- Reviews
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
The Best Kids Suitcases for Your Globe Trotter
Congratulations on finally planning a family holiday with your partner and kids — it’s always great to take a break and enjoy a few days off in a new place. But, before you hop on a plane, train, or bus, you need to make sure that you have everything perfectly packed, and this also includes all the essentials for your children. Traveling with kids is often challenging; however, the packing and unpacking experience is much less chaotic when they have their own kids' suitcases. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, you need to make sure that every kid has a separate bag so that they start to carry their belongings themselves. That said, can you find a kids’ suitcase that ticks all the right boxes? The online marketplace is filled with a wide variety, but searching for the ideal product can get overwhelming. To help out, we’ve reviewed the top kids’ suitcases of 2023, so you can pick one for your little globe trotter.
Finding Your Next Kids’ Suitcase: A Buyer’s Guide
Choosing a Great Kids’ Suitcase
Durability and structure
If you invest in a kids’ suitcase, make sure that it is highly durable and has a stable structure. Your kids might drag or use it roughly, and the last thing you want is to see the suitcase ripped apart. So, ensure that your selected item comes with a hard shell and sturdy wheels for easy mobility.
Packing capacity
The ideal suitcase can easily accommodate all your kid’s belongings, so choose a piece that comes with various pockets and compartments. Also, ensure that the pockets are secure with durable zippers for added security on planes or buses.
Weight and size
Always opt for a lightweight suitcase so your child can carry it with ease. In addition, make sure the size isn’t too big or small; sometimes we opt for larger bags, but they are hard to travel with and increase overall luggage weight.
Handle and wheels
Don’t compromise when it comes to the quality of wheels and handles. Choose a suitcase with wheels that rotate easily, so moving the suitcase in any direction will be as easy as pie. Also, select an option with a solid yet easy-to-grip handle for a convenient pulling experience.
How To Maintain Your Kids’ Suitcase
Here are a few tips for keeping your new kids’ suitcase in perfect condition during a trip or holiday.
- Arrange a dedicated space for the suitcase, so it doesn’t mix with other items.
- Make sure to clean the bag right after your trip is over. This should include the wheels, along with all of the external and internal pockets.
- Take a wet cloth and run it over the shell of the suitcase to remove any stains.
- Finally, if possible, cover the suitcase in a transparent bag so it stays safe from dust and grime.
Reviewing the Leading Kids’ Suitcases in 2023
American Tourister Kids’ Suitcase – Best Overall
1
Is your kid a Disney fan? If so, you may want to get them this fantastic upright kids’ suitcase from American Tourister. This 16-inch carry-on is a lightweight product with great packing capacity, so your child can put all their essentials in one place.
Furthermore, this book opening-style suitcase comes with a mesh divider created using flexible, soft fabric so that you can form different compartments and keep things well-organized. Also, this feature reduces the chances of your kid losing their belongings during the trip.
Additionally, this kids’ suitcase has skate wheels for convenient mobility. The wheels also roll upright, eliminating the weight on the shoulder or arm. We also love the dual-tube handle, which makes it easy for anyone to pull this suitcase around.
While this product is expensive, it has a fantastic design and user-friendly features, making it the top choice on our list.
Pros
- Perfectly sized
- Flexible compartments
- Excellent skate wheels for mobility
- Attractive design
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Stephen Joseph Kids’ Suitcase – Most Pockets
2
Do you often come across kids’ suitcases that look great but have a few pockets, restricting the number of items you can pack? If that’s the case, you may want to try out the Stephen Joseph Kids’ Suitcase, which features multiple pockets and is also highly durable. Featuring a polyester exterior and sturdy construction, this kids’ suitcase is sure to last you a long time. What’s more, the quality wheels make it convenient to move this suitcase from one place to another.
This kids’ suitcase also has accessible zipper pockets and multiple compartments, so your kid can pack all their essentials safely. Best of all, there are plenty of pockets to keep things well-organized and help make unpacking easier.
Pros
- Comes with multiple pockets
- Sturdy construction
- Durable wheels
- Available in many colors
Cons
- Might be too big
iPlay, iLearn Kids’ Suitcase – Best Luggage Set
3
If you fancy a kids’ suitcase with a backpack for your child, we recommend the iPlay, iLearn Kids’ Suitcase. This luggage set might be a little expensive, but it provides two suitcases at a time, saving you some money.
Both the suitcase and the backpack are made of ABS plastic, which provides a hard shell for each piece and increases their overall durability. Additionally, the entire design is pretty lightweight, ensuring that your kid won’t have a problem carrying or pulling this set.
This kids’ suitcase also features multi-directional wheels, letting you roll the bag in 360 degrees and making it easier to push or pull on all surfaces. Also, when talking about mobility, we can’t help but mention the tremendous telescopic and adjustable handle, allowing both you and your kid to grab and pull the bag with ease.
Pros
- Durable 2-piece set
- Easy to move wheels
- Adjustable handle
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Travelers Club Kids’ Suitcase – Excellent 5-Piece Travel Set
4
Instead of buying your kid a separate suitcase, backpack, luggage tag, lunch bag, and neck pillow, why not invest in a travel set that combines these essentials? The Travels Club presents a kids’ suitcase that comes along with these five pieces, so you don’t have to look for them separately.
Each item comes in a similar color and pattern, so they look great while being hard to lose. Also, each piece is made of durable, sturdy material, ensuring you’ll get tons of use out of them. For added convenience, the luggage bag comes with wheels so you or your kid can move it around with ease. And, for a more comfortable experience, the included sleeping pillow is made of high-quality fabric and features microbeads. What more could you want?
Pros
- Contains all the travel essentials
- Available in attractive colors and patterns
- Made with high-quality material
- Comfortable microbead pillow
Cons
- Complaints of black stains
Rockland Kids Suitcase – Most Lightweight
5
Imagine buying a suitcase so your kid can carry it on a trip but, because of its weight, you end up holding it yourself, completely killing the purpose of buying a separate suitcase for your child.
If you don’t want to go through a similar situation, you may want to invest in Rockland’s Kids’ Suitcase.
This product has a polycarbonate shell that offers excellent strength but doesn’t feel too heavy. Along with this, the adjustable pull handle makes this kids’ suitcase quite easy to move around.
And, while this suitcase doesn’t have many pockets or compartments, it still offers adequate packing capacity. Even better, the main compartment features a rubber zipper that makes it easy for your kid to hold it and open the suitcase without your support.
Pros
- Lightweight suitcase
- Adjustable handle for convenient pulling
- Adequate packing capacity
- Inexpensive
- Available in many colors
Cons
- Doesn’t have many pockets
People Also Asked
Q: What size suitcase should I get for my 3-year-old?
A: While the size depends on the height of your kid, a suitcase that’s 18-inch or larger suits this age group well.
Q: Should my kid have her own suitcase?
A: Yes, letting kids own and pack their luggage helps give them a sense of responsibility. Further, this way your suitcase is separate from your kid’s belongings, allowing you to pack more of your possessions.
Q: Should I get my kid a carry-on?
A: Yes, a carry-on suitcase is far easier to move around and use and is perfect for kids of all ages.
