My Top 3 Favorite Sensory-Friendly Travel Products – Airplane Edition

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, but rather information on the best products for my neurodivergent child on our trip abroad. I hope these products prove to be helpful for your family!

We have finally arrived at my final entry about my family’s trip to Munich! I hope that you were able to find parts one and two helpful and that you are encouraged to take the leap as a neurodiverse family and see the world—both near and far! I thought it was best to end this blog focus on Munich by sharing with you the top 3 products that helped in my family’s travel, especially for my neurodivergent son. 

Yoto Mini

If you know me, you know my obsession with the Yoto player! (If you need any ambassadors, Yoto, I’m your girl!) In addition to being SCREEN FREE(!), there are many advantages of the Yoto Mini player:

• Plays cards that you can purchase through the Yoto Card Store
• Offers a range of topics – audio books, sounds (nature, storms, transportation), music, non-fiction, meditation, jokes, and so much more
• Gives you the ability to create your own cards if your child has a special interest that is not available 
• Includes cards for ages 0-9+ years
• Comes with its own travel case for easy transport (must purchase)
• Through the app, allows you to control volume settings or even play cards uploaded to the Yoto app without the physical card (internet required)
• Provides Yoto Daily activities each day that can be listened to as a family

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: My toddler-aged daughter is a bit too young for this and doesn’t show an interest. However, my school-aged child uses the Yoto every day for hours. We focus on allowing him to choose his own cards due to his special interests. Current favorite cards in my house? Guardians of the Galaxy, Ladybird Audio Adventures – Volcanoes, Ladybird Audio Adventures – Deep Sea Dive, and 97 ½ Jokes for Kids.

Lego Case from Dollar Tree

Who doesn’t love a good Dollar Tree find?! I saw this Lego Case in passing one day, and have noticed that it is consistently restocked! Lego is not only a special interest for my child, but it also helps with emotional regulation, so we don’t leave home without some Lego-related toy accompanying us. However, Lego pieces can get lost super easily. This case was the most helpful find for Lego storage on the go. It has held up extremely well in our travels; I have yet to replace it (but I have a backup just in case)! This durable case:

• Has Four compartments
• Comes with a cover that doubles as a lego base to build on
• Fits a good amount of standard Lego pieces, NOT DUPLO
• Easily fits into a diaper bag, backpack, carry-on, or purse

JetKids Bedbox by Stokke

Kids travel has gotten quite the upgrade since I was a kid in the 90s. While I still have my pink Lion King backpack (you know the one), it was not up to a lot of wear-and-tear on the travel front. Cue the JetKids Bedbox by Stokke! This piece of luggage does come with a price tag; however, you can find it on GoodBuy Gear for a fraction of the cost, just like I did. (Again, GoodBuy Gear, if you need an ambassador, sign me up!) Check out the benefits below:

• Carry-on regulation size
• You can ride on this luggage – so your bigger kiddos can scoot along, and your smaller kiddos can be pulled by the straps (at one point I was pulling both kids through the Newark airport because they were both so tired!)
• Luggage converts to a small bed that can be put up on the airplane seat – this must be done after take off and put away before landing
  • For airlines who approve use of the JetKids Bed Box, click here
• Enough storage in the luggage to hold the mattress piece AND a few toys/necessary items
• Durable
• Comes with adorable stickers to put on the luggage to personalize
• Instant anywhere seat—this was helpful when my son was in sensory overload or his body was dysregulated. He could rest anywhere thanks to having a seat on the luggage.
• Being able to move and ride the luggage also helped with expending energy during hyperactive moments

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: My toddler had a bit of a tough time riding on it at first but then she got the hang of it. The ages that this works best for are 3-6. (The bed does take some time to set up, which can be difficult in flight. If you don’t think you will use the bed, there are plenty of ride-on luggage options at a more affordable price! Here are a few options.)

I appreciate you all coming on this au-some journey and reading about how my neurodiverse family spent time in Munich. Continue to find the beauty in the world around you and explore somewhere new!