Top 10 Most Practical Kids Cabin Bags

Travel With Kids

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Choosing the right cabin bags for kids is almost as essential as deciding what to pack for the flight! Choosing the wrong bag might leave you feeling pretty overwhelmed with the amount of luggage to drag along, never mind the fact that you might have to carry your little one as well.

Our hot favorite kids’ cabin bags are the type that comes with wheels.  Recently we made a list of our favorite kids’ suitcases on wheels, which you can read here.  However, smart thinking will allow you to question whether the typical kids’ suitcase on wheels is the perfect option for your flight ahead.  Here are our suggestions.

We use the kids’ suitcase with wheels option when:

  • The flight ahead is in the daytime.  The luggage on wheels option usually provides you with more choice in space available to fill up with the essential activities and snacks to keep the kids busy on the flight itself.
  • Also, as the kids will be awake on the airport grounds, they will be able to pull their own suitcases along behind them.  It helps build up the excitement of the impending trip and also teaches them about being independent little people.
  • Check out our guide to finding the best rolling suitcase for toddler and kids here.

We use the backpack style kids bags instead of the suitcase option when:

  • We know the flight will arrive and depart at a time when our child will potentially be fast asleep.  Chuck the kids’ travel backpack on your back and you now have free arms to carry your sleeping munchkin.
  • When there are a few transfers of flights.  Looking after loads of luggage each time you are stuck at a transfer lounge is just annoying!  Never mind if your kids want to go to the bathroom and you have to drag the luggage with you!  It simply just becomes a pain in the butt!
  • On overnight flights.  If you have a good sleeper and your flight is pretty much just an overnight flight.  We tend to pack more lightly and can easily get away with the size and ease of backpack-style kids’ travel bags.

You might also want to think about whether your family vacation and your destination are luggage or maybe more backpack-style bag friendly.

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For tips on flying with kids, read our post here.

Read more on how we use packing cubes in order to stay organised when packing, here!

Grab our FREE pre-travel checklist here!

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kids cabin bags

Things to take note of when purchasing carry on bags for kids:

  • What sort of kids travel bag do I want?  Are you after a backpack style bag or a rolling luggage style, or would you like the bag to have both features?
  • Is this bag durable?
  • Will this suitcase be the perfect size for my child?
  • Will it fit everything I need for the flight?
  • Is the design something that my child will be excited about?
  • If it is a backpack style bag, are the shoulder straps padded for extra comfort?
  • Will it fit under my child’s seat?
  • Did I read the reviews from other parents in regard to this kids cabin luggage?
  • Is this carry on bag the right size?  Click here to see a great carry-on cabin size chart.

So with all of that in mind, here is our list of the ”Top 10 Childrens Cabin Bags”, broken down into our pick of the top 5 cabin bags for girls and the top 5 boys cabin luggage.  Together with helpful reviews and information, we hope that you will find something suitable for your child.

Top 10 Most Practical Kids Cabin Bags

Top 10 Kids Cabin Bags Pinterest Large

Girls carry on Luggage:

1.  American Tourister Disney backpacks for girls – Minnie Mouse Soft Side

(The perfect typical backpack with a gorgeous design that your daughter will get excited about!)

American Tourister Disney backpacks for girls

  • Features front panel organization
  • Large interior main compartment
  • Water bottle pocket
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • 8 x 5 x 14 inches

Check out the price and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag:
  • ‘The colors are great and the quality seems pretty good as well. I love the little compartment in the front where you can put pencils, crayons and other little things.’
  • ‘Really cute and good quality.’
  • ‘I would definitely recommend this backpack to other people looking for a super cute, inexpensive backpack!’

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2. Cabin Childrens Ride On Luggage

(The perfect mix of the two best worlds, a rolling system for when your child wants to pull it along and a seating system for your child to take a break so you can easily pull them along)

Children's Ride On Trolley
  • Features a seat so that your child can sit on the luggage whilst you pull along
  • Easy to pull trolley for a child 3+
  • Has adjustable seat belt for safety

Check out the price, more designs and details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘Works like a dream. Wheels spin and travel across floor seams and thresholds. My 3-year-old enjoyed riding it.’
  • ‘Very convenient, I was able to store it in the overhead bin.’
  • ‘Overall we loved this ride-on suitcase for our vacation and would buy again.’
  • ‘Durable, fun, and well packaged. My grandkids love them’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘A little tricky to get it into the overhead bin but once figured out it fits’
  • ‘Footrests could be a little bigger.’

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  3. Bago Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Backpack – Bag is Packable & Collapsible

(This bag is incredible as you can fold it up into a tiny parcel!  So use it on the plane and then if you don’t need it for the holidays itself, you can easily fold it up and store it in one of the suitcases!)

Bago Lightweight Small Hiking Backpack
  • Features a large spacious main compartment
  • A large front pocket with see-through mesh, 2 side water bottle pockets, an external accessed medium pocket with high quality brand zipper and an inner zip pocket for small items.
  • Folds into it’s inner small pocket; handy, easy to carry; use as a sporty pouch for your gadgets; unfold to use as a daypack or carry bag.
  • 13.4 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches

Check out the price and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘It is a bag within a bag. I have seen this before, but never on a pouch that turns into a backpack. Another way to call it is a Transformer bag.’
  • ‘It is very light but made of sturdy ripstop nylon.’
  • ‘The shoulder straps are long and can actually be worn by an adult, but they are easily adjustable to suit my daughter’s size.’

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4.  Hitop Geometry Dot Casual Canvas Backpack Bag

(Cute Lightweight Backpacks for Teen Young Girls)

HITOP Fashion Geometry Polka Dot Canvas Shoulder Bag

  • Vintage Lightweight Black Lace Pattern
  • Adjustable padded shoulder straps for carrying comfort
  • Mixmatch with qualify PU leather accessories, elegant and fashionable.
  • Specially equipped with laptop compartment, carry your tablet / laptop easily.
  • 12.6″ L x 16.9″ H x 6.7″D
Check out the price and more details here.
 
Why Parents Love this Bag
  • ‘This backpack has plenty of pockets and storage areas too. I’m excited to see how she’s going to use it in the future. I think it would be a great backpack for adults as well.’
  • ‘The bag consists of two main compartments that both contain many pockets for ultimate organization and easy accessibility. There is also pockets on both sides perfect for holding drinks. Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase.’
  • ‘My daughter is in 3rd grade. At the smallest setting I was able to adjust this to fit her and the strap haven’t needed to be readjusted yet. The interior is the perfect size for her.’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘This backpack has two water bottle slots on each side. The only thing I wish they were a little deeper.’

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5. J World New York Lollipop Kids’ Rolling Backpack with Lunch Bag (Wheels and Backpack Option)

J World New York Backpack
  • Lunch bag included
  • Light up wheels
  • Air mesh cushioned padded shoulder strap and back with slip-in system
  • The locking handle can be adjusted accordingly to put less strain while rolling the backpack.
  • The padded straps and back provide comfort and keeps a healthy posture for the children.

Check out the price, other designs and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘This backpack and lunch tote is extremely high quality. The wheels light up which my daughter LOVES.’
  • ‘The 27-month-old can pull it just fine through the airport (and loves doing so!).’
  • ‘The color is amazing, it can be handled perfectly, the wheels roll perfectly smooth’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘It’s a bit on the narrow side.’

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Boys Carry on Luggage

1.  American Tourister Disney Backpack – Soft Side Mickey Mouse

(The perfect typical backpack with a gorgeous design that your daughter will get excited about!)

American Tourister Disney Backpack
  • Features front panel organization
  • Large interior main compartment
  • Water bottle pocket
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • 8 x 5 x 14 inches

Check out the price and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag:

  • ‘Very cute backpack. Purchased for my grandson for our trip to Disney World next year!’

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2. Cabin Ride On Luggage

(The perfect mix of the two best worlds, a rolling system for when your child wants to pull it along and a seating system for your child to take a break so you can easily pull them along)

Children's Ride On Trolley
  • Features a seat so that your child can sit on the luggage whilst you pull along
  • Easy to pull trolley for a child 3+
  • Has adjustable seat belt for safety

Check out the price, more designs and details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘Works like a dream. Wheels spin and travel across floor seams and thresholds. My 3-year-old enjoyed riding it.’
  • ‘Very convenient, I was able to store it in the overhead bin.’
  • ‘Overall we loved this ride-on suitcase for our vacation and would buy again.’
  • ‘Durable, fun, and well packaged. My grandkids love them’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘A little tricky to get it into the overhead bin but once figured out it fits’
  • ‘Footrests could be a little bigger.’

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3. Bago Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Backpack – Bag is Packable & Collapsible

(This bag is incredible as you can fold it up into a tiny parcel!  So use it on the plane and then if you don’t need it for the holidays itself, you can easily fold it up and store it in one of the suitcases!)

bago Lightweight Small Hiking Backpack
  • Features a large spacious main compartment
  • A large front pocket with see-through mesh, 2 side water bottle pockets, an external accessed medium pocket with high-quality brand zipper and an inner zip pocket for small items.
  • Folds into it’s inner small pocket; handy, easy to carry; use as a sporty pouch for your gadgets; unfold to use as a daypack or carry bag.
  • 13.4 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches

Check out the price and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘It folds up into an attached pouch to a size under 7 in. x 7 in. x 3. in.—and can be compressed to be much smaller—but opens up to a good size, about 15 in. x 10 in. x 5 in., big enough to hold a laptop.’
  • ‘For such a compactible, lightweight bag, it has a lot of features. There are two adjustable mesh shoulder straps, one large and two narrow outside mesh pockets with elasticized tops, sturdy zippers with pulls, a loop for carrying or hanging, and a waterproof coating on the honeycomb-patterned ripstop fabric. All seams are reinforced with durable trimming.’
  • ‘Way bigger than expected, several storage areas, & seems good quality. I am using as a carry-on as I have a toddler. This will make traveling so much easier.’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘The straps do not seem to be ultra-heavy duty so I don’t think you’d want to pack anything too heavy in the backpack. However, the straps are very comfortable and highly adjustable.’

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4. Yodo Convertible Playful 3-Way Little Kids Rolling Luggage or Toddler Backpack with Wheels

Yodo 3-Way Kids Suitcase Luggage
  • BPA free and Phthalate free material
  • 3-Way Playful Luggage for Kids: a Hand Bag, a Luggage or a Backpack? Just anyway you want.The shoulder straps could be hiden when you only want luggage. Hide -away wheel cover with elastic is convenient for you when you only want Backpack.
  • Padded Front Quick Access Pouch: Our snack pouch is very large and it provides boys and girls or even moms, a quick access to other travel essentials. The playful padded lids makes travel time so joyful.
  • Large Main Compartment with Durable Yodo Metal Double Zips: Measures 9.5 x 4.5 x 14.5 inches

Check out the price, more designs and details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘I love this bag and so does my son! It is well made and you can adjust the height of the handle! I love it has a pouch as the monkey’s mouth! It is very cute as well.’
  • ‘I love how the straps of the backpack can be hidden away slightly when rolling and how there is a covering for the underside of the luggage. The backpack is lightweight and much more comfortable to wear than I was expecting.’
  • ‘The yodo backpack is a 3 way backpack. The kid can use it as luggage, backpack or just use the handle as handcarry.’

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5. J World New York Lollipop Kids’ Rolling Backpack with Lunch Bag (Wheels and Backpack Option)

J World New York Kids' Lollipop Rolling Backpack & Lunch Bag Set, Seaworld, One Size
  • Lunch bag included
  • Light up wheels
  • Air mesh cushioned padded shoulder strap and back with slip-in system
  • The locking handle can be adjusted accordingly to put less strain while rolling the backpack.
  • The padded straps and back provide comfort and keeps a healthy posture for the children.

Check out the price, other designs and more details here.

Why Parents Love this Bag

  • ‘My son loves the light up wheels. Good quality backpack’
  • ‘It was a great backpack, lots of pockets, nice lunch sack.’
  • ‘This backpack is perfect for younger children.’

Parent Concerns

  • ‘Keep in mind that these backpacks are on the smaller side’

Conclusion:

We hope that this guide has helped you to find the ideal suitcase for your little one. There are some gorgeous and super handy options up there.

Now that you have found a suitcase for your child, how about checking out this great guide on hardside carry on luggage to see if there is something perfect for you.

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Click here to read about more about our favourite travel gear!

If you are after carry-on luggage for adults, click here to read a great guide!

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Could you find a kids cab bag for your child in our list?

Do you have a kids backpacks that you love so much that you would love to add to our list?

 

Photo of author

Jolene Ejmont

Originally from South Africa, now living in Australia, Jolene is a wife and a mother to three beautiful daughters. Together with her family, she is embarking on a journey towards changing her current stress-filled life to one focusing on her dreams and her passion for travel. She wants to share her stories in the hope to inspire you to chase your own dreams!