Kids' Luggage Travel Hacks: The Ultimate Guide to Keep Everyone Traveling Smoothly

Planning a family vacation should spark excitement—not stress. But if packing for yourself and the kids feels like a logistical nightmare, you're not alone. Between organizing outfits, lugging gear, and keeping track of it all once you arrive, family travel can quickly get complicated. That’s where the right luggage makes all the difference. At Away, we’ve gathered expert tips (and travel-tested gear) to help you stay organized, pack smarter, and actually enjoy the journey.

Small Hands, Big Responsibilities: Let Them Pull Their Weight

If you travel a lot, your kids may already be used to pulling their own carry-on or backpack. Allowing your kids to help not only lightens your load—it gives them a sense of pride and ownership. For little travelers eager to manage their own belongings, smaller-sized kids' luggage is the perfect solution, offering independence and a sense of responsibility. At Away, we’ve created kids' luggage that has all of the durability and style of our award-winning suitcases, perfectly sized-down to fit even your smallest explorer. Our kids luggage comes in fun, child-friendly colors and is equipped with 360° spinner wheels, adjustable trolley handle, and a lightweight yet durable exterior. Our full Kid’s Collection is here to make travel days an exciting adventure, empowering children to feel like confident explorers.

The Kids Carry-on

This kid-sized version of our classic hard-shell suitcase is durable, big enough to fit what they need, but compact enough for them to handle on their own. With adjustable trolley height options, kids can comfortably maneuver the suitcase, while adults can extend it to match the height of their own Away luggage—ensuring a smoother experience for travelers of all sizes.

Kids Backpack

Pair their carry-on with a backpack to keep essentials close at hand. While the suitcase handles the bulk of their packing, a backpack is perfect for in-transit must-haves—like snacks, toys, and entertainment. Our new kids’ backpack is thoughtfully designed with a place for just about everything, including:

• Water bottle pockets on both sides
• Exterior pockets
• Chest strap and no-slip backpack straps
• Webbing grab handle for hanging 
• Padded sleeve for tablets or books
• D-ring to add their favorite charms
• Trolley sleeve to attach seamlessly to The Kids Carry-On

Kids Lunchbox

Tossing snacks into a backpack or suitcase? That’s a recipe for crushed chips and sticky surprises. That’s why we designed the Kids Lunchbox—to keep meals fresh, organized, and mess-free from takeoff to lunchtime. It’s perfectly sized to fit most popular lunch containers (including bento boxes), with thoughtful features like a zippered pocket for utensils, an elastic mesh lid for snacks, and a compartment for an ice pack. Whether you’re heading to the schoolyard or 30,000 feet up, it’s everything you need to pack a meal—without the mess.

The Convenience of One Large Bag

Even if your kids are ready to roll their own luggage, checking one large bag—like The Trunk—can be a game-changer for families of four or more.  Strategically packing one large suitcase with a comprehensive checklist can be the key to organized and stress-free family travel. In your checked bag, include the following:

• Any toiletries or liquids that are too large to be carried on (think: lotion, shampoo, medications)
• Bulky items, like blankets, jackets, or sweaters
• Items that don’t fit cleanly in a carry-on, like large makeup bags, blow dryers, or shoes (we recommend using The Shoe Cube for those)

Use a Family Checklist

Use a family list so everyone has what they need. Before you leave, run through the list and have each family member locate it to ensure it got packed. This helps avoid fights over who gets the one charger you packed or late-night stops to get a forgotten toothbrush. The extra five minutes it takes to double-check the bag against the list can significantly decrease the strain on the vacation because no one wants to go to the supermarket to pick up soap or extra clothes right after landing.

Simplify Outfits With “Kid Fits”

One way to make sure each kid has a full outfit for every day is to create what we refer to as “kid fits.” These methods ensure that each day has underwear, bottoms, socks, and shirts without tons of searching through bags. There is a method behind the madness, so pick the packing method that works best for you.

Roll-and-Cube

If you prefer to organize by clothing type, roll the clothing up in different colored cubes for products. For example, use The Insider Packing Cubes in red for socks, while the orange can be used for shirts. Let your kids pick the colors so it’s easy to remember (and more fun to pack and unpack). 

Daily Outfit

Use our Kids Packing Cubes to roll up an entire outfit. Include everything your kids need for each day. They can grab a bag and get dressed without your help and without destroying your suitcase.

Kids Choice

Older kids have a bit more autonomy when it comes to packing. One way to empower them to pack and organize is to create a list of items each child needs. Your list may look something like this:

• Shirts - 1-2 per day of your trip
• Pants/shorts - fewer than tops
• 1 jacket
• Socks - 1-2 pairs per day
• Underwear - 1 pair per day, plus a few extras
• Charger
• Toothbrush

Packing Pro Level Activated

Here are a couple of extra things to add to make you feel like a pro whenever you vacation:

• Use the drawstring laundry bag for dirty laundry, wet swimsuits, or damp towels.
• Use The Small Toiletry Bag to include emergency items like pain relievers, band-aids, and necessary medications.
• Always check for chargers and make sure batteries are fully charged before you leave because nothing is more painful than a 2-year-old with a dead iPad on a flight.
• If you think you’ve packed enough snacks for the plane, double it.
• Outfit insurance is free but necessary, so make sure you add one extra outfit to account for accidents, spills, and unexpected weather.

At Away, we know that travel is best when it’s convenient. Make your family travel easier with our perfectly paired kids bundles. Take the guesswork out of packing for your busy family and bundle The Kids Carry-On, Kids Packing Cubes, and Kids Backpack together. Browse our site to find out how we make travel easy and fun. We believe in our products and are confident you will, too.