Travelling with Kids: Packing Tips, Luggage Picks & Stress-Free Travel
Family travel is one of the most rewarding experiences you can give your children — and one of the most logistically demanding things you'll ever attempt as a parent. Getting the packing right doesn't guarantee a perfect trip, but getting it wrong almost guarantees a stressful one. This guide covers everything from smart packing strategy to the right luggage for kids, so your next family holiday starts better than your last one.
The biggest shift in mindset that helps families pack smarter: stop thinking of it as one packing job. Think of it as one packing job per person — including the children. When every family member takes ownership of their own bag, the whole exercise becomes more manageable, kids become more engaged with the trip, and you stop being the one responsible for finding the colouring book mid-flight.
The Golden Rules of Family Packing
These principles apply regardless of how many children you're travelling with, where you're going, or how long you'll be away.
One bag per person — including kids
Give every child their own cabin bag. Even a 4-year-old can take responsibility for a small case containing their toys, a change of clothes, and their snacks. It builds independence, keeps them occupied, and removes the burden from the parent's bag. Choose a bag sized to your airline's children's allowance — typically the same as adults on most UK carriers.
Pack the night before — without rushing
The most common packing mistakes happen on the morning of departure. Pack the night before so you have time to realise you've forgotten something, check bag weights, and get children to sleep at a reasonable hour. A good night's sleep before a travel day makes everything calmer.
Keep the "airport bag" separate from the main luggage
Designate one parent's shoulder bag or front-accessible pocket specifically for airport use: passports, boarding passes, snacks, children's medication, wet wipes, and a spare outfit for each child. Never pack these in a checked suitcase or at the bottom of the overhead locker.
Use packing lists — per person, not per family
A single combined family packing list becomes unwieldy. Create one short list per person, and tick as you pack. Children over 5 can help tick their own list — it turns packing into a game and they're far less likely to forget something they chose to include themselves.
Leave 20% capacity for the return journey
Families almost always return home heavier than they left. Gifts, souvenirs, beach toys the children refused to leave behind — pack slightly under capacity on the way out and you won't be paying excess baggage fees or sitting on a suitcase at 6am trying to make it close.
What to Pack in Each Child's Bag
A children's cabin bag at 45x36x20cm holds around 29 litres — enough for a practical mix of clothing, essentials, and entertainment for a week's holiday, provided you pack sensibly. Here's what works for most ages:
🎒 Child's Cabin Bag Packing List (29L)
Keeping Kids Engaged at the Airport
The airport is where most family travel stress concentrates — long queues, unexpected delays, over-tired children, and the constant need to keep track of everyone and everything simultaneously. A few strategies make a significant difference.
Give Them a Job
Children behave better when they have a role. Their job: manage their own bag. Being responsible for pulling their suitcase, finding their boarding pass in the zip pocket, and loading their bag through security gives them purpose and keeps them close.
The Ride-On Advantage
A ride-on suitcase transforms a 15-minute terminal walk into something kids actually enjoy. Instead of being dragged reluctantly through departure gates, they're scooting ahead of you. The difference in energy levels on both sides is real.
Snacks as Currency
Pack more snacks than you think you need, and keep them in an easily reachable front pocket. Hungry children in airports are a consistent recipe for meltdowns. A snack resolves 80% of pre-boarding complaints.
Sticker Activities Pre-Boarding
The MiniMax ride-on sets include 50+ personalisation stickers. Handing these over at the gate — letting children decorate their own case while waiting to board — turns dead time into occupied time. Pack a few extra sticker books too.
Airline Baggage Rules for Children — What UK Families Need to Know
Most major UK airlines give children the same cabin baggage allowance as adults. Understanding the rules before you arrive at check-in prevents stress and unexpected fees.
| Airline | Free Cabin Bag for Children | Size Allowed | MiniMax Fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easyjet | Yes — same as adults | 45x36x20cm (under seat) | ✓ Exact fit |
| British Airways | Yes — full allowance | 40x30x15cm (under seat) + 56x45x25cm (overhead) | ✓ Fits under seat allowance |
| Jet2 | Yes — same as adults | 56x45x25cm overhead | ✓ Well within limit |
| Wizz Air | Yes — same as adults | 45x36x20cm (under seat) | ✓ Exact fit |
| Ryanair | Yes — same as adults | 40x20x25cm (under seat, free) | MiniMAX trolley backpack recommended |
| TUI | Yes — same as adults | 55x40x20cm (overhead) | ✓ Well within limit |
The MiniMax Kids' Luggage Range
All MiniMax bags are airline-friendly. The MiniMax Backpack measures 40 × 30 × 20cm, while the MiniMax Ride-On Suitcase is 45 × 36 × 20cm — the maximum free Easyjet cabin size. Each gives children a fun bag they’ll be excited to carry themselves.
MiniMax Kids Ride-On Suitcase — Green Dinosaur
Turn airports into adventure playgrounds with this fun kids' ride-on suitcase. The durable polycarbonate hard shell holds 29L of clothes, toys, and travel essentials, while 4 wheels make scooting through terminals easy. Includes a matching drawstring bag, travel neck pillow, and 50+ stickers. Airline-friendly, backed by a 5-year warranty, with free UK delivery.
MiniMax Kids Ride-On Suitcase — Unicorn
Add a touch of sparkle to every trip with this unicorn ride-on suitcase. Made from durable polycarbonate with a 29L capacity, it features smooth-rolling wheels, secure SBS zippers, and organised packing. Includes a matching drawstring bag, unicorn neck pillow, and 50+ stickers. Airline-friendly, backed by a 5-year warranty, with free UK delivery.
MiniMAX Trolley Backpack — Cabin Bag
Designed to maximise your free cabin allowance, the MiniMAX 20L converts effortlessly from a wheeled trolley into a comfortable backpack. It features an adjustable front toy pouch for your child's favourite teddy, quick-access front pockets for travel essentials, and a fold-away backpack panel that covers the wheels to keep clothes clean. Compact, lightweight and backed by a 5-year warranty, it's the perfect travel companion for adults and children.
Choosing the Right MiniMax for Your Child
| Feature | Ride-On | Trolley Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 29L | 22L |
| Empty weight | 2.1kg | 1.45kg Lightweight |
| Shell type | Polycarbonate hard shell | Soft structured fabric |
| Ride-on function | ✓ Yes | No |
| Wearable as backpack | No | ✓ Yes |
| Toy/teddy pouch | No | ✓ Yes — front pouch |
| Included accessories | Drawstring bag, neck badgeow, 50+ stickers | — |
| Best age | 3–8 years | 4–12 years (and adults) |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
The Pre-Travel Family packlist
Run through this the night before departure. It covers the most common causes of airport stress for families with children.
✅ Night Before Departure
Kids' luggage that makes travel fun.
MiniMax ride-on suitcases and trolley bags — Easyjet cabin approved, free mainland UK delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about travelling with kids and children's luggage.
Can children take their own luggage on a plane?
Yes — most airlines allow children their own cabin baggage allowance, often the same as adults. On Easyjet, every passenger including children is entitled to one free cabin bag at 45x36x20cm. A MiniMax ride-on suitcase at 45x36x20cm fits this allowance exactly and lets children manage their own bag through the airport.
What is the best luggage for children on a plane?
The best children's luggage combines practical cabin size compliance with features that keep kids engaged. A ride-on suitcase at 45x36x20cm — like the MiniMax Dinosaur or Unicorn — fits Easyjet's free cabin allowance, holds 29 litres, and lets kids scoot through the airport. For younger children, the MiniMAX trolley-backpack at 45x36x20cm is ideal as it can be worn or wheeled, and features a front pouch for a favourite soft toy.
How do I keep kids entertained at the airport?
The most effective strategy is giving children an active role. A ride-on suitcase lets them scoot through terminals instead of being dragged. Pack snacks in an easily reachable pocket, bring a sticker book or activity pad for gate waiting, and let children decorate their own case with the personalisation stickers included in the MiniMax bundle.
What should I pack in my child's cabin bag?
A child's 29L cabin bag typically holds 2–3 changes of clothing, shoes, underwear and socks, entertainment (tablet, books, colouring materials), snacks, a travel neck badgeow, and a small comfort toy. Keep medications, travel documents, and anything fragile in the parent's bag. The drawstring bag included with the MiniMax ride-on sets is ideal as a secondary day bag once you arrive at your destination.
Does a ride-on suitcase fit in the overhead locker?
The MiniMax ride-on suitcase measures 45x36x20cm, designed to fit Easyjet's free under-seat cabin allowance. It is also accepted on BA, Jet2, and Wizz Air as cabin luggage. Note that some airlines require the 45x36x20cm bag to go under the seat rather than in the overhead locker — always verify your carrier's current rules before flying.
How can I reduce stress when packing for a family holiday?
The most effective strategy is giving every family member their own bag and responsibility for packing it. Use packing lists per person rather than one combined family list. Pack kids' essentials (snacks, activity items, neck badgeow) in an easily accessible pocket so you don't have to unpack mid-flight. Pack the night before, not the morning of departure.
What is the MiniMAX trolley backpack and who is it for?
The MiniMAX trolley-backpack is a 45x36x20cm cabin bag that works as both a wheeled trolley and a wearable backpack. Adjustable straps fit most children and adults, and the front pouch holds a child's favourite soft toy or doll. It fits Easyjet's free allowance, holds 30 litres, and weighs just 1.4kg empty — the lightest bag in the MiniMax range. It's suitable for children aged 4–12 and most adults.
