Kids fall asleep anywhere on a trip, and then their head drops straight forward or rolls onto the next seat. They wake up sore and cranky, and so does everyone around them.
Adult travel pillows don't solve it. They're too big for a small neck, so they slip down or push the chin up, and most of them only pad the sides, not the front where a sleeping child's head actually falls.
We compared five kids' travel pillows and sleep aids for planes and cars. One is sized for ages 3 to 7, holds the head from the front and sides, washes in the machine and comes with its own case.
Not sure? Let us pick for you
How old is your child?
Our pick for you: #3Trunki Yondi Kids Travel Neck Pillow and Chin Rest (Small)
It's the small size for about ages 2 to 4, with a chin rest that stops a sleeping head falling forward, in a plush animal design.
A small chin-supporting neck pillow for ages 3 to 7 that closes with a curved hook-and-loop strap, so it holds a sleeping child's head from the front and sides. It weighs 4.2 oz, goes in the washing machine and comes with a carry case.
Chin support and a curved hook-and-loop closure keep the head from falling forward or flopping around
Sized for ages 3 to 7, at 7 x 7 in and 4.2 oz
Fully machine washable, with a down-alternative fill
Carry case included, plus a snap loop that clips to a backpack, suitcase or car seat
This size fits ages 3 to 7; older kids need BCOZZY's Medium size, sold separately
A U-shaped kids' pillow with raised side supports, a slim flat back and a hook-and-loop chin strap that stops forward nodding. It comes in animal designs, for ages 3 and up, and is machine washable.
Chin strap across the front stops the head nodding forward
Raised sides and a slim, flat back cushion
For ages 3 and up, in animal designs kids like to carry
Illustrative photo. Photo: Curpharar, CC BY-SA 4.0
8.3/10
Trunki Yondi Kids Travel Neck Pillow and Chin Rest (Small)
Stops the head dropping forward
Fits kids from age 3
A slim chin rest in a soft plush animal design, made for toddlers and small children of about 2 to 4. It stops a sleeping head from falling forward, weighs 2.65 oz and goes in the washing machine.
Chin support stops a sleeping head from falling forward
Small size for about ages 2 to 4, with a neck under 30 cm
Listed for planes, car seats, strollers and bike seats; the plush animal doubles as a soft toy
Machine washable, with a microbead fill in polycotton plush; 2.65 oz
No carry case mentioned on the listing
The listing says the chin support doesn't work well for kids over 4
Similar model shown (adult Trtl). Photo: Json8py, CC BY-SA 4.0
8/10
Trtl Pillow Junior Kids Travel Pillow
Stops the head dropping forward
A soft fleece wrap that closes around the neck like a scarf, with an internal support that can sit on the left, the right or under the chin. It's for ages 8 and up and is machine washable.
Internal support holds the head; wear it left, right or under the chin
Wraps like a scarf, so it isn't bulky
Machine washable, with a hypoallergenic polyester fill
For ages 8 and up only, so not for younger kids
No carry case mentioned on the listing
The listing gives two weights: under 4 oz and 4.9 oz
Illustrative photo. Photo: Виктор Пинчук, CC BY-SA 4.0
7.8/10
Sunany Inflatable Foot Rest Pillow for Travel
Carry case included
Not a pillow for the neck: an inflatable cushion that fills the space in front of the seat, so a small child can stretch out their legs or lie across it. It has three height levels and packs into a 7 x 4 x 2 in bag.
Fills the gap in front of the seat so a child can stretch out
Three height levels
Double valve: one-way to inflate and top up, plus a quick deflate
Washable flocked surface; folds into a 7 x 4 x 2 in drawstring bag
Not a head or neck support
No age range stated on the listing
The listing says to check with your airline before using it on a plane
The BCOZZY Kids is a small, chin-supporting neck pillow built for the one problem every parent sees on a trip: a sleeping child's head dropping forward. It's sized for ages 3 to 7, weighs 4.2 oz and works on planes and in the car.
Keeps the head from falling forward or flopping to the side
Size
Ages 3 to 7; 7 x 7 in; 4.2 oz
Fits a small neck instead of slipping down
Care
Fully machine washable
Kids' travel gear gets sticky fast
Carrying
Carry case and a snap loop for bags or a car seat
Easy to keep track of between flights
1. Holds the head from the front
The BCOZZY's chin support and curved hook-and-loop closure stop a sleeping child's head from falling forward or flopping to the side, which is what wakes most kids up.
2. Actually kid-sized
This size is made for ages 3 to 7, at 7 x 7 in and 4.2 oz, so it fits a small neck instead of sliding around like an adult pillow.
3. Easy to carry and wash
It comes with a carry case and a snap loop for a backpack or car seat, and the whole pillow goes in the washing machine after the trip.
Who it's for
Kids aged 3 to 7 who fall asleep on planes or in the car
Parents who want one pillow that washes easily
Older kids, in BCOZZY's separate Medium size
The honest trade-off
This size fits ages 3 to 7; older kids need BCOZZY's Medium size, sold separately
How it did on what we compared
Stops the head dropping forward
Fits kids from age 3
Carry case included
Bottom line
For a child aged 3 to 7, this is the pillow that's built to keep a sleeping head up. For a child 8 or older, choose the BCOZZY Medium or the Trtl Junior.
A pillow that's too big doesn't support a small neck. Check the age on the listing, and buy the size for your child now, not one to grow into.
Look for front support
Kids' heads fall forward when they sleep sitting up. A chin support, a chin strap or an internal support at the front does more than padding at the sides.
Make sure it washes
Snacks, drool and spills happen. A machine-washable pillow or cover keeps it usable for the next trip.
Check airline rules for leg rests
Inflatable foot rests and cushions that fill the space in front of the seat aren't allowed on every airline. Check before you fly.
Questions about travel pillows for kids
Can kids use an adult travel pillow?
Usually not well. Adult pillows are too big for a small neck, so they slip or push the chin up. A kids' size fits better.
Are inflatable foot rests allowed on planes?
It depends on the airline. Some allow them and some don't, and the listing for the Sunany leg rest says to check with your airline. Look up your airline's rules before you fly.
Can a kids' travel pillow be used in a car seat?
Follow your car seat maker's instructions. Never put anything between your child and the harness straps; a neck pillow is for resting the head, not for changing how the seat fits.
What age does the BCOZZY Kids fit?
This size is for ages 3 to 7. BCOZZY sells a Medium size for ages 8 to 12 as a separate listing.
Bottom line: the best travel pillows for kids
For kids aged 3 to 7, the BCOZZY Kids is the travel pillow to get: chin support that keeps a sleeping head up, a true kid size, and a washable design with its own case. Choose the Cabeau Evolution Kids for an animal design, the Trunki Yondi for toddlers about 2 to 4, the Trtl Junior for kids 8 and up, and the Sunany leg rest to help a small child stretch out.
Are Travel Pillows Worth It? — Are travel pillows worth it, or just one more thing to carry? When a neck pillow helps you sleep on a plane, when it doesn't, and which type to buy.
What to Bring to Sleep on a Long Flight — A simple sleep kit for long flights: a travel pillow, eye mask, earplugs and layers, plus seat and timing tips so you actually sleep in economy.
