Rideable motorized suitcases are odd products, even more so when adults are the ones riding on them. They look more like fun toys for kids, but strangely enough, such products are in low supply or even non-existent. Of course, the dangers of sitting a kid on a moving vehicle, cute as it may be, can be frightening, but that doesn’t mean the basic design of a ride-on suitcase doesn’t have merits, especially if it doesn’t have motors in the first place. This unusual suitcase for toddlers takes that idea and gives it a little twist, giving it some other utility even when already boarded on the plane or train.
Designer: Frost Produkt
There are plenty of suitcases with colors and decorations catering to kids, but strangely enough, the majority of them aren’t exactly designed for kids. They function more like miniature suitcases for adults with zippers that are difficult to use and compartments that are difficult to access without having to first lay the suitcase down. That might just be a hassle for grownups, but it’s nothing short of a chore for kids, not unlike being told to clean up their closet.
Jetkids is a ride-on suitcase truly designed with a young child in mind, and not just because of how fun it seems to sit on top of it. Instead of a zipper that opens from the front, this suitcase has a top cover that can be easily lifted to reveal the contents inside. The cover itself is actually a container as well, suitable for smaller items or things that the child or parent needs to access immediately.
That’s because this cover can be flipped over and placed on top of the suitcase, acting not only as a sort of desk but also as a leg rest or bed. The idea is to place the suitcase in front of the child’s seat on the plane, extending the area they can sit or even lie down on. And when the child is on the ground and about, the suitcase also offers a place for them to sit down and, if needed, be pulled by their family or guardian.
This unusual yet useful design does limit Jetkids, which was also marketed under the name Stokke Bedbox, to a certain age range that allows them to sit safely on the suitcase. It’s still an interesting design that really puts the ease of use and comfort of the child in mind rather than simply shrinking a product made for older people.