Traveling with your kids is one the best ways to bond as a family and show them different corners of our world. While you can tuck their things alongside your own inside of a single suitcase, this means less room for essentials and souvenirs.
By toddlerhood, your little one is old enough for their piece of luggage, which they can use for every adventure. Not only does an extra case make family travel smoother, but it also enriches your child’s personal development. Dive into the reasons it’s great for kids to manage their luggage below!
Fosters Independence
It’s hard to feel independent when you rely on your parents for everything, and that reliance is a natural part of childhood. However, a lack of freedom leaves some kids feeling helpless and frustrated. Giving them their own luggage fosters a sense of independence, making your child feel more capable and confident in themselves.
Additionally, when your little one has their luggage, they can pack it themselves and manage the bag throughout the vacation (with your help, of course). This way, you still act as a guide but allow them to have that sense of accomplishment when they remember to place their favorite toy or book inside.
Teaches Responsibility
Responsibility goes hand in hand with independence, and the more autonomous your child feels, the more likely they are to take responsibility for their belongings. By giving them a suitcase, you are entrusting them with the responsibility of taking care of their items during travel. This can also extend to other areas of their life, as they learn the importance of being responsible and organized.
For example, if your child is old enough to pack their bag themselves and forgets their favorite toy at home, they will learn the consequences of not being organized and remembering to pack what they need. Teaching your child responsibility through fun activities, such as traveling, helps them understand it in other areas of life as well.
Parent Tip
Thinking ahead spills into other areas, such as completing school assignments, remembering sports equipment for practice, or preparing supplies for extracurricular activities. Managing luggage becomes a foundational habit, building a broader awareness of the importance of responsible choices in daily life.
Builds Organizational Skills
Packing a suitcase is a skill that relies on our ability to organize. Shoving everything inside makes it harder to find items that can get tangled, misplaced, or buried under other things, leading to unnecessary frustration during the trip. Not to mention, it’s hard to make the most of your space when you pack the bag improperly.
By having your child take care of their own luggage, you give them a task that allows them to practice their organizational skills. They can fold their clothes and fit them into their suitcase in a way that makes sense to them and adjust their belongings as needed throughout the trip.
Encourages Decision-Making
Children don’t often get the chance to make major decisions, but giving them their luggage for a vacation changes that. It allows them to decide what they want to pack, from clothes and shoes to personal items. For instance, they might weigh the need for swimsuits versus heavier sweaters depending on the season or destination.
When we give children a chance to make packing decisions under gentle guidance, they gradually develop a better understanding of trade-offs. They learn the importance of weighing options and focusing on essentials rather than overpacking. Over time, this ability strengthens, equipping them with improved decision-making skills they can carry into adulthood.
Boosts Confidence
The more opportunities you give your child to practice independence, responsibility, and organization, the more confident they become in their abilities. Even small moments, such as rolling their bag through the airport or bringing it into the hotel, help them feel capable. These experiences build a strong foundation of self-assurance that they can carry into other areas of their life, from school to extracurricular activities.
Parent Tip
Ensure your child’s luggage is lightweight enough for them to handle themselves, or consider ride-on options. The right luggage will not only give them a sense of independence but also save parents from having to carry kids’ bags on top of their own.
Reduces Parental Stress
Trying to plan a vacation, pack your bag, and juggle your child’s luggage can create a long to-do list that leads to a stressful start to your vacation. If you go into your trip already dreading the hassle of handling your child’s bags, it can set a negative tone for the rest of your vacation. Having your kiddo handle their luggage keeps your hands a bit freer to juggle your own suitcase and boarding passes.
Moreover, having your child manage their own luggage is great because it keeps them occupied during the boring parts of travel. At the airport, they can wheel their own suitcase and feel like a responsible traveler. Likewise, on the plane, they can access their own entertainment or toys from their carry-on bag, keeping them entertained for longer periods.
Tips for Buying Your Child Luggage
Choosing the right luggage is essential to making sure you invest in something that’s functional and loved by your little one. Consider the following tips to keep shopping simple.
Start Small
The first time you take your child traveling, consider letting them be in charge of something small, such as a backpack that airlines classify as a personal item. Starting small allows you to test what your little one is ready to handle and provides a great opportunity to start teaching them responsibility.
Choose Age-Appropriate Luggage
Once you feel that your child can handle their own bag, start shopping for child-friendly suitcases. Generally, these options are easier to maneuver, lighter, and may be slightly smaller than the carry-on used by adults.
You may also consider specific types of bags, such as a ride-on suitcase. Unlike traditional luggage, ride-on bags feature a small seat and handlebars, allowing your child to sit on them and use their feet to propel themselves rather than carrying or rolling the bag.
Teach Through Example
Pack your bag with your child so you can guide them in deciding what to bring and ensure they’ve packed the essentials. This hands-on approach gives you the chance to teach valuable skills, like how to fold clothes to save space, efficiently organize items, and think through what they’ll need.
Make It Personal
Don’t simply buy the first piece of luggage you see and call it a day, especially if this is your child’s first suitcase. Instead, evaluate the options top sellers have and consider what your little one would like most based on the colors and designs. If your kiddo loves dogs, search for suitcases with a cute puppy print. If they’re a big fan of fire trucks, find one that features their favorite vehicle. This personal touch will make them excited about packing and using their new suitcase.
Shop at Younglingz
Helping your child manage their own luggage does more than make travel easier—it nurtures independence, builds life skills, and boosts their confidence. Younglingz has the perfect luggage for your little traveler! Our luggage bags with toddler seats are fun for kids and carry-on friendly for most airlines, making them ideal for family trips. Give your child a sense of independence and make your next family adventure even more enjoyable.