Going on vacation is an adventure for everyone, and one small way to make it truly exciting for little ones is by getting them their very own luggage. They also have the added benefit of helping parents free up some space in their own luggage. And if the itty bit decides to store chocolate in their pockets or worms in their socks, their parents’ grown-up clothing won’t be dirtied or dug through, either — trust me, it happens more than you’d think.
Kids’ luggage is such a good grandparent gift. They’re practically bribery for grandkids to come and visit. The luggage my family used for the longest time was a gift from my parents. Not only is it a bit of pleasant bribery, but it’s also a gift that can be splurgy, and parents of little kids are in the thick of hemorrhaging cash all over the place in general, so this is a nice thing to take off their plates.
Best for Airport Layovers: Best Value: Traveler’s Club 5-Piece Kids’ Hard-Side Luggage SetBest for Older Kids: Away Carry-On Bag With Optional ChargerBest Medium Bag for Families: Herschel Heritage Hardshell Medium LuggageBest for Tweens: One Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase
If you ask your kid what kind of luggage they want, they’ll probably want something more mature than you’re expecting, as was the case with traveling expert, mom, and editor Amelia Edelman’s oldest child. After years of travel under his belt even before elementary school, Edelman says that he was jealous of his mom’s beloved Monos carry-ons, and he was “sick of carrying a backpack because it made him feel like school.” (I get it!) She got him a set of hardside luggage from Traveler’s Club, and says that his having the ability to schlep his own wheeled luggage has helped him keep up in the airport, making everything go more smoothly and quickly.
When you’re looking for a bag, think of how they’ll be using it. Edelman says, “My biggest tip is to make packing a team effort.” There should be space for everything they need, but also some of the things they’ll insist on adding. She says there will be “needs” and “wants,” and so long as your kid is involved (she suggests having them count the shirts, pants, et cetera), they’ll be more likely to make the whole experience less chaotic.
The best kids’ suitcases are the ideal combination of cuteness, utility, and, most importantly, durability. Kids’ suitcases need to be easy to open and close, lightweight, and spacious enough to hold a vacation’s worth of clothing, shoes, toys, and toiletries. And “they're going to get destroyed,” says Edelman, so be prepared.
They also have to be enticing enough that your child is begging to carry it themselves. It seems like a tall order, but thankfully, there are plenty of options out there.
As for family luggage, durability is king. We get it; you need to check luggage sometimes. With breast pumps, diaper bags, and multiple changes of clothing for anyone who might spit up or be spit up on, bigger luggage is needed, and I have some great options for that.
All of these kids’ suitcases and luggage for families have been tested either by me or have been used and loved by a trusted member of my testing group. These are truly the top picks. We tested for their strength, their utility, and yes, the likelihood of kids not pitching an absolute fit over their aesthetic.
If you’re getting ready to travel with your tiny tot or you’re hoping someone travels to you, these are the best kids’ suitcases on the market right now.
1Best for Airport Layovers
ProsCons
Limited use (for small kids only)This TSA-approved scooter suitcase can really save your bacon if you have a quick layover or a long way to walk between gates. Kids love the novelty of it, and with its light-up wheels and soft-grip handles, it’s just plain fun.
And don’t worry: The scooter board kicks up, locking onto the back of the hardshell body of the suitcase. It is designed to deflect and absorb impact, which feels inevitable for a scooter suitcase.
The inside of this kids’ suitcase is no slouch, either. It has plenty of space to store everything your little one needs for a few days out on the town.
Our tiny tester has the Yeti version of this suitcase, and his “monster bag,” goes almost everywhere with him, be it a trip overseas or just a few miles away to visit his grands. It has seen a lot of miles in a few years, and other than the handpainted artwork he added, it’s no worse for wear.
2Best Value
Pros
Comes with packing cubes
Fun, kid-friendly printCons
Wheels can get wobbly over timeThis is the set our expert bought her child, and after putting out my Spidey feelers, I learned that this is quite the popular set, and a few parents on my team already own it. I think a huge part of that is the value of the set, with a neckroll, packing cubes, and a hardside suitcase included.
Very few luggage sets for kids come with packing cubes, which Edelman’s son and the majority of our testers really love. It comes in four adorable patterns and has multiple zippered compartments on the inside of the luggage for your child’s wardrobe, shoes, books, and souvenirs.
One of the parents I spoke with did note that after a while the wheels do start to get a bit wobbly, but it doesn’t impact them to the point of the suitcase becoming unwieldy.
A dream all-in-one collection for your young kids, at a fantastic price. What more could you ask for?
3Best for Older Kids
Credit: Cat BowenPros
The lock is simple
A charger!
Great color choicesCons
Handle on side is tight at firstDo you know what the absolute worst thing is? When your kid’s device dies at the airport or while traveling, and everyone is using the outlets or those charging stations (that are apparently siphoning our data, so you may want to skip those anyway).
Enter Away luggage. Not only is it one of the best pieces of luggage that I have ever tested, with a durable, polycarbonate shell, 360-degree spinning wheels, telescoping handle, easy-to-work lock, and an included laundry bag, but you can also get it with a charging port and battery in place. It’s all right under the handle.
This lockable carry-on will fit a week’s worth of clothing for children, possibly more, but we like this for older kids and teens because they’re the ones with the devices, typically, and this bag is such high-quality that they can take it with them even when they leave the house. It’s the kind of luggage that will last decades.
Our Away bag’s maiden voyage was a road trip with multiple stops, and despite my teen just flinging it everywhere, it’s still in perfect condition.
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4Best Medium Bag for Families
Credit: Cat BowenPros
Great in-between size
Fun colorways
Easy to lockCons
The handles are tight
Button to telescope handle can be hard to depress if you have nailsWhen you need something a little bigger, but not huge, this is a great midsize bag. This piece of luggage is a little over 2 feet tall and a bit over a foot wide, and just under a foot deep. Basically, it’s the perfect size for a family of three or four for a weekend trip. You can fit everything you’ll need in the two-zone polycarbonate suitcase, including shoes.
This bag is a dream, truly. It glides across the pavement, and the wheels are inset and spin 360 degrees. It’s so simple to pack in the back of your car and go. Plus, I’m not going to lie, it looks good. It just does. The shades are modern and pretty, and the label makes it easy to spot on a conveyor belt.
It’s a great bag for teens as well. As they get ready to go to college and learn how to edit their collections, this bag will take them from high school to college and beyond. Its strength is in the polycarbonate that doesn’t show scuffs easily and doesn’t dent. The straps on the inside of this bag have been put through the ringer, trying to mash down clothing, and it remains in great condition.
My son called it the “sky bag,” and that feels apt. It’s lightweight, easy to move, and built to weather a few storms. I truly have no notes. It’s the best medium bag I tested.
5Best for Tweens
Pros
That price
Easy to clean
Easy to lockCons
The interior isn't as separated as others on this listOh, you thought that hard shell, easy-to-carry, easy-to-pack luggage for kids and teens had to be expensive? So did I, honestly, until I found this bag from One Quince.
It’s a dang fine piece of luggage for the price and a great option for kids who are maybe a bit too old for spaceships or Mickey Mouse. I put it through its paces, testing it for cleanability, ease of use, how much of my kids’ crap I can store in the polycarbonate suitcase, and if the 360-degree spinning wheels ever get stuck, and it performed beautifully.
It also passed what I like to call the “sticker” test. Kids love stickers. They love putting them all over luggage. Truth be told, I had a My Chemical Romance bumper sticker on mine once upon a time. The thing is, removing them often removes the finish of the suitcase.
That doesn’t happen with the Quince. I peeled it off, and even used the scrubbing sponge they included to clean the whole outside of the bag after, including the telescoping handle, and it looked wonderful. No finish issues, no scuffs, just a charcoal bag.
It only lasted 20 minutes, though, because no sooner was it dry than my daughter put a watermelon sticker on it. I guess it’s hers now. Also, she changed the lock code, so it’s definitely hers.
6Best Ride-On
Pros
Great for toddlers
Safety strap
Nice sectionsCons
Limited use for older kids When you’re at the point where you have to drag your child through the airport, having a ride-on suitcase really comes in clutch. This sweet turquoise suitcase (which is also available in other colors) holds all their things, but it can also be used as a ride-on mode of transportation through long, winding terminals.
Kids can either push themselves or be pulled while saddled atop their cute container as you work your way to your destination. Our tester likes this particular suitcase because of the safety strap that helps keep your child from sliding off the back during bumpy parts of the ride, like getting on and off the people mover. It’s also more spacious than you may think as well according to our tester, noting that the shape is great for keeping dirty and clean things separate.
It’s on the pricier end, but thanks to the engineering, you can use it through a few kids and it will still be perfectly functional.
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7Long-Lasting Quality
Pros
Famous brand is well-made
Fun patternCons
The wheels really stick outGoing to a Disney park? While there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule that one must have Disney luggage, it’s pretty darned common to see Mickey Mouse luggage everywhere when you’re in them.
If you’ve ever owned a piece of American Tourister luggage, you already know that it’s some of the best-designed luggage on the market — and this model is no different. The interior is cordoned off into perfectly sized sections for your kids’ shoes, clothing, and knickknacks, and the exterior is positively chockablock with Disney-themed accessories, from the tag all the way to the zip pulls.
My daughter has had her American Tourister carry-on since she was 3 years old, and while it’s now completely covered in stickers and Sharpie, it’s still in great shape, almost 9 years later. I will admit that it’s mostly used as storage at this point, but she still frequently uses it as a stool, so the durability test is still going strong.
8Best Wheels
Pros
Super cute
Great handleCons
The wheels can stickThe “Baby Shark” anthem is still going strong for little kids, and this hardshell kids’ suitcase by Rockland shows just how adorable it can be — fin, gills, teeth, and all. Even the luggage tag is a baby shark!
The light polycarbonate shell of the suitcase sits on four wheels that spin 360 degrees for easy lugging, and the extendable handle pulls up to adult height, allowing caregivers to give their kiddos a little extra help when necessary.
This suitcase is a bit on the petite side, according to our tester, so this isn’t meant for long trips. It's also not quite as durable as others on this list, but that’s reflected in the price tag. It’s designed for toddlerhood and early childhood, and it succeeds there.
9Best Budget
Pros
Budget-friendly
Fun patternCons
The quality matches the priceHonestly, suitcases can be extremely pricey, no matter how small they are! This is a wonderful budget option for parents who don’t want to spend a ton of money on a kids’ suitcase. The colors are bright and lively, and your child will live for the rainbow unicorn pattern: It’ll make your whole trip feel all the more magical.
You’ll appreciate the solid construction, too: It has a front zippered pocket, rear wheels that glide with ease, and a telescoping handle that retracts right into the suitcase. It’s not as luxe as others on this list, and honestly, that’s fine. Our reviewer told us that it “works exactly as long as it should.”
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10Best Two-Piece Set
Pros
Two-pieces for more storage
Kid-size handleCons
On the smaller sideGetting your little one to lug their own suitcase won’t be difficult with this adorable unicorn rolling luggage set from iPlay, iLearn. With 2,000 positive reviews, this kids’ suitcase set stands out for its extreme durability and easy-to-organize interior.
The suitcase is slightly smaller than your average carry-on, but the telescoping handle extends long enough that when parents need to, they can wheel it alongside their luggage with ease. The inside of the case has three zippered pockets on one side and crisscrossing straps on the other — making the whole thing a cinch to organize and keep clean.
To clean it, the exterior of the case can be sanitized to your heart’s content, while the inside should be wiped down with soap and water and left to air dry. (In the event of pocket chocolate, of course.) Our tester has an alternative pattern of this very set, and they use the backpack-sized bag to carry their toys on the plane. They have used it for 3 years, and it’s in wonderful shape.
11Best Kids’ Duffel
Pros
Best duffel style
Loads of pocketsCons
No wheelsDuffel bags are getting ever more popular for everyone, kids included. A big part of that is because they’re so easy to store. After all, they’re collapsable, allowing them to take up very little space in your closet.
Wildkin does it right with this 18x9-inch duffel. It has extra pockets, a padded strap, and thin handles that are easy for small hands to grasp and haul through the airport or hotel. They’re one of our favorite brands, and this is the bag used by many family and friends for both travel and soccer. The seams are so durable that they can hold up to all that stress without taking damage.
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