10 Best Luggage for Kids in 2024
You may have finally found your perfect, ride-or-die carry-on luggage (yay, you!). But chances are, what works for you won’t also work for any kids who are traveling with you. If it’s been a while (or never) since you’ve shopped for kiddie gear, we’ve got your back. Here are the top 10 suitcases for kids.
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10 best bags and luggage for kids
1. Best colorful kids’ luggage: State
It’s not just adults who want to make a fashion statement. Kids, too, want to show off their own personal flair—especially on a big family vacation. The Logan Suitcase from State helps them do just that. Available in 12 vibrant colors—from flashy pink/silver to rainbow tie dye, navy/neon, and more—this colorful luggage gives them a chance to show off their creativity. Meanwhile, the kid-friendly adjustable handle and sturdy 360° spinner wheels make this small suitcase an ideal choice for kids aged six to 10.
Price: starting at $225
2. Best hard-shell kids' luggage: Calpak
For the little kids who just can’t be tamed, a hard-shell suitcase is the solution for their rough-and-tumble travel adventures. With its polycarbonate hard-shell exterior, the Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage from Calpak is a top pick for helping the little ones lead a life on the go. It’s small enough to fit under most airline seats—and small enough to let kids wheel it around the airport themselves. Plus, with color choices like Poppy and Pink Sand, it’s sure to please even the pickiest little ones.
Price: starting at $165
3. Best ride-on kids' luggage: Trunki
For happy travels without the temper tantrums, turn to the Ride-On Suitcase and Toddler Carry-On from Trunki. A multi-functional strap gives you options wherever you go: Let little tykes carry it themselves; tell kids to hop on and tow them and the luggage all in one go; or throw it over your shoulder when it’s really time to hustle. From a bumblebee theme to a firetruck, a unicorn, or other playful options, you can turn boring luggage into an engaging toy for kids.
Price: starting at $100
4. Best personalized kids' luggage: Lillian Vernon
With brothers and sisters, there’s always squabbling about whose stuff is whose. This personalized rolling luggage for kids from Lillian and Vernon puts an end to all that. Let your little ones personalize their luggage with their name embroidered in their choice of block or script font. They also get their choice of color and print (butterflies, dots, or flowers, anyone?). Best of all, this kids' luggage satisfies parents, too, with durable wheels and double-stitched fabric that’s easy to wipe clean when those inevitable spills happen.
Price: starting at $65
5. Best kids' travel backpack: State
Of course, one of the best ways to help kids travel—whether by plane, train, or car—is a good, old-fashioned backpack. The Kane Kids Travel backpack from State takes the classic backpack and amps it up with chic style choices, a trolley sleeve, and 45%-recycled materials. In the main compartment, there’s room for a 13” laptop or tablet, books, and a matching toiletry kit. Also available in a Mini Kane version for the truly small tykes, this kids' travel backpack will help them show off their independence and responsibility on the go.
Price: starting at $98
6. Best kids’ luggage scooter: Kiddietotes
Little kids love to be on the move. To help them burn off some extra energy before boarding the plane, try out the Ride-On Suitcase Scooter from Kiddietotes. This small, hard-shell suitcase is attached to a slip-proof scooter bed with a soft-grip handle and light-up LED wheels. Children can ride, carry, or pull this case on their own and store their goodies inside the water- and scratch-resistant case. It’s a win-win for both kids and parents: They’ll love zipping through the airport with a panda-, fairy-, or unicorn-themed luggage-scooter combo. And you’ll love helping them fly safely with a TSA- and IATA-approved carry-on.
Price: starting at $150
7. Best kids’ luggage 5-piece set: Travelers Club
They say overpacking starts early … If your little one needs to travel with an entire retinue in tow, then Travelers Club has got your back. Their Kids’ 5-Piece Luggage Travel Set comes with a hard-shell carry-on suitcase, a backpack, a lunch bag, a neck pillow, and a luggage tag. Each piece is color-coordinated in their theme of choice: polka dot, bunny, heart, thumbprint heart, cars, dog, or unicorn. Sound like a lot for a kid to handle? With 360° spinner wheels, a trolley sleeve to attach the backpack to the suitcase, and enough room to tuck the extras inside, this 5-piece set will help kids feel organized and independent on their first trips.
Price: starting at $67
8. Best kids’ luggage duffle: L.L. Bean
For sleepovers and short weekend trips, a rolling suitcase can be a bit much for some kids. That’s where the Kids’ Adventure Duffle from L.L. Bean comes in handy. Made with rugged, weatherproof, abrasion-resistant fabric, you can have confidence that this duffle can handle whatever little tykes will try to throw at it (and you know they’ll sure try!). And at 11”H x 23”W x 11”D with a padded shoulder strap, it’s the perfect size for kids to carry on their own with ease.
Price: starting at $60
9. Best kids’ luggage and backpack set: Heys
If your child likes to coordinate but you want to keep the number of accessories in check, another option is the Travel Tots 2-Piece Kids Luggage and Backpack Set from Heys. At only 3.5 lbs., this suitcase is small enough for children to wheel around on their own. It also comes protected with a layer of clear coat to help prevent scratches, scrapes, and dirt from sticking around after their adventures are through. Available in 13 different prints (including duck, turtle, pineapple, and owl), this kids' luggage set is a crowd-pleaser for little ones and parents alike.
Price: starting at $110
10. Best retro kids’ luggage: Olli Ella
If your son or daughter wouldn’t be caught dead with a princess- or dinosaur-themed suitcase, don’t fret. The Olli Ella Kids Suitcase is small enough that they can manage it on their own while still being chic enough that they can feel like they’re hanging with the grown-ups. Made out of durable polyester, cotton, and polyurethane with a sturdy zip closure, this kids' luggage is tough enough to withstand bumps and scrapes—whether that’s from a weekend at grandma’s house or a cross-country family vacation. Meanwhile, its sophisticated, retro design lets little ones imagine they’re veteran travelers venturing out on their own.
Price: starting at $105
Kids’ luggage - common FAQs
Which brands are best for kids' luggage?
You might be a master at shopping for travel essentials—but kids' luggage is a whole different ball game. To find the best kids' luggage for children of all ages, start your search at State, Calpak, Trunkie, and L.L. Bean for the best kid-friendly travel accessories.
What size luggage is good for kids?
The overall best size luggage for kids is 18”. For older kids and teenagers who can handle a little bit more, you can scale up to luggage anywhere between 19” and 28”.
Can a kids' suitcase be a carry-on?
Absolutely! For most airlines, every ticketed passenger gets one carry-on suitcase and one personal item—and that includes kids, too! Before flying, don’t forget to make sure your ticket includes a carry-on bag.
