Traveling with little kids can take a toll on parents, from the planning to the schlepping to the packing. That’s why many of us call it a “trip,” not a vacation when traveling as a family: It can feel like work, rather than a time for relaxation. But equip children with the best kids luggage—and you might just lighten your parental load (quite literally). Luggage designed for kids is lighter, smaller and often comes with thoughtful features and compartments to make traveling with children easier. For example, our top pick for the best kids luggage overall, the State Mini Logan Suitcase, comes in two sizes, with fun designs and smart exterior pockets and straps for easy access to their in-flight essentials.
Select the best luggage for kids—and they just might want to carry a bag of their own. Makeup Travel Bags
It might feel daunting to have to pack one more bag, but the right luggage can help your kids look forward to packing and carrying their own suitcase. Kerry Cushman, editor of Wander & Scout and full-time traveling mom since 2019, knows from experience the need to strike the perfect balance. “The biggest challenge of packing and traveling with kids is not over-packing, yet still having everything you need to make your trip enjoyable,” she says.
Also important: a young child can only haul so much luggage. “If your child is carrying their own luggage, size should be the first priority,” Cushman says. “If you pack thoughtfully, chances are you don’t need as much as you initially think. We just spent three months traveling in Europe with a single, under-the-seat carry-on each.”
Browse the list below for the best kids luggage we found after testing a number of top-rated models, and you might just create a first-class journey out of your next family vacation. After reading this story, consider perusing our favorite carry-on luggage for adults and the best travel strollers if you’re vacationing with babies or toddlers.
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 5.12 pounds | Colors: 9 colors/patterns | Warranty: 1 year | Compartments/Pockets: 4
The Mini Logan’s two interior compartments have plenty of room for a weekend away, especially when packing smaller-sized clothes. There’s a zippered mesh interior compartment to separate out things like pajamas, diapers or underwear and socks to find them in a hurry, as well as elastic straps to keep everything snug inside. But where this bag really demonstrates itself as the best kids luggage is with all the handy exterior options, including two straps to hold a favorite toy or a water bottle and a zippered front exterior pocket. The adjustable trolly handle is essential for smaller co-pilots, and the 360-degree spinner wheels make it a cinch for kiddos to navigate. It’s available in an array of bold kid-friendly patterns.
While the Mini Logan suitcase is recommended for kids ages 3 to 5, there’s also a larger Logan suitcase with more packing room for older kids ages 6 to 10.
What the parent tester says: Coauthor Alicia Betz tested this luggage with her three kids and found it ideal for younger children, especially around ages 3 to 5. “This luggage is very sleek, and the mini size seems just right for little kid, which falls perfectly in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations,” she says. “My kids played with this suitcase endlessly, and it held up just as well as the hard shell options we tried.”
Dimensions: 7.9 x 14.2 x 18.1 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Colors: 6 | Warranty: 2-year limited | Compartments/Pockets: 2
This ride-on, carry-on and sleep-on kids suitcase that was invented by a former airline pilot goes beyond acting as a catchall for clothing by turning an airline seat into a bed complete, so they can maybe get a little sleep. The JetKids By Stokke BedBox can also be used to prop their legs to a more comfortable position, rather than left dangling. Their favorite perk might come from riding atop the luggage while a parent pulls them along to their gate or they push with their own legs. It also comes with stickers, so kids can customize their suitcase.
What the parent tester says: Coauthor Alicia Betz recently tested this suitcase, saying, “My kids really get a kick out of riding on the JetKids BedBox.” She also likes the customizable stickers but cautions that it isn’t the roomiest kids suitcase. “It is a bit small inside, especially considering the space the in-flight bed takes up inside the luggage,” she says. “Think of this one more as a travel tool to make the flight experience better for your child, whether it’s cruising through the terminal or having some more space to stretch out on the airplane.”
Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 18 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Colors: 13 patterns | Warranty: 2-year limited | Compartments/Pockets: 3
Sometimes a single carry-on doesn’t do the trick when it comes to corralling all your child’s stuff. This five-piece set ensures there’s ample space for a variety of items, from toys and diapers to clothing and toiletries. The 18-inch hardside, carry-on suitcase is perfect for their clothing, while the matching backpack can tote books, their water bottle and travel activities. I love that the set includes a lunch bag to pack their preferred in-flight snacks and a cozy neck pillow to introduce them to travel life.
What the parent tester says: Betz recently took this luggage set on an overnight trip with her three kids and had good things to say. “This set is great for helping kids take ownership of their luggage and packing, and the many components of the set make them feel like real travelers. Of all the suitcases I tested, my kids took to this set the most, possibly because of the fun patterns or just the kid-manageable dimensions,” she explained. “It’s also a good price for everything you get, so even though the quality isn’t quite on par with the most expensive brands, you won’t worry about your kids banging it around, because it’s so affordable.”
Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Colors: 9 | Warranty: Lifetime warranty | Compartments/Pockets: 3
Like many travelers, I prefer to avoid checking a bag—even when traveling with kids and each of their bags. The Carry On Light by July ($245) is my family’s top choice of luggage for kids (or for travelers of any age). Weighing in at just 3.9 pounds, the small but mighty and roomy suitcase is easy for kids to maneuver and glide thanks to its telescopic handle and 360-degree double spinner wheels. It tends to sell out, however, so I’m also recommending the July Carry On Essential profiled here, which weighs just 6.6 pounds and boasts similarly smooth wheels. It also holds a bit more than the Light model (42 liters vs. 32 liters) and is a smidge bigger. Both come with the brand’s lifetime warranty on defects, and its classic and sleek design ensures they’ll happily tote this bag into adulthood—or at least to college.
What the parent tester says: I’ve used the Carry On Light for years and find it makes travel easier for all ages. Betz recently tested the Essential model and couldn’t get over how smooth the suitcase was. Keep in mind that while both suitcases are light, neither offers an exterior pocket, which can be useful. “This bag has some of the smoothest wheels I’ve ever experienced, and it’s also very lightweight,” says Betz. “Even though it’s not branded as luggage for kids, these features make it very easy for them to maneuver the suitcase. This is my top pick for an older kid as it can be used into their teenage years and in adulthood.”
Dimensions: 19.1 x 9.5 x 13.6 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds | Colors: 4 colors | Warranty: Optional 2-year or 3-year protection plan at additional cost | Compartments/Pockets: 4
Your kids luggage doesn’t have to be designed especially for kids per se. The no-frills Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner is a suitcase selection that they could use as long as the carry-on lasts—which may end up being a lifetime. The suitcase has a tough exterior comprised of a scratch-resistant ABS hard shell. Our kid tester found it a breeze to pull this luggage thanks to its telescoping handle and the smooth sailing of its four double-spinner wheels. The interior gives you plenty of packing options with three zippered pockets, and it’s a huge bonus that the suitcase expands up to 15% more. There aren’t any exterior pockets on this.
What the parent tester says: “I bought it for my tall 4-year-old on super sale during an Amazon Prime Day deal,” says Rose Gordon Sala, senior editor for baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. “It’s lightweight and has held up through several trips, including when we checked it on a cross-country flight trip. I also like the interior divider to keep her items organized. It’s still a bit tall for her, but she’ll grow into it.”
Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 6 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Colors: 13 prints | Warranty: 90-day limited | Compartments/Pockets: 3
In addition to being super cute, Wildkin’s affordable and wheeled backpack-style luggage for kids offers a versatile, kid-centric option. What kid wouldn’t want unicorns, ballerinas, vehicles or dinosaurs to accompany them on their adventures? It’s also size-appropriate for very young kids in terms of height but also weight: it’s under 2 pounds. The exterior pocket is great for keeping important items easily within reach, and we also appreciate the water bottle pocket.
What the reviews say: Reviewers really appreciate the quality of this children’s brand’s luggage as well as the kid-friendly designs. One reviewer is happy that their 2-year-old can pull the luggage with ease. “They fit a week's worth of clothes plus extras and it's super easy for my 4 year old to roll herself! Super cute pattern and super sturdy... Very well made!” wrote another.
Dimensions: 9 x 23 x 12 inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Colors: 7 colors | Warranty: 1-year warranty | Compartments/Pockets: 2
Nearly every kid requires a duffle bag for school extracurricular trips, sports or sleepaway camp at some point. Besides duffle bags are a convenient option for packing for a family trip. There’s something nice about telling your kid to just toss things into it, right? Unfortunately, once they’re full, they can become top-heavy and too difficult for a younger kid to tote without toppling over. Outdoor retailer L.L. Bean solves this quandary with its Adventure Rolling Duffle Bag. This duffle can stand upright on a no-tip base with wheels. Padded grab handles are also an option. The durable, water-resistant bag comes in a variety of colors, as well as large and extra large sizes should they need more space.
What the reviews say: Reviewers like that they can transport this duffle bag multiple ways, from wheeling it to carrying it. Some people, however, find it difficult to access the contents of their bag due to the construction of the zipper. “Great duffle bag for my son. Holds more than you’d think and is very sturdy,” said one happy purchaser. Another explained that it’s the perfect bag for their 8-year-old, whether it’s for camp trips or Scout trips.
At Forbes Vetted, we’re dedicated to testing and reviewing the best products for all ages and all types of families, as well as delivering our honest recommendations and buying advice. We have a team dedicated to the reviewing the best baby and kids gear and another team dedicated to travel gear and hotels and vacation advice.
To curate this list, I coupled my expertise as a travel writer and mom with the expert advice of full-time, world traveling mom Kerry Cushman. My coauthor and editor also helped to test many of the pieces of kids luggage recommended within this story, so we could tell you which items worked best in which situations—and which suitcases didn’t stand up to family travel. My coauthor specifically tested the State Mini Logan Suitcase, Travelers Club Kids Five-Piece Luggage Travel Set, July Carry On Essential and the JetKids By Stokke BedBox with three young kids, while my editor Rose Gordon Sala tested the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner with her preschooler over several trips (by plane and road) over the last year—and my family of four adores the July Carry On Light, because it allows us to skip the baggage claim.
In addition to testing the majority of pieces on this story for attributes preferred by families, including strategic compartment design, sizes, weight and durability, I also spoke to other parents and researched the bestselling luggage for kids, poring over copious reviews to find the very best. I looked for innovative design components that would make each suitcase exceptional, fun and functional for kids to use with ease. I also considered what the drawbacks might be. After all, if a child isn’t happy about their luggage and its features—it is the parents who end up saddled with it.
I prefer soft luggage, because it tends to be lighter, making it easier for kids to tote without help. “Soft-sided carry-on luggage tends to have more zipper pockets and separate packing compartments, making it a great option for kids,” says Cushman. “Organizing luggage pockets can give kids autonomy to access snacks and toys on their own without opening the entire contents of their suitcase or needing help.”
The best size suitcase for kids is one they can comfortably wheel on their adventures without getting frustrated or feeling like toting their own bag is an insurmountable task. “Luggage should be age and size appropriate,” notes Cushman. “For children under 12, luggage size should be limited to an under-the-seat carry-on. Consider starting with a lightweight backpack if you’re not confident they can be responsible to wheel a suitcase for the entire trip.”
It all depends on your family’s preference. Some parents choose to pack their entire brood’s clothing and toiletries in the same bag, while other families prefer each member has their own luggage. “Kids need their own luggage only if they are going to carry it themselves,” Cushman offers. “Otherwise, parents can end up with an unmanageable load to carry. If kids are not ready for their own luggage yet, pack kid items in your suitcase in separate packing cubes.”
Kids can wheel or ride on a suitcase a lot more easily than they can carry a full-size one. I think it’s important that kids feel comfortable and unencumbered by their luggage at every age and stage. Often by age 4, kids can wear a lightweight backpack and by age 5, they might be able to wheel one of these smaller pieces of luggage designed for kids. It will depend on your child’s temperament, and you should certainly prepare to carry their bag(s) at times until they’re tweens or teens.
“My son started carrying his own kid-sized luggage at age 4 and loved it,” says Cushman. “We packed his suitcase together, including fun snacks and airplane toys, so he could get excited about carrying more than just his clothes. He’s been carrying (and packing up) his own luggage ever since.”
I'm a graduate of the University of Miami. Before joining Forbes I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg where I covered everything from sports to how negative rates impacted the Black-Scholes model.
I'm a graduate of the University of Miami. Before joining Forbes I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg where I covered everything from sports to how negative rates impacted the Black-Scholes model.
I’m a freelance writer who covers the outdoors, the environment and travel. Before diving into a writing career, I spent years in the outdoor industry as a backpacking guide running multi-day trips in Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland but now live in Salt Lake City, Utah where I spend my time trail running, climbing, and biking. You can see my work in other publications like Outside, Climbing, and SELF, or on my website: www.hannah-singleton.com.
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I’m the Forbes Vetted deputy editor, currently living near Detroit. After serving in the Air Force where I operated satellites and planned space launches, I have had a varied career as a tech journalist, wildlife photographer, scuba instructor and podcaster (including co-hosting the popular Battlestar Recaptica).
I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored a digital interactive storybook for kids. I spent eight years as a content lead at Microsoft where I helped to develop Windows Vista and Windows 7. And before joining Forbes Vetted, I contributed to many popular websites including CNET, PC World, How-To Geek and Business Insider.
I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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