Part of being a parent means being your family’s designated Sherpa, carrying multiple bags and guiding everyone to their final destination. Fortunately, kid-sized rolling luggage can lighten your load and help your child feel like a big kid in charge of his own stuff. Most luggage manufacturers make rolling suitcases specifically for kids that fit all shapes, sizes and budgets.

You can find everything from small travel backpacks with wheels and cartoon-print luggage with telescoping pull handles to hardside rolling luggage with spinner wheels and luggage that doubles as ride-ons for kids who, inevitably, stop halfway through the terminal like they’re Teamsters on strike. 

Best Affordable Rolling Luggage: Yodo Zoo Toddler Backpack With Wheels

Best Snack-And-Go Rolling Luggage: Oversee Rolling Luggage

Best Suitcase And Backpack Rolling Luggage Set: iPlay, iLearn Kids Carry on Luggage Set

Best Ride-On Rolling Luggage: Trunki Original Kids Ride-On Suitcase

Best Disney Rolling Luggage: American Tourister Disney Kids Hardside Upright Luggage

Best Rolling Luggage For Animal Lovers: Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid & Toddler Rolling Luggage

Best Bargain Hard-Side Rolling Luggage: Costway Backpack School Travel Trolley

Best Personalized Rolling Luggage: Mackenzie Hard Sided Spinner

Best ‘Smart’ Rolling Luggage: Away Kids Carry-On

Best Backpack Carry-On With Wheels: Rockland Double Handle Rolling Backpack

Best Outdoors Rolling Duffle Bag Luggage: Eagle Creek Load Warrior 20 Duffel Bag

Best Splurge Luggage: Mima Ovi Trolley Hard Side 18-Inch Kid Size Suitcase

Best Rolling Luggage For Sports Fans: Hey America 16-Inch Hardside Luggage

How to Choose the Best Rolling Luggage for Kids

To choose the right roller bag for your kid, first consider where the luggage will be used as well as your own child’s age and personality. Rolling luggage adds convenience to all modes of travel, from planes, trains and automobiles to campers and cruise ships. Air travel, however, comes with certain restrictions that you need to keep in mind for maximum convenience. Each airline has its own rules for carry-on luggage, with most allowing bags around 21 inches long, so you’ll want to make sure whatever bag you choose will fit on board. For shorter trips where you don’t have to pack lots of clothing, you can get away with a smaller, soft-sided roller bag that doubles as your kid’s activity and snack bag to stow underneath the seat. Or you might consider a kid-sized luggage set, which offers one roller bag for the overhead compartment and a matching backpack for under the seat.

Whatever option you choose, have your child take his new wheels for a spin before you say yes. Do the wheels roll easily? Does the handle feel too heavy? Does it stay in place when it’s extended and does it easily retract? Does your child have an opinion on the color or cartoon character on the bag (always a possible deal breaker!)? Taking the time to find the right bag won’t guarantee a smooth journey, but whatever happens, your kid’s luggage can roll with it.