17 Best Pieces of Kids Luggage for Young Travelers

Weight: 6.4 lb.
Capacity: 26L
Dimensions: 8.9″D x 12.8″W x 19.1″H
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Ashlea Halpern, a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler, has been road-testing luggage for as long as she’s worked in travel (15+ years), and always comes back to her trusty Away Medium Checked, so when Away launched a pint-size version for kids, she was ready to get one for her three-year-old son. “The Kids Carry-On is everything I love about the Medium, just miniaturized: lightweight but sturdy polycarbonate shell, zippered compartments with compression straps, and room for a week’s worth of his (tiny!) clothes, toys, and the 63 billion snacks we travel with,” she says. “I love the punchy color combos—his is Splash Blue with a Kelly Green zipper—but mostly, I love how rolling his own suitcase makes him feel like the empowered little traveler I’m raising him to be.”

Pros: All the perks of Away luggage in a smaller size, laundry bag, TSA-approved lock
Cons: A bit tall for toddlers to pull on their own

Weight: 7.7 lb.
Capacity: 22L
Dimensions: 20″D x 9″W x 13.5″H
Warranty: One year limited lifetime warranty

Scooter luggage gets the stamp of approval from travel journalists all over the world, including Lauren Burvill, Condé Nast Traveller UK’s commerce editor who says it is some of her absolute favorite out there. Traveler contributor Erinne Magee swears by this Kiddietotes scooter-bag too; it keeps even her eight-year-old son both occupied and on time. “It gives him something to do during layovers, and if time is tight, he has no problem keeping up,” she says. The piece also wins points for its retractable suitcase-like handle, the scooter function that locks into place with the press of a button, and the roomy storage compartment, which holds about as much as a backpack. Plus, it’s an eye catcher: “Whenever we’re whizzing through an airport, we are stopped several times by fellow travelers asking where we got the suitcase and how it works,” Magee says. “And it’s held up really well over the past year. We’ve even taken it on domestic and international trips with multiple layovers (as well as countless trips around the living room).”

Pros: Fits in overhead bin on plane, light-up LED wheels, water- and scratch-resistant exterior
Cons: Not suitable for children under four

Weight: 7 lb.
Capacity: 39L
Dimensions: 9″D x 16.5″W x 17″H
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Writer Jamie Smith swears by this petite suitcase for her son, Adam. So far, he’s used it for a nine-state road trips and international trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Smith loves that it can easily hold 10 days’ worth of clothing. It also wins points for its durability: “My son is rough on everything,” she says. “He’s banged this suitcase up and down steps and has written on it every trip. It still looks brand new!” Plus, with colors like olive, pink, or lavender, it’ll stand out on the conveyor belt.

Pros: Soft front pocket for easy access to books or an iPad, AirTag pocket, retractable bag strap
Cons: Some popular colors may be sold out

Weight: 7 lb.
Capacity: 45L
Dimensions: 23″ H x 15″ W x 9.6″ D
Warranty: Five year limited warranty

Jennifer Nied, a mom and a travel, health, and fitness journalist, travels with her family on road trips almost every weekend up to the mountains in Colorado—usually not without this bag. “My four-year-old daughter stole my Arlo Skye and hasn’t looked back,” she says. While it’s not officially a kid’s suitcase, the bright yellow color, fun interior design, smooth-rolling wheels, and lightweight materials make it an ideal fit for children. “The handle adjusts and locks so she can push it herself or ride on the top with us, pushing her,” Nied says. “She zooms around airports like a pro, and there’s never a question of where she or her suitcase is because it’s highlighter yellow.” The biggest bonus: “There’s way more space to pack extras for her, like a life jacket, a portable potty, or some shoes for mom.”

Pros: Plenty of storage, fun bright colors, can be used for adults or children
Cons: On the bigger side for small kids

Weight: 6.1 lb.
Capacity: 28L
Dimensions: 8.75″D x 13.75″W x 15.75″H
Warranty: Two year limited warranty

Mini under-seat luggage is genius, not just because it easily fits under most airplane seats, but because it’s an ideal choice for children’s bags too. Calpak’s version is beloved by Traveler editors, largely because it checks all the boxes: it’s affordable, comes in a variety of fun hues, and is durable with a strong outer shell. It can handle being dragged down steps (I can attest to this one), accidentally driven into a wall (again, I can attest), or sat on: When our three kids under six got tired of walking through terminals on a recent cross-the-world trip, this bag—and the Béis Mini Roller—doubled as a makeshift ride for them. It is mini in size, true, but we successfully packed our five-year-old’s clothing in this for a week-long trip to Hawaii.

Pros: Super-smooth wheels, adjustable handle works for kids’ usage, comes in many colors
Cons: Smaller than a traditional carry-on

Weight: 6.4 lb.
Capacity: 29L
Dimensions: 9.45″D x 13.4″W x 18.7″H
Warranty: One year limited warranty

This line of beautifully-made rollers is truly some of the prettiest kids’ luggage I’ve come across. The design goes far beyond looks, too: a front pocket protects plane essentials (for us, art supplies), an exterior strap holds a water bottle or a lovey, and two roomy compartments are overpackers’ delight. State sells coordinating backpacks and toiletry kits for most of their patterns too. The brand suggests the rollers for ages six and up (they sell a mini version for younger kids), but we’ve used them for much younger travelers. This year, they’re coming with us to the Four Seasons Orlando, where my two-and-a-half-year-old is already talking about showing Minnie Mouse the “arts” (hearts) on her bag.

Pros: Beautiful kid-friendly designs, ample space, made from recycled materials
Cons: Technically for children over six

Weight: 4.9 lb.
Capacity: 35L (40L when expanded)
Dimensions: 8.66″D x 14.17″W x 21.25″H
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Light luggage is not an oxymoron: Aussie brand July accomplished it with the Carry-On Light, which, at just 3.9 pounds, the brand dubbed the lightest double-wheel suitcase in the world (no surprise: it sold out). In its place is a still-lightweight bag that’s just one pound heavier (for perspective, July’s “standard” carry-on is over seven pounds, this one is just shy of five). It’s also got five extra liters of space to spare (good news for stuffies; it’s expandable!) and comes in all the same pretty colors grownups and kids will love, like moss or blush pink. An underrated added perk: the near-silent double spinner wheels—something any overstimulated parent can celebrate.

Pros: Smooth, silent wheels, lightweight yet expandable
Cons: The brand has a history of selling out bags

Weight: 5.2 lb.
Capacity: 40L
Dimensions: 12″D x 22″W x 9″H
Warranty: No warranty, standard returns only

L.L.Bean and rugged are essentially synonymous, so it’s no surprise that its duffel is a favorite among parent travel writers. But regular duffels can get quite cumbersome, which is why the brand’s rolling version is our favorite out of the entire collection. It’s also been redesigned with a sturdier base, so the bag now stands on its own without tipping over. Other notable features include a water-resistant coating, cinch straps, and padded grab handles. Finally, with over half a dozen colors available, you can get a different hue for every member of the family.

Pros: 100% recycled fabric, coated interior for spills, extra-wide opening is great for packing
Cons: There’s a large brand graphic on the side, which travelers looking for a cleaner look may not love

Weight: 1.1 lb.
Capacity: 45L
Dimensions: 13″D x 13″W x 25″H
Warranty: Lifetime warranty and repairs

Another big-time tester of luggage, Traveler contributor Juliet Izon says it’s rare for her to be surprised by a bag, let alone a duffel. (How innovative can you get with a soft-sided bag?) Cotopaxi’s Ligera hits the mark on many levels, she says. It’s got “a reasonable price point, extremely sturdy zippers and grips, unique colorways, and a clever storage system that allows the bag, when not in use, to zip into a small, packable circle,” says Izon. “Depending on the climate, you can easily pack five—if not seven—days’ worth of clothes in the latter. And, with all duffels made of deadstock nylon patterns (every bag is different!), you’ll never grab someone else’s by mistake.”

Pros: Very lightweight, kid-friendly bright colors, made entirely from leftover materials, comes in two sizes
Cons: If you choose the “surprise me” version, you won’t be able to pick your color

Capacity: 23L
Dimensions: 9″D x 17″W x 9″H
Warranty: No warranty, standard returns only

Everyone loves a good Amazon find, and these customizable duffles are that. Affordable and durable, they can be personalized with your child’s name or playful patches (cupcakes, butterflies, smiley faces), making them suitable for any-and-all after-school activities and family trips. We got them as a gift a few years ago and have been surprised by how often they’ve come in handy for both local and long-haul travel. Recently, we shuttled them between gymnastics and a staycation at Boston’s Seaport Hotel and they held up (and held all of the things) on a 12-hour flight to Oahu. They’re a compliment magnet and, as we experienced, a great gift.

Pros: Versatile, customizable, affordable
Cons: Some durability concerns

Weight: 3.1 lb.
Capacity: 29L
Dimensions: 9″D x 16.5″W x 11″H
Warranty: Two year limited warranty

Dagne Dover has made a name for itself by slowly forming a line of every type of bag you need, from classics to chic backpacks and, more recently, luggage. “With its futuristic neoprene fabric, included shoe bag and mesh pouch, and loads of interior pockets, this design is a serious glow-up from others in the category,” says Izon. She finds the large is big enough to fit about five days’ worth of kid clothes and accessories, while still being manageable for her nine-year-old to carry on her own. “Preschoolers might be better off with the medium, which is still more than roomy enough for a long weekend.”

Pros: Many colorway options, interior laptop sleeve, lots of interior pockets for organization
Cons: May be too large for small children to carry on their own

Weight: 1.32 lb.
Capacity: 15L
Dimensions: 5.11″ D x 11.6″ W x 15.35″ H
Warranty: One year limited warranty

Much like its luggage line, State Bag’s backpacks come in a dizzying array of fun patterns, colors, styles (plus, an option for personalization if you want that), and sizes (the company offers four different size variations for kids ages 2 through 10+). But what I love most is that these are seriously sturdy backpacks, which make them a good option for the realities of travel (see: being shoved under a seat). My girls reserve them as their “special travel bags” and pair them with the brand’s matching luggage (yep, they slide right onto roller bags). Even the four-to-eight age-range bag is ample space for even older kids’ supplies.

Pros: Many different designs and colors to choose from. made from recycled materials, spacious
Cons: Expensive

Dimensions: 5.5″D x 11.5″W x 14.5″H
Warranty: No warranty, standard returns only

Perhaps the most ubiquitous travel backpack, judging by both travel writers’ own opinions and a look around any airport, is this durable version from Pottery Barn. “The Mackenzie comes in a staggering number of prints, from Hello Kitty to Minecraft to monster trucks, and is also available in three different sizes, which means there’s a model for every aged kid,” says Izon. “Parents will also sing the praises of the many straps and gear loops, which help to organize things like sweaters or markers.”

Pros: Comes in three sizes to suit a wide age-range of children, colorways and prints to suit many interests, exterior straps are handy for looping on extra gear
Cons: The majority of the designs skew toward tweens

Dimensions: 11″D x 4″W x 10″H
Warranty: No warranty, standard returns only

Traveler contributor Jordi Lippe-McGraw is the creator of this clever bag line, with a range of products that are perfect for parents and kids (hence, the ‘Pak’). The Companion PAK, the line’s kids backpack, is small in size (but you could use it for short outings, too) and has loveable touches like an interior hook for your kid’s favorite lovey. If they get sick of holding their own bag (always inevitable), this easily fastens to the company’s Origin PAK—a perfect excuse to get yourself a new bag too.

Pros: Easy-to-clean wipeable nylon exterior, thoughtful features
Cons: Limited colorways

Weight: 2.6 lb.
Capacity: 28L
Dimensions: 6″D x 11″W x 18.5″H
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Contributor Juliana Shalcross’s tween daughter uses this backpack for double-duty: It’s not only her school bag, but her favorite travel carry-on as well. “It’s a great backpack for tweens and teens as it’s a simple style with plenty of little compartments to stash tech accessories, make-up, and gadgets,” she says. It’s also very durable: The fabric is a recycled polyester that’s also waterproof. And while there are larger backpacks on the market, Shallcross’s daughter makes use of the exterior bungee cords to stash things like a sweatshirt, rather than jamming it inside.

Pros: Wide range of bright colors, very comfortable shoulder straps, front bungee system for external storage
Cons: Waist belt is very narrow

Weight: 8 oz.
Capacity: 3L
Dimensions: 2.75″D x 11″W x 6″H
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

No Reception Club, the brainchild of a mom-and-dad duo, quickly earned a cult following among families who travel, and it’s no surprise why; the brand’s fanny pack is one of the most thoughtfully designed I’ve ever used. While it isn’t technically a kids’ bag, my oldest claimed it as her own at age four on a trip from Boston to Sun Valley, Idaho. She used it to stash markers and folded paper on the planes, carried it to dinner as a fashion statement, and has since brought it along on countless outings. For me, it’s equally indispensable: the compact design fits wipes (a must-have for everything that somehow becomes sticky long past the diaper years), a couple of diapers (if you’re still in the diaper years), and comes with a changing pad that’s surprisingly versatile beyond its intended purpose (picnic, anyone?).

Pros: Spacious, comes with a changing pad, different compartments for storage
Cons: Could be bigger for very small children, minimal color selection

Weight: 3.5 oz.
Capacity: 1L
Dimensions: 2″D x 4.75″W x 8″H
Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Writer Andrea Hoag loves these colorful numbers by Patagonia, which her kids have used for nearly a decade. “These packs have grown with my kids from their pre-teen years to college,” Hoag says. “For being small, they carry an impressive amount of stuff, like a small Moleskine sketchbook, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer.” And, no surprise considering Patagonia’s reputation for durability, they’ve held up well over the years. “My kids are hard on their stuff and these packs survived years of teenagers tossing them under airline seats, using them as makeshift pillows during marathon road trips, and once, even being used as an improvised bungee cord, cinched tight to shore up a backpack whose zipper broke during the last leg of a transatlantic flight,” she says.

Pros: Very affordable, stows into its own pocket when not in use, durable nylon material
Cons: No inner zippered pocket