The Best Kids Luggage Sets of 2024
I have a love/hate relationship with kids luggage sets and here’s why: I hate having a ton of bags but I also hate having three people’s things packed in one suitcase. It’s quite a dilemma. So, we dove deep into the world of toddler carry on luggage this past year and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Plus, we have some pro tips to share with you regarding navigating an airport with kids luggage sets that your kids are actually in charge of.
Our kids are currently 2 and 4 and had never been on an airplane until, well, this month. We were those people who could not stand the thought of flying with a baby that could scream for the entire flight.
So we didn’t. In hindsight, I wish we had done it sooner because our kids did SO well on the plane and in the airports. I was so impressed! I do think you should consider the different ways you can incorporate kids luggage into your travels and come up with a solution that is best for your family. Keep reading to find out what I’m talking about!
Are you looking for some great gifts for your little travelers? Check out our post here for some gifts they will actually use during trips, like awesome luggage tags or airplane entertainment.
Kids Luggage Sets: Pros and Cons
There are about a million different types of kids luggage. There are rolling kids suitcases, kids suitcases with scooters attached, toddler carry ons (smaller size), and kids carry ons.
So, depending on what you think your kids can handle, I would recommend checking out the different varieties we have in each category. We personally own a few of these, and the others came highly recommended from friends and readers.
But first, a few pros and cons of investing in kids luggage.
Pros. Kids luggage sets (or any kids suitcase or carry on) teaches kids of any age some responsibility. My four-year-old thought his toddler carry on was so fun. He loved being in charge of his own backpack that held his personal items.
Since we are paying for seats for them, they are each allowed a carry on. This is another pro: it freed up a ton of space in our carry ons because all of their entertainment for the plane was in their little toddler carry ons.
Cons. I think I have already said how much I dislike keeping up with extra bags. I really really do not like it. That is the biggest con for me: toddlers having their own luggage doubles your family luggage for the trip.
If you have a great stacking method or your kids can navigate an entire airport with their own luggage then this may not be an issue for you. We ended up carrying our own carry on and at least one toddler carry on at some point in the airport, which was not my favorite.
The Best Kids Luggage Sets of 2024
We have these divided up into categories so that you can easily find what you are looking for for your family. For a quicker route, use the table of contents listed above!
Kids Luggage Sets
Some of the best kids luggage sets out there also end up being some of the most affordable options when you consider the price per piece. Check out these sets and decide how many pieces of luggage you think your traveler needs. If you are looking for the cheapest option, scroll down for our recommendations for cheap kids luggage sets.
Rockland Soft 2-piece kids luggage sets
Rockland has been making high quality luggage since 1998 and is a trusted name in luggage sets! These are more traditional luggage sets (similar to what you buy for adults) but they are made with smaller dimensions. The rolling suitcase features two wheels, multiple carrying handles, and is 20″ tall. The tote bag is 13″ x 11″ and features carrying handles as well as a crossbody strap. The tote bag also features a strap on the back that allows it to slide easily over the handle of the rolling suitcase.
Both of these suitcases fit within current carry on dimension requirements (double check your airline at the time of booking) and come in a variety of colors/patterns. Either of these pieces would be great options for kids carry on luggage.
These are perfect for older toddlers (4-5) and younger children (6-9). Older children could use them as well if packing lightly.
You can find them on Amazon here.
2-piece Hard Shell Kids Luggage Sets
This 2-piece kids luggage set features a hard shell rolling suitcase and a hard shell backpack. The rolling suitcase is 18″ tall with a three level adjustable handle for children 40-48″ tall. It also features 4 universal wheels that can roll in any direction from any angle.
The backpack is 14″ tall easily secures to the the fully extended handle of the rolling suitcase.
Both bags fit within current carry on dimension requirements (double check your airline at time of booking) and come in a variety of pattern options for boys and girls.
You can find this set on Amazon here.
Kids Suitcase with Scooter (perfect as kids carry on luggage!)
3-D Kids Suitcase with Scooter
They now make a kids suitcase with scooter attached-how cool! These hard shell suitcases are made with an attached scooter that fully collapses into the suitcase. It is airline approved and within carry-on guidelines for an airplane (check your specific airline before booking a flight with intentions of using this luggage). This makes it a great option for kids carry on luggage.
Because of how cool it is, these hard shell suitcases run a little more expensive than the average child’s luggage. They are still within the $100 price range though. Not bad for a suitcase and a scooter!
These kids suitcases with scooter stand 19″ with the scooter handle folded down and 30″ with the handle fully extended. I would personally recommend these for kids 5 and over so that they can easily stop and start on command in a busy airport. Any younger than that and you may have problems with your kiddo rolling away.
You can find these here on Amazon.
Kids suitcase with scooter-separable!
This brand (iubest) offers something most other companies do not: a kids suitcase with scooter that allows the scooter to detach. This gives you even more options when traveling. The suitcase itself is made of heavy duty aluminum that makes it shatterproof and waterproof. It is 23″ tall (without the scooter) meaning it would be suitable for kids 5 and older.
This scooter is also rated for adult weight capacity which is why it is a little more expensive. This kids suitcase with scooter is priced in the $200 range.
The majority of the reviews are by adult users but it can definitely be used by either children or adults.
You can check it out here on Amazon.
Kids Ride On Luggage
Kids ride on luggage is actually different than a kids suitcase with scooter attached. Ride on luggage has more of a “sit and ride” feature, similar to a little kid’s first riding toy that they push with their feet. Check out the model below and you’ll see what we mean.
Trunki-Kids Ride On Luggage
Kids ride on luggage rose to fame over children being able to ride their luggage like a ride on toy. They sit on top, hold the green “horns” and and push with their legs to make their luggage go. It also comes with a convenient pull strap that clips to the front of the suitcase. That way parents can help pull if little legs get tired or go too slowly.
The actual suitcase itself is about 18″ long and 12″ tall, so a perfect size for small travelers who need something to do while they wait for a plane. The only downside is that there is only one way to carry it: the handles on top. There is no quick “over the shoulder” or “backpack strap” option for this suitcase.
The Trunki kids ride on luggage fits within standard carry on dimension requirements, meaning it could serve as a kids carry on suitcase.
You can check it out here on Amazon.
Rolling Kids Suitcase
The first couple of options are much more affordable, though not as inventive in design. The last one is the coolest and definitely the best value given its design and hard shell. As it turns out, there are a ton of options to consider when looking for a rolling kids suitcase. If you have one you love, let us know!
18″ Soft Rolling Kids Suitcase
The Stephen Joseph kids’ rolling luggage is exactly what you think of when you think of luggage for younger kids. It comes in 15+ cute patterns for boys and girls. It is 18″ tall which makes it perfect as a first time luggage set for younger travelers. This rolling suitcase has the classic two wheels and two stoppers. It features three outside pockets as well as the larger inside compartment.
These suitcases fall around the $50-60 range making them some of the most affordable you can buy.
This soft rolling suitcase is a perfect option for a kids carry on suitcase!
You can find them here on Amazon!o
21″ Hardside Spinner Luggage
If you are looking for a basic hard shell rolling kids suitcase then this one is for you. It comes in a variety of colors and spins in any direction. Having four wheels makes for the best kids luggage because they can literally pull it any way that works for them. The hard shell makes it more indestructible and keeps their precious cargo safe!
This particular suitcase falls below $100 making it one of the more budget friendly options for rolling kids suitcases that have a hard shell.
You can find it here on Amazon.
Micro Kickboard Luggage
This style of luggage is swiss-made (which traditionally means fantastic quality) and offers so many neat features. First of all, the handle bar extends to the height of an adult hand so that a toddler or young child can ride on the top. If you are more interested in your child being responsible for his/her own luggage, then the handle bar slides back down to accommodate the height of a child.
When you are ready to board the plane, the extra set of wheels fold in, the telescope handle slides down, and this hard shell rolling kids suitcase fits neatly in the overhead bin. It is one of the more expensive options on our list but the design features make up for that cost!
You can check it out here on Amazon.
Cheap Kids Luggage
One of the cheapest options for kids luggage is to buy the luggage as a set. The cheapest options are not always the best kids luggage sets (in terms of durability) but they often last about as long as you would expect given what you pay for them. Keep that in mind if you are looking for something for a year or two versus something to last your kids for a long time.
Traveler’s Club 5-piece kids luggage sets
These luggage sets are a steal at their current prices. At the time of writing this, they are priced at $65 for 5 piece of luggage. They have been known to range between $60-100 so be sure to double check before purchasing. These kids luggage sets come in a variety of patterns for boys and girls and feature a rolling suitcase, backpack, lunch box, and neck pillow. Everything you need to travel on a plane or in a car!
These sizes are also perfect for younger travelers. The backpack is 15″ tall and the suitcase is 19″ tall making them great options for older toddlers (3-4) and younger children (5-8).
Given the dimensions, these would be great choices for kids carry on luggage.
You can find this set on Amazon here.
Toddler Carry On
For a toddler carry on, you could bring a small kids rolling suitcase or a backpack. We have done both and they both come with pros and cons. The backpack tends to stay with us better because it is harder to take off and leave.
However, if it is on the heavy side, then the backpack also tends to be handed to an adult because of the weight. The rolling suitcase is easy to leave when they let go of the handle but puts no added weight on their backs. Food for thought! These toddler carry ons feature both options: backpack and rolling. Bonus: they are pint size for tiny travelers!
Simple Modern Kids Backpack
The Simple Modern kids backpack is a perfect travel backpack for tiny travelers. It also makes a perfect toddler carry on because it fits easily in any overhead bin, but it also fits comfortably on the floor in front of the seat if they are using it to pack toys and books.
Here are a few things we love about this backpack: it is 15″ tall which makes it perfect for ages 2-5, it has a strap clip on the back to secure the backpack to the traveler, and it has a variety of straps in different places making a quick grab very easy.
It is also easy to clean, water resistant, and comes in over 30 different colors/patterns. It falls in the $30 range making it very affordable for a toddler carry on!
You can find it on Amazon here.
Mountaintop Hiking Backpack for Kids
The Mountaintop Hiking backpack for kids is another great choice for tiny travelers. Measuring right at 15″ tall, this backpack makes a perfect toddler carry on that can easily be stowed away or stored in the floorboard on a plane. It features water-resistant material on the outside of the bag, large spacious pockets, and a strap clip to secure the bag to the traveler.
Our favorite feature about this bag is the extra padded straps! These straps are more padded than those on a typical backpack because they are made for a hiking backpack for kids.
It comes in a variety of colors and falls in the $20 price range. It would also be a great replacement option for a kids carry on suitcase.
You can find it on Amazon here.
3-Way Rolling Kids Suitcase
These cute little suitcases feature a pull bar and wheels, backpack straps, and a carrying handle. You choose how you want to transport! This is also perfect for toddlers who might change their minds about wanting to roll versus wanting to carry. They are 14″ tall which makes them perfect for ages 2-5.
They offer a variety of animals to choose from for boys and girls. They also fall within the $30 range making them very affordable options for toddler carry ons!
You can find them on Amazon here.
Specific Brands: Pottery Barn Kids Luggage & American Tourister Kids Luggage
If you are looking for one of the more popular brands of children’s luggage then keep reading! Pottery Barn and American Tourister are featured below.
Pottery Barn Kids Luggage
Pottery Barn has made a name for itself with the ability to personalize anything they sell. They also specialize in modern trends and designs which helps keep all of their products looking clean and classy. Pottery Barn kids luggage is no exception!
These luggage piece range in price from $40 (toddler sized backpack-not personalized) to over $200 (hard shell luggage sets). They offer a wide variety of styles, patterns, and sizes so you are sure to find something for your tiny traveler on their site.
You can check out all of the Pottery Barn kids luggage options here.
American Tourister Kids Luggage
American Tourister kids luggage features some really cute Disney designs in kid-sized hard shell rolling suitcase. American Tourister is known for its durability and high-quality products. At 18″, this hard shell kids luggage piece is perfect for a carry on that can easily fit in an overhead bin. It is also a space saver if traveling in the car.
It comes in a few different Disney designs for girls and boys (Mickey, Minnie, Frozen, etc.) and features QUIET wheels! I know that sounds silly but it makes such a difference when you get to listen to the wheels roll around an airport and then on/off of a plane.
American Tourister luggage is priced a little above the average kids hard shell luggage piece but it also lasts for a long time!
You can find them here on Amazon.
FAQs
What size luggage is best for kids?
Most younger travelers will need a suitcase or luggage that is between 15″-20″ tall. It should be about half of their height (or less) if they are expected to carry it/pull it.
What luggage is rated best?
This depends on who you ask! Luggage is very mush a personal preference. We usually do not try luggage pieces from an online retailer unless they have more than 1,000 reviews that are positive (average of 4.5 stars or more). So, check out the reviews for the type of luggage you would like to have for your little traveler!
Wrap-Up: Best Kids Luggage Sets of 2022
There are obviously a ton of options out there for kids luggage sets. There are matching pieces, kids suitcases with scooters, kids carry on suitcases, and more. We’ve highlighted some of the kids luggage sets that have rave reviews, but we’ve obviously missed some. Drop a comment and let us know which ones you have used (and loved!) Happy traveling!
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