8 Best Kids Luggage for Travel, Reviewed

The Frozen print is the reason a child will pick this out of the luggage carousel, but the American Tourister build is the reason we are comfortable recommending it to a parent. The 18-inch ABS hardshell has a rigid feel that stands up to being dragged up stairs and tossed into an overhead bin, and the character panel is vivid without looking like a toy.

We think it earns its premium place for families who want a character suitcase that still looks like real luggage. The four single-spinner wheels roll smoothly, and the push-button handle adjusts through several heights, so a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old can both find a comfortable pull. At 5.69 pounds empty, it is not the lightest option here; the rigid shell is what you get in exchange.

Inside, the lined compartment has cross straps and a zippered section, which makes it easier to keep a small wardrobe from shifting. We paid attention to the paint finish because the glossy character panel is the part that shows scuffs first. Set it down on its wheels rather than its shell when you can, and the print will stay presentable longer.

The size is right for a preschooler through early elementary: the 18-inch shell is smaller than a standard 20-inch carry-on, and that is the point. If you need a bag for a tall 9-year-old or a week of winter clothes, look at the larger GURHODVO instead. For a Disney trip or a first plane ride, this is the one we reach for.

The 18-inch suitcase plus 12-inch backpack is the pairing that makes the HONEY JOY set our pick for a first real trip. The child gets a proper spinner to pull and a small bag to carry on the plane, which is a better division of labor than a single case with a stuffed animal under one arm.

We like the ABS hardshell for the way it protects clothes and keeps its shape in an overhead bin, and the four spinner wheels move in every direction, so a small traveler can push the bag alongside you rather than drag it behind. The telescopic handle adjusts to a child’s height, and the backpack has its own shoulder straps for the walk to the gate.

The 18-inch case has enough room for a week’s clothes for a young child, and the backpack is the right size for snacks, a tablet, and a change of clothes. We were struck by how much difference the separate backpack makes: it gives a preschooler a job and keeps the things you need mid-flight out of the overhead bin. The compact case can also fit under an airplane seat on many carriers, though check your airline’s underseat dimensions.

The 12-inch backpack is not going to work as a school bag for an older elementary kid, and the set is best for a 3- to 7-year-old. Inside, the two compartments and two pockets keep clothes and small toys apart without much fuss. For a first flight or a weekend at grandma’s, those are easy compromises.

Two pounds is the number that matters with the Wildkin rolling bag. It is light enough for a 2- or 3-year-old to pull without the bag tipping them forward, and the 16 x 12 x 6-inch body is small enough to fit in the footwell of a car or the corner of a hotel room.

The fabric shell has two main compartments, a two-way zipper, and a telescoping handle that extends far enough for a small hand. We like the side mesh pocket for a water bottle; it is the kind of detail that keeps a toddler’s bag from becoming a black hole. The 600-denier polyester feels sturdier than the thin nylon on some character bags.

We think this is the best choice for the youngest travelers, the ones who are not ready for a rigid 18-inch case. The soft body flexes when it is overstuffed and is easier to squeeze into a crowded trunk, but it will not protect a tablet the way a hardshell does. The 18.87-liter capacity is a weekend’s worth of clothes and a few toys, not a week of winter layers.

The 90-day warranty covers defects, which is a reasonable safety net for a kids bag, and the fabric is simple to wipe down between trips. It also coordinates with the brand’s lunch boxes and sleeping bags, a small pleasure for a family that likes matching gear. For a first trip or a preschool overnight, this is the bag we reach for.

The GURHODVO is the largest case in this group, with a 20.5-inch body that gives an older child room for a week of clothes rather than a long weekend. The hardshell is ABS and PC, and the four spinner wheels are sized to handle a fuller bag.

We think it is the right step-up for a 7- to 10-year-old who has outgrown a 16- or 18-inch set. The 5.2-pound empty weight is noticeable when you lift it into an overhead bin, but it is still manageable for a child who is used to pulling their own bag. The telescopic handle is easy for a child to reach, and the case rolls smoothly when it is full.

The built-in combination lock is a nice idea for a child who wants privacy, but it is not a TSA lock, so it has to be opened for screening. That is a hassle rather than a dealbreaker; expect to open it at security and keep the code somewhere the child can remember. The two interior sections and zippered pocket also make it easier to separate clothes from small toys.

We noted that the top handle is flat enough that a child can rest a hand on it while waiting in line, and the case rolls smoothly when it is full. Check the telescoping handle as soon as it arrives; a handle that stops locking is the sort of problem that ends a trip. For a taller kid who needs more packing space, this is the largest case in this group.

The Esteemly 16-inch hardshell is the budget pick we keep coming back to for short trips. It is small, light, and bright, and it comes with a neck pillow and a luggage tag rather than a backpack or lunch bag, so it is a suitcase purchase, not a whole travel kit.

The 35-liter capacity is generous for a 16-inch shell, and the four spinner wheels make it easy to push through an airport. The telescoping handle is sized for a child, and the hardshell has a key lock rather than a combination lock. That is an old-school choice; keep the key somewhere you will not lose it.

We like the 16-ounce empty weight because a 5-year-old can lift it into the car without help. The trade-off is that a 16-inch case will not hold a week of clothes for an older child, and it runs small once you pack bulky clothes. The white shell and heart print make it easy to spot on a baggage carousel.

For a first suitcase, a weekend at grandma’s, or a child who wants a bag that looks like a mini carry-on, this is a good value. It is not the set to buy if you need a backpack and lunch bag too; the Travelers Club set covers that for a little more. We reach for the Esteemly when the goal is one simple, light case.

The GYMAX set splits the job between a 16-inch rolling suitcase and a 12-inch companion bag, which is a practical pairing for a child who wants to carry something but cannot manage a full-size case. The smaller piece is the one that gets used for a night at grandma’s; the larger one handles a long weekend.

The 16-inch case holds enough for a few days, and the wheels make it easy to steer with one hand. We like that the set is compact enough to keep in a closet between trips; it does not try to be a full family suitcase. The two pieces also give siblings a way to divide their gear without adding a third bag to the trunk.

The finish is the catch. The glossy shell scratches easily, and the clear coating can peel at the edges, so this is not the set to buy if you want the bag to look new after a checked flight. We still think it is a sensible choice for a child who will use it for sleepovers and car trips more than rough baggage handling.

The 12-inch bag is small enough for a change of clothes and a toy, and the 16-inch case has room for a weekend’s worth of outfits. We noted that the set is easy to maneuver through a hotel lobby, and the compact size makes it simple to store between trips. For short trips and sibling pairs, it fills a useful niche.

The Disney Cars bag is a rolling backpack first and a suitcase second, which is exactly why it works for a preschooler who wants to carry their own things but tires after ten minutes. The padded shoulder straps let it convert to a backpack at the gate, and the 17.3 x 11 x 5.9-inch body is small enough to stay close.

The 18.5-liter capacity is enough for a weekend of clothes and a few toys, and the front zippered pocket keeps snacks and a small tablet within reach. The two wheels and adjustable handle roll smoothly on airport floors, and the polyester shell is light at 824 grams.

The zipper is the detail to know about: it does not open all the way around like a traditional suitcase, so packing takes a little more thought. The bag is best treated as a backpack with wheels rather than a mini suitcase, and that is fine for a Disney day or a short trip.

We like this one for the kid who is not ready for a hard case and wants the Lightning McQueen graphics to do the talking. It is not the choice for a checked bag or a week of clothes, and the soft shell will not protect everything. For a first flight to Disney or a weekend at grandma’s, the conversion is the feature that earns its place.