Kids and Adult Headphones and Earphones review

With kids now focused on technology from a young age, it is not long before we start wanting them to don a comfortable and quiet pair of headphones!

For the kids, some experience with using headphones is also handy before commencing a long car or plane trip, when movies, games and music may be readily available. Yes, we have experienced those moments when words like “please watch another movie kids” or “why don’t you play more angry birds?” have been uttered. Knowing how to use a good set of headphones and ensuring comfort levels prior to the trip is a useful piece of advice.

Little Gulliver continues to add to our range of child friendly headphones and earphones. We offer volume limited, noise isolating and full volume headphones and earphones suiting all ages (from Ages 3+) and design styles.

MOKI (formerly Moshi) Volume Limited KIDS Headphones

The Little Gulliver (test!) kids use volume limited Moki kids headphones around our home. They have also used them in the car on long trips (Melb to central NSW) using entertainment devices. At ages 4, 5& 6, the kids loved them and we do too as the headphones have withstood quite a bit of rough use!

We’ve received a small amount of feedback that because of background noise in certain cars and planes the volume restricted headphones can be a little too low, however, we’ve not personally found this to be the case. If choosing a set of headphones specifically for plane or car travel please just bear this in mind. We’ve been told the volume limited aspect may be affected by where you are sitting on a plane (closer to engines etc) and the type of plane.

Features

a single cable down the left of the unit makes them easy to put on and off, with an ideal length of 1.2m
they adjust by a sliding movement on the headpiece
the volume restriction means that you can safely let you kids manage their entertainment without worry
though they are designed for kids, they would easily fit an adult
obviously I love these headphones and, coming in a range of bright colours, I think they are the ideal 1st headphone

MOSHI Volume Limited Headphones

These headphones have a different look to the kids style, but could certainly be worn by kids – the volume limited technology is the same as in the Moshi Kids headphones. The design however, is more adult-like (maybe even a little cooler!) and in the way they are adjusted on the head (with the padded headpiece adjusted by sliding a chrome adjuster up or down).

Popular with teenagers who are likely to use headphones regularly for their music and gaming interests – they are able to keep the volume at a consistently safe level.

Features

padded headpiece and cups, have a great look for adults
single cord lessens tangles
while can adjust to a child, will also fit a larger adult size

MOSHI Pro Noise Isolating Earphones

These earphones give a full volume sound, while taking away noisy backgrounds. They can be used for ages 5+.

For younger kids I would recommend headphones above earphones, some kids seem to prefer them as they can be more comfortable than placing the buds in the ear. Check with your kids though – we gave ours a choice and 3/3 choose headphones. I thought the earphones would be easier to look after and was surprised the kids were so assertive about what they wanted!

These pro noise isolating earphones are stylishly designed. They have an alloy housing and an anodized surface, so don’t have the plastic look of many earphones on the market, being a good quality piece. The high frequency response and the soft silicone ear-buds provide superb sound reproduction, whilst reducing the influence of surrounding ambient noise. I would say these are great quality for anyone looking to upgrade earphones for their smartphone / ipod or general travel use. Being noise isolating, they are ideal in busy noisy background environments like planes and trains.

Features

They have a 1.4m cable
silicone ear buds for long use comfort
great for everyday use, taking up little space
includes 3 sized silicon earpieces

MOSHI Volume Limited KIDS Earphones
Earphones can be a good option for kids who don’t like to have things pulled over their head. This set from Moshi are specially designed for kids, fitting safely in the ear and have the volume limited feature. Because they take up little space, earphones can also be a convenient option. They readily find a spot in a handbag, backpack or carry on luggage.

Our kids were given a choice of the Moshi volume limited head and ear phones and all 3 chose the headphones – so perhaps the headphones are considered more stylish/more exciting by the small folk? Some kids love the earphones, it seems to be a very personalised decision for each of the young users!

These earphones also differ from others in that they don’t have a silicon earpiece, which is a design feature specifically for young wearers.

Features

designed to be worn safely – cannot be forced into the ear canal
specially made for kids aged 3+
small, so easy to carry and have on hand
volume limited

Moki Poppers Headphones

The Moki Poppers are a favourite around the office amongst young and old(er) users!

Great designs, comfy ear cups, padded headband, full volume capacity and solid construction mean our test units have been pumping out the sound for a long time now.

Excellent sound range and bass at a great everyday low price. Huge range to choose from – Sparkles, Rockstar, Claw (!), Purple Dino, Monster Truck, Hearts, Martians and more.

There is a Pop, Pop, Popper for everyone… Full range is here

Funkyfonic’s Headphones

The funkyfonic’s are a full volume headphone with cute colours and designs. Ideal for kids (or adults) wanting a funky look, with no need for limiting volume. These headphones do have a cable from each earpiece (unlike the Moki single cord design).

Features

recommended for 6+ to adult
the headpiece folds, so can be compact for travel
the earcup flips, therefore a parent can check noise level without removing the headphones from the child

Styles available

ladybug, skull, frog, owl

DCI Earphones

From the maker of Funkyfonic’s, the crocodile and owl options are simply adorable! And certainly earphones are a compact option for travel, easily finding a home in a small space. These are a full volume earphone.

Features

comes with 2 sets for silicone tips in 2 sizes; standard for adults and small for kids 6+
kids will love the designs – fancy a crocodile head coming out of one ear and a tail out of the other?

Pom Pom Earphones

A cute and fluffy earphone option. The pom pom earphones come in four squishy colours are a full volume earphone.

Features

come with 3 size silicon ear tips to fit ear sizes from ages 6, small adult and adult.
colours available: pink, light pink, white, purple

Moshi Neon Headphones

Great headphones for everyday use. They are full volume headphones with a stylish look. I personally think they are the best looking headphones we have! They were popular last Christmas with customers grabbing them for tweens upwards. The colour looks great with ipods and iphones.

Features

4+ to adult
easily adjustable
comfort and style – if you’re not looking for a volume limited feature
dome style holds firm, while still comfortable on the ear

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We’ll be continually updating our range. Please let us know about your experiences using your headphones and earphones – what you like/dislike how is the sound for you? Who have you bought them for? What would you recommend?

Check out our full range of electronics at Little Gulliver Play / Electronics today!

Visiting the UK with your kids

Travel and exploration is a rewarding way for children to learn about the world and different cultures. By visiting other countries, children are exposed to different food, lifestyles, environments, languages and more, and will be better equipped to accept difference and change. Taking a family holiday is a great way for you to bond with your children and is a fun and adventurous time for everyone.

The U.K. is a great place to go because many Australians have family and friends living there. Often looked over in the excitement of going on holiday are the little, but important details of getting your travel insurance, packing the perfect games for the flight and the jet lag preparation. The flights to the U.K. are long and you have to deal with jet lag, which is uncomfortable for both you and your kids. There are a few tips you can keep in mind when traveling to the U.K. to make the trip a lot easier.

Prepare

Organise and prepare for the trip as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the more expensive and stressful it becomes. Book your plane tickets, organise Budget Travel Insurance, and reserve accommodation for when you arrive. Check with the British Embassy as to whether or not you and your children require visas for your stay.

Be Ready for the Flight

If your children have never flown before, prepare them as much as possible before the big day. Explain what they can expect to experience on the plane and reassure that it will be an exciting adventure. Tell them they will get to play games, read books and watch movies in their seat. For fussy eaters, request a childrens meal to make sure there is food that they will eat. Take lots of entertainment and their favourite toy on the plane to ensure they are happy and comfortable throughout the flight.

If you have a tablet, load it with games and movies for the time during the flight where you can use electronic devices. For the times when you can’t use electronic devices, pull out plush toys for younger kids and books for older kids. Bring a bag of wipes for those sticky fingers, cleaning off the arm rests and any unexpected messes that may occur.

Consider a Stopover

Some families find it easier to travel the long distance between Europe and Australia by having a stopover in the country where you change flights. This will break up the trip and give you the opportunity to adjust to the time changes.

Dealing With Jet lag

Jet lag is a difficult thing to handle and with overly-tired children can be even more stressful. Adjust to the new time zone as soon as possible. As soon as you land, follow a normal routine for whatever time it is. If you land in the morning, then start your day; if it is night time, then go to bed. The quicker you get into the time zone the better.

Explore!

Once you have landed and settled in, go outside and explore! Take your kids to some of the U.K.’s best castles, like Framlingham Castle, Suffolk or St Mawes Castle, Cornwall. If you’re going in the summertime, take your kids to Avon Valley Country Park or Wellington Country park for a picnic and a day of outdoor exploration.

Can you safely use a seat belt buckle lock, with CARES?

Andrew asks; Tue 13/11/2012 3:10 PM

Hi Donna.

We are travelling quite a bit with our son. We bought a CARE harness from you and it’s been great. However he is starting to become more restless in his seat and has started unclipping his seatbelt. Do you have (or know of) something that we can put over the seatbelt clip to prevent him from undoing his seatbelt?

Regards,
Andrew

Donna replied: Tue 13/11/2012 4:55 PM

Hi Andrew,

Glad to hear the CARES is going well for you and that you are getting out and about!

Someone else has asked the same question a while back. There are products that do this, but are manufactured for car seatbelts. One is to stop the seatbelt from coming undone in the car accidentally (and resulting in the car seat becoming untethered), it’s called the
Hurphy Durphy. And the other, the Houdini Stop, is to stop kids from wiggling out of restraints such as car seats and strollers.

However, given the strict regulations on-board aircraft, I don’t believe these would be approved for flying. The CARES harness itself needs to be quick and easy to unbuckle in an emergency situation, while any additional products could hinder this.

I hope this has been of some use to you, but I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

Kind regards,

Donna

CARES on a Cessna bench seat?

Melissa said: March 4 2012 6:16 PM

Hi there. We have a Cessna 172 with a bench seat in the back. We are currently using a car seat but wondering if this will fit around the double seat?

Ben @ Little Gulliver said: March 5 2011 10:26 AM

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for your CARES child aviation restraint query.

We do have CARES being used in many small aircraft but I’ve not had any feedback on it being used on the rear bench seat of a Cessna 172. Some quick google research suggests the distance from the left of the pilots seat to the right of the co-pilots seat in a typical Cessna is 96 cms.

The CARES stretches comfortably to fit a large padded seat back of 70cm width and may stretch a little more if the seat is not too thick. On these dimensions, the CARES may not stretch enough to allow the main red anchor strap to correctly install over the bench seat.

I hope this assists, please let me know if you have any further queries.

Kind regards

Ben

Best Toddler Bed for Travel

Julie-Anne said: March 2 2012 10:03 AM

Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I have a very tall 2 and half year boy and we often try and get away for weekends.I have searched everywhere and I am desperately need some advice on a bed that is off the ground but still has sides to stop them rolling off that I can buy in Australia or get shipped here. Can you please help direct me. Thank you

Donna @ Travel Toddler said: March 6 2011 11:03 AM

Hi Julie-Anne,

thank you for your email.

I’ve been thinking about your query and after some investigation cannot think of a bed which comes with the features you’ve mentioned ie – some are off the ground but have no bed rails and others have bed rails but are not off the ground. I guess this is what you have also found! At Little Gulliver, we’ve put together a range of the best travel bed options for different age groups, so you may like to take a look at our Resting category.

Here’s a couple of our options which may suit you;

Off the ground Have a look at our Regalo Child Bed. It doesn’t have sides but does sort of ‘hug’ the child a little. It folds up to be quite compact and is 18cm off the ground. The video I’ve included shows how easy it is to set up. (It was popular over Christmas, when so many of our customers were heading off camping and caravanning. We also had an excited Nana grab one for the grand-kids coming to visit)! See my extra info below, talking about bed rails for travel, which may be of interest also.

Sides to stop them rolling off The other thing to consider is the Ready Bed.

The 2+ (Winnie the Pooh) version has side bolsters to prevent the child from rolling out and also has a built-in headboard.

At 2 1/2 and tall, your son may be around a metre tall? So, size wise, this may be a good fit – the bed size is approx: 135cms L x 71cms W x 32cms H.

For other info I’ll include a post I did previously, in case you haven’t seen it; Bed Rails for Travel. It is looking at various options of bed rails which may be easy to use on the road. Don’t forget to scroll down for the comments on the post. I wonder whether the Magic Bumpers or Dream Tubes may be helpful if teamed with a Regalo?

I hope this information helps and please let me know what you decide. Travel beds and bedding is something we all wonder about, so we love to hear what works for different families!

Kind regards,

Donna

No, sorry 'Come Cry With Me', I don't get it

I’ve been away with my 3 kids and didn’t see this article in The Age; Come Cry With Me. Thanks to Travel with Tots I was able to catch it on their facebook feed…it’s a great article.

But

While I think it’s amusing, cute, factual, well written and described what it can be like to fly with ‘kid’ (he only has 1), I’m ready for an article which DOESN’T make flying with kids out to be a complete nightmare. Sure it’s tiring and you’re never sure what is going to happen next – but that is what parenting EVEN AT HOME is all about.

The Verdict

I noticed that today there is 121 comments at the bottom of the article online. I haven’t read them….I am assuming that most of them will be single travellers describing the time they heard a child crying on a plane and it really upset them?! And what about the time that noisy child PLAYED the whole flight from Sydney to LA?! Fancy having to tolerate not only crying, but hearing another child making noise too. Give the person a medal please!

Seriously folks, taking the kids to the Supermarket can be hard. Do we really need any more articles telling people how hard it is to fly with kids? Lets see some more about how much fun it is to sit around, play with the kids, cuddle them and have people bring you food…no making beds, no washing machine, no bathing, (OK no sleep either – but there has to be some good)!

And don’t start me on the passenger who had to drink a bottle of duty free Vodka (on a return flight from London) because he had a “really stressful job”. But, he didn’t have kids with him, so…

New Zealand to Ireland with 2 children

Jude said: December 6 2011 9:19 AM

Hi,

I just purchased a Cares harness for long haul flight from New Zealand to Ireland with 2 children on my own. I wanted to avoid lugging the bulky carseat around airports esp as I haven’t got the spare hands! Air NZ specify the cares harness but unsure of Aer lingus, where can I get a letter for crew if I come across any problems?

Many thanks.

Ben @ Travel Toddler said: December 6 2011 11:07 AM

Hello Jude,

Thanks for your CARES query and your order, the parcel will be shipped to you today.

The best approach with Aer Lingus seems to be the approach followed by a customer recently on the USA CARES facebook page. Back in Sept 2011 they said they emailed Aer Lingus saying they were using the CARES and received the following email:

New Aer Lingus statement:

AMSAFE CARES harnesses are permitted on board, but not as the primary restraint. The harness must be used in conjunction with the aircraft seat belt.

Harnesses by other manufacturers such as CRELLING require special Irish Aviation Authority authorisation. This authorisation requires some extra time to arrange, therefore passengers who require such a harness should contact Aer Lingus special assistance; specialassistance@aerlingus.com as soon as possible in advance of the flight. The make and model of the harness should be included along with details of any other particular requirements.

The CARES customer then received a further Aer Lingus email:

And my final follow up-Received an email this morning from aer lingus stating CARES is permitted and that cabin crew have now been made aware and given instruction on how to use it. This is from the Aer Lingus head office in Dublin.

It’s also worth noting that Aer Lingus are not very clear with their car seat approval process either and seem to leave it at the discretion of the staff on the day. This is from their website:

Please be advised that with the number and variety of infant car seats available on the market it is not possible for us to guarantee in advance that any particular seat is suitable for use. In the interests of safety, Aer Lingus reserves the right to refuse permission for the use of certain types of car seats on the aircraft or during take off and landing. In these circumstances the infant must be carried on the adult’s lap (under 2 years) or in a seat using the standard lap belt (2 years and over). Safety is always our first consideration.

We’d recommend taking a copy of our airline list (attached) that shows what our local airlines say on their website about the approved use of CARES. Also, try and have it noted on your booking that you intend to use the CARES harness. Also, show any curious airline staff the tag on the CARES unit that states FAA approval and “Approved for Aircraft Use”.

Hope this helps, have a great trip.

Kind regards

Ben

'Daily Gromett' reviews Cares

Watch here for a close-up look of the CARES and how it works (a review by ‘Daily Gromett’). CARES is available now at www.LittleGulliver.com.au.

Diaper Buds; space saving, full sized nappies!

All sizes of Diaper Buds now available at Little Gulliver.

Diaper Buds are tiny!: Diaper Buds are tiny!

Always looking to make travelling with kids easier, we were thrilled to welcome ‘Diaper Buds‘ into our range.

They are an individually wrapped nappy that has been vacuum-packed to make them more compact! In fact, the overall size is decreased by 70%, making them perfect for long haul flights – more room in your carry on luggage and less chance of running out. Three Buds fit in the place of one nappy and are kept clean and fresh until you open the package. Then they ‘bloom’ into a full size super absorbent nappy!

About Diaper Buds

comparable to any leading nappy on the market today
easy to open, don’t leak, have a wide, soft-stretch waist, secure-grip stretch tabs and ultra-soft cover.
dermatologist tested for sensitive skin, fragrance and chemical free and that the packaging is recyclable.

“Fits in your purse, bag or pocket”

Available now at Little Gulliver.

Best time of day to travel

Mel said: March 27th 2011 8:22 PM
childinrestrained Hi! I will be traveling alone with my 19 month old son. What would be the best time to travel? I can get a 1am flight and I think I could get him back to sleep or one during the day? He is a very active little boy so I am leaning towards a night time flight. And I’ve checked, there are no flights around his bed time. He does travel well in the car on long trips. Any help would be great.

Donna @ Travel Toddler said: March 29th 2011 12:35 PM

Hi Mel,

a trip with your son sounds fun! I understand your thoughts on the best time to travel and it is certainly one we all wonder about. I guess its also worth giving some extra consideration when you’re travelling alone AND crossing a time zone, as you may be.

My only thoughts about travelling with a small child at night is to consider the worse case scenario. If he can’t get to sleep – neither can you and you may both begin your trip worn out. Of course you may
both board, drift off and wake blissfully hours later, its really hard to know!

Another thought is to consider your arrival time. Once I board a long flight I switch to the destination time and try and sleep accordingly. This always works for me and luckily I don’t suffer from jet lag. (I haven’t been able to try this with the kids though). The important thing is to consider what time of the day you will arrive at your destination -will you easily be able to make your way to your accommodation?

Of course, with either of these situations, you may not be able to have a choice, but when you do its something to think about.

To help with comfort on the plane take a look at the Zoobies (3-in-1 plush toy, pillow, blanket), animal neck rolls, disposable bibs and neoprene bibs. If you’re not using nappy pants, consider them as they are handy for a stand up change on the go. Try the ones that pull apart at the side (for travel they may be easier to get off if there’s a mess inside). The Little Gulliver Shop by age – Toddler category may be helpful. Also, I always pack a lunch box full of healthy snacks (after a history of flight delays). Make sure he understands only one snack at a time though (thats another story)!

playette_travel tray — Playette – Kids Travel Tray

And really, there are so many entertaining things on planes, people watching, perhaps looking out a window and don’t discount the in-flight magazine for a conversation starter. Take a look at the Little Gulliver – Play category for some extra activity ideas. Consider some colouring, while our Doodle Pro’s and Aquadoodle’s are popular for no mess. The Create-a-scene sticker books are also great for some creative fun with mum.

I’ve included some other blogs that have talked about some of these issues, you may find them useful;

is there a best time of day to travel with a baby or toddler?

first-time-traveling-with-baby-is-there-best-time-to-fly-other-advice

best time to fly part 1

travel tips

I think, instinctively, parents know whats best for their kids. So, after giving it some thought you feel your son will sleep well on the 1am flight, then perhaps he will. Ultimately, you’ve got to be comfortable and then, all going well, he too will be relaxed and enjoy the trip.

I hope you find this useful. I’ll also post your question on Little Gulliver’s Facebook page, some of the other parents (many of them frequent long haul travellers), may have some useful feedback.

Let me know what you decide and how it goes!

Regards,

Donna