kids carry-on

[erynsmom]

I am just looking for feedback on what you use for a kids carry-on. DD is 6 (turning 7 during our trip) and my options are 1) a mini backpack, 2) her school backpack or 3) her rolling suitcase.
We have a 6am flight to Orlando and a 7pm flight to Buffalo so I am hoping she will sleep each way.
Which would you use? Would you even bother with one?

TIA
Cheryl

 

[bankr63]

Our two kids (14 and 16 now) have always carried their own; sets the tone for taking responsibility for their own stuff, and they have always carried a small sling pack at the parks with their own snacks and purchases. If you don't start early, they learn to treat mom and dad as their pack mule while travelling and in the parks.

I would keep it fairly small (the smaller MEC sling packs are great!), so it won't be too big a burden. Considering the flight times and how excited she's likely to be, she'll need some entertainment for at least a couple of hours of the flight! Don't forget to pack gum or hard candies for take off and landing too. If it's not packed too tightly on the way down, she can bring back some of her own souveniers on the way back (just in case the checked bags are overflowing...)

 

[darwinsrule]

Our youngest DD is now 4. She has one of the Hay's princess roller cases she uses as her carry-on. nothing like watching her go through the airport rolling her own suitcase. We don' leave for our Fantasy cruise for 95 days, yet the suitcase is already packed on the floor of her room.

DW and I both use the MEC sling packs which wirk great for plane and park.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Unless you really need to pack the rolling suitcase for her I would say go with the back pack as it will take up less room in the overhead or under a seat. One time when I flew internationally the over here full of rolling suit cases and I had no where to put my bag and laptop except at my feet.

 

[formill]

For some reason all of our kids prefer backpacks over any sort of rolling tote. I guess they are used to them from school. They usually use their school backpacks and they fit under the seat so have access to their tablets/snacks/activity books etc during flight. We all also take empty water bottles and fill from fountain before boarding plane. When the youngest were 5 they still had to pull a large suitcase each to the check in counter and then out to the parking garage at MCO - we practiced at home at home pulling them around.

Mine did not sleep at all last year on flight and we also had a 6 am flight........they outlasted me........were swimming in villa pool at 9 pm and we had been up since 3 am!

 

[tbgmom]

My boys will be taking their school backpacks with things to keep them busy on the plane as well as a rolling carry on suitcase when we go in April. My youngest turned 7 in Sept. This is pretty standard for us when we go places. And it's really nice that I don't have to be 100% responsible for their stuff, although dh & I will still definitely remind them to keep track of everything.

 

[erynsmom]

I think we are going to go with the mini backpack. Then I can throw it into my carry-on if needed. She won't be taking a lot on the plane so the mini should work...

 

[OntarioMom0]

My DS (5) will bring his school backpack, and my DD (under 2) will most likely demand to bring her extremely small backpack as well... (big even to carry a book and her teddy).

 

[Susie63]

DD will take her Heys princess rollerboard with her ds,books and music. Flying in the winter can be tricky so everone takes a clean shirt,socks,undies and pj's.I take the small toiletry bag just with necessities.
I will never be stuck in an airport again without a change of clothes....and if your luggage somehow goes astray....at least you have something clean to wear

 

[heather4Disney]

We did a long trip (Sydney to Vancouver) and my almost 3 yr old at the time only fell asleep 15 mins before landing. I'm bringing backpacks but they also need to carry their own booster seat with them for the rental car in Orlando. We are bringing some real head sets from the dollar store since I believe all they have now is ear buds and many kids dont' like those.

 

[SmilingGrump]

We did a long trip (Sydney to Vancouver) and my almost 3 yr old at the time only fell asleep 15 mins before landing. I'm bringing backpacks but they also need to carry their own booster seat with them for the rental car in Orlando. We are bringing some real head sets from the dollar store since I believe all they have now is ear buds and many kids dont' like those.

That's a very good point about ear buds. Also, for some people ear buds can prevent their ears "popping" on ascent or descent. You're supposed to remove them, but often descent can begin long before you need to.

We do rolling suitcases for our DDs. They each have their own princess themed one packed with nescessities for one day (change of clothing, pajamas, bathing suit) then they can put whatever toys/stuffies they want to bring. They love it because they feel "big".
Rolling suitcases can be great for kids, but if they're really tired it can get tough to manage carrying one child while dealing with their suitcase and yours as you struggle your way to baggage claim. We're lucky with our kids that they've always gotten excited enough to regain enough energy to manage their own. If you think you might wind up carrying your kids, then backpacks might be the better option.

 

[fredgirls]

We've done all combos over the years but this year we did no hand luggage! It was amazing! We felt so free
Admittedly the kids are older now (8 & 12) but they just put their iPods in their pocket and were done! I had a very small sling for passports and tickets and that also held a packet of cards. All we really needed.

 

[SmilingGrump]

We've done all combos over the years but this year we did no hand luggage! It was amazing! We felt so free
Admittedly the kids are older now (8 & 12) but they just put their iPods in their pocket and were done! I had a very small sling for passports and tickets and that also held a packet of cards. All we really needed.

I love when I'm able to travel like that too, but I've lost luggage enough times (even on direct routes) that I always have a carry on unless I'm heading to our condo in Phoenix where I have clothes and toiletrees waiting. The last time I lost luggage and didn't have a carry on was a flight from Vancouver to Hawaii. The heat on the plane was stuck just below the volcano setting (love Air Canada) and one of the flight attendants had spilled rum all over me. When I got to where I was staying, I just jumped right into the pool clothes and all then went to find my room