Best kids' luggage: backpacks, suitcases and holdalls to make travelling fun

Not all children will want to be pulled along by a Trunki, so if your child likes to feel a little more grown up and wants their luggage to mimic yours, this carry-on trolley suitcase could be just the ticket. It doubles as a backpack, so they’ll be able to rotate between pulling and carrying. One Mumsnetter tells us her children are total fans. You can choose between black, blue and hot pink bags and if your child is yet to say goodbye to their favourite teddy, the front pouch allows for a cuddly pal to travel too. You can even spend an extra fiver and get one with a small teddy included. We're particularly impressed with its great all-round features, including a retractable handle and zips that reveal rucksack straps, as well as handy front mesh and zip pockets.

Great for Disney fans (or Marvel for that matter as there's a Spider-Man option too), this cute backpack on wheels is an affordable accessory for your next family holiday with the kids. Easy to carry as a traditional rucksack, it can also be pulled along on two wheels making it a versatile bag for tiny travellers. There's a front pocket for small items and a top carry handle making it easy for grown ups to pick up. We love the polka dot fabric detail on this Minnie Mouse case as well as the heart-shaped zip detail.

Reviewed by Mumsnet Editor, Rachel Erdos: Read our full review of the Stokke JetKids BedBox ride-on suitcase

Both a ride-on suitcase and an in-flight bed, the Stokke JetKids BedBox is a genius multi-use accessory for frequent family travellers. Bigger than a Trunki and with front swivel wheels, this sturdy case glides smoothly and is a brilliant investment if you fly long-haul. It transforms into an-flight bed or footrest, depending on the size of your child, thanks to a clever slide-out feature that acts as a seat extender, creating a comfy space for your child to kick back and (with any luck) sleep in during a flight. Yes it's a pricey buy, but it should see you through toddlerhood to around age seven and it's way cheaper than a first class upgrade! We rated its sturdy design and smart features in our hands-on review. Just bear in mind that it's not approved for use on some airlines.

What tiny traveller wouldn’t want this cute and friendly character as their flying companion? These fun faces will have everyone smiling and there are 11 gorgeous designs to choose from. There’s a dinosaur, a dog, a unicorn, an aeroplane and even a strawberry. The 17-litre capacity is great for games and toys and its double-zipped compartment will secure any loose items or essentials that your child might want to grab at a moment’s notice. There are two heights to adjust between as well as packing straps and a push button clasp.

As expected, the Trunki does divide opinion on the Mumsnet forums, but lots of families swear by this bright, wheely ride-on case and reviews remain strong. Let’s face it, if you’re travelling to the airport, you’re going to see a Trunki. They appeal to most kids as they can take a ride and be pulled around with a tow strap without the effort of walking or carrying anything (two things smaller children can refuse to do frequently and without warning). The Trunki is cheery and there are loads of characters and colours to choose from – we particularly love this tiger from the safari range. If you have a lazy little one and want to keep spirits up during your travels, the Trunki could be the way to do it. They're recyclable too which is a great feature. And they're classed as a cabin bag with 18 litres to play with, though they might not fit under the seat in front of you on the plane.

The main gripes for parents are their potential to become a hazard at busy airports due to their clunky nature and are more prone to trip up the odd passer-by if you don’t keep moving. They aren’t designed for speedy towing, so a little patience is required when navigating the tow strap and a bossy toddler directing you from their travel throne.

For the serious junior jet-setter, this suitcase ticks all the boxes. The wide handle design provides a flat packing surface interior for more space and the external pocket keeps all the essentials together.

The exterior of the case is made from a lightweight waterproof fabric, with a delicate brick design embossed on the side, and the tough fibreglass structure means this piece of luggage is built to last. For extra reassurance, it comes with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty.

Great for sleepovers and overnight camping trips as well as flights, this Jack Wolfskin rucksack is pretty neat. It’s available in night blue or grapefruit and also fits the brief for a day bag with an 11-litre capacity. This may well appeal to older kid in terms of its looks but the features have been designed with younger kids in mind too. There’s a main compartment, an external patch pocket and two mesh side pouches, plus reflectors on the front, and the wide back straps make it comfortable for children aged three and over to carry. We love the paw print design on the front and how this has been incorporated into the ever-important name tag. This bag is made to last, has a family-friendly price tag and will be handed down to younger siblings down the line.

Whether your child is into space, pirates or princesses, the Deuter kids rucksack will certainly be the envy of the playground or departure lounge and it's extremely functionable too.

We love the playful prints on the front and its reflective badge to keep your child seen when out and about. This bag has soft-edged shoulder straps, a height adjustable chest strap, a side pocket for them to store their energy fuel (aka water) and will survive being dragged around everywhere. We also like that there's just the one buckle at the front and the simple drawstring design of the main compartment.

If you have a teenager that has agreed to come away with you, first of all well done; second of all, they're going to need something that doesn’t scream 'holiday with parents'. We think we’ve found it in this Eastpak Reader S + Travel Duffle.

Crafted from travel-ready (and vegan-friendly) polyester, this bag comes with adjustable and detachable padded straps and handy interior pockets. The front features the signature Eastpak logo and an easy-access zip pocket and it can hold a whopping 40 litres of teen essentials.

Samsonite has been making quality suitcases since 1910 and the brand has developed an unrivalled reputation for producing luggage that is tough and ready for anything you can throw at it. Or, in this case, anything your child can throw at it.

This hard-shelled case, featuring everybody's favourite web-slinger, trundles along on four wheels, with a telescopic handle that can be retracted so the case can fit easily into overhead lockers. It's nice and roomy inside, with a zipped compartment to keep all the essentials together. We love this bold Spiderman design, but if Marvel superheroes aren't your kid's thing, this case is also available with a cute Frozen design.