you both well. Kids in this age group can typically pull their own suitcase, but be ready to step in when the airport gets busy.
Teenagers
Teenagers will typically benefit most from a small adult-style carry-on. While novelty suitcases can be fun for kids, your young teenager will probably outgrow an emoji-themed case in a few years. Opt for a traditional suitcase in their favourite colour instead.
1. American Tourister Disney Kids 18-Inch Upright Luggage
Best Overall
American Tourister’s Disney Kids 18-Inch Upright option earns our top spot because it pairs a kid-friendly aesthetic with the packing benefits of a traditional suitcase.
Its overall dimensions come in around 18 x 13 x 9 inches, while it weighs around 4.23 pounds. It’s considerably smaller than a typical adult carry-on but still offers enough space for clothes, pyjamas, a favourite stuffed animal and some travel snacks.
The interior of the suitcase also feels more organised than most novelty suitcases. Dividers, retaining straps and pockets keep everything from collapsing into a heap when the case opens.
We tested a Frozen-themed suitcase on our family trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Its compact size was manageable inside and outside the airport. Plus, the familiar suitcase design made it easier for our daughter to help with packing and unpacking.
The hard exterior offers another benefit: It protects books and toys better than a soft-sided children’s bag. The drawback is that hard shells are more susceptible to visible scratches and scuffs on bright luggage designs.
Best if: You have preschool-aged or school-aged children who want a “real” rolling suitcase.
Pros
- Practical suitcase-style interior
- Compact and relatively lightweight
- Helps keep toys and other belongings protected
- Themes make children excited to use their own suitcase
Cons
- May have limited usefulness after your child outgrows the design
2. Trunki Ride-On Suitcase
Best for Toddlers
The Trunki Ride-On Suitcase excels when your child is too big for a soft bag but gets tired halfway through the airport.
Kids can sit on the hard plastic case while a parent tows it with the included strap. Alternatively, parents can use the strap to carry the case should stairs, escalators or crowds make towing difficult.
The Trunki offers around 18 litres of space. It measures approximately 46 x 20.5 x 31 centimetres and weighs roughly 1.7 kilograms. Trunki suggests the product for children between three and six years old.
We found this suitcase ideal for our recent seven-hour layover in Doha. The ride-on function turned a tedious airport wait into something fun. It also comfortably fit a small blanket, change of clothes and some toys.
Its main drawback is the limited packing space. Its rounded design and lack of interior structure provide less room than a rectangular suitcase. The case also splits in half to open, which is inconvenient when you need something at security or by the gate.
Best if: Your child is around three to six years old and gets tired while travelling through airports.
Pros
- Functions as both a ride-on toy and suitcase
- Lightweight and simple to clean
- Included tow strap doubles for carrying
- Durable enough for everyday toddler usage
Cons
- Small and awkwardly shaped storage space
- An adult must steer the case through crowded airport areas
- Less helpful once your child outgrows the ride-on feature
3. Stokke JetKids BedBox
Best for Long-Haul Flights
Stokke’s JetKids BedBox is a more expensive ride-on suitcase designed for families that take long flights often.
You can tow the case behind you, ride it through the airport or use it as a standard rolling suitcase. Once onboard, you can unfold the lid and attached mattress to create a sleeping platform or leg rest if the airline allows it.
The BedBox stows about 19 litres of belongings. Stokke recommends it for children aged roughly two to seven. Its wheel configuration makes it easier to control through the airport than other fixed-wheel ride-ons.
Our family used this suitcase on a Singapore Airlines overnight flight to Zurich. The BedBox held everything we needed for the cabin, including snacks, headphones, a tablet device and an extra change of clothes. It also gave my son a flat surface to sit or lie on.
Just because the BedBox is fantastic doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for every family. Its primary advantage is its mattress, but it costs significantly more than a traditional kid’s suitcase. Families that mainly take short daytime flights may not find the sleep function worthwhile.
Rules around seat extenders and other sleep products change depending on the airline and aircraft. Ensure your airline allows the BedBox sleep kit to attach to your seat before booking.
Best if: You regularly fly overnight or long-haul with young children.
Pros
- Converts from a ride-on case and rolling suitcase into a leg rest
- Front swivel wheels allow for easier control
- Top opening keeps cabin items within easy reach
- Works well during long airport layovers
Cons
- More expensive than traditional kids’ luggage
- Heavier than other kids’ suitcases
- Sleep feature may be restricted by airline policies
4. iPlay, iLearn 2-Piece Kids Luggage Set
Best Value Set
The iPlay, iLearn 2-Piece Kids Luggage Set includes both a small rolling suitcase and a backpack. This practical combination is ideal for families who want a separate bag for clothes and in-flight entertainment.
Suitcase dimensions vary by theme but generally measure around 18 x 11.5 x 8 to 8.5 inches. The backpack is roughly 13.5 x 10.5 x 4.5 inches. The suitcase also has an adjustable handle for children and adults to use.
We opted for the fox-themed suitcase and backpack for our trip to Seoul. The rolling suitcase held our son’s clothes and toys. We stuffed his backpack with easy snacks, markers and travel-friendly activity books to keep him entertained during the flight.
The standout benefit of this duo is the backpack. Since most children use backpacks at school and for sleepovers, your child can continue using it long after outgrowing the themed suitcase.
On the downside, the suitcase wheels roll fine on airport carpets and smooth floors but do not handle bumpier pavements or irregular surfaces well.
Best if: You have younger children who would benefit from an affordable suitcase and backpack set.
Pros
- Comes with two useful luggage pieces
- Backpack keeps in-flight entertainment separate
- Easy to clean due to the hard-shell exterior
- Lots of child-friendly designs to choose from
Cons
- Wheels struggle on surfaces other than carpet and smooth floors
- Not as durable as luggage from higher-end brands
- Your child may quickly outgrow the themed decals
5. Wildkin Kids Rolling Luggage
Best for Weekends and Road Trips
Wildkin’s Kids Rolling Luggage is a soft-sided suitcase ideal for sleepovers, road trips and brief family holidays.
Measuring roughly 16 x 12 x 6 inches, this durable polyester suitcase is spacious enough for young children. It also features exterior pockets for easy access to documents, snacks or toys.
We checked our Wildkin suitcase during a recent beach road trip. My six-year-old son easily packed clothes, shoes and his favourite stuffed animal inside. He also loved the bright colours of his Wildkin suitcase, which inspired him to take better care of it.
Its main drawback is that its soft material doesn’t protect fragile items as well as hard-sided luggage. It’s also not very good at holding its shape or staying upright when packed unevenly.
Best if: Your family takes weekend breaks or road trips, or your child prefers a soft-sided bag.
Pros
- Easy-to-access exterior pockets
- Flexible material makes packing simple
- Lightweight design
- Useful for flights, road trips and sleepovers
Cons
- Doesn’t protect fragile items as well as hard-sided luggage
- May fall over if packed unevenly
- Two wheels limit agility when changing directions
Kids’ Luggage Buying Guide
Pick a suitably lightweight empty weight
Dragging an empty suitcase around the shop is very different to having it loaded with clothes, shoes, books and toys for your child to manage. Begin with the lightest bag that will work for your situation and don’t fill every available centimetre just because you can.
Roll it around the house after packing
Ask your child to pull the case around the house once you’ve packed it. They should be able to start, stop and turn easily, as well as lift it over the base of a doorway without it tipping under their control.
Suitcase handles should be checked for height
Adjust the height so that your child can pull the case without having to bend sideways or scraping the back of their feet. It should also be reachable by adults without having to bend over too much.
Pick suitable wheels for your journey
Four wheels that spin sideways make it easier to manoeuvre through airport queues. Two wheels are best suited to uneven pavements but your child will have to tilt the case to pull it behind them.
Suitcases with wheels that your child can ride on are fun, but make sure they have stable wheels and are closely supervised at airports. Avoid using them like a toy near escalators, stairs, moving walkways or busy boarding gates.
Think about how long the style will be suitable
A themed suitcase might appeal to a preschooler enough for them to carry their own bag, but a smart design may be favoured by a seven- or eight-year- old child. Bear in mind how long the suitcase will remain exciting for your child.
If you’re thinking of good value for money for several years, choose a plain suitcase in a bright colour. Let your child personalise it with stickers that come off, luggage tags or handle wraps that can be easily changed.
Don’t trust “carry-on approved” labels
Many suitcases say they are acceptable as carry-on baggage but this isn’t regulated globally. Airlines specify their own size and weight limits. Some low-cost tickets only allow a small bag that fits under the seat.
Even if your child is entitled to their own baggage allowance by having their own ticket, it varies depending on the airline and ticket type. Qantas for example, says passengers aged two years and over are allowed the same amount of cabin baggage as adults. However, infants who travel on a parent’s lap will not receive an allowance for carry-on luggage. Check with your airline for the policies applicable to your booking.
What Should Children Pack in Their Carry-On?
Pack a child’ s cabin bag with things they might need on the journey, not everything they want to take.
A useful list to follow is:
- One spare set of clothes
- Light jumper/sweater/layer
- Kids headphones
- iPad, book or activity pad
- Couple of quiet toys
- Snacks (subject to airline and destination guidelines)
- Wet wipes and tissues
- Prescription medication (if applicable) kept with an adult at all times
- One comfort toy or small blanket
Keep passports, money, medication and irreplaceable items in an adult’s bag rather than making the child responsible for them.
Final Verdict
Our top pick for best kids’ suitcase overall is the American Tourister Disney Kids 18-Inch Upright . It offers a helpful compromise of size that’s easy for little ones to manage, protection, organisation, and Disney-centric appeal for kids.
Our top pick for making time at the airport more fun for younger kids is the Trunki Ride-On Suitcase , but be warned: storage space is minimal. If your family frequently flies overnight and have checked that your airline will allow you to use the bed function, the Stokke JetKids BedBox is our top pick for the best specialty kid suitcase.
Our top pick for best kids’ luggage on a budget is the iPlay, iLearn 2-Piece Set , and our top pick for versatile kids’ luggage for road trips and overnights is the Wildkin Kids Rolling Luggage .
In any case, the best kids’ luggage isn’t always going to be the bag with bells and whistles. Instead, it’s the bag your kid can handle responsibly—or that you don’t mind lugging yourself when they get too tired.