Can a child bring a backpack on an airplane?

In general, anyone with a ticket for a flight will be able to have a personal item like a small backpack. Packing travel necessities in your child’s backpack is a great way to utilize the amount of bags you’re allowed to bring onto the plane. However, you’ll want to double-check any airline restrictions if you’ve booked a fare with no allotted carry-on bags .

How do I clean a kids’ travel backpack?

We always recommend looking at the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing a backpack, but if directions are unavailable, you should be able to spot clean the fabric with soapy water and a towel.

The 10 Best Kids Backpacks for Travel of 2023

The 10 Best Kids Backpacks for Travel of 2022 tout — Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

A backpack designed for kids is the best way to store all of your little one's carry-on essentials in one easy-to-access place. From packing snacks to a change of clothes, a kids travel backpack can be a game-changer on your next family vacation, ensuring they have what they need in a bag they can carry themselves.

Our expert product-testing parents and their grade-school-aged children tried 24 kids backpacks to find the best of the best for durability, comfort, design, and capacity. After carefully reviewing each backpack, our favorite is the easy-to-clean, lightweight, and colorful Wildkin Pack-it-all Backpack that’s ideal for a day on the go. But if your child isn’t a fan of patterns, we also loved other solid backpack styles from trusted brands like Nike and L.L. Bean.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Wildkin Jurassic Dinosaurs Backpack at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Abshoo Classical Travel Backpack at Amazon

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Best for Air Travel:

State Bags Kane Kids Backpack at Maisonette.com

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Best Basic:

Nike Elemental Kids Backpack at Dick's

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Best Pattern:

Lands End Kids ClassMate Small Backpack at Landsend.com

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Best Customizable:

Light + Nine Checkered Starter Backpack at Nordstrom

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Best Wheeled:

J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack at Amazon

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Best for Younger Kids:

Skip Hop Spark Style Big Kid Backpack Rocket at Barnesandnoble.com

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Best for Older Kids:

High Sierra Loop Backpack at Amazon

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Best Organization:

L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack at L.L.Bean

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4.9

Wildkin

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Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4.5/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

5/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: The backpack has comfy padded straps and a material that spot cleans easily.

What to Consider: There aren’t many pockets.

The Wilkin Pack-it-all Backpack is both kid- and parent-approved after impressing us in the durability and comfort testing categories. While the dinosaur print pattern was a big factor in our 8-year-old tester’s rave review, the lightweight material and padded straps also won us over. The adjustable straps were easy to tighten and we found that the backpack remained securely fastened to the active fourth grader, even after falling in the mud. With the backpack covered in mud after the spill, all our tester’s parents had to do was grab “a wash rag and warm water to clean it and the mud came right off and looked good as new,” they shared. “The color did not fade and there were no loose strings or tearing when I cleaned it off.” This durability and ease of cleaning are ideal for traveling where the backpacks might be more prone to spills or stains from being on the go.

In addition, we love that the capacity is big enough to fit a laptop, folders, a lunchbox, and a water bottle without feeling bulky or cumbersome to carry. The smooth zippers open up to reveal a spacious main compartment, but we wish there were a few more pockets besides the front slip pocket and side water bottle holder. With no major drawbacks during testing, we think this Wildkin backpack is plenty versatile for your little one to travel from the classroom to the airport in comfort and style.

Price at time of publish: $45

Weight: 1.25 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 4.7 inches | Ages: 3 to 10

4.4

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Capacity

4/5
Design

4/5
Comfort

4/5
Durability

5/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: The generous capacity is perfect for packing everything from clothes to snacks.

What to Consider: It feels a bit bulky to wear.

This cost-effective travel backpack wowed us with an impressive capacity for packing kids' travel essentials. With two large zippered compartments, we were able to fit a lunch bag, water bottle, folders, gloves, and a football — all in just one section. “A few times he's stuffed his winter coat or a hoodie inside, and he's also carried a Nerf football in there (in addition to his regular gear) so the space definitely has come in handy,” the parent of our third-grade tester shared. Although the backpack feels a bit bulky due to its large capacity, the adjustable and padded straps certainly help with customizing the fit of the backpack for extra comfort. After using the backpack in various weather conditions like rain and snow (and the occasional water bottle leak), it looks good as new without any signs of wear. “I could see it being a really good bag for travel, too. If we had trips coming up, I would definitely pick it to be his carry-on,” the parent concluded.

Price at time of publish: $30

Weight: Not listed | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 16.5 x 12.2 x 5.3 inches | Ages: 3 and up

4.5

State

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Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4/5
Comfort

4/5
Durability

5/5
Value

4/5

Why We Love It: The dual compartments make it easy to separate and organize items while flying.

What to Consider: It’s best suited for older kids.

We recommend the State Bags Kane Kids Double Pocket Backpack when it comes to traveling by airplane. The two spacious compartments make it easy to efficiently pack a carry-on backpack with your child since there are designated spots for air travel essentials plus a luggage sleeve on the reverse. The back compartment has a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, so you’ll know exactly where to grab electronics when you pass through TSA security checkpoints. Since both the back and front sections are similar sizes, there’s plenty of space for a blanket, headphones, snacks, and a change of clothes. After testing the backpack on sunny and rainy days, we were thrilled that the polyester canvas material holds up perfectly against the elements without any color fading or staining. For long travel days, we’re confident this backpack will provide plenty of comfort, as we found the padded and adjustable straps to be snug and secure without feeling constrictive or rough. While our 4-year-old tester was a little too small for this larger bag, we still think this is the perfect travel backpack for older kids.

Price at time of publish: $110

Weight: Not listed | Capacity: 16 liters | Dimensions: 14.95 x 11.22 x 7.5 inches | Ages: 7 and up

4.6

Nike

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Our Ratings

Capacity

4.2/5
Design

3.9/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

5/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: The design is simple and ideal for versatility.

What to Consider: The capacity is on the smaller side.

The no-frills design of the Nike Elemental Backpack makes it a versatile backpack for a range of activities. Our middle-school-aged tester used the backpack for trips to school, but they noted after the initial tests that they are looking forward to using it for upcoming hikes, as its lightweight feel is perfect for treks. While the polyester material is noticeably lightweight, the backpack doesn’t feel flimsy or any less supportive. In fact, the padded back panel and straps were a hit with our tester for comfort and stability while running or walking. There aren’t any interior pockets, but we were still able to fit books and a jacket, though the capacity could be a bit bigger if the backpack is being used for school. One of the best parts of the bag is that it’s exceptionally easy to clean with a paper towel to wipe away stains from daily wear and tear.

Price at time of publish: $35

Weight: Not listed | Capacity: 20 liters | Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 5 inches | Ages: Not listed

4.6

Land's End

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Our Ratings

Capacity

4/5
Design

3.9/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

5/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: The fabric design is colorful and sparkly without getting glitter everywhere.

What to Consider: The straps are slightly difficult to adjust.

Lands’ End is known for boasting unique patterns on clothing and accessories, and the Kids ClassMate Small Backpack is no exception. The sparkly green, purple, and blue paint stripe pattern was an instant eye-catcher to our first-grade tester, who used the backpack for school. “We love the fabric on this backpack.” their parent shared. “As mentioned, my daughter loved the glitter on it and I loved that the glitter always seemed to stay on the backpack and didn't end up all over the house.” Besides the colorful design, we love the lightweight polyester material of the backpack and our tester was able to wear it without feeling any discomfort. The parent also appreciated the lighter weight of the backpack since they carry the bag half of the time, too. Our only issue was adjusting the backpack straps, our tester found it difficult and needed some help from a parent. We found that the material dries very quickly after wearing the backpack in the rain, so we think this backpack not only looks stylish, but it’s versatile and functional for traveling year-round.

Price at time of publish: $40

Weight: Not listed | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 16 x 11.5 x 6 inches | Ages: Not listed

4.3

Nordstrom

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Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4/5
Comfort

4/5
Durability

4/5
Value

4.5/5

Why We Love It: The exterior polyester has little holes in it for charms and pins.

What to Consider: The holes in the material could make it difficult to clean.

This customizable backpack makes getting ready for school or traveling a little more fun with the option to buy Light + Nine’s Nimix decor sets for adding removable patches like rainbows, animals, and astronauts. The backpack is designed for adding decorations without damaging the exterior fabric thanks to the small silicone holes surrounding the bag. In addition to the customizable features, we appreciate that the lining is easy to wipe down for cleaning, and the backpack can be unzipped to lay flat to clean and dry easier. “It’s a fun idea to let your kid pick out decorations to make their bag unique,” our tester’s parent raved. “I think the best thing about this is the simplicity, especially for my kid's age, and the fact that he can easily open it up and see everything inside the bag as it holds its shape when open.” The backpack and straps feel a little stiff, but our tester had no issues walking around with the bag for preschool and when traveling to and from their sibling’s soccer games.

Price at time of publish: $70

Weight: 1 pound | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 11.5 x 14.5 x 4 inches | Ages: 3 to 6

4.8

J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4.5/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

5/5
Value

4.5/5

Why We Love It: It’s easy for small children to wear the backpack or wheel it when it’s packed full.

What to Consider: We wish there were a few more pockets for organization.

Sometimes a backpack can be a little too heavy for a little one, so we’re big fans of the JWorld Sunrise Rolling Backpack. From wheeling the bag to and from preschool to packing it with snacks and clothes, our 3.5-year-old tester loved how easy it was to use the backpack. Our tester could easily unzip the main compartment with two hands to pack clothes, a water bottle, a tablet, books, and snacks. While we love the spacious main compartment, we wish there were a few more interior pockets for storing smaller items. Our tester's parents were careful about overpacking the bag but they appreciated the option to roll the backpack if it felt too heavy for their child. Whether the bag was wheeled or carried, it proved to be plenty comfortable while on the go and easy to maneuver, which is perfect for a busy airport. “I loved the color, design, and how easy it was for my child to manage,” our tester’s parent concluded.

Price at time of publish: $65

Weight: 4.5 pounds | Capacity: 34.50 liters | Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 9 inches | Ages: 8 and up

4.4

Skip Hop

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Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4/5
Comfort

4/5
Durability

4/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: The generous capacity is ideal for travel necessities for little ones like an extra change of clothes.

What to Consider: The straps are lightly padded and a bit stiff at first.

The rocket ship design of the Skip Hop Spark Style Big Kid Backpack was a hit with our 3.5-year-old tester, who was very excited to wear the backpack to preschool. Besides the unique shape of the backpack, our tester’s parent said “I love the large, wide double zipper opening which makes it super easy for us to pack his belongings or quickly grab something out of the bag when we need it.” Thanks to the wide opening into the main compartment, it was a breeze to pack other toddler travel essentials like a change of clothes, snacks, and a water bottle. The durability of the backpack material made it a winner since all we had to do was spot clean the fabric to get the stain out quickly. While this wasn’t the most comfortable backpack we tested due to the stiff straps and less padding, there wasn’t any noticeable discomfort or pain after wearing the backpack over time.

Price at time of publish: $30

Weight: Not listed | Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 10.5 x 5 x 14 inches | Ages: 3 and up

4.5

High Sierra Loop-Backpack School Travel Work Bookbag

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Capacity

4/5
Design

4.5/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

4.2/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: There are lots of pockets and compartments for organizing school supplies.

What to Consider: The capacity could be a bit bigger.

Our fourth-grade tester was a big fan of the comfort and organization built into the High Sierra Loop Daypack Backpack. The three different-sized compartments make it easy to pack items like folders, binders, lunch boxes, headphones, pencil cases, and water bottles with ease. There is an interior media pocket that is ideal for easy access to headphones or a tablet while traveling. We wish the middle compartment was a little bit bigger for a lunch box, as it was a squeeze to get it in with everything else, but the capacity works well for travel and school necessities. The straps are fully padded and, although there isn’t a chest strap, the weight feels evenly distributed when our tester wore the backpack for long periods of time. After wearing the backpack in the rain, we’re happy to report that it kept all of the contents dry, and with lots of use to and from school, it’s still in excellent condition with minimal stains. “When I gave her the option to go back to her old backpack or continue using this one, she chose to continue using this one,” our tester’s parent shared after concluding the test.

Price at time of publish: $40

Weight: 2.05 pounds | Capacity: 33 liters | Dimensions: 19 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches | Ages: Not listed

4.8

L.L.Bean

View On L.L.Bean

Our Ratings

Capacity

5/5
Design

4.2/5
Comfort

5/5
Durability

5/5
Value

5/5

Why We Love It: There are plenty of pockets and the capacity is large enough to fit a jacket, books, snacks, and a water bottle.

What to Consider: The chest strap doesn’t get tight enough to fit snugly across the chest.

The L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack will keep the contents of the backpack neatly organized thanks to the variety of pockets and pouches for a variety of items. We were able to fit a jacket, a water bottle, a folder, a binder, and several library books between the two main compartments. For smaller items like little toys or cash, we loved the interior zipper and mesh pockets, as well as the small front pocket for easy access to the packed items. “He and I both love that there are so many pockets so his backpack stays more organized,” our 6-year-old tester and their parent shared. “Sometimes he brings little toys, Pokemon cards, or a few dollars in cash to school and there are plenty of small pockets to keep those kinds of things secure and from getting lost in the larger bookbag.” In terms of comfort, the plush padded straps were a hit with our tester and although the chest strap was a little big, the backpack stayed in place while running to catch the bus.

Price at time of publish: $55

Weight: 1.5 pounds | Capacity: 32 liters | Materials: Nylon | Ages: 10 and up

Other Kids Backpacks We Tested

There were several kids backpacks we tested and liked, but didn’t quite make our final list due to a few downsides like slight discomfort, thin materials, and a lack of pockets for organization.

Pottery Barn Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Backpacks: We love the bright patterns and ability to customize the backpack with a monogram, but the fabric feels a little flimsy and less durable than other backpacks we tried.

Simple Modern Disney Kids Backpack: This backpack is comfortable to wear, comes in tons of designs and colors, and spot cleans easily, but we felt that there were other backpacks with more standout features for traveling.

Athleta Girl Limitless Backpack: There are plenty of pockets, padded straps, and a solid capacity, but it wasn’t the most comfortable backpack we tested.

Our Testing Process

When it comes to testing travel products for kids, we turn to our expert product-testing parents and their children to help us find the best picks on the market for upcoming trips. For this test, the parents provided us with detailed observations and insights about each backpack after their children (ages 3 to 12 years old) used the bags for school and extracurricular activities.

Paying close attention to capacity, design, durability, and comfort, we rated the backpacks on a scale of one to five in each category. Our testers and their parents packed the bags full of everyday essentials like snacks, extra clothing, water bottles, and books, and then the kids used the bag for school or other activities. In the end, our favorite backpacks had plenty of room without feeling bulky, plus padding and adjustable straps for comfort. We loved the backpacks with a variety of pockets for staying organized while traveling and found the most durable backpacks were easy to spot clean after getting dirty and looked good as new even with prolonged use.

Tips for Buying a Kids Backpack

Look at backpack size and weight

When it comes to purchasing a comfortable backpack for your youngster, it is helpful to look at the capacity, weight, and materials of the bag to get a better idea of the size. Usually, there will be product specifications that also list the intended age range for the backpack, so you can factor in the most important features of the backpack to select the best one for your child.

Consider wheels versus straps

Traveling with a backpack with just shoulder straps is the most common route to go, but backpacks with wheels can be ideal when the bag gets too heavy to be carried comfortably. However, it can be slightly difficult to maneuver a rolled backpack so you may want to look for a wheeled backpack that also has straps for extra versatility.

Factor in the intended use

Whether you’re looking for a backpack for school, travel, or both, you’ll want to consider the main use of the backpack to choose the best one for your child. For example, a larger backpack might be better for school, but it could be cumbersome to carry around for long trips. Opting for a lightweight backpack with less space or pockets might be better for a little one carrying a bag through an airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child bring a backpack on an airplane?

In general, anyone with a ticket for a flight will be able to have a personal item like a small backpack. Packing travel necessities in your child’s backpack is a great way to utilize the amount of bags you’re allowed to bring onto the plane. However, you’ll want to double-check any airline restrictions if you’ve booked a fare with no allotted carry-on bags.
How do I clean a kids’ travel backpack?

We always recommend looking at the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing a backpack, but if directions are unavailable, you should be able to spot clean the fabric with soapy water and a towel.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best kids backpacks for travel based on a series of tests completed by parents and their children in a real-world setting.

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