The 4 Best Carry-ons for Kids

Traveling with kids can be challenging. Just getting them to the airport, through security, and onto the plane is tough. Getting them to carry their own bag through that whole adventure is even tougher. Wouldn't it be great if there were bags that kids want to carry because they look so cool? Wouldn't it be great if those bags had enough room inside for their things but was still small enough and easy to maneuver for them to pull through an airport? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're in luck. We found 4 bags that you won't have to carry because your kids will want to pull them everywhere.

Yodo Zoo 3-Way Kids Rolling Luggage

The Bag for Small Kids with Big Dreams

Pull on wheels or carry as a backpack, little kids will love to take this bag on any trip.

Best For Toddlers

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For younger and smaller kids, the Yodo Zoo 3-Way is a great option for carry-on luggage. It’s made to be carried 3 ways – as rolling luggage, backpack, or hand bag. Unless your little guy or gal is super strong though, the only time it might be carried as a hand bag is when you pick it up. But the way these bags look, you won’t have to pick them up because your kid won’t let them go. Unlike boring, generic looking black luggage, which your kids hate to lug around, these bags have fun designs that your kids will be proud to roll around the airport with, like dinosaur or shark. Big enough to carry everything a kid needs for a long flight, but small enough to fit under the seat, this bag will give your kids access to all of their stuff all flight long.

Pros

Doubles as a backpack
2 side pockets for drinks
Fits under the seat

Cons

Wheel cover can get dirty when rolling
Might be tool small for bigger kids

American Tourister Kids Hardside Upright Luggage

Hard Shell, Soft Heart

This hard exterior bag will protect what's inside, while the Disney character on the outside will make your kids smile.

Best for Disney Lovers

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For kids who love Disney, and for parents who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for Disney, comes the Kids Hardside Upright Luggage from American Tourister. Kids can pick out their favorite Disney character to grace the cover of their bag; they will love rolling it through the airport. The hard shell keeps its contents safe, and its sturdy construction will withstand your child dropping it or even jumping on it. The wheels spin a full 360 degrees, making it easy for any kid to navigate a crowded airport without getting their bag stuck on something. Certainly big enough for items for the flight and even big enough to be the only bag for a short trip, this durable suitcase will keep both children and parents happy.

Pros

Smooth and quiet wheels
Hard shell
Disney characters

Cons

Does not double as a backpack
Slightly heavier than soft bag

J World New York Sunny Rolling Backpack

A Bag for All Seasons

For any kind of trip, for any kind of kid, this bag can be used for anything from international travel to school every day.

Most Versatile

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For a bag that kids can carry-on planes, trains, and automobiles, and use as a backpack for school, look no further than the J World New York Sunny Rolling Backpack. Parents can even use it when you need a small bag and not be ridiculed for carrying a bag that looks like a monkey or a dinosaur. The patterns are “adult” enough for you to use it but fun enough that your kids will still love it. Whether kids use it every day for school or just for trips, this bag seems like it was made to be abused. Saving you from having to buy seperate bags for school and travel, this bag is an easy layup for any kid.

Pros

Doubles as a backpack
Long-lasting

Cons

Handle not long enough for really tall kids

Skip Hop Kids Luggage

Cute and Cuddly

This bag is so adorable, it could almost double as a stuffed animal. But it works great as a carry-on bag too.

Best for Animal Lovers

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For kids who love animals – and what kid doesn’t love animals? – Skip Hop has made a super cute rolling luggage. Whether your kid loves monkeys or giraffes, or even fun insects like butterflys or lady bugs, get them one of these bags and they will be grateful. The pictures may make this bag look small, but looks can be deceiving. It’s actually really roomy inside. You can fit plenty of clothes, toiletries, diapers, and other items. This bag is really well constructed and will endure many trips. It fits under the seat on planes, and it’s easy for young children to maneuver. This is a stellar bag for kids to travel with.

Pros

Fun animal design
Roomy interior

Cons

Ears can get caught in zipper
Not a lot of pockets

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these bags fit airline regulations for carry-on bags?
Yes, all of these bags are small enough to be carry-ons.

Are these bags manuevaerable by children? Sometimes I have trouble maneuvering my adult bag around airports.
Yes, these bags were specially designed for children to maneuver. That being said, keep an eye on them, just in case.

Can these bags be used on non-flying trips, such as road trips?
Yes, these bags can be used on any kind of trip, even walking down the street for a sleepover.