5 Best Kids Headphones For Travel, School and Restaurants

Why is it important to invest in kid-centric headphones?

It may be mighty tempting to give your child a pair of headphones you’re not using, but it’s safer—and healthier—to invest in headphones that are kid-sized. And, there is a difference between headphones for adults and children. “Kids headphones are often made to be more durable, and they frequently come in more kid-friendly color options and styles,” says Dr. Amy Sarow. She also notes that headphones for children are also manufactured for smaller ears (which helps with comfort and long-term wear for school or extracurriculars).

⭐ But, it’s really about volume controls.

One of the biggest reasons to invest? Volume. Dr. Amy explains:  “Some headphones have volume caps built into their system. This means that even at maximum volume, headphones will never exceed a set volume cap,” she says. “For parents, this means one less thing to worry about when it comes to safe listening levels.”

That also means that kid-friendly headphones have a feature called volume caps. Think of them as a handy safety device, already built-in to the headphones or earbuds: “Volume caps are like guardrails,” Dr. Amy says. “They keep the user automatically within a safe range, so even if attention is elsewhere, the volume won't creep up to dangerous levels.”

Are volume caps a really big deal? Yes. Dr. Amy says that standard headphones can reach volumes up to 110 dB SPL or more (which is quite a lot!), as the recommended listening level for adults is 80 dB. So, that means that damage to the inner ear can occur within minutes. “Volume caps can prevent possible permanent inner ear damage that can result in hearing loss and tinnitus,” she says.

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⭐ Fit is another reason to invest, too.

That’s not all. According to Dr. Amy, the fit means that not only will they fit more securely and be less likely to fall out, but a better fit can also make a difference when it comes to safe volume levels. “Think of it this way: the speaker output (and size) impacts the volume in the space. The same amount of volume in a smaller space (i.e., smaller ears) means more volume,” she says. “Additionally, noise cancellation will be most effective with properly fitting headphones, and kids headphones may also include volume-limiting safety features.” 

Early childhood educator and parent, Tara Keeley, MSEd in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, also has a few pointers for other parents and caregivers out there. “As my children grow, I realize some things that I bought without much research or thought aren’t a great fit for us,” she says. “Plus as I get to know them better over time, and they get to know themselves better, I have more ‘look-fors’ than I might have when they were younger.” 

Which means, Tara takes into account how her kids process and react to sound—and how that affects her six year old’s stimulation (or response to audio). Beyond comfort and fit, there’s a big element at play for parents like Tara. In fact, sensory experiences are huge for Tara’s six year old and it’s one of the factors that made her specifically seek out kids headphones. “He startles with noises that are too loud, too sudden, or just hit his ear in a way he dislikes, so volume that’s easy to adjust and doesn’t go to an outrageous level would be perfect. I’d also like something noise-canceling to minimize distractions,” she says.

(🌟Remember, adults and children should only engage with audio at a limited volume to 70% of maximum or below 80dB.) 

Can kid-centric headphones support a child’s hearing health?

Yes, they can. Certainly listening to music or streaming audio in headphones made for kids is good for overall hearing health because almost all of these devices have dB limits.

Some other pluses besides volume controls? A supportive size can provide comfort and decrease fatigue or ear pain from wear. This is important for all children, but it’s majorly essential for kids who experience sensory issues.

How to shop for kid-friendly headphones

Okay so, you’re ready to check out the market offerings and find the best pair for your kid. But, there’s a few things you should keep in mind before you begin.

First off, it’s likely that you’ll invest in more than one pair of headphones as your child grows until about age 10. “Children’s ear canals continue to grow and change until about age 10, at which point they typically reach their adult size,” Dr. Amy says. “Obviously, the outer ear—or, the pinna—and head size continue to grow, but the ear canal volume is key for headphone volume output and headphone safety.” Also, Dr. Amy notes that children younger than age 10 should wear kids headphones for a better fit as well as the appropriate headphone volume for their smaller ear canals. 

Now, which brings us to headphone volume. Most kid headphones on the market have features and specs that kids—and adults—both need, most notably volume controls. Dr. Amy says these are the key features to look for in kid-friendly headsets:

• Built-in volume-limiting functionality: Volume limiting ensures that even at maximum volume, your child’s headphones keep levels within reasonable limits.
• Noise cancellation: Noise cancellation is another great feature that also makes it easier for children to listen at safe levels, without the urge to turn volume up over the background noise. 
• A lightweight, comfortable fit: Headphones that fit properly around the ear, especially for younger children, ensure better passive noise attenuation than if the headphones are too big and allow noise to come through. Finally, lightweight material ensures that your child will be comfortable wearing their headphones.

Are there other things parents should keep in mind? Absolutely, and Tara shares what she considers when shopping for headphones for her two children under seven years old. “Over-the-ear headphones only. I find earbuds so uncomfortable myself, plus they tend to pop out of tiny ears.”

To add to this, Tara looks for headphones that need to feel good on their heads and ears. “Flexible or adjustable so they’re not too tight or so loose that they’re falling off,” she says. “Cushy padding around the ears.”

Tara’s shopping considerations for parents: 

• Comfort: “They need to be comfortable, so a flexible band and appropriate padding are important,” she says. “Plus the padding needs to stay put- we use fairly inexpensive headphones in my classroom, and the flimsy foam pieces are becoming misshapen, ripping, and falling off a few months into the school year.”
• Wireless: “Wireless is ideal, but I don’t want to be charging yet another thing constantly, so long battery life is a must.”
• Kid-friendly designs and colors: “Aside from my kids liking bright colors or cute patterns, distinctive designs make them easier to find in the bottom of a backpack or a pile of kid stuff.”
• Crisp, clear sound: “My 6-year-old is very sensory sensitive, so we need something with a very crisp, clear sound and adjustable volume.”

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Are there certain styles parents should keep in mind?

Volume-limiting functionality is super important, but in terms of design parents should prioritize a lightweight design. “Headphones with a lightweight design ensure comfort,” Dr. Amy says. “For children with sensory overstimulation, the material on the ear pad can also be key.” 

And, as Tara discussed earlier: Wireless, comfy styles in kid-approved colors and patterns are a major win-win. Don’t put comfort last on the list when it comes to smaller ears. “They absolutely must be comfortable or “cozy,” as my 6-year-old would say,” she says. “There’s no way my kids keep something on their head that’s even a little uncomfortable.”

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According to Dr. Amy, if you want comfort-led headphones, it’s important to look for a softer fabric with quality foam to help with comfort. And, don’t forget about ear cups. “Additionally, ear cups that swivel can be more comfortable for longer wear versus ear cups that remain fixed,” she says. “Large, easy-to-use buttons are more child-friendly and another great feature to look for, especially for younger kids.”