You’ve probably heard about or maybe even used a neck travel pillow yourself. Well, neck travel pillows for toddlers are almost the same, except they are designed for a smaller neck and to give support 360 degrees.
A travel foot rest is usually an inflatable step that stands in front of a seat to extend the surface for a toddler to sleep on horizontally.
Is a neck travel pillow or foot rest worth having?
A footrest does wonders as the toddler can sleep in a regular position, as well as, the adult can use it to lift their legs for better blood circulation.
Toddlers need more sleep than we do, however, travelling makes it harder to achieve the desirable goal of napping hours. Uncomfortable plane or car seats, noise, and other obstacles don’t help a toddler to fall asleep.
Fortunately, there’re lightweight neck travel pillows or foot rests that will make it much easier and more comfortable for a toddler to fall asleep on any transportation you take.
Because the foot rest stands between the seat and the space where the lifejacket is stored, some airlines do not allow it to be used, so it’s important you double-check before boarding.
Below you will find the five best travel comfort devices for toddlers including foot rests and travel beds.
After that, there will also be the 3 best toddler sleeping pillows that we recommend as well as a comparison table with their specifications.
Read till the end to find an extra item to make sleeping while travelling even better!
Most important things to look out for when choosing a foot rest or bed
Most inflatable foot rests look and feel similar so the main difference will be in the quality of the product and if it can be used both by your toddler and you, the adult, which is an advantage.
As most comfort devices for toddlers are inflatable, durability is an important feature to check, as well as the valves and the inflation system. Double-valve design will be leakproof and easier to inflate, however, that doesn’t matter as much if the product comes with a pump.
If inflating, manually or with a pump, is not your thing, you can always opt for a small mattress that can come in a toddler’s ride-on suitcase such as Jet Kids Bed Box that you can read about next.
5 Best travel foot rests for toddlers of 2023
- Jet Kids Bed Box by Stokke
- Flypal Inflatable Foot Rest
- HOMCA Travel Foot Rest Pillow
- Plane Pal Airplane Seat Extender
- Flyaway Kids Bed
Comparison table of the best airplane foot rests and beds for toddlers
Jet Kids Bed Box by Stokke | Flypal Inflatable Foot Rest | HOMCA Travel Foot Rest Pillow | Plane Pal Airplane Seat Extender | Flyaway Kids Bed | |
Age range | 3 – 7 year olds (max 35 kg) | For people of all ages | For people of all ages | For people of all ages | 2-7 year olds |
Time needed to inflate | / | Manual – 2 min | Manual 1-1.5 min | 2-3 minutes | 90s |
Weight | 3.3kg | 590g | 365g | 900g | 1.3kg |
Dimensions | 46 x 20 x 36 cm | (Deflated) 17 x 7 x 25 cm | (Deflated)10 x 15 cm | (Deflated) 36 x 17 x 8 cm | (Deflated) 25 x 25 cm |
Cleaning options | Machine washable | Not recommend washing in a washing machine. A soapy cloth wipe down & rinse. | Made out of machine washable soft PVC flocking | Only with a soft, damp cloth | With a wipe |
Approx. Price (Euros) | 179 | 30 | 20 | Pillow only – 75Kit (comes with a bag and a pump) – 85 | 150 |
Link to the list of approved airlines | https://jet-kids.com/approved-airline-list/ | Check with the airline you’re flying | Check with the airline you’re flying | https://eu.planepal.com/pages/airlines | https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/pages/airlines |
1. Jet Kids Bed Box by Stokke
Pros:
- Carry-on dimensions, fits in front or overhead compartments
- Perfect for long-haul flights
- Practical top-opening to prevent items from falling out
- Shock-absorbing front swivel wheels for excellent manoeuvring
- Multi-purpose adjustable strap for carrying or pulling the BedBox
- Tired feet can rest on the comfortable foot ledge
- Universal and fits most standard economy seats in aircraft
- Comes in 6 colours with included stickers
Cons:
- The wheels don’t have a break for the case not to roll while standing
- Pulling strap doesn’t offer control over the case and gets dirty easily
- Not a lot of space inside the case as the mattress taking up most of it
Perfect for frequent fliers, BedBox is a ride-on suitcase that transforms into a bed in 5 simple steps. The bed itself is a small, comfortable mattress extending from the seat onto the suitcase. The toddler can lay horizontally and comfortably on a soft mattress.
The bed feature is officially approved by many airlines.
Amazingly enough, the bed/suitcase is also a ride-on. Suitable for toddlers from around 2 years of age, BedBox can be pulled through the airport, train or ferry terminal and when your toddler is tired, the same multi-purpose strap to pull the suitcase can be used to carry it.
2. Flypal Inflatable Foot Rest
Pros:
- Two-piece construction easily adaptable to an ideal height or angle
- REACH-verified and flocked PVC material is environmentally friendly and hygienic for added warmth and comfort
- Can be used by an adult
Cons:
- Manual inflation
- Some airlines may not allow using the large part
FlyPal inflatable footrest consists of two parts, which is why it has three different heights and can be used by both the toddler and the adult.
The full set can easily create a bed in an airplane for a toddler to lie down or as a footstool for adults to elevate their legs, thus improving circulation and reducing the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis during longer journeys.
3. HOMCA Travel Foot Rest Pillow
Pros:
- 3 different heights, adjustable through different valves
- Leakproof because of double-valve design
- Comes with a bottom dust cover that protects the foot pillow from sharp things and getting dirty
Cons:
- Manual inflation
Just like Flypal but with a different design, HOMCA offers three different heights, thus can be used by toddlers and adults. Additionally, it has a double-valve design so might be a bit more leak-proof than other inflatable footrests. Another great add-on is a dust cover that protects the HOMCA pillow from sharp things, so you can also use it to rest your feet while camping.
4. Plane Pal Airplane Seat Extender
Pros:
- The kit comes with a bag and a pump
- Fitted with a customised safety value that ensures it can’t be overinflated or burst
- Lightweight – made out of nylon
Cons:
- Only one height
Plane Pal seat extender is a unique foot rest compared to others because depending on how you’ll position it, it will fit in between seats on a budget (with limited space) or other airlines (with bulkhead or bassinet rows). Also, the Plane Pal set comes with a small hand pump for easier inflation.
5. Flyaway Kids Bed
Pros:
- Meets the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) strict guidelines for inflight comfort devices
- Made from high quality, child-safe PVC
- BPA- FREE and Phthalate-safe
Cons:
- Can’t be used by adults
- Toddler needs to be out of the chair while setting up the bed
Designed and engineered in Switzerland, this award-winning Flyaway Kids Bed is beloved by parents as the unique design creates a full bed for the toddler to sleep on while flying. Yet, because it is inflatable, the Flyaway bed is still light to carry. It is definitely one of the parents’ favourites because it is a full-length bed filled with air that makes it very comfortable for a toddler to sleep throughout the flight.
3 Best travel neck pillows for toddlers in 2023
Foot rest is a great comforter on long-haul flights, however, on short flights or car rides you will not be allowed to use a foot rest, even though your toddler will still feel like sleeping. That’s when a neck travel pillow comes in handy.
Consider buying a neck travel pillow specifically made for a child, so your toddler’s head gets the proper support. It is also important to make sure the material that the pillow is made out of will not bother your toddler. If you have the possibility, have your toddler put on the neck travel pillow before you buy it.
Comparison table of the best travel neck pillows for toddlers in 2023
Trunki Kid’s Travel Neck Pillow And Chin Rest | BCOZZY Kids Neck Pillow | INFANZIA Kids | |
Age Range | 2-5 years old | Small: 3-7 years oldMedium: 8-12 years old | 3-16 years old |
Weight | 80 g | 120g | 230g |
Washing options | Hand wash only | Machine washable | Machine washable |
Approx. Price (Euros) | 17 | 30 | 18 |
1. Trunki Kids Travel Neck Pillow And Chin Rest
Pros:
- Head & neck support
- Ergonomically designed
- Comfy microbead filling
- Cosy plush fabric
- Trunki Grip – allows toddler to attach their favourite blanket or comforter
Cons:
- Chin support does not work for older children
Trunki Kids pillow features fun animal character designs that include magnetic paws connecting under the toddler’s chin to support their sleepy heads. The magnet makes it easy enough for the toddler to put on the pillow themselves. Trunki pillow is soft, yet offers the necessary support for a smaller child and even has a unique feature – Trunki Grip – so your toddler falls asleep easier with their favourite blanket close by.
2. BCOZZY Kids Neck Pillow
Pros:
- Head and chin support
- Machine washable
- Lightweight, comes with a carry bag
- Amazon’s Best Seller in Kid’s Neck Travel Pillows
Cons:
- May get too hot
BCOZZY Kids Neck Pillow has a curved design that goes all around the neck and the ends go on top of each other. The curved custom-made Velcro system enables a perfect fit to a toddler’s neck. With over 25k reviews on Amazon, this best seller guarantees your toddler a quality nap.
3. INFANZIA Kids
Pros:
- 360degrees full support
- Honeycomb design, not easy to deform
- An attached hook for storing or carrying
- Wide age range
- 100% lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t work with younger toddlers
INFANZIA Kids neck travel pillow with widened sides provide full support, specifically preventing the head from falling forward. There are two buttons to adjust the tightness of the pillow and with the Snap and Buckle, you can hang the pillow or secure it to a suitcase or luggage while passing through the busy airport.
As promised: the extra item
– Seat Belt Pillow for Kids
Pros:
- Ergonomics design
- Machine washable
- Versatile – can be used on a belt or as a toy
- Soft
- Comes in different cute animal designs
Cons:
- May not provide as much support as a neck travel pillow
Seat belts are essential in every vehicle and yet, they are usually uncomfortable to wear especially for a fussy toddler. The cute and soft belt pillow is a great comfort device that will provide some support for the child and they’ll have a travel buddy nearby. It is simple to use, easy to install, and soft to the touch.
So which one to buy?
When it comes to choosing which comfort device to buy for my toddler, it was a decision between buying a full cover or just the foot rest. We knew, if we invested in a bed, the toddler would have great quality sleep on long-haul flights, however, it was really tempting to buy the foot rest because I could use it, too.
We took the risk and bought the Plane Pal Airplane Seat Extender. Luckily, both of the toddlers would fall asleep, and when they’re awake, we can use it to lift our legs. The best thing about it is that lots of airlines accept it and it fits in nicely like a Tetris block on different-sized planes.
Out of the neck travel pillows, the Trunki was our choice because of the lovely designs and the fact that our toddlers can put it on themselves.
And finally, our little ones also enjoy the company of a unicorn and a dinosaur on their seatbelts. Even though we already had neck travel pillows, I couldn’t resist buying seat belt covers, knowing our toddlers will enjoy them and they’ll always have some soft support, especially when we forget to bring the neck travel pillow.
F.A.Q.
CAN TODDLERS STILL USE A SEATBELT WHILE USING FOOT REST?
If the cushions are used to rest their legs, you can still put a seatbelt over their belly.
ARE THESE FOOT RESTS ALLOWED ON AIRPLANES?
Some airlines may not allow these products while flying. We recommend you check with the airlines before travelling.
CAN I USE FOOT REST ON ALL PLANE SEATS?
It is very important to choose appropriate and safe seats because foot rests cannot be used on certain seats. The window seat is fine as well as the centre two seats if you are flying on a large aircraft.
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You may also like to read about our pick of the best toddler beds, the best toddler travel car seats and the best travel suitcases.