Mom's of 10ish boys, please help!

[KangaFan]

Okay, so I am thinking of getting the kids some new luggage for our trip now that they are old enough to pull their own. DD4 is easy, 1 Tinkerbell set and I am good to go. However, I also have an DS8 and I think he may be too tall for one of the character sets. Does anyone have an older child who they purchased this for? What age did he/she get too tall or too big for the set? I am also considering just getting him the Mickey set which can also be used for adults since this would last longer, but, he's my oldest, so I wonder if in the next year or two, he would think Mickey luggage was "uncool". Any thoughts, Moms of 10 year old or so boys?

Thanks!

 

[noodleknitter]

My older boys like the LL Bean duffles. And they last forever!

As much as they love Disney, they would rather not take a Mickey bag to camp, or friend's.

 

[debster812]

DS is an average sized 9 year old. He's been pulling our regular sized luggage through airports since he was 6. The smaller wheeled bag that can double as a carryon primarily, but he can handle the bigger bag as well.

A wheeled duffle might be a better bet for him, but I agree that he probably would not think Mickey Luggage is 'cool enough'.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This summer we bought our 9yo twins each a large Bass black rolling duffle (on sale at the Bass Outlet). In fact, DH and I each got one as well. We figured there's plenty of room for what we need for most trips, and every man for himself, LOL. I agree the Disney designs are cute and I like them myself, but I figured the black would suit us all better long term. We used them last month and they were great.

 

[herodrx1]

I would get my DS(10) a more grown-up style. I don't think he would like to carry Mickey when he gets much bigger. Its a good gift idea though.

 

[buffalogirl]

Target had a Star Wars set with rolling luggage and backpack for about $20.

Not sure if any character set is "cool " at this age, depends on the boy.



Enjoy your trip!!

 

[famofsix]

Okay, so I am thinking of getting the kids some new luggage for our trip now that they are old enough to pull their own. DD4 is easy, 1 Tinkerbell set and I am good to go. However, I also have an DS8 and I think he may be too tall for one of the character sets. Does anyone have an older child who they purchased this for? What age did he/she get too tall or too big for the set? I am also considering just getting him the Mickey set which can also be used for adults since this would last longer, but, he's my oldest, so I wonder if in the next year or two, he would think Mickey luggage was "uncool". Any thoughts, Moms of 10 year old or so boys?

Thanks!

Maybe you could buy regular luggage with wheels for the older child and iron on a Mickey patch. I've seen iron on Mickeys in the sewing section at Walmart. Patches are good souvenirs if he wants to continue putting one on for future trips from other places too. We had nice eastbay duffle bags on our trip that the kids were in charge of carrying to the rental car after we picked them up at the luggage claim. I was wishing for wheels when I ended up carrying two sets of bags after two seconds of the kids walking with the bag and their carry-on stuff (MOM, this is too heavy...I can't do it)

 

[NotUrsula]

Mine really likes the black and bright yellow 20" wheeled duffel that I got for him. I'd go with something bright and perhaps skater-inspired, but not characters; too babyish for your average 9-yo boy.

Luggage is not something you only use for a year -- you want to think in terms of "would a h.s. junior feel like a dork carrying this?" If the answer is yes, then skip it.

As for the handles, make sure that whatever you buy has two height stops; the lower one is usually right for kids.

 

[KangaFan]

Thanks all, you are confirming what I thought. I may go with the patch idea. Has anyone ever done these? How do they hold up? I know I need to do something, not just an ordinary suitcase because he is 8 and will feel that his is not as special as my daughters. I am also considering getting the mouse luggage since it is such a good deal (can't find a similar deal on plain luggage unless it's black, yuck!), with the plan that it will pass down to my daughter in a couple of years when she is too tall for her little suitcase. Thanks so much for all your ideas! It's so hard when it's your oldest, its all new territory!