Posts Tagged ‘kids backpacks’

A simple solution to a great family vacation is to be sure your children are comfortable and entertained. Travel is a great experience for children to be in charge of their own things, whether you are traveling by car, plane or a cruise ship.

Children derive a sense of comfort when they have familiar things around them. When traveling with children, it is best to bring along items that they like and will give them that sense of security. Children also like to be able to do things for themselves, so consider getting your kids suitcases that are packed with their own special things and necessities. Your children can get something they want or need when they want or need it, or you can easily find that item for that child without rummaging through your suitcase to find the right thing.

Childrens luggage comes in different colors and with different decorations, styles and sizes. There are compartments and pouches, inside and out, with zippers, snaps or velcro. Kids rolling luggage is an extremely popular item because it’s a lot like mommy and daddy’s rolling luggage, plus your child won’t have to bear the full weight of the luggage. Each child can bring their own suitcase, packed with the individual items they need to be entertained and comfortable on the trip. Be sure the size of any childrens luggage that will be used as a carry on on an airplane will fit under the seat in front of them so your child can reach it during the flight.

If you have more than one child, and even if you don’t, consider getting personalized kids luggage. Not only will your child have a sense of pride of ownership, but it will save any unnecessary mistaken identities with other travelers luggage. An alternative to a suitcase could be a backpack. You can buy personalized kids backpacks for the kids, and I’ve even seen a kids rolling backpack with wheels.

How to Choose Good Kids Suitcases

When shopping for childrens luggage there are two important considerations: the weight and ease of use for the child and the durability of the luggage in general. Choose a suitcase that is lightweight and not cumbersome to manage because you do not want your child to be burdened by the weight of the luggage. If the suitcase is too heavy or too difficult to maneuver, you are going to end up with a cranky child and you will be carrying their luggage in addition to your own. Durability is important in childrens luggage because a child is more likely to be a bit rougher. It must also be easy to clean and maintain because a childs luggage will certainly require frequent cleaning.

What your child will need for the vacation and during active travel will also be a consideration for the type of childrens luggage you purchase. Do you want them to carry their own clothes, or just their toys and entertainments and some comfort items during active travel? Lightweight kids rolling luggage has large compartments for storing clothes and other necessities and some have smaller, external pouches to make it easy to get something fast. There are also small versions of kids suitcases with multiple pouches, pockets and slots to hold lots of single items that you child just needs to be entertained during travel. Buy the type of luggage to suit the need.

Items to Include in Your Kids Suitcases

Think about the travel time first, and then think about what your child may need or want during that time. Think, also, about any needs, medical or comfort related, that may make traveling less stressful. So you might pack any medicines your child needs, a small pillow or a favorite stuffed toy, and a sweater or light blanket. How does your child entertain herself or himself at home? Pack their books and crayons, an MP3 player with their music, electronic games. Also think about healthy, non-refrigerated snacks like nuts, carrot sticks, cheese sticks, crackers or fruit. Depending on your mode of travel, water or juice boxes may be appropriate. And don’t forget some wet wipes to clean fingers, faces and spills and a plastic bag for the trash.

The goal is to have a great family experience together. The active travel part of any vacation or planned trip can be stressful or it can be smooth. Bringing familiar items along on the trip will help your children adjust to new surroundings. Allowing them to actively participate by having some control over their things will make the family experience an enjoyable and memorable one.