What size backpack should a child carry on a plane?

Small enough to fit under the seat in front and light enough for the child to carry through the terminal without complaint. For most kids under eight that means a mini or small daypack, loaded with only snacks, a toy, headphones and a water bottle.

Does a kids backpack count as a carry-on or a personal item?

On most US airlines a small child's backpack counts as their personal item when the child has a ticketed seat. Policies differ for lap infants and on budget carriers, so check your airline's rules for children's baggage before you fly.

Are outdoor-brand kids backpacks worth it for travel?

Usually yes if you also hike or walk a lot on trips. Outdoor brands fit better and last longer, and many back them with strong warranties. For a child who only uses a bag on two flights a year, a budget pick is fine.

Buying guide · updated for 2026

Best Kids Travel Backpack

A kids travel backpack has to be light enough for the child to carry and big enough for the snacks, tablet and comfort items that keep a flight calm. We compared four that hold up to real trips.

4 picks · compare in under 2 minutes · how we pick

Our picks

Best Overall

Osprey Daylite Jr

Best for: Active families with kids four to nine who fly and hike on the same trip.

Proper daypack fit scaled for children
Durable materials from a trusted outdoor brand
Costs more than a basic kids school backpack

About $118Check price

Best Value

Skip Hop Sparks Rocket

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers on their first flights or short family trips.

Proportioned for toddlers and preschoolers
Affordable enough for one per sibling
Small capacity is outgrown within a couple of years

About $31Check price

Trending Now

JanSport Half Pint Mini

Best for: Style-aware families with kids four to eight who need a light bag for flights and city days.

Timeless look that coordinates with family luggage
Very light and simple for young kids to carry
Mini capacity will not hold a tablet, jacket and bottle together

About $75Check price

Go Premium

Deuter Kikki

Best for: Outdoor-oriented families with young kids who hike and fly several times a year.

Top-tier build quality from an established outdoor brand
Stable, comfortable fit for small, active children
Expensive for a bag a child will outgrow

About $142.5Check price

Decide in 2 minutes

Who each pick is for, its main selling point, the reason you might skip it and the price.

Pick	Product	Best for	Main selling point	Potential drawback	Price
Best OverallKids Travel Backpacks	Osprey Daylite Jr	Active families with kids four to nine who fly and hike on the same trip.	An outdoor-brand daypack cut down for children, with the fit and durability Osprey is known for.	Costs more than a basic kids school backpack	About $118
Best ValueKids Travel Backpacks	Skip Hop Sparks Rocket	Toddlers and preschoolers on their first flights or short family trips.	A toddler-size backpack with a rocket on the front that a three-year-old will insist on carrying.	Small capacity is outgrown within a couple of years	About $31
Trending NowKids Travel Backpacks	JanSport Half Pint Mini	Style-aware families with kids four to eight who need a light bag for flights and city days.	A scaled-down version of the backpack everyone recognizes, in a size that works for kids and matches the grown-ups.	Mini capacity will not hold a tablet, jacket and bottle together	About $75
Go PremiumKids Travel Backpacks	Deuter Kikki	Outdoor-oriented families with young kids who hike and fly several times a year.	A real outdoor daypack built for small children, with the construction Deuter puts into its adult packs.	Expensive for a bag a child will outgrow	About $142.5

How to choose

Match the bag to the child's torso, not the age range on the label.
Padded shoulder straps and a chest clip keep a bag from sliding off.
A side bottle pocket avoids spills inside the main compartment.
Lighter empty weight matters when a small child carries it all day.
Choose a design the child likes; they are the one who has to carry it.
Premium kids backpacks are pricey; buy one only if it will see years of use.
Confirm the bag fits under an airplane seat if it will be their carry-on.

Watch out: STATE and Cotopaxi are expensive for a children's backpack.

Frequently asked questions

What size backpack should a child carry on a plane?: Small enough to fit under the seat in front and light enough for the child to carry through the terminal without complaint. For most kids under eight that means a mini or small daypack, loaded with only snacks, a toy, headphones and a water bottle.
Does a kids backpack count as a carry-on or a personal item?: On most US airlines a small child's backpack counts as their personal item when the child has a ticketed seat. Policies differ for lap infants and on budget carriers, so check your airline's rules for children's baggage before you fly.
Are outdoor-brand kids backpacks worth it for travel?: Usually yes if you also hike or walk a lot on trips. Outdoor brands fit better and last longer, and many back them with strong warranties. For a child who only uses a bag on two flights a year, a budget pick is fine.

Explore the full rankings

Every pick on this page comes from one of these comparisons.