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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If your child has ear tubes — the tiny pressure-equalizing grommets placed in the eardrum — then bath time and pool day both come with the same question: how do you keep water out of an ear canal that small? The right answer is moldable silicone putty, not foam and not hard pre-formed plugs. This guide covers the picks that seal the outer ear without going deep into the canal, which is exactly what you want after tube surgery.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Size is the one thing you must get right, because a plug that is too large pushes itself loose and a plug that is too small leaks — which is why so many parents end up returning the wrong set. Below you will find the ear plugs for kids with tubes that actually hold a seal through a full swim session.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Ear Plugs for Kids with Tubes
Ear tubes (also called grommets or tympanostomy tubes) are tiny cylinders a surgeon places in the eardrum to let fluid drain. While they are in, most ENT guidance is to keep water out of the ear canal during swimming and hair washing. That makes the seal — not the brand name — the whole ballgame.
Material matters more than anything else
Foam plugs soak up water and swell, so they stop sealing the moment they get wet. Hard cured silicone sits stiffly against the ear and hurts on a small head. Moldable silicone putty is the balance: it is soft, slightly tacky, and shapes itself to the outer ear so it blocks the canal opening without being pushed inside it. Every pick below is moldable putty for that reason.
Get the size right the first time
Kids’ ear canals are nothing like adult canals, and even two children of the same age can differ. Measure the opening of the outer ear, not the canal itself, and match it to the maker’s size chart. A plug that seals on the rim of the ear stays in; a plug jammed into the canal pops back out. When a set comes in multiple sizes, that flexibility is usually worth more than a few extra pairs of the same size.
Know when to add a headband
If your child is doing laps, cannonballs, or anything that pushes water hard against the ear, putty alone can work loose. A neoprene headband holds the putty in place across the ear and gives you a second layer of security. For a toddler in a shallow swim-spa or a bath, putty on its own is usually plenty.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Material | Pack Size | Age Fit | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mack’s Moldable Silicone Ear Plugs, Kids Size★ Best Overall | Everyday bathing and swimming after tube surgery | Moldable silicone putty | 6 pair | Kids size | Amazon |
| WaterDam A-Series Swimming Ear PlugsBest for Sized Fit | Toddlers and small-eared kids who need a sized fit | Silicone, one-piece flanged | Size 1A pair set | Toddlers & small kids | Amazon |
| 24 Pairs Soft Silicone Ear Plugs Putty | Families who want a bulk supply on hand | Soft silicone putty | 24 pair | Baby to adult | Amazon |
| Fitciz Ear Plugs for Swimming Kids | Older kids who prefer a pre-molded shape | Ultra-soft silicone | 2 pair | Age 10-14 | Amazon |
| Earvolution Original Putty Buddies | Long pool sessions and repeated reuse | Moldable silicone putty | 10 pair | Kids and adults | Amazon |
| Earvolution Ear Band-It Ultra Headband & Putty Buddies Bundle | Swim-team kids who need the plugs to stay locked in | Neoprene band + silicone putty | Band + putty set | Small, Medium, Large band | Amazon |
| Mack’s Soft Moldable Silicone Putty Earplugs, Kids Size, 200 Pair Dispenser | Schools, swim programs, and multi-child households | Moldable silicone putty | 200 pair dispenser | Kids 6 and under | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Mack’s Moldable Silicone Ear Plugs, Kids Size, 6 Pair
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 750+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The veteran that parents keep re-buying — soft putty that seals the outer ear without pressing into the canal.
The defining number here is simple: this is a kids-size putty plug, not an adult plug cut down to fit, and that is the detail that makes it the top pick for a child with tubes. The whole six-pair pack weighs 1.41 ounces, so it fits in a swim bag without adding bulk. Press it into a triangle over the ear opening, and it stays there — the shape holds better than a round ball, especially on a toddler.
Sizing is where this earns its keep. Owners who started with adult or half-size plugs and moved down to the kids size report a lock that finally held, and the same putty works for an adult with small canals. The putty starts tacky and softens into place after about a week of handling, and one pair lasts roughly 20 to 30 swims if you store it in the little container and avoid over-kneading, since finger oils shorten its life. The recurring gripe is size confusion — this is a large plug, and a slim 3-year-old may need it trimmed or shaped thinly. It carries 4.6 stars across 700-plus owners, and the reviews keep repeating the same point: right size, right seal, no fuss.
What earns the repeat buys
- Moldable putty shapes to the outer ear instead of pressing deep into the canal.
- Six pairs per pack means a fresh pair whenever one gets dropped or loses tack.
- Doubles as a noise blocker for loud events and light sleepers.
Where it catches people out
- Cut for a broad ear — a very small child may need it trimmed down.
- Tack fades with repeated handling, so heavy kneading shortens each pair’s life.
Reach for this if: you want the safest all-rounder for bath, pool, and loud rooms, and you are happy to shape the putty yourself.
Think twice if: your child is on the small side, in which case trim the plug or size down rather than return it.
2. WaterDam A-Series Swimming Ear Plugs, Size 1A
Two soft waterproof flanges and a one-piece body — a different approach to the same problem than any putty on this list.
Where the putty picks rely on your hands, this one relies on structure. It uses a two-layer waterproof flange design — think two soft ridges that flex to the ear — so it seats on the outer rim instead of being molded by you. The one-piece body matters for tube kids: there is no small tip that can come loose and end up in the canal. It is also rated to resist 392°F, so body heat will not soften the flanges mid-swim. At 4.49 x 4.02 x 1.26 inches it slips into a pocket, so a spare pair travels easily.
Size 1A is the toddler-and-small-kid option in a range that runs from infants to large adult ears. Against the Mack’s kids putty above, this one removes the shaping guesswork but shifts the guess to the size chart, so order the mixed set first if you are new to the brand. What wins people over is effectiveness — it is the most-discussed praise for this model by a wide margin, followed by water resistance. When it fits, parents describe a child who stops fighting the headband and just swims, and one buyer with a 23-month-old called the 1A fit perfect for the lake and noted it floats if it is dropped. The recurring complaint is fit, and it is worth taking seriously: the wrong size falls out or leaks, and jumping into the water can knock a plug loose.
The size chart is the product: get the fit right and this is one of the cleanest seals you can buy for a small ear; get it wrong and no amount of technique rescues it.
What to keep in the swim bag: a spare pair and the drying case, because a wet, sandy plug is how size-related dropouts start.
Best for the toddler who hates being fussed over: seat it, twist to the right angle, done.
skip it if: you would rather shape the plug by hand than read a size chart, since this design punishes a wrong size fast.
3. 24 Pairs Soft Silicone Ear Plugs Putty, Transparent + Blue
A school-year supply in one box — twelve clear pairs and twelve blue, split across three per case.
The headline figure is the count: 24 pairs, which is why families with more than one child tend to land here. It is also the heaviest set on the list at 6.38 ounces, against 1.41 ounces for the Mack’s kids six-pair pack — the extra weight is the additional putty and the small carry cases. The blue pairs are the smart half of the deal: a blue plug spotted on the pool floor gets rescued, while a clear one vanishes.
The putty is made to mold to the outer ear for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults, and it is non-allergenic. Where the quality really shows is under use — quality is the most-praised point for this set, with effectiveness right behind it, and buyers describe using them for both water and noise. One swimmer rated the seal the best of any similar plug tried and pointed out the bulk means never reordering. The honest catch is stickiness: the same tack that holds a good pair in place is not consistent across the box, and a small share of pairs arrive firmer than others and slide out. If your first pair behaves, the rest of the box usually follows suit.
Why families stock up
- 24 pairs in two colors means a lost plug is a shrug, not a reorder.
- Molds to fit across baby, toddler, kid, and adult ear sizes.
- Doubles as a sleep and study blocker that still lets an alarm through.
What to expect
- Tack varies pair to pair — a firmer one may not grip as well.
- Can cling to hair if it is pressed too close to the hairline.
Made for multi-child households: one box covers a summer of swim lessons across several kids.
A fair note on consistency: sort the box and set aside the tackiest pairs for swim days and the firmer ones for quiet time.
4. Fitciz Ear Plugs for Swimming Kids, Age 10-14
For the tween who refuses putty — a pre-molded plug you twist into place and wear like a normal earbud.
This one is aimed at a specific age band: kids roughly 10 to 14, an age where a child wants to handle their own gear and would rather not have a parent rolling putty against their ear. The ergonomic shape is meant to seat by rotation — turn it until it sits at the right angle — and there is no left or right to sort out, which keeps the routine simple. It is made from BPA-free silicone and is washable in clean water, so it can be reused across sessions.
The whole set weighs 0.32 ounces, so it disappears into a swim bag or a school locker, and the two pairs come with a small storage case. The honest read: this is a smaller, newer listing with a shorter track record than the putty brands above, and the fit is the thing that decides everything. Where the putty picks let you compensate for an awkward ear shape by molding, a pre-molded plug cannot — so if your child’s first reaction is that it does not sit right, believe them.
The real-world trade-off: pre-molded saves the ritual of molding, but it also removes your ability to adjust, so a bad fit is a returned set rather than a reshaped one.
Worth a look for: self-sufficient older kids who want a quick, no-mess plug for pool or shower.
Better to pass if: you need a guaranteed seal on a first try, since the shape cannot be tuned to your child.
5. Earvolution Original Putty Buddies Swim Earplugs, 10 Pair
The putty with the most grip of anything here — one pair rides through weeks of swim lessons before it gives up.
Ten pairs per pack is the number that changes the math for a child in lessons twice a week. You mold each pair into the outer ear, and the tacky silicone holds through a session; owners talk about a pair lasting a stretch of weekly swimming, then retiring it when the surface stops sticking. The one-size-fits-all shape is the point — a toddler and an adult can each get a seal from the same plug, which is why parents often end up wearing a spare themselves.
What wins people over here is comfort, with effectiveness close behind, and it shows in how the putty behaves: soft, warm to the touch, and conforming to the ear without pressure. A pair that loses its tack can sometimes be revived for one more session, which is how a ten-pair box stretches over a season. The honest catch is consistency at the end of a pair’s life — once the silicone stops being tacky it will not hold a seal, and a few pairs in any box reach that point faster than others. Keep them out of contact with silicone swim caps, because the two surfaces will meld together and ruin the plug.
Why it keeps earning its place
- Ten pairs per pack covers a full season of twice-weekly lessons.
- Tacky surface holds the outer ear without digging into the canal.
- Works equally well for noise blocking at loud events and for sleep.
What to watch
- Tack fades with each use, and a spent pair simply will not seal.
- Silicone-on-silicone contact with a swim cap can fuse the plug.
Best fit for the swim-lesson routine: a parent who needs a plug that goes on in seconds and survives the drive home.
One thing to know: retire each pair the moment the tack goes, and the box will outlast the season.
6. Earvolution Ear Band-It Ultra Swim Headband & Putty Buddies Bundle
Putty plus a thick neoprene band — the two-layer answer for a kid doing laps, not just splashing.
This is the only pick on the list that pairs the plugs with a headband, and for a child on a swim team that combination is the whole reason to buy it. The band is cut from 4-4.5mm embossed neoprene — thick enough to hold a non-slip grip across the ear — and it comes in three sizes (Small, Medium, Large) so you can match the fit rather than hope one size works. The putty plugs themselves float, so a plug that slips off during a turn can be scooped off the surface instead of lost at the bottom of the pool.
Compare that with the standalone Putty Buddies above: the plugs are the same moldable silicone, but the band is what keeps them locked in place through a hard push off the wall. Owners describe a child who used to lose plugs mid-session and stops losing them entirely, and the parents report far fewer interruptions to the swim. The trade-off is the band itself — a snug headband that some kids tug at, and it is one more thing to dry and carry. What wins people over, though, is comfort: it is the most-praised point for this set, with water resistance right behind it.
Where it earns its keep: the band turns a good plug into a secure one, and the floating putty means a slip is an inconvenience rather than a loss.
The realistic caveat: a band adds a routine — drying, fitting, and a child who may take a session or two to accept it.
Built for the swim team: if your child is doing laps, starts, and turns, this is the setup that survives all three.
Overkill for the bath: for a toddler in a shallow tub, the standalone putty picks above do the same job with less gear.
7. Mack’s Soft Moldable Silicone Putty Earplugs, 200 Pair Dispenser
Two hundred pairs in one dispenser — built for a swim school, a clinic, or a very large family.
The number that defines this pick is 200 pairs. That is not a household purchase; it is what you buy when you are handing plugs out to a group week after week, and the dispenser format keeps them organized instead of loose in a drawer. The putty is the same moldable kids-size silicone as the top pick, and it carries the same two protection ratings printed on the pack: a Noise Reduction Rating of 22 decibels and a Single Number Rating of 29 decibels. Both are simply standardized ways of saying how much sound the plug blocks, useful if your child also needs quiet at a loud event.
Like the six-pair Mack’s above, this is sized for young children — the brand recommends it for kids six and under — and it is meant to be used with ear tubes and after ear surgery. The obvious caution is that the dispenser is a large, single bulk unit, so it suits an institution or a family splitting the box, not a parent buying one set for one child. Read the pack size carefully before ordering, because the quantity is the entire point of this listing.
The case for it: if you are supplying a group, the dispenser keeps the count visible and the plugs contained through a whole season.
Pick this for: a swim program, a school nurse’s office, or several families going in on one order.
Not for you if: you need a handful of pairs for one child, where the smaller packs above make far more sense.
Understanding the Specs
Moldable Silicone Putty vs Pre-Molded Plugs
Moldable putty is soft and tacky, so it shapes to the outer ear and creates a custom seal every time — you press it into a triangle over the ear opening. Pre-molded silicone plugs are solid shapes you seat by rotation, which is faster but gives you no room to compensate for an awkward ear shape. For a child with tubes, the putty approach generally blocks water more reliably because the seal sits on the ear rather than inside the canal.
Water Resistance and Protection Ratings
For water, the spec that matters is how well the plug seals the ear canal opening — a putty plug with a good seal keeps bath and pool water out. For noise, you will see a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) in decibels, which is a standardized measure of how much sound the plug blocks, and sometimes a Single Number Rating (SNR) for the EU version of the same idea. A plug with a higher rating blocks more sound, though for tube protection the water seal is the priority.
FAQ
Are ear plugs safe for a child with ear tubes?
How do I know if my child’s ear plugs are sealing properly?
How long does one pair of moldable putty ear plugs last?
Can my child hear anything while wearing ear plugs for swimming?
Do I need a headband on top of the ear plugs?
What size ear plugs does a toddler need?
Are these ear plugs reusable or single use?
Should I buy putty ear plugs or pre-molded silicone plugs for my child?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most families, the winner is the Mack’s Moldable Silicone Ear Plugs, Kids Size, because the putty seals the outer ear without pressing into the canal and the six-pair pack keeps a fresh plug on hand — that is the safest all-rounder for bath, pool, and loud rooms. If your toddler needs a sized, pre-shaped fit, the WaterDam A-Series removes the molding step. And for a child in swim lessons or on a team, the Earvolution Ear Band-It Ultra bundle is the setup that keeps the plugs locked in through laps and turns. With a 4.6-star record behind the top pick, the practical move is simple: start with a moldable putty pack and add a headband the moment your child starts swimming hard.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.