Best Kids Travel Bags for Flights and Holidays (Australia 2025)

Airline carry-on size limits for kids

Australian airlines generally allow children (including infants occupying their own seat) the same carry-on allowance as adults. Qantas permits one carry-on bag up to 7 kg with maximum dimensions of 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus one small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag. Virgin Australia allows one carry-on up to 7 kg with dimensions up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Jetstar is stricter on budget fares — check your ticket type, as some fares restrict cabin bags and only allow a small personal item up to 7 kg with dimensions no larger than 56 × 36 × 23 cm.

The good news is that most kids bags sit well within these limits. A standard children's backpack in the 10–16 L range typically measures around 40–45 × 28–32 × 15–18 cm — comfortably under the personal item threshold and easily stowed under the seat in front, leaving the overhead locker for larger adult bags. This makes kids backpacks ideal as personal items on budget airlines where the cabin bag allowance costs extra.

Features to look for in a kids travel bag

For travel, weight is the first priority — a heavy empty bag means less room for the things that matter before you hit the airline weight limit. Look for bags under 500 g empty, which rules out heavy canvas constructions and favours lightweight polyester and nylon. Multiple compartments are useful for keeping travel snacks separate from screens and spare clothes, but avoid bags with so many pockets that young children can't remember what's where.

A luggage strap passthrough — a horizontal sleeve on the back panel — lets you slide the bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase, so kids aren't carrying anything at all through long airport terminals. Fun, distinctive designs help children identify their bag on a crowded baggage carousel or under an airline seat, and also give kids a sense of ownership over their packing — which makes the whole holiday more exciting. A padded top handle is useful for quick grabs when stowing and unstowing.

Our top travel bag picks

The Girls Travel Backpack is our top pick for family holidays. At ~16 L with padded adjustable shoulder straps and polyester construction, it sits comfortably under the 7 kg personal item limit when packed, and the capacity is generous enough for a full day's essentials at a theme park or beach. It's sized for ages 5–12 and comes in pink-toned colourways that kids love.

For younger children aged 3–8, the Kuromi Pacha Backpack (~6 L, PU + polyester) is a great personal-item bag. It's light enough that toddlers can carry it through the airport themselves without complaining, and the cheerful character print makes it easy to spot. The main compartment holds snacks, a small toy, headphones, and a thin change of clothes — exactly what you want within reach on a flight.

For older kids and tweens aged 8–14 who want something a bit more grown-up, the Print Kids Backpack (~14 L, PU + polyester, dual carry modes) offers versatile use as a travel backpack and also converts to a tote via its top handles. The padded back panel and adjustable straps make long airport walks comfortable.

Packing tips for travelling with kids

Let kids pack their own bag — within reason. Give them a short checklist of must-haves (headphones, comfort toy, one snack, a thin jacket) and let them choose the rest. Children who pack their own bags are dramatically more willing to carry them and less likely to immediately hand them to you at the gate. The sense of ownership also reduces the 'are we there yet' dynamic because they have things they actually want to access.

Keep the bag light — under 2 kg when packed is a good target for children under 10. Anything heavier and you'll end up carrying it yourself by the second hour. Prioritise entertainment (a small tablet or a favourite book), snacks, and a thin change of clothes. Save the bulk items — clothes, shoes, sunscreen — for the main suitcase. And if you're travelling with a toddler, use the front pocket of their bag for boarding passes and small items you need quick access to at security — it saves you rummaging through the main bag while managing a child and a pram.

Frequently asked questions

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