Posted on familyvacationcritic.com on July 12, 2019
Family vacations don’t just start when you get to your destination. It’s also about making the journey part of the trip. And with funky rolling luggage that your kids can pull (or ride)—and hopefully even pack themselves—travel can be more fun and easier for everyone.
When it comes to kids luggage, there are many cool options on the market. Some kids’ luggage is adorned with cartoon characters and other funky designs, while classics like the Away and Herschel carry-on bags come in solid colors that will never be outdated.
When buying kids rolling luggage, consider the following:
- Is the suitcase light enough that your child can pull it on their own?
- Do the wheels roll easily?
- Does it have extra pockets for storing coveted toys and snacks?
- And last but not least, is it durable?
1. Trunki Original Kids Ride-On Suitcase and Carry-On Luggage
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Toddlers
There’s something seriously alluring about a suitcase you can actually ride through the airport—or at least your child can. The Trunki kids suitcase scooter is one of our top picks! They can ride it, sit on it, or you can tow them to your gate with its handy multi-functional strap. Choose from many fun designs, like the bright pink Trixie, brilliant red fire truck, Trunki unicorn or orange tiger. The Trunki ride on suitcases are made out of durable but lightweight plastic that can hold up to 75 pounds, and come with a five-year warranty. Once home from your trip, your child can use the Trunki suitcase as a toy trunk.
2. Jetkids Bedbox Ride-On Suitcase Bed
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Toddlers and Little Kids
It’s hard not to love a kids suitcase scooter that your wee one can sleep in on long-haul flights, ride on through the airport, and store their toys and books in. The Jetkids by Stokke Bedbox ride-on suitcase will definitely turn heads in the airport, so expect the eyes of other envious parents wishing they didn’t have to carry a child and pull their carry-on. Its swivel wheels are shock absorbing and will roll smoothly through airports and—get this—this bag turns into a bed! Your child will have the best seat on the plane. The Bedbox comes with a mattress, fits most economy plane seats and the seatbelt can be worn whether laying down or sitting. The Jetkids Bedbox suitcase comes in pale blue, green, or pink, and it includes stickers that your child can use to customize the case.
3. Heys America Unisex Travel Tots Kids Luggage and Backpack
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Toddlers and Little Kids
The two-piece kids’ wheeled luggage with matching backpack set from Heys Americaare so fun that they’ll make airport time alluring to even the most reticent little traveller. The Heys luggage carry on comes in 13 bright and colorful prints like the panda, unicorn, duck, owl, ladybug and yes, a pineapple wearing sunglasses! The Heys backpack has padded adjustable straps, and the other piece of kids rolling luggage has inline skate wheels. These matching travel luggage pieces are practical and seriously cute.
4. Away’s The Kids’ Carry-On
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Toddlers to Teens
You may be thinking, what makes Away luggage good for kids besides its name? After all, you won’t get any zany color or funky patterns. But this Away suitcase is a classic, and one that a very young child can pull through the airport and then keep enjoying it as they age. It’s durable, lightweight, and has cool features like a hidden laundry bag (well, maybe that feature is cooler for parents), and an ejectable battery under the handle to charge electronics (which will definitely be a cool options for kids). This Away suitcase has 360-degree spinner wheels, a combination lock and leather luggage tag. Kids can personalize their rolling luggage by choosing from many different colors, from pale pink or burgundy to the more classic black, grey or green.
5. Skip Hop Kids Rolling Luggage
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Toddlers and Little Kids
They had us at the cute ladybug design, but this kids rolling luggage also has some great practical features. The bag has a front zip pocket with dividers for easy-to-reach snacks and toys, a retractable 13-inch handle to nurture independence, and an adjustable mesh bottle pocket when you’re parched and can’t find a water fountain. It also has its own write-on name tag. The Skip Hop kids rolling luggage is made out of a sturdy canvas poly fabric. And it is also available in other cute animal designs like a butterfly and fox.$
6. American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Little Kids to Teens
Another fun and stylish option, this 28-inch spinner luggage is bigger than most featured here, but perfect for the kid who can’t pack light and has to check a bag. Inside this Disney kids rolling luggage, there is a mesh divider and cross straps to keep clothes and other items in place. The Disney hardside luggage has a push button retractable pull handle and four multi-directional, 360-degree spinner wheels. This luggage comes in fun Mickey Mouse and Minnie designs—from Mickey Mouse multi-faces to Minnie Mouse red bows and Mickey Mouse pants. The Disney suitcase comes with a 10-year warranty.
7. Rockland 2 Piece Soft Side Luggage Set
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Little Kids to Tweens
Unlike many other kids rolling luggage options featured here, this Rockland luggage is made out of a heavy-duty 600 denier fabric rather than a hard shell, so it can be squeezed more easily into tight spaces. The larger rolling bag has inline skate wheels, and a telescopic handle, as well as padded side and top grip handles. The storage is good—with two full-size zipper pockets in the front and three inside pockets to keep stuff organized. And the tote bag that it comes with has a detached shoulder strap and is fully lined. You can choose from many fun and colorful designs, from owls to pink giraffes or leopard for younger kids to solid colors for tweens and beyond.
8. Heys America Unisex Britto Tween Spinner
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Tweens and Teens
Britto’s tween luggage from Heys America is part of a limited edition series reflecting the signature style of Romero Britto, a Brazilian-born neo-pop artist combining characteristics of pop art and graffiti painting. A clear coat layer overtop gives the bright colors an extra glossy shine. This kids rolling luggage has four 360-degree spinner wheels, and inside, you’ll find a zipper pocket and compression straps for more compact packing.
With their brightly colored funky designs, you won’t have trouble finding these spinners on the baggage carousel either. And while they may be called “tween” luggage, we know some parents that would be happy to get their hands on one.
9. Herschel Trade Carry On
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Tweens and Teens
This Herschel suitcase comes in solid colors like a stunning vermilion orange and more classic navy. Or you can choose one of their floral patterns for something more funky. The hardshell Herschel Trade Carry On has a three-stage retractable trolley handle and neoprene padded handles, so it’s comfortable to move through the airport. Inside is a zippered mess storage and adjustable garment straps to make packing easier. Overall impressions? Herschel makes quality suitcases that your child won’t outgrow.
10. Steve Madden Hardside Suitcase Set with Spinner Wheels
Best Kids Rolling Luggage For: Teens
These colorful suitcases with cool patterns and designs will attract attention in the airport—and are easily spotted on a baggage carousel. As well as being fashionable, the Steve Madden suitcase uses an eight-wheel spinner system, as opposed to the traditional four-wheel variety, for easy rolling and for more stability and durability. The Steve Madden hardside luggage comes in three sizes, and the smallest carry-on has been tested to fit most overhead cabin requirements. These suitcases are lightweight, have expandable storage and their telescoping handles are comfortable and easy to grip. They come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, too.
Diana Ballon is a a Toronto-based family travel writer with a crappy suitcase that was a hand-me down from her brother that she can’t seem to let go of. This is despite having a deep appreciation for just how far the luggage industry has evolved since her childhood. Find Diana’s work on her personal website and follow her on Instagram, @dianamaryballon.