We are hoping that after reading through our buying guide you now have a better understanding about what different types of kid’s luggage is available to you as well as what you personally want out of your new children’s case too! This will help you narrow down your options to help you select your ideal product. So, let’s get looking at our top 5 picks shall we?
Features
English brand Trunki has been creating children’s luggage and bags since 2006. In that time the company has won over 100 awards from nursery, toy and business sectors from across the globe. Trunki is passionate about travel and creating new memories and experiences, finding the journey just as exciting as the destination itself. Its team of talented designers make sure that, when it comes to travelling with your child, your journey is not only hassle-free but fun too!
We are big fans of Trunki’s Hello Kitty Original Ride-On Suitcase due to its innovative features and the fact it’s available in 7 colors and 11 different designs too! Made from hard-wearing, lightweight plastic, this carry-on suitcase is perfect for vacations, weekends away and sleepovers. Not only that, this luggage is likewise ideal for trains and car rides and can even double up as a toy trunk for at-home use. The wheels on this product only allow the case to move in a straight line for easy maneuvering and has an impressive 5 year warranty too!
Features
Created in 1947, Florida based brand Mercury Luggage manufactures and sells a wide range of high-quality luggage and bags for both adults and children. Today, Mercury Luggage supplies corporations, sports teams, retailers and the U.S military with luggage, bags, trunks and cases all at an affordable price. The brand also distributes over 7,000 products to happy customers all around the world, with over 100 manufacturing partners worldwide.
We wanted to feature the Mercury Luggage Kid’s Upright Luggage due to it’s fun ‘going to grandma’s’ design and easy-to-use style. Made from nylon and polyester, this gorgeous design is available in four different colors and is easy for kids to both pack and carry. It has a double zippered main compartment for safety and security as well as front zippered pockets for your little ones bits and bobs! The telescoping handle in this luggage is lockable for easy maneuvering and has an inline skate wheel system too.
As summer starts to roll around you are probably busy planning your families dream holiday. Images of sandy beaches, cocktails and the hot summer sun immediately come rushing to mind. You probably have a list as long as your arm of all the things you will need for your break away,
your favorite luggage,
sunscreen,
beach towels and that perfect bikini. Trying to fit all of this in your suitcase is normally hassle enough, let alone all your children’s stuff too.
Kids are picky, let’s face it, so finding the perfect luggage for your little ones can sometimes be a difficult task. Not only does the luggage have to be big enough to hold your child’s clothes, shoes and teddy bears, but it also needs to be lightweight enough so your little one can carry it too. We understand that planning trips away with your family can be stressful so hopefully our handy buying guide can make this whole task a little simpler for you.
First things first, when it comes to buying the best kid’s luggage for you and your little prince or princess you will need to decide which type of luggage you are after. The two main ones are:
- Soft-Sided Luggage - Soft-sided luggage is a great choice as it often weighs less and is able to fit more in without going over baggage weight limits. Soft-sided luggage quite often includes exterior pockets too, which is great for toys or last minute packing. This type of luggage is usually a lot easier for your child to carry and comes in a variety of sizes suitable for a wide range of travel needs. The downside with soft luggage, however, is that it isn’t as good at protecting items inside the case and quite often doesn’t include wheels either.
- Hard-Sided Luggage - Unlike soft-sided luggage, hard-sided cases are more likely to protect items in your suitcase, especially more fragile items. These types of luggage can also double up as seats whilst waiting around the airport with many brands now creating cases specifically for this purpose. Not only this, hard-sided luggage is a lot simpler to clean and available in a variety of sizes. Unfortunately, hard-sided luggage weighs a lot more than soft cases and is prone to denting or cracking after repeated use.
The benefits of using kid’s luggage is that it’s usually small enough to be used as hand luggage which makes them ideal for toys, games and books whilst you are on your flight. If you’re using the case as hand luggage then we recommend selecting a soft-sided design as this is easier to store on a plane. You may also want to opt for a style that can be used as a backpack or duffel bag as this will be easier for your little one to carry. Make sure you check our baggage allowance beforehand, however, as not all bags will fit in this category.
Price
When it comes to the cost of your new kid’s luggage you can expect to pay anywhere between $35 and $65. Products at the higher end of this scale tend to be multi-functional, meaning they can be used as both a case and a backpack or duffel bag. They also tend to be made from studier materials and include things such as side pockets, telescoping handlebars and comfort grips. Higher-end products also usually have superior wheel systems which make the luggage easier to pull for your child. More economical kid’s luggage is available ($30 or lower) but be aware that these types of products don’t include handy features and are usually made from lesser materials.
Features
The luggage you eventually choose for your child is probably going to come down to their own personal preferences of design as well as what style they’re best suited to carrying (or you are as, let’s face it, you’re probably going to end up carrying it at some point). There are a few key features, however, that we recommend keeping an eye out for to ensure you choose the best possible luggage for your child.
Here are some important features to look for:
- Telescoping Handle
- Multi-functional design
- Inline Wheel system
- Outside Pockets
Construction and Design
When selecting the best kid’s luggage for your little tikes we recommend selecting a product with a telescoping handle as this will make the product easier for your child to carry and drag around. It also makes the product more compact when the handle is down and allows for easy storage and placement in overhead compartments or the trunk of your car.
A multi-functional design is always a useful feature to have in kid’s luggage as it allows your child to use the case as a backpack or duffel bag as well. This makes it easier for them to carry when they’re tired of dragging the case around and, once again, easier to place in tight spaces. It also makes the items in your child’s case easier to access.
Many kid’s cases these days come with an inline wheel system which makes the case easier to maneuver and more mobile. Your child will be able to easily drag the case behind them and will make it easier for you to drag along when your child becomes tired of carrying it themselves.
Finally, a key feature we recommend keeping an eye out for in your child’s new case is a product that has outside pockets. This makes it easy to store water bottles, snacks and toys at the drop of a hat rather than having to place them in the case themselves. It also means your child has easy access to their toys so they can keep themselves entertained on long flights.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your child’s luggage this is going to depend on the style of luggage you have selected. Hard-sided luggage is incredibly easy to clean and can simply be wiped down with some antibacterial spray and a cloth. Soft-sided luggage, however, is not so easy and will require a little bit more care. Some cases that are small enough may be able to fit in the washing machine although this won’t be the case for all soft-sided products. If it isn’t small enough or isn’t suitable for the machine then you’ll have to hand wash the product with warm water and soap.
If you’re looking for a product that’s easy to use then we suggest picking up a multifunctional, soft-sided case as these come with a variety of straps that allow you to both drag and carry the case. Their shoulder straps are often padded so your little one can carry their case in comfort and have a wide range of pockets and compartments that mean you don’t have to open the case to retrieve toys or books.
Fingers crossed, after scrolling through our top picks you’ve found your little one’s ideal suitcase and are now planning your next trip away! If this isn’t the case, however, then don’t you worry. We have purposefully selected brands that have an extensive collection of kid’s cases to choose from, so simply browse through their other products to find the best kid’s luggage for your little prince or princess.
