Should Your Kids Bring Their Own Luggage on an International Trip?

My son, having fun pulling his luggage along in Strasbourg, France

It's a big debate my husband and I have before every trip with our littles — whether or not our kids should bring their own luggage.

Now, it's not that we technically need them to take their own luggage (we typically just squeeze their stuff in our suitcases) — but now that our kids are three and five, they really (emphasis on really) want to bring their own along.

Here are some pros and cons to having your kids bring their own suitcase. Of course, it also depends on your child (every kid is different), and any unique circumstances (like a lot of layovers or whether you need to pack a lot versus minimal packing... also, see my family travel packing tips here!).

Hold off on their suitcase

If your kids are under four, I would advise against it (instead, have them fill a backpack, or just skip their luggage altogether). That’s one fewer bag for you to keep track of or drag around (because let's be honest, they will eventually get tired and hand over that little suitcase to you). Just know if they do take a backpack, there's a chance that it gets lots, too, so just be sure not to pack anything that's too valuable for them in there.

Also, you only have so many hands (two, to be exact), so there's only so much you can roll or carry in the airport. While you could check everything, that's a lot of extra money to spend, not to mention an extra concern of whether it will truly arrive at your destination.

Bring their suitcase

Our kids have been asking (repeatedly) for their own suitcases so we finally caved. They brought them on a recent trip from Munich to Strasbourg to Paris (we traveled by train), and wow — seeing the pride on both of their faces when they rolled their suitcases from our hotel to the train station was definitely worth the minor hassle of a slower walk. Plus, we as adults had lighter suitcases because they were carrying their own things.

And, if you're flying with your kids (and they're over two years), then you are actually paying for them to bring luggage, so you might want to get your money's worth and have them pack a bag... as long as you're prepared to roll or carry it in a pinch.

A reminder

If your kiddo does bring a suitcase or backpack, make sure it doesn’t contain anything that’s super important to them. We lost our daughter’s backpack at the airport in Dublin, and it was filled with her favorite stuffed animal and book. Ugh.

One thing we’re not so sure about: Those “kid-friendly” suitcases that double as a little seat that parents can pull. They seem great to use at the airport, but beyond that, I’m not convinced (they tend to be clunky, which isn't ideal on sidewalks and other uneven surfaces, not to mention they're typically a "thrill" that only lasts a short while).

Also, I'm seeing ads lately for toddler and baby seats that attach to the top of adult luggage. While they look handy in theory, they don't seem incredibly safe to me... and the last thing you want is your little one getting hurt right at the start of a big trip. I would skip those, too.

If your kids brought their own luggage on a trip and it worked out well...or not...let me know in the comments below!

And be sure to check out my @bigworld_littletravelers reel below on Instagram for more thoughts on kids and luggage, and follow me to get more tips on traveling the world with little ones.