The best children’s suitcases for a family holiday

children's suitcases

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

Planning for a holiday, regardless of where you're going, can be stressful, but by getting a kids' suitcase or toddler suitcase for your little one, you can be a little bit more organised while giving them some independence. Plus a lot of kids' luggage is fun to use, such as a ride on suitcase so they won't miss their favourite ride on toy while they are away, or even one that can double as a plane seat extender.

There's something about suitcases that kids just love, and they always want to help pushing them, but it's not always helpful or safe. By getting a suitcase for children, they'll be able to feel responsible for their own travel toys and items, and will be able to wheel their own bag around safely, while you deal with all the other travel essentials kids need.

Best children's suitcase at a glance:

Best overall children's suitcase: Trunki Una the Unicorn Ride-on Suitcase - buy here from Amazon, £45
Best children's suitcase and backpack: Travel Bundle BedBox + Crew BackPack - buy here from Stokke, £219
Best two in one children's suitcase: Personalised Micro Mint Suitcase Scooter - buy here from My 1st Years, £110

By getting their own suitcase too, you can organise all your luggage easier - because let's face it, remembering to pack the travel cot, and all essentials can be stressful. You can keep any travel essentials that you need on hand in their bag, as well as treats and clothes.

Best children's suitcases 2024

Best overall children's suitcases

Best children's suitcases Trunki Una the Unicorn Ride-on SuitcaseBoots
Price: £45
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The Trunki Una the Unicorn Ride-on Suitcase has an interactive play element with the silky rainbow tail, glittery ears and stickers. It has plenty of room for your little ones things, and even has some secret compartments for keeping their teddy safe. It has an adjustable carry strap too, and the suitcase itself can be used as a seat.

Our Mother&Baby tester said: "This product made my life easier because I could pack most of my daughter’s holiday things in her own bag that she takes pride in holding herself. She is able to pull it along and to sit on it in queues. She played with it so much and was always entertained, it is definitely worth the money!"

Read our Una the Unicorn Trunki review here.

Pros

  • Doubles as a seat
  • Cabin friendly
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Probably a bit too small for children over the age of 7 years
Dimensions:46 x 21 x 31cm
Capacity:18 litre
Weight:1.7kg
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Cabin friendly:Yes
  • Lightweight
  • Adjustable strap
  • Comfy saddle
  • Secret compartments
  • Lockable
  • Added play factor

Best lightweight children's suitcases

Best children's suitcases boppi Tiny Trekker Kids Luggage BagAmazon
Price: £52.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$14.00View offer

With lots of different character designs to choose from, the boppi Tiny Trekker Kids Luggage Bag has two adjustable handle heights to make it more comfortable to pull along. It has a large capacity despite its lightweight design, and it's also a cabin friendly case.

One review said: "We got this for a long trip that would take us via a number of flights. I think it helped with nerves for my little one, and she loved having something to pull herself. It feels high quality, so I imagine it will last as long as we need it to, and long enough to pass it along to others when we're done"

Pros

  • Extendable handle heights
  • Upright stopper
  • Different designs

Cons

  • Designs might not be suitable for older children
Dimensions:42 x 30 x 22cm
Capacity:17 litres
Weight:1.5kg
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Cabin friendly:Yes
  • Lightweight
  • Two-height adjustable handles
  • Large storage capacity
  • Elasticated packing straps
  • Upright stopper
  • Smooth rubber wheels
  • Chunky zippers

Best spacious children's suitcases

Best children's suitcases Little Dutch Children's Suitcase - Sailors Bay BlueScandiborn

There's plenty of room for your child's belongings in the Little Dutch Children's Suitcase - Sailors Bay Blue. It's made from a canvas material, and has an all over boat print design. It has a carry handle at the top, as well as a retractable pull handle too.

Pros

  • Lovely design
  • Plenty of packing space

Cons

  • Doesn't state if it's cabin friendly
Dimensions:80 x 27.5 x 14cm
Capacity:N/A
Weight:N/A
Suitable for ages:4+ years
Cabin friendly:N/A
  • Canvas material
  • Two wheels
  • Two stands
  • Carrying loop
  • Extendable handle

Best children's suitcases and backpack

Best children's suitcases Travel bundle BedBox™ + Crew BackPack™Stokke

The Travel Bundle BedBox + Crew BackPack is a great travel due for children. With plenty of room in both the backpack and BedBox, kids can pack their essentials while having the space to sleep or relax comfortably on flights. The BedBox also doubles up as a ride-on too, to help with stress free travel.

One review said: "Lovely colour and lovely bag. It’s very easy to hold and has many compartments. Love how trendy it looks. Very good quality indeed!!"

Another customer wrote: "Perfect for toddlers on a long flight!"

Pros

  • Backpack attaches to the bed box
  • Makes travel easier
  • Different colour choices

Cons

  • Not been approved by all airlines
Dimensions:46 x 20 x 36cm
Capacity:23 litre
Weight:3.8 kg
Suitable for ages:2 to 7 years
Cabin friendly:Yes
  • Bed box is a ride-on, carry-on and sleep-on
  • Crew backpack expands

Best waterproof children's suitcases

The it Luggage Children's Brick 4 Wheel Hard Cabin Suitcase is a lovely blue and yellow design. It has an embossed shell, with contrast detailing to help make the case stand out. It's a great size for children, and it has four wheels so it can be pulled along next to your child easier.

One review said: "Christmas present based on parents advice. However, they look really good and should please the little travellers. Only reason for not giving 5 stars is the inconsistency in airline carry-on baggage size. OK for some but not for others as far as I can make out. Will probably be used for overnight sleepovers though."

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • 4 swivel wheels

Cons

  • Not suitable to all airlines
Dimensions:46 x 29 x 21.5cm
Capacity:23 litre
Weight:2.1 kg
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Cabin friendly:Yes
  • 1 piece set
  • 1 compartment
  • Waterproof
  • 1 internal pocket
  • 4 x swivel wheels

Best themed children's suitcases

Paw Patrol suitcaseAmazon
Price: £58.00

Perfect for Paw Patrol fans, this cute egg shaped suitcase features two smooth-rolling wheels and an extendable handle. Plus the hardcover design includes a convenient zip closure for easy access to your little one's belongings.

One customer said: "It is a Christmas present for my great grandson & he's going to love it. He's a big fan of paw patrol & with this he's going to be taking it all over the place packed with his toys."

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Hard cover with zip closure

Cons

  • Doesn't fit a great amount
Dimensions:45cm x 30cm x 22cm
Weight: 1.55kg
Age: Not stated
Air cabin friendly: Not stated
  • PAW Patrol theme
  • Smooth rolling wheels
  • Zip fastening
  • Polyester Lined

Best durable children's suitcases

The it Luggage Children's Dinosaur 4 Wheel Soft Cabin Suitcase has a unique, embossed dinosaur design and is made form a tough fibreglass structure to make it lightweight, strong and durable. It has a wide handle, and plenty of packing space inside, including an internal pocket and an external one.

One review said: "Bought this for my six year old son as hand luggage and it was the perfect fit for cabin size. Super easy to manoeuvre, and the height can be adjusted. Easy to access the case too."

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Swivel wheels
  • Durable

Cons

  • Some mentioned that it's not that light once full
Dimensions:46 x 29.5 x 20cm
Capacity:23 litre
Weight:1.95 kg
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Cabin friendly:Yes
  • 1 x internal pocket
  • 1 x external pocket
  • 4 x swivel wheels
  • 1 x compartment
  • Lightweight

Best two in one children's suitcases

Best children's suitcases Personalised Micro Mint Suitcase ScooterMy 1st Years

Where can we get one of these for adults?! This Personalised Micro Mint Suitcase Scooter is not only a suitcase, but it has a pulldown kickboard that doubles it up as a scooter! The wheels have LED lights, and the handle is adjustable so that it can be used as a scooter handle, as well as a suitcase handle. There's plenty of space for packing too.

Pros

  • Two in one design
  • Adjustable handlebar
  • Personalise the front

Cons

  • Doesn't state if it's cabin friendly
Dimensions:37 x 26 x 20cm
Capacity:13 litres
Weight:N/A
Suitable for:2+ years
Cabin friendly:N/A
  • Two in one
  • 3 x wheels
  • Pull along suitcase
  • Pulldown kickboard

Best children's suitcase for comfortable travel

Stokke JetkidsStokke

Officially approved by airlines, this ride on suitcase will make your little one feel like they are travelling in style. With five simple steps, a standard economy seat can be turned into a first class seat for children. Plus as you make your way through the airport the suitcase is perfect for kids to ride on, or they can pull it along themselves. It also features an adjustable strap to make it easier to carry and handy top opening.

One reviewer said: "Excellent product, robust and very pretty. The casters are very practical and roll very well in all directions!! As for the bed part, it is very easy to install but the only downside is that the “bed” slides a lot on the plane seat. Self-gripping fabric strips should be added for better stabilization of the bed. In any case I recommend the product!"

Pros

  • Can be used to make an economy seat more comfortable for children
  • Swivel wheels for easy manoeuvring

Cons

  • Bed slides on the plane seats
Dimensions: 20 cm x 36 cm x 46 cm
Weight:3 kg
Age: 24 - 84 months
Volume: 20l
  • Ride on suitcase
  • Airline approved
  • Can also be used to improve economy seat
  • Accessories available
  • Adjustable strap
  • Swivel wheels

Does my child really need their own suitcase?

It's completely up to you! However, by having their own suitcase, it can give your little one independence and they can feel a lot more involved in the travelling process - even if you are just going in the car! Plus they might even want to pull it themselves which could make travelling with young children slightly less stressful. With so much to pack and carry, such as travel beds and buggies, giving your child their own suitcase might end up being a great idea.

What age is a children's suitcase suitable for?

The ideal age range is usually from the age of three years old. At this age, they have a lot more spatial awareness and better balance to be able to walk along pushing or pulling a suitcase. We'd also recommend using a luggage tracker in the case in case it gets lost or stolen.

What size suitcase is best for kids?

There is no set size for a kids' suitcase, it is really up to you. However, an 18" suitcase is great for younger children if you want them to pull it along themselves. If you have older children, or teens, then perhaps a 21 - 28" suitcase might be more suitable. Also consider how lightweight it is before packing to ensure it won't be too heavy. With so much to think of when planning a family holiday, choosing a suitcase for your little one doesn't have to be too complicated, they might even enjoy choosing their own.

Samantha Ball is a Commercial Content Writer and freelanced for the Mother&Baby website for two years before joining the team full-time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

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