19 Random-but-Useful Finds to Help Your Whole Family Survive Cold & Flu Season

If your child, like mine, can’t stand to have their temperature taken (especially if they’re dealing with an ear infection), this adorable penguin-shaped thermometer will make the task so much more enjoyable. The fun design is a genius distraction that’ll help put your kiddo at ease, and the InstaRead technology ensures a fast and accurate reading in just one second—i.e., no more arm wrestling with a surprisingly strong toddler.

Beekeepers Naturals is a staple in my house come flu season. The immune support throat spray is stocked up in every bathroom (and diaper bag), and the kid-friendly throat soothing lollipops are consumed like candy. But my most recent repeat buy is the new cooling lozenges that contain 6 mg of menthol and bee propolis to instantly cool and soothe the throat while also relieving any cough symptoms. Keep a handful by your bedside table each night and thank me later.

If Pixy Stix and Pop Rocks had a vitamin-packed, low-sugar baby, this would be it. I love (like, really love) that this immune support supplement doesn’t require water, making each packet perfectly poppable and easy to take on the go. The flavored powder tastes great and even features a popping sensation reminiscent of everyone's favorite nostalgic candy. It’s a tasty way to support your immune system, with the adult version containing 500 mg of vitamin C and the kid version containing 250 mg.

When sick days are inevitable, cozying up under a soft, fluffy blanket is just what the doctor ordered. Cocoon’s beloved bubble blanket is a favorite of mine, and at 60” by 72”, the large size is perfect for a family movie marathon. It may not lower your fever, but it will help brighten your spirits.

Little luxuries go a long way when you’re not operating at 100 percent. If you haven’t left the house in days, and the bathroom garbage is overflowing with used tissues, lighting your favorite candle can help breathe new life back into your space. Reach for a scent that has a strong throw and note profile; that way, even if your sinuses are about to explode, you’ll still be able to catch a whiff every now and then. I prefer fresh, punchy scents that remind me of being out in nature, and this candle from Hotel Lobby smells like I’m walking through a field of blue spruce Christmas trees.

This zinc oxide-based ointment was designed with drooly babies in mind, but I similarly love using it during the winter months as a barrier cream to help soothe dry, irritated skin and a runny nose that’s constantly being wiped. A thin layer around your kid’s cheeks, chin and nose goes a long way, especially before bedtime.

If you've already caught a bug, staying hydrated is key to recovery, and the best way to do that is with an electrolyte booster drink. Jetty is the newest hydrator on the market from Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth (so you know it's going to be good). Availalbe in bottled drinks and ready-to-mix powdered packets, electrolytes are proven to help support your immune system by replacing lost fluids, regulating body temperature and even thinning mucus.

If your kid is feeling so crummy that they’ll actually sit still, it’s time to break out this handheld micro-mist saline inhaler to help with that lingering cough and congestion. Simply hold it up to their mouth and nose (might I suggest throwing on an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?) and have them breathe in as normal.

Speaking of Mickey, screen time limits often go out the window on sick days (as they should). With so many low-stimulus, kid-friendly streaming options, a Disney+ subscription is a no-brainer.

Sleep is precious when you’re fighting off a cold, and a nasty cough can keep little ones (and their parents) tossing and turning all night long. A vapor chest rub can help provide relief from cough and congestion thanks to ingredients like calendula and eucalyptus oil, allowing your baby to breathe a little easier and (hopefully) sleep soundly.

Chapped lips (made worse by dehydration and mouth breathing through congestion) are no match for Humble's hydrating lip balm. The all-natural, organic ingredients—like coconut oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E—work together to nourish and moisturize the delicate skin on and around the lips. The vanilla and cardamom scent is my favorite, and I love that it comes in plastic-free packaging.

When sinus pressure is at its max and the headaches just won't quit, I reach for these Smart Goggles from Therabody that feature vibration, compression and heat therapies to relieve tension and increase circulation. With a full blackout design, they also help me wind down before bed, so I can fall asleep faster.

Hand sanitizer has come a long way in the past few years (thanks, COVID?), and Gemi is one brand we’ve been spotting everywhere lately. “Sick season means I really want hand sanitizer in my bag,” says Marissa Wu, editor, SEO and audience development, “and I’ve been obsessed with Gemi lately. They have really beautiful and thoughtful packaging and scents, kind of inspired by the Dutch masters, with a little skincare infused so your hands aren't super dry.”

While hand sanitizer is great on the go, nothing beats a thorough hand wash—especially after school, daycare or a visit to your local play café. Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap is reasonably priced, widely available and made with nothing but all-natural ingredients like aloe vera and olive oil. The brand’s seasonal scents have garnered a bit of a cult following, with the bright and citrusy Snowdrop scent becoming a standout winter favorite.

“These are my favorite disinfecting wipes,” Candace Davison, VP of editorial, tells me. “Because when you need to clean off germs from surfaces quickly and you're already feeling lousy, why not choose something that smells like brighter days ahead?” As a home editor, she’s partial to the coconut and waterlily scent that smells “like a tropical vacation in a wipe.”

“When I'm sick, my dark circles and red nose are Mayor-of-Halloween-Town-meets-Rudolph-caliber,” Davison admits. “The Merit Minimalist concealer stick helps me look more like myself. I love how easily it blends in and how smoothly it covers things up.” Available in 30 shades, you’re bound to find your perfect match.

A good humidifier has gotten my family through many a sick night. But one designed with a stainless-steel water tank that you can easily sterilize on the stove? Now that’s a game changer. “I love this humidifier and how easy it is to clean,” Rachel Bowie, senior director of special projects, says. With no filter needed and just three removable pieces, you don’t have to worry about hidden mold accumulating over time.

When you’re under the weather, the urge to bed rot is strong. But it’s true what they say: Movement is medicine. “A good stretch can really help when I'm feeling achy,” Davison shares (a common symptom of the flu), “so I'll often bust out my foam roller and try to work out those aches and pains…gently.”

Stuffy nose? Not tonight. “I live and die by my nasal strips,” Jillian Quint, Editor-in-Chief, says. “Press one onto the bridge of your nose and it gently opens your nostrils, allowing you to breathe,” all without having to prop yourself up on a million pillows. “They're also great if you've got a partner who snores.”