Overnight Flight Must-Haves for Kids (Tested on a 14-Hour Flight)

I never travel without this blowup footrest for long flights (one for each child) and this is still one of my favourite hacks for long flights. These create a flat surface between the seats so little legs can stretch out, lie down, or just get cozy. It folds down super small and inflates quickly. It’s lightweight, compact, and super affordable compared to more expensive travel beds. Plus, it’s much easier to pack, which is a huge bonus.

• Fast + easy to inflate (by mouth and without any special pump) and quickly deflate

• Great for creating a flat sleeping area on long flights

• Affordable and compact

FAQ: How did I create the cozy airplane “bed” for my kids pictured above?

I used two of the inflatable footrests, placed side by side in front of their seats to fill the legroom space. I then covered the footrests with a couple of the airline’s free blankets and pillows to make a soft, flat surface across the row. Then I had the kids lay sideways across the seats. 

Yes, it did mean that my daughter was not wearing her seatbelt because she was on the outside. The seatbelt sign was off, but when it went ON, we moved both kids back into their "normal" position with their feat outstretched in front using the footrests.

I always get questions about whether airlines allow them, and the truth is, many do, but not all, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re flying a new carrier. Worst case, you don’t use it. Some airlines don’t allow inflatable footrests or beds, so if they say no for any reason, you won’t feel bad that you spent a lot of money on it or sacrificed packing space. Best case, your kid sleeps for 7 hours straight.

Note: In both pictures below, my kids are using the inflatable footrests as pillows, but they should actually be positioned the other way around. Also, when the seatbelt sign is ON, my kids are always buckled in, even when using these.

I grabbed two of these travel blanket / pillows before our latest trip and can’t believe I didn’t buy them sooner. The blankets are huge, buttery soft, and both kids loved them so much that my daughter asked to sleep with hers every single night of our trip. 

The kit includes an inflatable pillow to slip into the pillowcase, plus a zippered pouch where I stashed their pajamas and an eye mask. I also managed to tuck the inflatable footrest into the same pillow case with the blanket, so each kid had their full flight setup packed together and ready to go.

Okay I know this recommendation is not specifically for kids, but well-rested parents are also an important factor in long-haul flights with kids! Don't forget about yourself :-)

I don’t even know what this is officially called, but this eye mask is brilliant. It’s basically an eye mask that straps to the headrest and supports your head so you don’t do the classic travel “bobblehead” thing. It actually helps you sleep sitting up, which is no small miracle. Both my husband and I used it and agreed it was a total gamechanger.

• Memory foam padding for your eyes and head

• Adjustable strap that anchors to your seat

• Washable cover

• Blocks light completely

HIGHLY recommend!

Yes, you could totally use just the eye mask above. But pair it with this squishy neck pillow and you’re out cold. It reminds me of a Squishmallow - super soft and cozy, but it actually stays in place and gives real neck support instead of just looking cute. The fabric is plush, the memory foam holds its shape, and it has a snap closure so it doesn’t slide off when you lean to the side.

I’ve also used the Trtl pillow, which I know is hugely popular and works well for a lot of people (almost 40K reviews!!!). It’s more structured and compact, so it’s a great option if you want something smaller in your bag. But comfort-wise, this one is my winner. I slept better with it and found it way easier to get into a good position.

The Yoto Mini Player is hands down the best screen-free device I’ve found for travel. It’s a simple, easy-to-use audio device that plays books, music, and podcasts for my kids. We’ve used it almost every day for 3 years, and we love it so much that we recently bought a second one for my daughter. It keeps them entertained without the use of screens—perfect for long flights, car rides, or downtime on any trip. The fact that it doesn’t need Wi-Fi is a huge plus, and it can play radio stations and the daily Yoto podcast. Plus, you can create your own Make Your Own cards to add personalized stories, audiobooks, or music! It’s compact, portable, and the absolute best travel companion for kids.

Use the code below to get 10% off 👇

 (discount applies to any order above the price of a Yoto Mini $69.99USD or $99.99CAD)

The best things about the Yoto Mini:

• Plays audiobooks and music

• Screen-free and easy for kids to use

• Great for all ages (even younger kids can listen on their own)

• No Wi-Fi required

• Create your own cards to add stories or music

My favourite way to travel with our cards and avoid losing them is to use these adhesive hanging tabs on each Yoto card and then use these wire ring loops to keep everything together. 

And if you saw my reel, we also love using this zippered credit card holder for storing all of our Yoto cards (it holds up to 40 cards!)

We use a tiny dose of kids melatonin for long-haul flights or when we’re adjusting to a major time zone shift. I like the OLLY Kids Sleep Gummies because each one is only 0.5mg of melatonin, and I actually cut them in half so each child only gets 0.25mg . That small amount is enough to help them settle down and fall asleep.

I also use the adult version for myself, which is great for helping with jet lag, especially when we're waking up at 3am in a new time zone.

Two years later, and our Magnetic Travel Kit is STILL the most played-with travel toy. I designed this kit to be compact, mess-free, and perfect for keeping kids busy on the go. The tin itself doubles as a play area , which makes it even more convenient for travel. The magnetic pieces allow kids to build cars, people, and more, and it’s incredibly open-ended—there are endless ways to play, no matter the age. My kids always find new ways to engage with it every time we travel. It's my best-selling product, loved by thousands of families around the world.

• Mess-free, compact and very open-ended

• Tin doubles as a play area

• Includes magnetic magnetic tiles, cubes, rods, cars, bendy people and road tape

• Click here and here to see how versatile this travel toy is! 

If your toddler refuses traditional headphones, try these. They’re soft, stretchy headbands with built-in speakers and volume-limiting protection, so they’re safe for little ears. The design means no hard parts poking into their head, which makes a big difference when they’re trying to relax or fall asleep.

They’re especially great for flights, car rides, or hotel naps when you want some quiet time without a screen. They also double as an eye mask! When my son was younger, he used to always fall asleep listening to his Yoto Mini’s Sleepy Music cards with these on. They're great because you don't have to worry about adjusting anything or putting headphones back on every five minutes. The headphones also come in a wireless option. 

I always bring a few mini books for flights, especially overnight ones. Even though we have our Yoto Mini, I still like to pack some small, lightweight books so mom and dad can read to them before sleep. It helps keep our usual bedtime routine going, even at 35,000 feet, and makes it easier for the kids to settle in when everything feels unfamiliar.

Some of our go-to mini books:

• Robert Munsch Annakin Mini Pack (they're SO good)

• Fancy Nancy Petit Library

• Mini books from the Disney Advent Calendar and the Usborne Advent Calendar - some of the books in these advent calendars are Christmas themed, but most are not!

These little books take up almost no space, and they’re the perfect wind-down right before sleep time on the plane. 

And last but not least, public restrooms with kids... we all know the drill: don’t touch ANYTHING! On long flights especially, by the time you hit hour 13, the airplane bathrooms are just ... rough. That’s why I always stash a few of these disposable toilet seat covers in my carryon. These covers are small, individually wrapped, and easy to store in my bag. The adhesive strips keep them securely in place, and the XL coverage ensures my kid’s hands (and clothes!) stay far away from the toilet seat.

• Small and individually wrapped for easy storage

• Adhesive strips keep the cover in place

• XL coverage to ensure no hands or clothes touch the toilet seat

As a bonus item, if you know you have a late flight, I highly recommend having a travel stroller with you so your kids can fall asleep in it and you can wheel them right up to the gate for an easy transfer onto the plane.

This Mountain Buggy Nano Duo double travel stroller has been all over the world with us and I highly recommend it! It’s handled cobblestones, narrow European doorways, jet lag naps, and two squabbling siblings! This is also one of the lightest double strollers out there at just 20lbs, making it easy to lift, maneuver, and store. It easily folds down to a very compact size, making ideal for travelling (e.g. stashing in the corner of a busy restaurant).

If you have a single child, the Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller has been such a game-changer for airport travel. It’s lightweight, compact, and fits in the overhead compartment on planes.

This stroller has saved us so much time and effort, especially in crowded airports. I really love the one-handed, one-second fold - it’s way easier than our previous travel stroller. It has a deep recline, an adjustable footrest, and a deep sunshade to help block out light. 

One of my favourite features though is the backpack transport bag designed specifically for the Bugaboo Butterfly. It makes it a lot easier to carry with our luggage and bring onboard.

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