When Can a Toddler Wear Headphones on a Plane?
Most kids headphones sold on Amazon are listed for age 2 or 3 and up, so that's when most toddlers can start wearing them on a plane. The bigger question is usually not age but fit and patience: will they sit on a small head, and will your toddler leave them on? Here's how to tell, and what to do if your child is younger.
Most toddler headphones start at age 2 or 3
Look at the age range on the listing before you buy. It's the best clue to whether the headband gets small enough.
- Age 2 and up. A few are sized for 2-year-olds. Our top pick, the iClever BTH22, says it fits kids aged 2 and up, with a 10-level headband.
- Age 3 and up. Many popular kids headphones, including some with noise cancelling and soft headband styles, are listed from 3.
- No age at all. Some listings just say "kids." That doesn't mean they fit a toddler. Treat it as unknown.
If your child is between sizes, the age range on the box matters more than how cute the design is. A headphone that's too big slides down every time your toddler turns their head.
Under 2? Most parents use earmuffs instead
For babies and young toddlers, most parents don't bring headphones at all. They bring baby earmuffs, which are sold to lower noise, not to play sound. The BANZ earmuffs, for example, are listed from newborn to 36 months, with a noise reduction rating of NRR 26 dB.
Earmuffs are for quiet: a nap during the flight, or a loud boarding area. If you want your 1-year-old to watch a show, you'll be looking at headphones listed for older kids, or a tablet with the sound turned low.
Signs your toddler is ready
Age on a listing is only half of it. Your toddler is probably ready to try headphones on a plane if they:
- Will sit through a short show, 15 or 20 minutes, without wandering off
- Let you put a hat, hood or headband on them without pulling it off right away
- Point at the screen or ask for "more" when a show ends
- Already wear headphones at home, even for a few minutes
If none of these fit yet, don't count on headphones for this trip. Pack quiet toys and snacks, and try again in a few months.
Get a good fit on a small head
A loose fit is the main reason toddler headphones fall off. Before the trip:
- Set the headband to the smallest size, then open it one step at a time until it sits snugly but doesn't squeeze.
- Check the ear cups. They should sit over the ears, not on the cheeks or the top of the head.
- Have your child turn their head and look down. If the headphones slide, go back one size.
- Try it in the car seat. A plane seat is a lot like a car seat. If the headband bumps the seat back and pushes the headphones forward, a flat headband style may suit your child better.
How to get a toddler to keep headphones on
Many toddlers refuse headphones the first time. That's normal, and it's why the airport is the wrong place to try them for the first time.
- Practice at home for a week or two. Use them only during a favorite show, so they mean "show time."
- Start the show first, then put the headphones on. If they come off, pause the show. Put them back on, and play again.
- Let your child pick the color or design, if you can. A favorite animal helps.
- Keep sessions short at first. Five minutes is a win for a 2-year-old.
- Bring a backup plan. If they won't wear them on the day, captions or a quiet video at low volume is fine.
What to check on the listing before you buy
- Age range that includes your child
- A stated volume cap, as a number (for example, 85 dB), and whether any mode raises it
- A 3.5 mm cable in the box, so you can plug into the seat-back screen or keep going if the battery dies
- Weight, since lighter headphones are easier for a toddler to wear for a long time
The bottom line: from about age 2, if they fit
A toddler can usually start wearing headphones on a plane at around 2 or 3, which is where most kids headphone listings start. Pick one listed for your child's age, set it to fit snugly, and practice at home first. For younger babies, earmuffs that lower noise are the more common choice. For five options compared side by side, see our best toddler headphones for airplanes.