As with all acquisitions related to children, buying the best luggage for children will inevitably be a push-pull exercise between their desire for Paw Patrol anything and everything, and your desire to maintain some aesthetic sanity. Travelling is a frazzled enough experience before you add the visual affront of Adventure Bay.
As I’ve written about before, I’m not one to shy away from long haul trips with my child (suffering builds character, and how else are you going to see the world), but when I found myself confronting the prospect of air travel last Christmas after a pandemic-induced hiatus, I felt a little rusty. It came up in some conversations with mum friends who have younger children as well. What do they need? Where would it go? And were they capable, perhaps, after for some an unanticipated 18-month break, of doing some of the toting from security to departure gate themselves? A mum can dream.
Now, let me pause to say that children under the age of 12 do not qualify, at this time, for the COVID vaccine, and any parent’s decision to travel with children should be informed by their own comfort level, official guidelines, and their paediatrician’s advice. If you plan to travel with unvaccinated children, the government recommends a number of safety precautions—all familiar by now—including masking, maintaining distance, and frequently washing your hands. But if you’ve determined that the risks associated with travel are feasible for your family—or you plan to take some relatively low-risk outings this summer, such as a road trip without many pit stops—you’ll need to pack for it.
A secret: children sometimes, if you’re lucky, don’t mind doing their own schlepping. Or at least that’s been my experience when I’ve flown with my own boy. Of course, you’re going to be ultimately responsible for the bags, but I’ve found that once they hit a certain age, they will happily push or pull their packs, as long as they are appropriately scaled down to their size and they feel some ownership over their possessions. That doesn’t mean you have to let them pack themselves, though kudos to you if you’re willing to make that gamble. But it may mean you want to let them have a say on which suitcase you pick out when refreshing their carry-on this season. Strength, fellow parent, the Paw Patrol phase doesn’t last forever.
Some design-friendly cases and options for the best luggage for children below.
Travel in style with this strawberry backpack from the new Bobo Choses collection. Available at Orange Mayonnaise here
Shop this beautiful Stokke Suitcase with an inflight bed or leg-rest feature here
Your mini will be traveling in style in this durable, yet fashionable duffle bag from Light + Nine.
Suitcase by Dolce & Gabanna available here
Take the effort out of trips away with this suitcase on wheels by Nanán. Available here
Combining style and functionality, a beige backpack for younger girls and boys from Elodie. Available here
Shop this stunning Liberty of London suitcase here
Perfect for packing your belongings for a holiday or a weekend break. Shop this Djeco suitcase here
