Trunki - Luggage for Little People

When I decided that I need to travel with Naia alone, just short of 4 months before she turns 2 years old, I was quite worry that I may not be able to go through with it.  Naia has always been a good traveling companion.  She's always happy everytime we took a trip and hardly make a fuss on anything.  She sits nicely during the airplane's take off and landing .. and as she grows older, all I need to do is to make sure she's occupied with activities.  

However, since Naia was born, I always travel either with my husband or my parents or even my maid along.  Never that I travel only by myself and the kid.  So, my biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to grab things I need while I breastfeed her on the plane or during the scan or check-in.

My first thought was that I could just bring the stroller and pack as light as possible, then I'm all set!  Then I thought, what if Naia was asleep and I need to open the stroller?  (I have a Quinny Zapp, so it doesn't close like an umbrella stroller.  I need both hands to close it)  That would be a hassle, wouldn't it?  And packing light?  Hmm.. quite impossible considering I have to bring tons of things for her activities during the trip.  

So when I remember about this product - which I've been thinking to buy for more than a few months before - I decided that it would be a good investment.  

Trunki is basically a light weight and durable luggage designed for toddler up to around 6 years old.  They have several designs and all are hand-luggage approved, so you can definitely carry them inside the cabin.  The luggage has 4 wheels so that your kid can ride in it, all you need to do is pull them.  Because it's hard casing luggage, you can put basically everything, from a soft toys to spare clothes to books!  And that was exactly what I brought for Naia on our trip.  

It's definitely very helpful to have when travelling with your toddler.  Usually at that age, all they want is walk, but when they're tired they refused to be put in the stroller.  That's why I decided not to bring the stroller and just the Trunki instead.  Naia was definitely excited to bring the Trunki along.  At first she was pulling the luggage herself, then when she's tired, I told her to get on it and I pull her all the way to the gate!  

It comes in several designs and you can add attachments, like the saddle bag than can be turned as the seating pad (it even has squeak!).  It has some zippered container that I can use to put pens/pencils and some small snacks like raisins, even the wet wipes.  So I can only worry about putting the passports and travel documents on my purse.  

The only thing that I find as limitation is that it doesn't turn as easily when you pull it.  So definitely need to make sure that you learn how to pull it while the kid is on top and make sure you tell them to hold on to the "ears" when they're riding it.  Also, walk slowly! You don't want your kid to be turned upside down when you pull, so be very careful and gentle.  

Other than that, it's a perfect travel companion.  If the kid is asleep, you just carry your kid in your arms and just pull the luggage behind you.  

Oh, one other thing, I don't really recommend to bring Trunki if you also have stroller in tow.  It will be a total hassle, so just choose which one you want to bring, a stroller or a Trunki, on your trip on the airplane.  Of course you can bring both, especially when you're visiting to a foreign place where you definitely need a stroller, but make sure that either your stroller is checked in, or your Trunki is carried by you, not ridden by the child.  

Depending on the design, the price of Trunki in Singapore ranges from SGD85 to SGD120.