The Best Kids Luggage and Travel Backpacks in 2024
Searching for the right luggage and travel backpack for your young explorers? From scooter luggage to ride-on luggage, kids’ first carry-on to tween and teen-friendly luggage, travel backpacks and coordinating kids luggage sets, find our complete 2024 round-up of the best kids luggage and travel backpacks by category and kids ages below.
Looking for luggage options for teens and adults? Check out our edit of The Best Carry-On Luggage.
At-A-Glance
Looking for more family travel gear recommendations? Check out our latest best-of guides for travel car booster seats, travel strollers, travel pillows, cozy travel sets, and travel backpacks.
Travel Backpacks
KIDS AGES: ALL
A family travel essential for kids of all ages, travel backpacks should be functional and versatile enough to meet the needs of your little travelers, and durable enough to withstand wear and tear from years of travel. Features like multiple exterior zipper and mesh pockets, interior organizers, padded interior compartments for tablets or laptops, carry handles, ergonomic straps, and luggage sleeves make for an ideal kids travel backpack.
Selections below come in multiple sizes and colors/prints.
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YOUNGER KIDS
Simple Modern Kids Backpack
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YOUNGER KIDS
Wildkin Backpack
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OLDER KIDS
MATEIN Anti-Theft Backpack
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OLDER KIDS
AWAY The Everywhere Zip Backpack
Kids’ First Carry-Ons
KIDS AGES: 2-5 YEARS
Nothing gets little ones excited about their first trip quite like packing and carrying their very own suitcase. While these options are more for the child’s entertainment and novelty than functional storage space, they do allow mini explorers to keep their favorite plush friends, toys, blankets, and activities handy on the plane. However, because these options do not typically fit under the seat, parents might want to consider bringing a backpack as an alternative.
Selections below come in multiple sizes and colors/prints.
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mima ovi suitcase
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American Tourister Kids' Disney Hardside Upright Luggage
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Light+Nine Kid’s Perforated Travel Suitcase
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Rockland Jr. Kids' My First Hardside Spinner Luggage
Ride-On Luggage
KIDS AGES: 2-6 YEARS
When you don’t want to bring the stroller, ride-on luggage can be a great option for tired, tiny legs or long layovers. However, it is important to evaluate the weight / storage capacity tradeoff for kids ride-on luggage: Trunki, the market leader in this space, is lightweight at 3.9 lbs, but has only 18L storage capacity, while Younglingz, a well-reviewed alternative, is heavier at 9 lbs. but has 47L storage capacity. The JetKids by Stokke BedBox is not only a ride-on suitcase, but converts into an airplane seat into a bed for littles; note, however, it has limited storage capacity (18L with mattress inside, 23L without). For travelers as young as 18 months, the Micro Kickboard Travel Eazy provides a convenient foldable option.
Selections below come in multiple prints.
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Trunki Ride-On Suitcase
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JetKids by Stokke BedBox
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Younglingz Lil Flyer 20” Kid Ride-On Suitcase
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Micro Kickboard Luggage Eazy
Scooter Luggage
KIDS AGES: 4+ YEARS
Doubling as airport entertainment, scooter luggage can be a great option for active kids or long layovers. However, the storage capacity on scooter luggage tends to be on the smaller side — about the size of a backpack rather than a full-size carry-on. Parents should also evaluate the safety aspects of children using scooter luggage in airports which can be quite crowded.
Selections below come in multiple prints.
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KiddieTotes Scooter Luggage
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Micro Kickboard Scooter Luggage
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HONEY JOY Scooter Luggage
Carry-On & Backpack Sets
KIDS AGES: 4+ YEARS
Ideal for overnights or weekend getaways, coordinated carry-on luggage and backpack sets provide greater storage capacity for travel kids. Used for air travel, this also helps kids keep personal items handy with a backpack that can fit under the seat.
Selections below come in multiple prints.
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HONEY JOY 2-pc Kids Carry-On
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iPlay, iLearn Kids Luggage Set
Tween & Teen-Friendly Luggage
KIDS AGES: 9+ YEARS
For luggage options that can grow with older kiddos into their teens and beyond, think transitional pieces, like wheeled duffels in polished and outdoorsy versions and hard-sided spinners with a bit of flair. For more tween and teen-friendly luggage options, check out our editors’ round-up of The Best Carry-On Luggage for Families.
Selections below come in multiple sizes and colors.
