Most experts recommend avoiding headphones for children under 3 or 4 years old due to their sensitive hearing and the risk of accidental high-volume exposure. Additionally, many toddlers find the noise-canceling effect of headphones uncomfortable or disorienting. For long flights, it is often better to rely on speaker-based audio or, more effectively, screen-free engagement like busy binders, magnetic tiles, erasable doodle books, and plenty of snacks to keep them occupied.