11 Best Kids’ Suitcases for Your Next Family Vacation

This TSA-approved scooter suitcase can really save your bacon if you have a quick layover or a long way to walk between gates. Kids love the novelty of it, and with its light-up wheels and soft-grip handles, it's just plain fun.

And don't worry: The scooter board kicks up, locking onto the back of the hardshell body of the suitcase. It is designed to deflect and absorb impact, which really feels inevitable for a scooter suitcase.

The inside of this kids' suitcase is no slouch, either. It has plenty of space to store everything your little one needs for a few days out on the town.

Our tiny tester has the Yeti version of this suitcase, and his “monster bag,” goes almost everywhere with him, be it a trip overseas, or just a few miles away to visit his grands. It has seen a lot of miles in a few years, and other than the handpainted artwork he added, it’s no worse for wear.

More: Inexpensive Suitcases for Everyone in the Family

Do you know what is the absolute worst thing? When your kid's device dies at the airport, or while traveling, and everyone is using the outlets or those charging stations (that are apparently siphoning our data or something, so may want to skip those anyway).

Enter Away luggage. Not only is it one of the best pieces of luggage that I have ever tested, with a durable, polycarbonate shell, 360-degree spinning wheels, telescoping handle, easy-to-work lock, and an included laundry bag, you can get it with a charging port and battery in place. It's all right under the handle.

This lockable carry-on will fit a week's worth of clothing for children, possibly more, but we like this for older kids and teens because they're the ones with the devices, typically, and this bag is such high-quality that they can take it with them even when they leave the house. It's the kind of luggage that will last decades. Our Away bag's maiden voyage was a road trip with multiple stops, and in spite of my teen just flinging it everywhere, it's still in perfect condition.

When you need something a little bigger, but not huge, this is a great midsize bag. This piece of luggage is a little over 2-feet tall, and a bit over a foot wide, and just under a foot deep. Basically, it's the perfect size for a family of three or four for a weekend trip. You can fit everything in the two-zone, polycarbonate suitcase that you'll need, including shoes.

This bag is a dream, truly. It glides across the pavement, and the wheels are inset and spin 360 degrees. It’s so simple to pack in the back of your car and go. Plus, I’m not going to lie, it looks good. It just does. The shades are modern and pretty, and the label makes it easy to spot on a conveyor belt.

My son called it the “sky bag,” and that feels apt. It’s lightweight, it’s easy to move, and built to weather a few storms. I truly have no notes. It’s the best medium bag I tested.

Oh, you thought that hard shell, easy-to-carry, easy-to-pack luggage for kids and teens had to be expensive? So did I, honestly, until I found this bag from One Quince.

It’s a dang fine piece of luggage for the price, and a really great option for kids who are maybe a bit too old for spaceships or Mickey Mouse. I put it through its paces, testing it for cleanability, ease of use, how much of my kids’ crap I can store in the polycarbonate suitcase, and if the 360-degree spinning wheels ever get stuck, and it performed beautifully.

It also passed what I like to call the “sticker” test. Kids love stickers. They love putting them all over luggage. Truth be told, I had a My Chemical Romance bumper sticker on mine once upon a time. The thing is, removing them often removes the finish of the suitcase. That doesn’t happen with the Quince. I peeled it off, and even used the scrubbing sponge they included to clean the whole outside of the bag after, including the telescoping handle, and it looked wonderful. No finish issues, no scuffs, just a charcoal bag.

It only lasted 20 minutes though, because no sooner was it dry then my daughter put a watermelon sticker on it. I guess it's hers, now. Also, she changed the lock code, so it's definitely hers.

When you're at the point where you have to drag your child through the airport, having a ride-on suitcase really comes in clutch. This sweet turquoise suitcase (which is also available in other colors) holds all their things, but it can also be used as a ride-on mode of transportation through long, winding terminals.

Kids can either push themselves or be pulled while saddled atop their cute container as you work your way to your destination. Our tester likes this particular suitcase because of the safety strap that helps keep your child from sliding off the back during bumpy parts of the ride like getting on and off the people mover. It's also more spacious than you may be thinking as well according to our tester, noting that the shape is great for keeping dirty and clean things separate.

Going to a Disney park? While there isn't a hard-and-fast rule that one must have Disney luggage, it's pretty darned common to see Mickey Mouse luggage everywhere when you're in them.

If you've ever owned a piece of American Tourister luggage, you already know that it's some of the best-designed luggage on the market — and this model is no different. The interior is cordoned off into perfectly sized sections for your kids' shoes, clothing, and knickknacks, and the exterior is positively chockablock with Disney-themed accessories, from the tag all the way to the zip pulls.

My daughter has had her American Tourister carry-on since she was 3 years old, and while it's now completely covered in stickers and Sharpie, it's still in great shape, almost 9 years later.

The “Baby Shark” anthem is still going strong for little kids, and this hardshell kids’ suitcase by Rockland shows just how adorable it can be — fin, gills, teeth, and all. Even the luggage tag is a baby shark!

The light polycarbonate shell of the suitcase sits on four wheels that spin 360 degrees for easy lugging, and the extendable handle pulls all the way up to adult height, allowing for caregivers to give their kiddos a little extra help when necessary.

This suitcase is a bit on the petite side, according to our tester, so this isn't meant for long trips.

Honestly, suitcases can be extremely pricey, no matter how small they are! This is a wonderful budget option for parents who don't want to spend a ton of money on a kids' suitcase. The colors are bright and lively, and your child will live for the rainbow unicorn pattern: It'll make your whole trip feel all the more magical.

You'll appreciate the solid construction, too: It has a front zippered pocket, rear wheels that glide with ease, and a telescoping handle that retracts right into the suitcase. It's not as luxe as others on this list, and honestly, that's fine. Our reviewer told us that it "works exactly as long as it should."

Getting your little one to lug their own suitcase won't be difficult with this adorable unicorn rolling luggage set from iPlay, iLearn. With 2,000 positive reviews, this kids' suitcase set stands out for its extreme durability and easy-to-organize interior.

The suitcase is slightly smaller than your average carry-on, but the telescoping handle extends long enough that when parents need to, they can wheel it alongside their own luggage with ease. The inside of the case has three zippered pockets on one side and crisscrossing straps on the other — making the whole thing a cinch to organize and keep clean.

To clean it, the exterior of the case can be sanitized to your heart's content, while the inside should be wiped down with soap and water and left to air dry. (In the event of pocket chocolate, of course.) Our tester has an alternative pattern of this very set, and they use the backpack-sized bag to carry their toys on the plane. They have used it for 3 years, and it's in wonderful shape.

As we just mentioned, snacks are some of the best ways to keep a kid happy on a long plane or car ride. Thanks to this luggage with a built-in cooler, you don't have to worry about anything going bad in the process. (No soggy, smelly cheese sticks for your little one.)

But even without that nifty add-on, this kids' suitcase is pretty great, thanks to its lightweight construction, ample pockets, and smooth-rolling wheels.

Our tester wanted to note that this is a great choice if you have to pump on a long plane ride. With a few ice packs, you're good to go, keeping the breast milk fresh and safely stashed in the overhead bin.

Duffel bags are getting ever more popular for everyone, kids included. A big part of that is because they’re so easy to store because they’re collapsable, allowing them to take up very little space in your closet.

Wildkin does it right with this 18x9-inch duffel. It has extra pockets, a padded strap, and thin handles that are easy for small hands to grasp and haul through the airport or hotel. They're one of our favorite brands, and this is the bag used by many family and friends for both travel and soccer. The seams are so durable that they can hold up to all that stress without taking damage.