The Best Luggage for Children of All Ages, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall, Little Kids

Rockland Jr. Hardside Spinner Luggage, Dinosaur, Carry-On

$45 at Amazon $51 at Target $50 at Walmart

Our favorite option for younger children is the Rockland Jr. My First Hardside Spinner. This petite yet functional suitcase has two main compartments of equal size, including one with a zippered enclosure and one held down with straps. This suitcase may not have any exterior pockets or smaller sections on the inside, but it's still easy to pack. (If your little traveler loves staying organized, consider getting them a few small packing cubes.) Though it's among the most compact options we tested, we were still able to fit eight outfits, one pair of shoes, one doll, and a stuffed animal.

With four wheels that rotate a full 360 degrees, this spinner suitcase is a breeze to maneuver on pretty much any surface, even for kids under 7. We also appreciate how the handle adjusts to make it easy for both children and parents to pull. Considering the durable construction, smooth-rolling design, and supercute appearance, we'd definitely pay full price for this luggage.

The Details: 16 x 12 x 10 inches | 5.2 pounds | 1.8-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Polycarbonate

Best Overall, Big Kids

State Bags Logan Suitcase

View on Statebags.com $225 at Bloomingdales $185 at Anthropologie

For older kids, we recommend this less-cutesy, slightly larger (but not too big) option. The Logan Suitcase has two sizable inner compartments, plus two interior mesh pockets and an exterior zippered pocket. There's also a side strap for easy access to a water bottle or stuffed animal.

This four-wheel spinner rolls smoothly on hard floors and carpets. It also has an adjustable telescoping handle and grab handles on the top and side, making it easy for parents to grab or lift in a pinch. While the price is on the steeper side for a kid's suitcase, the durable design seems like it'll last a long time, and the relatively simple colorblock exterior could definitely grow with your child and be used into the teen years, too. It also comes in more than a dozen colorways.

The Details: 18.7 x 13.4 x 9.5 inches | 6.5 pounds | 29-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Polyester

Best Organization

Stephen Joseph Classic Rolling Luggage

$52 at Amazon $56 at Nordstrom $62 at Walmart

If your tiny traveler likes to stay organized, go with the Stephen Joseph Classic Rolling Luggage. This suitcase has a large main compartment, a slightly smaller zippered mesh section under the lid, and five exterior pockets. We were able to fit nine outfits, one pair of shoes, a doll, a stuffed animal, a mini football, a tablet, a toy truck, a drawing board, markers, and even a few snacks.

Though it's not a spinner, it wheels around just fine on two wheels and is easy for a child to pull. This suitcase comes in a variety of screen-printed, kid-friendly designs, from monkeys to dinosaurs to unicorns. It may only appeal to younger children, but for such an affordable price, we think it's worth buying — even if you end up replacing it in a few years.

The Details: 18 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 2 wheels | Polyester

Best Budget

Crckt Softside Carry On Suitcase

$45 at Target

On a budget? Check out the Crckt Kids' Carry On. This softside suitcase has a main compartment big enough for several days' worth of clothes and a few toys, plus a zippered mesh section under the lid and five exterior pockets perfect for smaller toys, a tablet, and snacks. There's also a mesh side pocket that's useful for a water bottle or drink. The removable, dangling plush toy is another bonus that kids will love.

We appreciated the adjustable handle and like how easy it is to maneuver on various surfaces. This luggage seems generally well-made, but the zippers sometimes got stuck around the corners during testing, and it may not hold up long enough to work as a hand-me-down. Still, it's perfect for a young child's first suitcase, and considering the wallet-friendly price, we think it's absolutely worth buying.

The Details: 19 x 11.5 x 7 inches | 4.85 pounds | 35-liter capacity | 2 wheels | Polyester

Best Ride-on

​​Stokke JetKids BedBox

$229 at Amazon $229 at Nordstrom View on Stokke.com

The JetKids BedBox is more than just a suitcase. The ride-on design allows a child to sit on top and be pulled by their parents through a busy airport using the adjustable strap (it can hold up to 77 pounds). We like how spacious the main compartment is, but since you have to pack it from the top, you can't access all your belongings without unpacking the entire thing.

This kids' luggage solution feels very sturdy, though it popped open when we dropped it from a ladder and hit it with a hammer. Thanks to the high-quality rotating wheels, it's easy to maneuver and rolls smoothly over hard floors and carpet. You can also reattach the strap and carry it like a shoulder bag, but this option will almost certainly be too heavy for kids. It also comes with stickers that kids can customize it with.

The Details: 18 x 14 x 8 inches | 6.6 pounds | 20-liter capacity | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Set

Travelers Club Kids' 5 Piece Luggage Travel Set

$49 at Amazon $49 at Walmart $70 at Macy's

This five-piece luggage set from Travelers Club comes with a small carry-on suitcase, a backpack, a lunchbox, a neck pillow, and a luggage tag, each featuring a matching kid-friendly print. The hardside suitcase seems very durable, with high-quality zippers, a telescoping handle, and spinner wheels that roll smoothly on various surfaces — even grass.

We like that a child could use all coordinating items on a single trip or select a piece based on their current needs. The only potential drawback is that the designs are aimed more at younger kids, so your child might outgrow the luggage in a few years.

The Details: 18 x 12 x 9 inches (suitcase), 15 x 10 x 5 inches (backpack) | 7.5 pounds (total) | 4 spinner wheels | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, 600D polyester

Best for Teens

Beis Mini Roller

View on Beistravel.com

This carry-on from Béis is a great bag for teens who want a trendy piece of luggage but don't necessarily need to pack a checked-size suitcase. We like the small size that's easy for teens to maneuver on their own, even on uneven terrain. It's also easy to lift, so your kids should be able to handle it without any help. It's sized closer to an underseat bag than a true carry-on but fits nearly as much as a standard carry-on, and it has the largest capacity of all the suitcases on this list. We also love that the front pocket fits a 13-inch Macbook Pro if your teens need to travel with a laptop.

One half of the bag is fully zipped with a clear zippered pocket on that half, and the other has x-shaped straps and a small pocket. It also has a removable laundry bag labeled "stink bag." Though this playful carry-on is marketed for kids, we would gladly carry it as adult,s which makes us think it's the perfect option for in-between teenagers. It's sleek and smartly designed, and there's a front latch to add on another bag, although we would recommend keeping it small to avoid the extra bag dragging on the ground.

The Details: 17 x 16.5 x 9 inches | 7 pounds | 41-liter capacity | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate