Kid’s Luggage

Kid’s Luggage

When travelling with kids, having a separate kids’ bag may be a better idea than stuffing parents’ and kids’ clothes together. Not only this would lessen the disarray, but would also teach kids to be more independent, organized and more responsible with their things. Finding the ideal luggage for your kid will not be difficult if you consider some things before choosing one.

· Kid’s age: Kids’ luggage should be chosen keeping their age in mind. While older kids can handle bigger backpacks, suitcases, or uprights, this can be strenuous on a young kid’s back and shoulder and hence, they would need light backpack or wheeled upright.

· Kid’s choice: Letting kids to participate in selecting their luggage would be helpful as each one will have their own preference about color, pattern or style. Kids will be more enthusiastic about owning their favorite luggage and keen to pack their own stuffs.

· Usability: Kid’s baggage which comes with many pockets makes it easier to pack the multiple things needed during travel. Outer compartments allow you to pack things which need to be readily accessed.

· Maintenance: It is sensible to choose lightweight, durable and easy-to-clean luggage for kids. Baggage made from plastic, vinyl and canvas are some of the preferable options for kids. (1)

Luggage Set

Some of the popular types of kid’s luggage are listed below:

Rolling Luggage: Rolling luggage refers to wheeled luggage either with or without retractable handles. The advantage of rolling luggage is that heavy loads feel effortlessly light and children can easily maneuver their luggage without causing much strain on their bodies. Upright rolling suitcase is a type of rolling luggage. One should choose smooth-rolling wheels and robust retractable handles. (2)

Suitcase: Trunki is a popular choice among kid’s luggage. It is a kid-sized suitcase with wheels and pull-strap. This lightweight luggage can be easily pulled by toddlers and preschoolers. They can double up as a ride-on toy when they are exhausted during long walk in the airport. They are generally constructed of sturdy plastics as suitcases for grownups. Pull strap is easy to use for kids or adults. One main disadvantage of Trunki suitcase is that it does not have any outside pockets and hence, it needs to be opened up wholly to access contents. (3)

Samsonite Sammies also has a range of preppy suitcases with animal designs called the Sammies funny face range. Pully and Dinky are two types of Samsonite Sammies suitcases. (4)

Trunki Suitcases

Pilot Cases: Pilot cases are suitable for overnight stay as well as for use in school. It also serves as a useful carry-on case for long-distance travel. The small size of pilot cases makes it convenient to be carried on the plane. The case has a rolling wheeled and a top handle. It is lightweight that kids can easily handle it. Disney Pilot case is a well-known brand in kid’s luggage. Disney pilot cases are colorful and designed with kid’s favorite Disney characters. (5, 6)

Duffel Bags: Duffel or Duffle bag is cylindrical bag made of cloth, which find its use as a kid’s sports bag or a holiday bag. It is usually spacious enough to pack all the necessary items for sleep overs. Samsonite Sammies has two popular duffel bags, namely Lucky and Frisky (4, 7,

Luggage Sets: A luggage set consists of two or more pieces of luggage that are sold in a combo. It usually includes a small wheeled suitcase, which one can take to the airport. A matching backpack is also included in the set, which can be used to hold a few toys or activities to keep your kid occupied on the plane. The third piece of the set may be a duffle with wheels which is perfect for use as an overnight bag during sleepovers. (9)

Personalized Kid’s Luggage:
Personalizing a luggage makes it unique, distinct and easier to locate on a baggage carousel. Kid’s luggage can be personalized with their names or initials monogrammed or embossed on them. Some shops offer the option of personalizing luggage with the kid’s name or initials together with their favorite image. Kids will be thrilled to flaunt around the luggage with their names on. Personalized luggage can give kids the liberty to be in charge of their luggage with the reassurance that the luggage can still find its way back to the owner if it gets left behind. Personalized luggage is especially useful in trips in a group as kids can easily locate their luggage amid other bags. Personalized luggage is an ideal gifting solution for kids because all kids enjoy independently carting around their own luggage when they travel. (9, 10)

Tagging a luggage with kid’s name is another way of personalizing a luggage, besides embossing or monogramming. Personalized tag with kid’s name and parent’s contact number is especially convenient for school bags. Before ordering, one should check if the material of the tag can withstand wear and tear caused by baggage handling at airports. Personalized luggage tags for younger kids should be child-friendly and non-metallic; laminated cardboard paper and hard plastic are good options. (11, 12)

Kid’s luggage tags are available online or in stores. A simpler and economical alternative would be self-made personalized luggage tags. One can make a personalized luggage tag with just few stationery items such as paper, pen, and stencils. (10)

Some of the online stores that make kid’s personalized luggage tags are as follows:

· Rockpaperscissorsinvitations.com: They offer tags made from two types of durable and child-friendly materials: thick engraved plastic and laminated cardboard. A short silver clasp chain is supplied with the tags for the purpose of attaching the tag to bag.

· lemontreepaperie.com: They offer plastic tags with easy-to-attach plastic loop.

· oliverslabels.com: They have a collection of tags for different occasions: travel, sports, dance, strollers etc.

· labelyourstuff.com: Their tags are childproof and made of thick plastic material with a plastic loop for fastening it to the luggage.

· haggusandstookles.com.au: This store has more than 20 varieties of designs for tags and themed tags for sports, dance, cartoon etc. (13)

Video: The URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezIiPCiF2j4 leads to a video showing the ad for Trunki, the world's first ride-on suitcase. Another video http://youtu.be/KHhTW4sQuw8 talks about designer kid’s luggage by Heys.

Source:

1. http://www.overstock.com/guides/best-luggage-for-kids

2. http://www.thecompanystore.com/Explorer-Rolling-Suitcase-(56%25-Off)/78004C,default,pd.html

3. http://babyproducts.about.com/od/travel/gr/trunki.htm

4. http://www.funkymoose.co.uk/luggage-for-children/sammies-luggage-for-children

5. http://tips.become.com/luggage/kids-luggage.html

6. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Princess-Pilot-Case/14935906

7. http://www.mooo.com.au/duffle-bags/

8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffel_bag

9. http://handbags.lovetoknow.com/luggage/kids-luggage-sets

10. http://www.amillionlives.net/personalized-luggage-tags-dont-loose-your-bags-again.html

11. http://www.kidstravelzone.com/