Having trouble choosing a children’s suitcase? You’re right to be cautious, as buying such a product is not that simple. Size, price, material, volume, storage capacity… several criteria must be taken into account. One of the main elements to evaluate when purchasing a children’s suitcase is the brand. There are tons on the market: Trunki, Samsonite rolling suitcase, children’s suitcase Madisson, American Tourister, Lassig rolling suitcase Fashion known for its little tree fox range, Olli Ella… which can complicate your choice. Depending on your child’s age, there is also the size and color of the suitcase to choose. What to do? Here is a guide to enlighten you on the subject.
Better understanding the children’s suitcase
The children’s suitcase is one of the essentials when traveling with kids and toddlers, whether it’s for holidays, a hike, or a plane trip. In addition to offering a kind of peace of mind to parents, it is both fun and useful, allowing the child to store their personal belongings such as toys, clothes, books, tablet, etc. Far from being a superfluous purchase, the children’s suitcase is essential for long journeys, you can tell me that!
Just like parents, children (kids for our English-speaking neighbors) also deserve happiness during travel. And since every trip requires preparation, the essentials must be gathered, notably the suitcase. If parents opt for an adult suitcase, toddlers will of course choose the children’s suitcase. From the age of 3, children tend to imitate their parents. So, it’s not surprising to hear your kid ask you for a personal suitcase in which they will store their personal belongings and clothes during the trip.
As for buying a children’s suitcase, it’s not easy to choose the ideal one. Your child may not be able to decide between color, size, price, material, shape, graphics… However, if you refer to our guide, you will certainly find a suitable children’s suitcase. In our selection of the best children’s suitcases, you will surely find an affordable children’s suitcase that truly suits you.
Why choose a children’s suitcase with wheels?
With a children’s suitcase, your kid will feel more responsible for organizing their belongings and clothes. This is no small matter since the luggage allows them to be deeply involved in the travel preparations. For this to happen perfectly, you should take them with you when buying their children’s suitcase. While the parent can use it to store baby food, an 8-year-old child can store their toys or tablet inside.
Regarding models and designs, manufacturers are currently innovating. But the Trunki or Madisson suitcase remains the brand that is popular among little globetrotters. This suitcase has standard dimensions and resembles a carry-on bag allowed in the cabin by airlines such as Air France, RyanAir, etc. With its four wheels, the product from the Trunki brand is easy to transport, stable, and maneuverable. The handle and strap also allow parents to carry it with ease if they wish.
As we said, sellers, whether in physical stores or online, offer a wide range of models, which can narrow down the possibilities for your child. However, know that a hard suitcase is more likely to resist shocks and therefore have a good lifespan.
Brands that manufacture children’s suitcases have made luggage that is as useful as it is fun. More than clever, they did not just offer small-sized and lightweight suitcases. That’s why you will find on the market suitcases shaped like trucks or featuring cartoon characters.
The different types of children’s suitcases
When it comes to children’s suitcases, all brands strive to stand out. Their goal: to offer an excellent user experience for toddlers. They therefore produce children’s suitcase models with very specific looks. On the market, we have identified two types of children’s suitcases: trolley suitcases and ride-on suitcases.
The children’s trolley suitcase is distinguished by its retractable handle but also by its wheels that will allow your child to pull it smoothly. By choosing an appropriate size, your little one will be able to carry it easily. Generally, the children’s trolley suitcase has a suitable storage compartment to hold many toys.
As for the children’s ride-on suitcase, it is perfectly suited for kids. Because it is quite sturdy, little globetrotters can find a seat on it and pretend to ride horses. It is therefore an ideal suitcase for playing during a long queue. Whether it’s the children’s trolley suitcase or the ride-on suitcase, manufacturers promise a neat and avant-garde look by offering models of children’s suitcases featuring Disney princesses or superheroes respectively for the delight of little girls and boys. Young ladies and gentlemen will find the perfect fit in children’s suitcases with neutral colors.
Selection of the best children’s suitcases in 2019
To offer you the best product in terms of children’s suitcases, we reviewed user opinions and also tested items sold on Amazon to form our own opinion. Discover our selection of the best children’s suitcases in 2019.
Trunki Children’s Ride-On Rolling Suitcase Harley the Ladybug
The children’s suitcase Trunki 0092-GB01-1/10102 was created to fight boredom during travel. Red in color and shaped like a ladybug, the suitcase suits all situations. It can be taken on trips or picnics. It is ready to take off to give your child pure moments of happiness. The Trunki ride-on children’s suitcase is equipped with multifunctional straps to allow parents to tow tired children on their shoulder strap.
Its dimensions perfectly match those of a cabin bag and it is authorized by various airlines such as Air France, Ryanair… Its rigid plastic shell is excellent for shock resistance and promises a breathtaking design with a capacity of 18 liters. The brand remains confident in the quality it offers and provides a 5-year warranty on this Trunki children’s suitcase.
The product is available in limited stock on Amazon; to order, enter the ASIN code: B002ECE062 and enjoy free delivery. This Trunki ride-on children’s suitcase comes in several colors: pink, red, black, green, blue, yellow, etc. The price is 49.99 EUR.
Madisson Children’s Suitcase Love Paris F55018
Rigid, practical, and very elegant, this Love Paris children’s suitcase from Madisson is presented in a trolley model. Its price fits perfectly with all budgets. This suitcase for little girls offers excellent value for money with pretty illustrations highlighting the Eiffel Tower. Its rigid shell is effective for stress-free transport.
Its dimensions have been optimized to cabin bag size, allowing your little girl to keep her belongings within reach during the trip. Because the product is in limited stock on Amazon, it’s better to place an order quickly. To do so, enter the ASIN code: B0176BOG7S and enjoy free delivery. The price is 53.77 EUR.
Happy Sammies Kids Travel Suitcase by Samsonite
If you are looking for a suitcase with a sober and elegant design, you are at the right place. This Happy Sammies children’s suitcase from Samsonite is ideal for you. Featuring the alpaca Aubrie and the hedgehog Harris, Samsonite has gone all out for the happiness of toddlers. Made from polyester, this mixed fabric suitcase is equipped with an address holder. The cabin bag with dimensions 35 x 19 x 45 cm – 23 L has a capacity of 23 liters and provides the necessary storage space to help your daughter or son better prepare for their trip.
How to choose a children’s suitcase properly?
Buying a children’s suitcase is not done haphazardly. There are tons of children’s suitcases on the market or on Amazon, but finding the product that will make a difference is not as easy as one might think. For this, there are many criteria not to be overlooked. Here are the different criteria to consider before choosing a children’s suitcase: age, carrying system, interior storage, price, level of protection, color, etc. If the Trunki suitcase or Samsonite is the most sought-after children’s luggage, take these different criteria into account.
Age
Age is a key and determining criterion when buying a suitcase. For young children, for example, the child depends entirely on their parents. So, the choice of the children’s suitcase in this case depends entirely on the comfort the parent wants to have. A tip: choosing a children’s suitcase that you can put on your back or shoulder will be of great help. Because the belongings of young children are generally very fragile, you must choose a suitcase with a solid and rigid shell to protect them until your arrival.
If your child is already 3 years old, let them choose the suitcase they want. Just like you, they will need to take care of their own belongings themselves. There are many suitcases for girls and boys on Amazon, so chances are your little one will find the ideal model. The Trunki ride-on children’s suitcase is the model your child needs. With this Trunki ride-on model, your child will be able to carry or pull it easily thanks to the straps.
For a child over 10 years old, buying a children’s suitcase can be difficult. Ten years old is the pre-adolescence period and the child would like to choose a suitcase that reminds them of their favorite cartoon, like Disney princesses or a superhero. Their happiness may lie in buying a solid-colored trolley suitcase that you can customize with stickers chosen with your child. Moreover, you will need to choose a sturdy and rigid suitcase to store high-tech gadgets…
Other criteria to consider when buying a suitcase
When buying a suitcase, it is important to ask yourself whether it is better to choose a children’s suitcase with wheels or not. For your toddler, a suitcase with wheels is more fun than a children’s suitcase without wheels. However, if you have a young child, opt for a children’s backpack suitcase. Another essential element to consider is the capacity of your suitcase.
The ideal capacity for children aged 3 to 8 is 20 liters. However, choose a weight and size that really fits your child’s age. Make sure your children’s suitcase is not heavy to allow good handling and maneuverability.
Regarding pockets and interior storage, favor a children’s suitcase with one pocket for young children, but opt for models with several pockets for older kids, which will allow them to store and find their belongings easily. Handle, strap, or backpack shoulder strap?… It must be practical for your little one, but also for you, as it is very likely that you will end up carrying it during your family trips when you have to reach the plane with all the luggage.
What else?
It is also important that the children’s luggage has a retractable handle, a strap, an extendable handle, or a carrying handle. The wheels should be less noisy for more comfort. There are two main categories of suitcases on the market: soft suitcase and hard suitcase. The weight of your children’s suitcase is closely linked to the material it is made of.
Polycarbonate, for example, is both solid and lightweight compared to fabric, ABS plastic… Soft suitcases do not take long during security checks for air travel. Color is also an essential element not to be overlooked when buying a children’s suitcase. With a flashier color incorporating fun designs and graphics, the children’s suitcase will be easily recognizable if your child ever forgets it somewhere.
The best children’s suitcase brands
On the market, there is a plethora of suitcases. Many brands design them, and many have attracted attention over the past few years. These include Trunki, Samsonite, Madisson, American Tourister, Lassig Fashion with its little tree fox range, Olli Ella, etc. These brands, recognized in the manufacture of travel suitcases for adults and kids, compete in terms of price and design.