banner

News

Mar 03, 2025

27 Must-Have Products For Your Child's First Flight

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

From toys to an airplane bed to noise-reduction earmuffs, these things will make your child's first flight easier for both of you.

BuzzFeed Contributor

Promising review: "So glad we bought this for our trip with two toddlers. Great for holding all of their toys/snacks in one place, and the iPad holder on the other side was perfect. Love that it rolls up easily, too. Def recommend!" —Stephanie Tersigni

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in five colors/styles).

Promising review: "Took my 2.5-month-old baby on his first trip, and these were lifesavers. I don’t think he needed it for the pressure but for the other screaming children around us. I put them on right before takeoff. He slept through the entire flight despite the crying and screaming from other kids around us!!!!!!" —Sierria Malone

Get them from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "Plane travel has always been challenging due to the pressure when landing, but these earplugs made it easy and pain-free! We inserted them one hour before landing and not one complaint, the very first time we flew she cried and screamed." —Mariela

Get them from Amazon for $17.99.

Promising review: "The kids were able to sleep comfortably on a five-hour flight." —Gail Carlisle

Get it from Amazon for $22.50 (available in four colors and adult sizes).

FYI: This was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for being the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.

Promising review: "This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed at how this thing works, and it’s really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space-consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $130.19+ (available in three colors and three styles).

Promising review: "Great for travel. Great for diaper bag. I use it for binkies, hands, toys, etc. Everything winds up on the floor and in their mouths, so I don’t want to use a typical wipe. These are perfect for peace of mind." —Blanche C

Get a pack of 40 from Amazon for $2.98 (also available in a pack of 120).

Promising reviews: "Essential for traveling with young kids! This thing is clutch. Just traveled with my almost 3-year-old. We used the item for my iPhone so she could watch shows and movies on the flight. Very sturdy, holds its position well. Versatile positions. Highly recommend." —ellierae

"Bought these for a few family members for a flight. They ended up using them to keep a baby's attention when out to eat, and used in the flight too. Stiff and strong hold. It doesn't seem to be dinky. Well-made, well-liked, and very happy." —Sam

Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in five colors and packs of two).

It's universally sized to fit standard infant, convertible, and booster car seats.

Promising review: "This thing holds two Cosco Scenera car seats stacked on one another! Super easy to load up and toss on your back. I couldn’t have made it through the airport without this and my two toddlers!" —Sarah Viado

Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two styles and five colors).

BTW: This backpack also has a soft changing pad, a USB charging port, 18 pockets, two bottle pockets that can be used to keep bottles warm or cool, and a large compartment that can hold a laptop or breast pump.

Promising review: "I absolutely love how huge it is and the changing the table is going to be amazing for public use or home use. I love that it has a bottle warmer area, and it attaches to my stroller wonderfully. The material seems like it's made really well and like it will last a long time. I had to reiterate on here that there was nothing wrong with the charger on it. There's just a cord on the inside that you have to plug in to charge it like a battery pack." —Amber Malone

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in eight colors).

Napflat is a small biz based in Australia that was created by a mom who needed a solution so her children could get rest during long flights in their seats.

Promising review: "The Napflat was great for my 2.5-year-old during our 24-hour flight to Europe. It was easy to set up and very discreet, we had no issues from the flight crew. The Napflat made my trip so much more comfortable instead of having my toddler sprawled over my lap. She could sleep with her legs stretched out in her own seat. Would highly recommend! Extra points for the very fast posting and friendly shop owner. 😊" —Julia Norrdahl

Get it from Napflat on Etsy for $59.08.

Promising review: "This toddler airplane bed is a game changer. It’s soft, safe, and perfectly designed for little ones to rest comfortably on long flights. The bumpers are a great safety feature, and the compact pump makes inflating it a breeze. It fits well in the airplane seat and keeps the seat belt secure. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase." —Ivan Fediukov

Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in two styles and seven colors).

Promising review: "This dispenser is a game changer for busy parents. Its portable design and pre-measured compartments make it easy to prepare bottles anywhere. With a twist-and-pour feature and secure lid, it's mess-free and reliable. A must-have for hassle-free feeding on the move." —Brittany White

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in three colors and a two-pack).

Promising review: "Excellent for travel. We loved this for travel and for helping us organize our diaper bag! You never know what can hit while you are traveling, so always having your medicine kit with you helped with my allergy-prone children and husband! Add this to your registry, new parents!!" —The Peens Party Of Three

Get it from Amazon for $44.99.

Promising review: "If you're a germaphobe like me, this is a must-have in your diaper bag. The thought of placing my son or daughter on a public toilet with only a seat liner is disturbing, especially since they're both little and still hold onto the toilet seat for support when peeing/pooping. These cover the toilet completely and even cover the lower part of the toilet where dangling legs and pants/skirts touch. My only complaint about these is that they are not flushable. It's difficult trying to gather the liner up (they are rather large) without touching the toilet or the possibly wet liner (because it partially fell in the water) and then scrunching it up to fit into a sanitary napkin bin. Other than that, these are great. Also, I don't use the adhesive strips at all since I have two little ones that usually need to go right away, so we don't have the time to remove the adhesive backing. I usually just place the liner on the toilet and then carefully plop my kid on to,p and all's well." —Ting

Get a pack of 24 large covers from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and various packs).

Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 is a small biz that sells hand-stitched items like cards, bags, and coasters.

This bag includes a laminated list of 24 items for your kiddo to search for.

Promising review: "My daughter loves playing with her I-Spy bag! She gets so excited finding the items in the bag and comparing it to the card. Keeps her busy on car rides, so that is a plus!" —Jecceka

Get it from Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 on Etsy for $17.95 (available in various patterns and styles).

Promising review: "I attached this to my carry-on bag, and it does what it’s supposed to do. My child, who weighs approximately 22 pounds, was easy to pull through the airport with ease. I’ve also gotten lots of compliments. Definitely prefer using this if I don’t need a stroller for where I’m going. No need to remove it when stowing your suitcase. It zips right up and lays flat." —Michelle B.

Get it from Amazon for $44.99.

Promising review: "We bought this for my 3-year-old grandson. He loves it and it was quite the hit at the airport going home. Numerous people stopped my kids to ask where they got it and if it was a travel case. It did hold his essentials to keep him entertained, which is what most parents fear while taking cross-country flights. Not sure if it will end up a toy or a travel case." —BCC MI

Get it from Amazon for $69.99.

Recommend for ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "We bought this pad to take on a long car trip with our 4-year-old granddaughter. She is usually traveling with her nose stuck to an iPad, so I was looking for something to get her out of watching iPads all trip. This did the trick! She drew all kinds of things, practiced her numbers and letters, and played games with me. It was great to have something that didn’t need to be charged." —Trudie Paschetag

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Recommend for ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "My family and I went on a 27-hour road trip for the Christmas holiday. Needless to say, I was a bit anxious over the idea of traveling with a 4-, 2-, and 1-year-old. These things were a lifesaver! I had bought quite a few other activities for them to do, but they kept returning to these. I love that there is no cleanup, and they are reusable. I also thought the pen storage was a really nifty idea. The pages are a thick chipboard-like material so that there is no water leakage between pages. We still use these. Sometimes, I pull them out while I'm getting dinner ready, and it keeps them occupied. All in all, a great buy, and Amazon had the best deal on them." —Dina

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18.59.

Promising review: "The perfect companion for traveling with a toddler who loves to snack and prefers being independent. I can fit about 12 average-sized grapes in it, about 5–6 regular-sized cookies, about 8–10 mini cookies, a big handful or small cereal such as Cheerios, and about 10–12 standard Ritz crackers. These estimations are all things that I regularly place in there for him to snack on. Nothing spills out, and whatever does come out is whatever he grabs with his hands to get, which is amazing. The only thing I would suggest is placing foil or plastic wrap around the mouth of the cup to prevent any of the snacks from getting stale from being exposed. The lid doesn’t fully cover the snack from air exposure. It simply protects the snack from spilling over and promotes child independence." —Antoinette

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.96 (available in two color combos).

This set includes 12 games: Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Tic Tac Toe, Backgammon, Snakes and Ladders, Solitaire, Nine Men’s Morris, Auto Racing, Ludo, Space Venure and Racing.

Promising reviews: "Kids totally occupied on our 11-day summer holiday trip! Plane rides, meals out, time spent at Airbnb or hotel. Fine quality for price — so many games to choose from!" —Sara Potts

"Got these for the grandsons for a 12-hour drive. They're 14 and 7, and both enjoyed them." —hazel h

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

Promising review: "I sat at a window seat just so I could try it out. I travel with a small dog who sits on my lap, so I can't let my tray table down. This great new gadget gave me a table!! No more losing my earphones, pen, phone, glasses, or even Kleenex. PLUS, no more spilled drinks! Dozens of passengers saw it and now want one just like it :) I was the envy of the flight.😆" —amy

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising reviews: "We use it at night, during the day at home, and even on the go. With our first baby, we had white noise on our phones; this just made our lives so much easier. We just leave it next to the baby with a timer, and she sleeps for a few hours." —Tatiana Figueiredo

"This product has been a lifesaver! Our child LOVES the sound of rain/white noise, and this has calmed her down in the car seat sooooo much. She dislikes the car seat, and the portable machine has made our lives easier. We used it about every day for a month before the batteries finally died. Worth the money 100%." —Brianna

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "Oh my goodness, these are a LIFESAVER. My 2-year-old pees a lot overnight and was leaking through his overnight diapers every night. His pants would get soaked, and I would have to change him in the middle of the night or feel horrible letting him sleep in his own pee. Then I read about these booster pads, and I thought I'd give them a try. It totally worked. My kid doesn't leak through anymore. I would definitely recommend this for heavy night wetters." —Christine

Get a three-pack of 90 pads from Amazon for $37.99.

Drapela Woodworks is a small business based in Houston, Texas, that sells handmade wooden toys, decor, gifts, and more.

Promising review: "This maze toy was worth every penny. It was very well made, shipped quickly, and was a big hit with the kids and adults! Highly recommend." —Catrina

Get it from Drapela Woodworks on Etsy for $39.95+ (this maze can be personalized with text at an additional cost).

Promising review: "Great product. Easy cleanup. Lightweight. Great for on the go." —McKenzy Deling

Get a pack of 30 for $9.99+ (available in three styles and in a pack of 720).

Promising review: "This is such a handy gadget for travel. It holds a lot of charge, and kept my phone and headphones operational on 14-hour flights." —TY

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Promising review:This is a must-have for all parents with toddlersWe went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all.Promising review:Promising reviews:Essential for traveling with young kids! This thing is clutch. Just traveled with my almost 3-year-old.Promising review:Promising review:I absolutely love how huge it isPromising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:If you're a germaphobe like me, this is a must-have in your diaper bag. The thought of placing my son or daughter on a public toilet with only a seat liner is disturbing,Promising review:Promising review: Definitely prefer using this if I don’t need a stroller for where I’m going.Promising review:It did hold his essentials to keep him entertained, which is what most parents fear while taking cross-country flights.Promising review:Promising review:My family and I went on a 27-hour road trip for the Christmas holiday.These things were a lifesaver! I had bought quite a few other activities for them to do, but they kept returning to these.Promising review:Nothing spills out, and whatever does come out is whatever he grabs with his hands to get, which is amazing.Promising reviews:Promising review: Promising reviews:With our first baby, we had white noise on our phones; this just made our lives so much easier.She dislikes the car seat, and the portable machine has made our lives easier.Promising review:Oh my goodness, these are a LIFESAVER.Promising review: Promising review:
SHARE