Editorial Team
Our content team
14 min read
Last summer at the Palma de Mallorca gate, I watched a family get their kid's suitcase taken away at check-in. Too big for Ryanair hand luggage. The kid was crying, the parents furious, and it cost them 45 euros. Here's the thing: the suitcase was a Trunki. Ryanair explicitly allows Trunkis for children. The family didn't know. Apparently the staff member didn't either.
That's exactly the kind of situation this kids' suitcase test 2026 is meant to prevent. I've looked at the five most popular children's suitcases, trolleys, and backpacks, checked them against current airline rules, and sorted everything by age group. Because a three-year-old needs something completely different than a ten-year-old. And both need something different than you do.
Short answer: For Ryanair flights with kids under 6, the Trunki Original is the best pick. It's officially allowed, costs nothing extra, and your child can sit on it. From age 6, the Lässig Kids' Trolley is the one to get. On budget airlines without overhead bag access, the Deuter Waldfuchs is the smartest kids travel backpack option.
Kids' Luggage for Flights: What You Need to Know in 2026
Before you buy any suitcase, you need to understand one thing. Every airline has its own hand luggage dimensions. And they apply to children the same way they do to adults (with one important exception, more on that shortly).
According to a family travel survey from 2024, German families travel an average of 1.6 times per year. About 30% by plane. For many families, picking the right children's luggage for the airplane is a real investment that needs to pay off. Buy the wrong one, and you pay at the gate.
Choosing the right children's luggage for the airplane comes down to which airline you fly. Ryanair has completely different dimensions than Lufthansa. Not knowing that is what got the Mallorca family into trouble.
Airline Size Chart: Which Kids' Suitcase Fits Where?
| Airline | Small Cabin Bag (free) | Large Cabin Bag | Special Rules for Kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 x 20 x 25 cm | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Priority, 10 kg) | Ages 2-11: Trunki allowed! |
| Eurowings | 40 x 30 x 25 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm (Smart fare, 8 kg) | Same rules as adults |
| Lufthansa | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm (8 kg) | Own seat = full hand luggage |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (overhead) | Trunki counts as small cabin bag |
Look closely at the "Small Cabin Bag" column. At Ryanair, that's 40 x 20 x 25 cm. A standard kids' trolley measuring 46 x 30 x 20 cm won't fit. At easyJet it will (45 x 36 x 20 cm). These are the details that make the difference at the gate.
If you fly different airlines regularly, go by the strictest dimensions. It's also worth checking whether Ryanair Priority makes sense for your situation. Or use the Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen, which Ryanair has an official exception for.
Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen
4.5
(19,281)
EUR 54.99
Amazon
The Ryanair Trunki Exception: What Most Parents Miss
This is the piece of information I haven't found in any other kids' suitcase comparison. According to Ryanair's help center, children aged 2 to 11 are allowed to bring a Trunki or similar ride-on suitcase, even if it exceeds the standard small bag dimensions.
The Trunki measures 46 x 21 x 31 cm. That's bigger than Ryanair's 40 x 20 x 25 cm limit. Still allowed. Free of charge. No Priority booking needed.
Why don't most people know this? The rule is relatively new and Ryanair doesn't exactly promote it. I'd still recommend keeping a screenshot of the help page on your phone. Not every gate agent knows about it.
More about hand luggage penalties at budget airlines in our article on hand luggage fines at the gate with Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air.
Kids Suitcase Test 2026: The Best Models Compared
For this kids suitcase test 2026, I narrowed the selection down to five products that have proven themselves across different categories. Ride-on cases, classic trolleys, and kids travel backpacks.
Before I get into the individual products: what actually makes a good kids' suitcase? Two things matter most.
First, weight. The lighter the empty case, the more your child can pack. Second, dimensions. That's where the airline chart above comes in. A great suitcase that gets confiscated at the gate isn't a great suitcase.
Trunki Suitcase Review: The Ride-On Classic
The Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen has been the go-to kids' suitcase for years. 18 liters of volume, 1.6 kg empty weight, and your child can sit on it and be pulled through the airport. Sounds like a gimmick. Until you're navigating Munich Terminal 2 with an exhausted, cranky three-year-old.
What I personally like: the hard shell takes a beating, and the case opens across the full width. Kids love packing their own stuff, and the Trunki actually makes that doable. What you should know: 18 liters isn't much. Fine for a weekend trip, not for two weeks away.
Good for: Kids aged 3 to 6, Ryanair flights, families with small children who walk long distances.
Not ideal for: Kids over 6 (they find it "too babyish" fast), trips longer than a week.
The Trunki has over 19,000 Amazon reviews at 4.5 stars. That's genuinely rare for children's products.
Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen
4.5
(19,281)
EUR 54.99
Amazon
Fun on Wheels: Flyte Scooter Case
The Flyte Scooter Koffer - 2-in-1, 45 cm Reisekoffer Kinder, 25 Liter Fassungsvermögen Kinderkoffer Handgepäck takes a different approach. Instead of sitting, you stand on it and scoot. The case has a fold-out kick scooter built in. 25-liter capacity, 45 cm height.
Honestly, I'm torn. The concept is fun, and kids between 4 and 8 absolutely love it. But scooting through a packed terminal? I find that genuinely chaotic in practice. A quiet regional airport or the car park: great. Frankfurt during peak travel season: probably not. The Amazon rating sits at 4.1 stars, a bit below the competition.
Good for: Kids aged 4 to 8, families who mostly drive, using the case at the destination rather than the airport.
Not ideal for: Busy large airports, kids who can't control a scooter well yet.
Flyte Scooter Koffer - 2-in-1, 45 cm Reisekoffer Kinder, 25 Liter Fassungsvermögen Kinderkoffer Handgepäck
4.1
(618)
EUR 59.99
Amazon
Classic Kids' Trolley: Lässig and Samsonite
If you want a proper pull-along trolley rather than a ride-on, there are two solid options.
The LÄSSIG Kinderkoffer Trolley Reisekoffer mit Teleskopstange und Rollen für Kinder Handgepäck is my pick if you don't care about Disney characters. The designs are age-appropriate without being kitschy. No unicorns, no flashing lights, just clean looks that hold up over time. At 2 kg empty and a Testberichte.de rating of 1.2 out of 477 reviews, this thing is built to last. Lässig also uses certified chemical-free materials, which matters when you read the safety section below.
If your kid wants Disney, and plenty of kids do, the Samsonite Disney Ultimate 2.0 - Kindergepäck, 46.5 cm, 20.5 L, Mehrfarbig is the answer. Samsonite build quality, 4.7 stars, 46.5 cm tall and 20.5 liters. Both sit in the 70 to 76 euro range. The difference in price is minimal. Buy the one your kid refuses to put down after two minutes in the store.
Quick reality check: hard-shell kids' trolleys that technically fit as cabin baggage can still cause problems. In a full cabin, a rigid kids' case is harder to squeeze into the overhead bin than a soft backpack. Not a reason to avoid trolleys, but worth knowing.
Good for: Kids aged 5 to 10, trips with overhead bin access, parents who prioritize quality.
Not ideal for: Ryanair without Priority (too big for the free small bag).
LÄSSIG Kinderkoffer Trolley Reisekoffer mit Teleskopstange und Rollen für Kinder Handgepäck
4.6
(875)
EUR 72.34
Amazon
The Backpack Alternative: Deuter Waldfuchs
Sometimes a kids travel backpack beats a trolley. Especially on short-haul budget flights where only a small cabin item is free.
Small objection I'll address upfront: yes, trolleys get a bad rap in some back-health studies. But that's about daily school commutes, not flying to Mallorca once a year. For holiday travel, the difference is negligible.
The deuter Waldfuchs 14 2024 Kindergartenrucksack weighs under 500 grams with 14 liters of space. 4.7 stars from 400 reviews. Padded straps, chest strap, fits under the front seat as a personal item on most airlines. One thing to keep in mind: 14 liters is small. Fully packed, it can easily exceed the 15% body weight guideline that pediatricians recommend. A 20 kg child shouldn't carry more than 3 kg. Pack with that in mind.
Looking for more backpack options? We've compared the best tested hand luggage backpacks for flights.
Good for: Kids aged 5 to 10, short-haul budget flights, families who travel light.
Not ideal for: Family trips with lots of luggage, kids who want to wheel their own bag.
deuter Waldfuchs 14 2024 Kindergartenrucksack
4.7
(400)
EUR 59.98
Amazon
Which Kids' Suitcase for Which Age?
Not every case works for every child. Here's my take by age group, based on this kids suitcase test 2026.
Ages 3 to 5: Ride-On Cases Win
At this age, kids can't reliably pull a trolley on their own. The handle is too tall, the strength isn't there. A ride-on case like the Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen solves this because you pull your child through the airport. Saves nerves and time.
Pick: Trunki Original or Flyte Scooter. Trunki if you fly regularly (Ryanair exception!). Flyte if you mostly drive.
Trunki Der originale Kinderkoffer zum Draufsitzen - 18-L Handgepäck Koffer, befahrbarer Hartschalen Reisekoffer mit Rollen
4.5
(19,281)
EUR 54.99
Amazon
Ages 6 to 8: The First Real Trolley
At 6, the ride-on suddenly becomes uncool. Own trolley, pull it yourself, please. That works fine, provided the case is light enough (2 kg max empty) and the telescoping handle goes low enough.
Pick: Lässig Kids' Trolley or Samsonite Disney Ultimate. Both light enough for this age and big enough for a weekend trip.
Ages 9 to 12: Almost Grown Up
From age 9, kids can handle a small adult carry-on from our luggage test. If you still want a kids' suitcase, choose one without babyish designs. The Deuter Waldfuchs also works as a backpack alternative at this age because the look is neutral enough.
Pick: Deuter Waldfuchs 14 as a backpack. Or a plain small hard-shell from the adult range.
How to Pack a Kids' Suitcase Properly
Most parents forget this part. Buying a good suitcase is one thing. Packing it so it clears the gate is another.
Rule 1: Weigh the empty suitcase first. Many parents forget the empty weight counts toward the luggage allowance. A 2 kg trolley on an 8 kg limit leaves only 6 kg for contents.
Rule 2: Kids pack, parents check. Kids stuff in everything they see. I've watched families bring three stuffed animals and two books in their carry-on. Nice in theory, expensive at the gate.
Rule 3: Measure, don't guess. A suitcase that's "roughly" the right size is either too big or too small at the gate. Measuring takes two minutes.
Rule 4: Liquids go in separately. Same rules as adults. Sunscreen, shampoo, all in a clear bag, placed on top.
Small kids can actually get a lot of mileage from using a backpack as their personal item. A fully packed Deuter Waldfuchs under the front seat, plus the Trunki in the overhead bin. That's often more luggage than most families expect to get through free of charge.
Comparison Table: All Kids' Suitcases at a Glance
| Product | Type | Size (cm) | Weight | Volume | Age Range | Price approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trunki Original | Ride-on | 46 x 21 x 31 | 1.6 kg | 18 L | 3-6 yrs | EUR 55 |
| Flyte Scooter | Scooter case | 45 cm height | n/a | 25 L | 4-8 yrs | EUR 60 |
| Lässig Trolley | Kids' trolley | 46 x 30 x 20 | 2.0 kg | 25 L | 5+ yrs | EUR 72 |
| Samsonite Disney Ultimate | Kids' trolley | 46.5 x 34 x 23 | n/a | 20.5 L | 3+ yrs | EUR 76 |
| Deuter Waldfuchs 14 | Backpack | varies | ~0.5 kg | 14 L | 5-10 yrs | EUR 60 |
Material Safety: What Most Kids Suitcase Tests Skip
Here's something most kids suitcase tests don't cover.
Stiftung Warentest tested 18 suitcases in 2021. Three of them failed because of excessive PAH contamination in the handles. PAH compounds can be carcinogenic. And kids touch suitcase handles constantly, the whole holiday.
That's not meant to panic you. But it's a reason to be skeptical of unknown brands under 30 euros. Lässig and Affenzahn are both explicitly tested for harmful substances. Affenzahn also makes their trolleys from recycled PET bottles, four bottles per case. Sounds like marketing, but it's verifiable.
Material safety matters for kids' suitcases. Simple rule: if a manufacturer doesn't mention any certifications, ask.
My Take on the Kids Suitcase Test 2026
Most kids suitcase tests in 2026 make the same mistake. They compare products without asking which airline the family actually flies. A Trunki is a great pick for Ryanair (because of the exception rule) but a poor one for Eurowings Basic if you haven't added large cabin baggage.
My advice: check the airline chart first, then your child's age, then the products. In that order. It saves you the 45-euro gate fee and gets your trip off to a better start.
And if you need a packing list to go with your new suitcase, my summer holiday packing list 2026 (Coming Soon) will save you another half hour of stress.
