Best Kids Luggage Sets and Suitcases for your Traveling Bambino 2023

I know what you are thinking. Why would I need to buy my child their own piece of luggage!? Isn’t that just one more piece to “lug” around, track and worry about?

I will tell you the truth: kids don’t need their own luggage (but keep reading to hear the whole story).

When my kids were very young I would always just carve out a space in my own suitcase to accommodate their cute little shoes and clothing items. It wasn’t too big of a deal and seemed quite manageable.

But after my daughter received a vintage hand-me-down suitcase from her great Aunt, Betty, I started to change my mind on this, and I will tell you why (continued below the table).

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TABLE: Best Kids Luggage Sets and Suitcases

We did some extensive research and created a custom list with reviews of the best kids luggage, the best rolling suitcases for boys and best rolling suitcases for girls. There are so many choices out there, and this list is really designed to help narrow the field to some of our favorites. This is some of the best luggage for kids because each suitcase gets great online reviews and each has a unique, super cute design.

You can browse the table below, and then click around to see our own kid’s luggage reviews.

Importance of preparing children for travel

First, one of the most important things I’ve discovered about travelling with kids is to make sure that they are well-prepared and on the same page with your planned itinerary. Getting them excited beforehand about the destination, hotel, nearby restaurants and attractions, etc, will pay off big time when you are out navigating and exploring together.

Surprises are just usually bad news for children.

Is is also super important to engage them as active participants in the process of planning, preparing and packing for the trip. It definitely helps when they have buy-in and some skin in the game, so to speak.

And I have discovered that having them pick out and pack their own kids suitcase luggage is an extremely effective way to get the kids involved in the whole process.

So my daughter begged to take her own new travel suitcase on a recent trip and I finally decided to let her do it. She was enthusiastic about packing her own kid’s luggage, about planning her outfits to match the itinerary, and was totally engaged in the process of deciding what was and wasn’t necessary to pack given the limited storage space in her kid’s rolling suitcase.

She insisted – gleefully insisted – on rolling her own suitcase throughout the entire trip!

Reasons to buy luggage for kids

This was great, for one, because her attention was focused on rolling and maneuvering her own suitcase through busy hotel lobbies and transit areas.

Second, she seemed to excel with the added responsibility of caring for her girl’s suitcase and also seemed to behave more maturely in general. I don’t know if it was all due to the personal suitcase, but it definitely seemed to play a role in my opinion.

It is for these simple reasons that I now think a kid’s suitcase might actually worth the modest investment. Most children’s luggage sets or a single kid’s suitcase can be had for less than 50 bucks, and it can be a fun experience to browse and shop for kids luggage sets together.

And I’m not gonna lie, it is nice to have a little bit of extra room back in my own suitcase 😉

Heys America has an entire series of cute Travel Tots Kids luggage sets that include a small piece of rolling luggage and a matching backpack. I just LOVE the Unicorn design on this Kids Luggage set. I personally think this design would be super cute for a little girl. The luggage and backpack are both quite durable and constructed from a composite of polycarbonate and ABS. Both pieces close with a zipper and also have a top carry handle. In addition, the kid’s luggage has an internal trolley handle system and inline skate-style wheels for easy maneuverability. Since the Heys America Travel Tots Luggage and backpack set is designed for kids, it is very lightweight at about 3 lbs, so this will be easy to use for almost any age. The Panda artwork is so darn cute and covers the entire front face of the suitcase. 

Dimensions: 10in width, 7in depth, 14in length, 7.5in handle length, 3.1lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Very good quality with smart, easy-use design for kids
• Size is airplane carry-on friendly
• Be ready for lots of compliments on the cute Unicorn design!

Room for improvement

• Size is small and made for a single child for a short trip
• The face can scratch and scruff easily, so be careful

TrendyKid makes a series of very cute Travel Buddies Kids luggage sets that include a hard shell rolling suitcase and matching hard shell backpack. One of my favorite designs for a little girl is the Bella Butterfly luggage set, with a unique vibrant magenta color and yellow wings. The rolling suitcase and backpack are made of durable ABS for hard shell protection and light weight functionality. Both pieces have a top carry handle, and the suitcase also has a retractable and adjustable handle to fit any sized child. The two in-line skate wheels will make the suitcase glide easily across airports and hotel lobbies.

Dimensions: 11.8in width, 9.4in depth, 16.9in length, adjustable handle length, 6lbs.

Reasons to love:

• A good size with adjustable handle to fit a larger range of children sizes
• It is surprisingly roomy for the size to packs lots of items
• Suitcase has a cross strap to keep clothes nice during travel
• Surprisingly sturdy and well made for the price

Room for improvement

• The backpack inner pocket doesn’t help much to keep it organized
• Can be annoying that it tips over if weight is off balance

The Rockland 2 piece luggage set can be used by older children (probably 7 and up) than the others on this list. Instead of a backpack, this luggage set comes with a rolling suitcase and a separate matching tote bag. The rolling suitcase has a telescopic handle, inline skate wheels, a top carry handle, and three internal pockets for organization. What is also cool is that the suitcase has two full length zipper pockets on the front for convenient additional storage that is easy to get to during travel. The design is a super cute purple leopard, but Rockland has a bunch of different designs like owls and colorful hearts that are worth checking out.

Dimensions: 13in width, 8in depth, 19in length, telescoping handle, 6lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Suitcase and tote both have quality imprinted lining and padded handles
• Fits easily into overhead compartment as carry-on for all airlines
• Perfect size for weekend getaway for child or teenager
• Good all around value with solid customer reviews

Room for improvement

• Has an annoying tendency to topple forward when it is full
• The tote bag is pretty small, which some may find pretty useless

The Heys America Unisex Travel Tots Luggage set includes a piece of kids rolling luggage and a backpack. I love the vibrant colors in the emperor penguin design of this luggage set for children. I think little boys in particular will be drawn to the mighty Emperor Penguin. Made from ABS and polycarbonate composite, both the rolling luggage and backpack are strong enough to with stand the manhandling of your little man. Lightweight and equipped with an internal trolley handle system and in-line skate-style wheels, this kids’ luggage was designed for easy maneuverability by children of all ages. I think boys will be proud to march his Emperor Penguin through the airport.

Dimensions: 10in width, 7in depth, 14in length, 7.5in handle length, 3.1lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Very good quality with smart, easy-use design for kids
• Size is airplane carry-on friendly
• Be ready for lots of compliments on the cute Emperor Penguin design!

Room for improvement

• Size is small and made for a single child for a short trip
• The face can scratch and scruff easily, so be careful

100% ABS, this adorable Rusty Robot Travel Buddies Kids luggage set is not only extremely durable, it is also lightweight and spacious. Small enough for even the tiniest traveler to maneuver, the wheelie luggage fits a surprisingly large quantity of clothing. Both the backpack and wheelie luggage have carry handles. What is cool about the wheelie luggage is that it has a duel height retractable handle that can be adjusted to fit a kid’s height or adult. The two in-line skate wheels help the wheelie glide with ease, making it effortless for little travelers to handle. 

Dimensions: 11.8in width, 9.4in depth, 16.9in length, adjustable handle length, 6lbs.

Reasons to love:

• A good size with adjustable handle to fit a larger range of children sizes
• It is surprisingly roomy for the size to packs lots of items
• Suitcase has a cross strap to keep clothes nice during travel
• Surprisingly sturdy and well made for the price

Room for improvement

• The backpack inner pocket doesn’t help much to keep it organized
• Can be annoying that it tips over if weight is off balance

Rather than toddlers, the Rockland 2 piece luggage set is better suited for big boys 7 and up. The separate matching tote bag is a mature substitute for the hard shell backpack seen in the above options. The rolling suitcase has a telescopic handle, inline skate wheels, a top carry handle, and three internal pockets for organization. In addition, there are two full length zipper pockets on the front for convenient additional storage for easy access mid transit. The design is a masculine and playful camo print, perfect for your young GI Joe.  However,  Rockland has a bunch of different designs that are worth checking out.

Dimensions: 13in width, 8in depth, 9in length, telescoping handle, 6lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Suitcase and tote both have quality imprinted lining and padded handles
• Fits easily into overhead compartment as carry-on for all airlines
• Perfect size for weekend getaway for child or teenager
• Good all around value with solid customer reviews

Room for improvement

• Has an annoying tendency to topple forward when it is full
• The tote bag is pretty small, which some may find pretty useless

Lillian Vernon has created a very popular series of personalized suitcases for kids that come in a bunch of cute designs with your child’s name embroidered on the front of the rolling suitcase. I am in love with this pink leopard print luggage, which would be perfect for my daughter – in fact, I wouldn’t mind using it myself! Hehe. This suitcase is sturdy and well-constructed with PVC backed polyester fabric that is double stitched and pretty easy to wipe clean. There are two nice-sized zip pockets on the front of the rolling suitcase, and the wheels move smoothly. What makes the Lillian Vernon rolling suitcase for kids unique is the option to personalize the luggage with your child’s name, a nickname, or whatever you desire. With a padded handle and padded material on the back of the suitcase, this child’s suitcase is also super comfortable.

Dimensions: 12in width, 5in depth, 16in length, 32.5in adjustable handle length, 1lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Practical size that is easy for any type of travel including flights, road trips, or weekend getaways
• The embroidered personalization will help make your child feel ownership and responsibility
• Love the cute animal print and pink design, but other fun designs are available

Room for improvement

• Some complain of zippers splitting and causing difficulties
• You pay for customization: may not be the best value (but check link for price drop)

The Olympia Kids Rolling Suitcase can be found at a great price and gets really good reviews online, making it one of the best values. I just love the colorful messy hand print design of this girls suitcase – my daughter loves doing art (and making messes), so this piece of kids luggage really caught my eye and reminded me of her. The zippers are easy to use and self-repairing (won’t split and be annoying), there is a large front zippered pocket that will fit full size paper without folding, and it has a lengthy retractable handle for rolling the suitcase. In my opinion, this might be the best kids suitcase you will find, and the I have even seen it marked down on Amazon to less than $25, which would be a steal of a deal.

Dimensions: 12in width, 7.5in depth, 17in length, adjustable handle length, 4.4 lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Good build quality for a kids rolling suitcase, should last through childhood
• Sturdy handle and the suitcase will usually stay parked upright without tipping
• Carry-on friendly size and design, easy to roll and transport

Room for improvement

• It is smaller than expected, but a good size for children 7 and under
• Size is appropriate for weekend trips, not long term travel

The GoPlus Globalway hardside spinner suitcase for kids is the best choice for serious travelers, older children, and families that plan to travel for longer periods of time. It has four multidirectional 360 degree spinner wheels for seamless gliding through any environment. It is constructed of lightweight ABS material, so it is waterproof, scratch resistant and exceptionally durable. The interior is also well designed to keep belongings intact during travel, including elastic bungy straps and a zippered compartment for little odds and ends. The durable aluminum telescoping handle is sturdy and lightweight. This is a suitcase for children that you can depend on, no matter where your travel plans take you, and is our choice as the best overall suitcase for children ages 7 and up. It should even last through teenage years, and is even appropriate as a weekend suitcase for adults in a pinch.

Dimensions: 14in width, 9in depth, 20in length, adjustable handle length, 6.6 lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Extremely durable and lightweight for the size
• It will withstand the elements and the rough and tumble of airport checked luggage
• Good size that will be usable even as kids grow

Room for improvement

• Only serious complaint is about the durability of the plastic wheels over time

Lillian Vernon designed these wonderful personalized suitcases for kids that come in a bunch of cute designs with your child’s name embroidered on the front of the rolling suitcase. The blue camo design of this one is simple and toned down, but will appeal to most young boys in your family. In other words, boys can be fickle about fancy designs, and this one will be hard to disagree with. Lillian Vernon suitcases are sturdy and well-constructed for the price and are simple to wipe clean. There are two nice-sized zip pockets on the front of the rolling suitcase, and the wheels move quite smoothly. What makes the Lillian Vernon rolling suitcase for kids unique is the option to personalize the luggage with your child’s name, a nickname, or whatever they desire. With a padded handle and padded material on the back of the suitcase, this child’s suitcase is also super comfortable to use and travel with.

Dimensions: 12in width, 5in depth, 16in length, 32.5in adjustable handle length, 1lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Practical size that is easy for any type of travel including flights, road trips, or weekend getaways
• The embroidered personalization will help make your child feel ownership and responsibility
• Love the cute blue camo design, but other fun designs are available

Room for improvement

• Some complain of zippers splitting and causing difficulties
• You pay for customization: may not be the best value (but check link for price drop)

The Olympia Kids Carry on Luggage and Rolling Suitcase is a great value with solid online reviews. I find the space and science design on this kids rolling luggage to be adorable for the smart little boy in any family. My son loves space and science, so this boys rolling suitcase really appealed to him. The zippers are easy to use and self-repairing (won’t split and be annoying), there is a large front zippered pocket that will fit full size paper without folding, and it has a lengthy retractable handle for rolling the suitcase. In my opinion, this is one of the best suitcases for children and can usually be found for a great deal online.

Dimensions: 12in width, 7.5in depth, 17in length, adjustable handle length, 4.4 lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Good build quality for a kids rolling suitcase, should last through childhood
• Sturdy handle and the suitcase will usually stay parked upright without tipping
• Carry-on friendly size and design, easy to roll and transport

Room for improvement

• It is smaller than expected, but a good size for children 7 and under
• Size is appropriate for weekend trips, not long term travel

The AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage is the ideal suitcase for older kids, especially for families that travel far and often. It has four multidirectional 360 degree spinner wheels for easy gliding through airports, lobbies, train stations, etc. It is constructed of lightweight ABS material that is thicker than the competition for improved strength and durability. It is waterproof and scratch resistant, so it will be ideal for any environment or situation you throw at it. The interior will help keep all your belongings nice and packed intact, with helpful bungy straps and 3 zippered compartments. In case you need to pack a few extra items, the suitcase will expand a few more inches up to 15% wider to accommodate more shoes and clothes. The spinner wheels are very well made, and the suitcase overall will last a very long time. The neutral solid color will appeal to anybody with a no-frills, serious attitude about travel, and should please boys and girls alike. This is the best kids rolling suitcase for just about anyone.

Dimensions: 14in width, 9.4in depth, 22in length, adjustable handle length, 7.72 lbs.

Reasons to love:

• Thoroughly tested in laboratory for quality and durability
• It will withstand frequent travel with high dependability
• The size is large for young children, but perfect for young adults
• Great handling with smooth dependable wheels and telescoping handle

Room for improvement

• The heaviest suitcase on this list, and size could be a problem for younger travelers
• The wheels are good but are the least dependable part of the suitcase

That’s a Wrap!

There are lots of choices out there and shopping can be more daunting than fun sometimes. I hope this list has been helpful in narrowing the field to find the best kids luggage set or the best kids suitcase for your child. I have found that the prices fluctuate a lot on Amazon, so it is a good idea to check prices regularly and track them to find the best deal. But all of these childrens suitcases can be found for about 50 bucks or less, which is a great investment to get your son or daughter excited about your next family trip, and to give them a little more responsibility before and during your travels. It is likely to improve their behavior and to make the travel experience with your kids a bit more fun.

So what do you think!?

Do you think it is worth the investment to buy a suitcase for your child? Has it helped their behavior in any way regarding travel?

What is your favorite kids suitcase? 

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