Q: We have recently purchased a Trunki for an impending trip and though our daughter is only 3 we can't figure out how we will get her through the airport without her feet dragging everywhere. So we thought we would look to the interneticles to see if there were any great hacks (better handles, foot rests etc) and there is nada!! Melissa and Doug have taken it over and though it might be a little more cheaply made it's still a good product but it has also been out long enough to receive some real world 'adjustment'. So I was wondering who out there has hacked the Trunki?
Sent by Charles
Editor: Have you? Let Charles know below! If you're not familiar with Trunki, you can find out more at Melissa & Doug.
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here with the subject line: Good Question. (Those with an image get published first.)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
We used Trunki and never felt like we need a foot rest. M&D made a saddle - that's a nice and versatile piece (converts into a shoulder bag).
The tip will be 1) practice pulling/ riding with your kid at home. 2) don't go fast and watch for the bumps (like where the carpet meets the stone floor) at the airport. It might tip the trunki over and make the kid fly forward and lend on it's nose. 3) trunki is the most helpful at the gate, while you're waiting for boarding - nice ride-on toy to occupy the kiddo.
We have just told our daughter (also 3) to keep her feet up. Some how she manages to do it when we land too - 8 hours off her time zone while she is still asleep sitting up on that thing. We will be buying another for her sister soon. It has been our lifesaver when we travel with two little girls and they check our buggy at the gate (which we never get back until we find it on baggage claim). I would say practice - like the above - also you might be able to hack the saddle in some way - maybe some stirrups? We have it and it is made of all cloth might be able to sew something right on to that.
Good Luck!
Ditto. She (age three) just grips it with her knees, toes off the ground - she did that instinctively, last week the first time we used it.
That thing is awesome. I thought it was a gimmick, but no, we towed her through miles of airport and she's in love with it. Somebody really thought that one through. We fill it with her toys and snacks for the flight (the whole trip, actually) and it fits very neatly under the seat. YES.
Pass on the 'saddle bag' though. If there is anything in it while they ride on it, it's not comfy, and stuff falls out of it when it's a purse. Skip.
Our son (almost 3) either keeps his feet up or pushes it himself no problem. It's been great.
Have you considered making some "stirrups" with a single piece of fabric/rope that has a loop on either end and lays over the top?
Foot dragging was never a problem for our kiddo (nearly 3, and tall for her age) -- in fact, took me a while to understand what the concern was here, since when we drag her on the Trunki, I'm not even sure what she does with her feet and it's never been an issue. I assume she just instinctively holds her feet up, or, "walks" her feet along the ground as we pull her. And at the gate area, she can propels herself around since her feet do touch the floor.
My biggest complaint about Trunki is that you must be careful not to overfill it if you want to make sure it latches closed properly. But we've thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Trunki. Agree that the saddlebags don't help, but highly recommend the face stickers for personalizing the Trunki.
Not a hack, but our daughter (2, but the size of a 3-4 yo) just sits on top of our hard side rolling carry-on. It works perfectly and holds more than a Trunki. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod4510673&navAction=push