To introduce your children to hiking and trekking or simply to go camping, it is important to offer them suitable equipment, especially when it comes to spending the night warm. In this way, you will avoid bad experiences that could put them off for good.
Indeed, besides backpacks, shoes and other technical clothing, a junior sleeping bag is more than a wise choice to guarantee your child a restful night after several hours of walking. Like adult sleeping bags, children’s sleeping bags can take different shapes and be made from different materials.
In this guide, we’re going to discover the best kids’ sleeping bags in 2023. In our opinion & test reports, Coleman Kids Sleeping Bag is the best option on the market, but it is not the most affordable. So if you’re interested in something really cheap, discover our other best choices.
The 5 Best Kids Sleeping Bags of 2023
To make the selection process easier for you, we offer the top five sleeping bags. Hope one of these models suits your child for your next outdoor adventure.
Image | Name | Weight | Size | Price |
Coleman Kids 50°F Sleeping Bag | 2.43 lbs | 60″L x 26″W | Check | |
Meteor Mummy Sleeping Bag | 1.4 lbs | 51″L x 23.5″W | Check | |
Coleman Dunnock Sleeping Bag | 9.2 lbs | 75″L x 33″W | Check | |
Guide Gear Canvas Hunter | 14.2 lbs | 90″L x 50″W | Check | |
TETON Sports Jr Sleeping Bag | 2.64 lbs | 66″L x 26″W | Check |
1. Coleman 50°F Sleeping Bag for Kids – High Quality and Affordable
2. Meteor All Season Sleeping Bag For Kids – A Premium Mummy Model
3. Coleman Dunnock – Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bag for Camping & Hiking
4. Guide Gear Canvas Hunter – High-Performance & Affordable Kids Sleeping Bag
5. TETON Sports Jr – Best Comfortable Sleeping Bag for Boys, Girls, and Kids
Without further ado, let’s discover why we have selected these 5 products…
1. Coleman Kids 50 Affordable Sleeping Bag for Kids
Specs:
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasonality: All season
- Temperature Rating: 50°F.
- Dimensions: 60″L x 26″W
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Weight: 2.43 pounds
Pros
- Thermo lock draft tube
- Fun design that glows in the dark
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Quiet noise level
- Cheap price
Cons
- Very skinny and short
Our top 5 open with a kids’ sleeping bag from Coleman; whether technical clothing, backpacks or even adult & kid sleeping, Coleman always stands for. The Kids 50°F is a Rectangular sleeping bag. It will keep your child warm, from head to toe. This model also incorporates a very practical extension system.
It is based on an intelligent construction with a zipped opening on both sides, making it easier to install for kids. Even once already asleep, it will be easier to slip your child into his bag without waking him up. Thanks to its Roll Control design, you can roll up quickly when it’s time to pack up.
The filling of the Kids’ 50°F sleeping bag consists of high-quality nylon. Coleman guarantees it is PFC-free and uses durable water-repellency coating that is harmless to health and guarantees high-level water-repellent and dirt-repellent performance. This treatment allows your kids to spend nights warm and dry!
2. Meteor All Season Premium Sleeping Bag For Kids
Specs:
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasonality: All season
- Temperature Rating: Comfort
- Dimensions: 51″L x 23.5″W
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Weight: 650 grams
Pros
- Presence of an interior compartment to accommodate small objects
- Suitable for all seasons
- Solid and quality build
- Insulated and ultralight
- Unique design
Cons
- Expensive, but the price is justified
- Little fill
In terms of mummy type, the Meteor all-season kids sleeping bag could be the best option for you. With Starlight, you will find impeccable manufacturing quality. For example, we can mention the presence of an inside pocket in which your child can slip valuable objects that he/she wishes to keep close at hand.
It is composed of polyester filling. The Meteor sleeping bag is designed based on High-Loft Hollowfibre, a hollow fiber with high swelling power. Polyester (75D PES) for the interior and polyamide (70D PA) for the exterior coating. This composition ensures remarkable insulation without neglecting robustness and durability. The materials used for this Starlight bag are not treated with perfluorinated or polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC) and are therefore safe for your child.
It is ergonomic, practical and scalable, and suitable for children from 130 to 170. With a maximum length of 155 cm, your child will always enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep. Meteor’s best kids’ mummy sleeping bag also comes in several colors.
3. Coleman Dunnock Cold Weather Kids Sleeping Bag
Specs:
- Materials: Cotton
- Seasonality: All season
- Temperature Rating: 20°F.
- Dimensions: 75″L x 33″W
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Weight: 9.2 pounds
Pros
- Excellent design for more comfort
- Can accommodate most people
- Fiberlock construction
- Lots of room
- Affordable
Cons
- Not very warm at all
- Only suitable for large kids
Coleman continuously offers well-thought-out and quality sleeping bags at affordable prices. This Coleman Dunnock kid’s sleeping bag is no exception to the rule by managing to be both ingenious but also very affordable.
Indeed, this sleeping bag is based on a 2-in-1 system that allows you to couple a sleeping bag with an integrated ground mattress. This system maximizes the thermal insulation of the child during the bivouac by adding an additional layer between the ground and the kid’s sleeping bag. The 2-way ZipPlow system also avoids snagging the fabric during zipping
It is made of cotton that will allow your child to spend nights warm but also dry. It is very ergonomic and easy to set up. You can unfold it easily. Finally, its cotton-based filling and lining will make it easy to maintain.
4. Guide Gear Canvas Hunter Kids Sleeping Bag
Specs:
- Materials: Down, Cotton
- Seasonality:
- Temperature Rating: Comfort
- Dimensions: 90″L x 50″W
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Weight: 14.2 pounds
Pros
- An accessible option
- Good build quality
- Easy to maintain
- Large space for 2 kids
Cons
- Had a lot of piling after the first wash
- Big and heavy
Guide Gear offers this sleeping bag that is just as qualitative as the previous model 15 Degree Fleece Lined Sleeping Bag, but more classic in its design. Indeed, here there is no integrated mattress system or extension system to follow your child’s growth curve, but “just” an extremely comfortable. It is well-designed and perfectly fits your outdoor adventures with kids.
Guide Gear Canvas Hunter sleeping bag is warm and practical and offers optimal protection for your kids’ comfort level while remaining compact. Its double slider has been specially designed to make it easier for kids to use, allowing them to take full part in the shelter.
The outer is made of canvas and the filling is cotton. This winter sleeping bag has a hood that effectively traps warmth and ensures your kids remain snug and cozy. It also comes with a carrying bag. It is an easy-care and robust bag that will not fear to be used whatever the terrain.
5. TETON Sports Jr Sleeping Bag for Boys, Girls & Kids
Specs:
- Materials: Taffeta
- Seasonality: Three season
- Temperature Rating: Comfort
- Dimensions: 66″L x 26″W
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Weight: 1.2 kilograms
Pros
- Unbeatable price
- Comes with a durable stuff sack
- Small and lightweight
- Integrated small inside pocket
- Versatile and suitable for all seasons
Cons
- No extension system
- Difficult to store in your bag
To conclude our top 5, we present the TETON Sports Jr sleeping bag. This model uses the rectangular, with the advantage of maximizing thermal insulation thanks to a shape closer to the body. For kids who don’t feel comfortable in a mummy sleeping bag, the TETON Sports Jr will be the best option.
You will find a Taffeta material in the design. The presence of a small inside pocket will allow your child to keep small valuables close to him even in dreamland. The size is good for children between 6 and 10-12 years old.
TETON Sports offers this model at a very affordable price. However, it does not have an extension system to support the growth of the child, but the presence of a hood prevents any loss of heat from the body. Its zipper system is backed up by a windbreaker that protects your child from the cold outside air.
Best Sleeping Bags for Kids: Your Complete Buying Guide
Here’s a complete buying guide to help you make an informed decision:
Temperature Performance
The European standard DIN EN 13537, which came into force in 2005, determines the temperatures of sleeping bags by carrying out laboratory tests. Three temperature standards are indicated on the sleeping bags (the indicative values differ according to the size, weight, and gender of the user). We recommend taking the comfort temperature indicated as a reference for the choice of your sleeping bag:
- The comfort temperature: this is the temperature considered ideal for a comfortable night like at home. According to this standard, the user of the sleeping bag can sleep in a relaxed position without feeling cold. However, this is a temperature indication considered low even if it remains reliable.
- The temperature limit: this is the temperature from which the user of the bag can begin to feel a sensation of cold while sleeping. According to this standard, the user of the sleeping bag sleeping in a curled-up position is not supposed to feel cold.
- Extreme temperature: this is the temperature above which the survival of the sleeping bag user will be compromised (risk of hypothermia). At this indicated temperature, the bag will only prevent its user from freezing to death.
Temperature performance must be specified by the manufacturer of a child’s sleeping bag. Some manufacturers don’t risk setting temperatures for kids’ sleeping bags to avoid liability, but a few specialty brands play along.
If you’ve spotted a kids’ sleeping bag that doesn’t mention temperature performance, skip your way: most of the time you will have in your hands a simple sleeping bag suitable for an indoor nap, but makes no sense for an outdoor activity where the comfort and safety of the children take precedence.
Seasonality
Besides the EN 13537 standard, sleeping bags are also classified by seasonality:
- Summer sleeping bags: Summer sleeping bags are recommended for nights spent at a temperature of 0°C or more.
- Three-season sleeping bags: Three-season are recommended for nights spent at temperatures between -1°C and -15°C.
- Winter sleeping bags: Winter sleeping bags are recommended for nights spent at temperatures between -15°C or less.
The Type of Filling
There are two different types of filling on the sleeping bag market, and by extension on the children’s sleeping bag market. Each filling has its advantages and disadvantages:
- Down filling: sleeping bags are made of goose or duck down. They offer a wide range of compressibility (in their compression bag) making them less cumbersome to transport than synthetic bags. On the other hand, they are less easy to maintain and store than their synthetic counterparts. They also offer mediocre resistance to humidity. However, down sleeping bag is more expensive. The quality of the filling is indicated in percentage. For example, a density of 80/20 will mean that the filling is composed of 80% down and 20% feathers. The higher the percentage of down, the higher the quality of the bag will be. The fill power of down bags is expressed in cuin (cubic inches or cubic inches). The bulk power ranges between 550 and 900 cuin. The higher the value, the better the quality of the down. We would rather choose this type of padding for demanding hikes or treks.
- Synthetic filling: synthetic sleeping bags are becoming more and more popular. They are resistant to humidity, easy to maintain, and easy to store at home in their compression bag. On the other hand, their performance comfort is lower compared to down filling sleeping bags in very cold conditions. We would rather choose them for nights spent at a campsite.
It is essential to choose a sleeping bag adapted to the size of your kids.
The Shape and Size
Like the different types of filling, there are several forms of kids sleeping bags:
- Rectangular bags: also called “blanket” bags, they are more comfortable than their mummy counterparts because they are wider at the feet. On the other hand, they offer less good thermal protection because they contain more air (which the child’s body heat will take longer to heat up) and often do not have a hood. They are also bulkier than sarcophagus/mummy bags.
- Mummy sleeping bags: they are narrower at the feet than at the shoulders to avoid any loss of heat and thus optimize thermal protection by following the shape of the body. They also have a hood. Mummy sleeping bags are less bulky than blanket sleeping bags. Parents prefer mummy sleeping bags because of their practicality and smaller size. Kids will be able to carry their bags in their small packages.
- Semi-Rectangular Sleeping Bags: A compromise between rectangular and mummy bags, which offer a balance between space and insulation.
Regardless of the type of sleeping bag chosen for your kids, it is essential to opt for a bag that is well-adjusted to its size, to guarantee good thermal insulation. The insulation system would be totally counterproductive from adult sleeping bags. Finally, where adults can wear a cap to insulate their heads, we would rather choose a mummy-type bag with a hood, which is more practical for children.
Weight and Packability
Consider the weight if your child will be carrying the bag themselves. Lighter bags are ideal for backpacking. However, heavy sleeping bags ensure that it is durable enough for your child’s activities.
Scalable Bags
If you plan to hike or camp regularly with your child, you might be interested in so-called “evolutive” bags. Indeed, as we saw in the previous criterion, it is essential that the sleeping bag is adapted to the size of your child. If the bag is too big, your kid will risk getting very cold and slipping to the bottom of the bag.
To overcome these problems, there are evolving sleeping bags, which can offer better longevity to the bag thanks to a system of extensions that can be folded inside the bag and unfolded as the kid grows.
FAQs
Which sleeping bag should I choose for my kids?
First, make sure to choose a sleeping bag that fits your kids’ size (with a maximum of 20cm more). If your kids are over 1.50m tall, models for women (approximately 1.70m) may be considered. Then, choose the seasonality and temperature rating according to the conditions where you will be hiking: season? Outdoors or in a shelter? Under what latitudes? Etc.
What is the ideal temperature rating for a kids’ sleeping bag?
The ideal temperature rating depends on the purpose of use and the climate you expect your child to encounter. For general camping in moderate climates, a bag rated between 30°F to 40°F (-1°C to 4°C) should suffice. If your child will be camping in colder conditions, consider a bag with a lower temperature rating.
Are there any specific safety features to look for in a kids’ sleeping bag?
Yes, safety is paramount. Look for sleeping bags with flame-resistant materials, secure zippers, and a snug fit around the neck and face to prevent suffocation hazards. Additionally, choose bags with non-allergenic fillings and materials.
How to store a kid’s sleeping bag?
A synthetic sleeping bag can be stored in its compression bag at home. On the other hand, it is not recommended to store a down sleeping bag in its compression bag at the risk of losing or reducing its swelling quality.
Can a kid’s sleeping bag be washed?
Sleeping bags can usually be machine washable if the product sheet indicates this. Synthetic sleeping bags will be easier to machine wash and dry faster.
What is the lifespan of a kid’s sleeping bag?
The lifespan of a kid’s sleeping bag will be directly linked to its growth curve and therefore reduced compared to that of an adult. A teenager will not be able to sleep in his kid’s bag like when he was 7 years old for example. To maximize longevity, you can opt for a model with extensions.
Conclusion
As we have seen, finding the best sleeping bag for kids involves considering various factors. As a dad, I tested several models with my kids (an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl). Through this experience, I was able to note what was important to have on your sleeping bag and what features matter.
You now know what are the best kids’ sleeping bags and the main criteria to evaluate before choosing. Remember to consider the climate of your camping or hiking destinations.
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