Our 5 Favorite Kids Sleeping Bags of 2023
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- To have a good camping experience with your child, choose a sleeping bag that fits them for maximum warmth and comfort in the great outdoors.
- Small children under three should not sleep in an adult bag for their comfort and safety.
- While a kids’ sleeping bag may only last a few years before it’s outgrown, it’s worth the investment to help everyone sleep through the night when you’re camping.
Any parent who’s had a broken night’s sleep in a tent with a child will tell you that camping equipment designed for kids, especially sleeping bags for kids, are really worth the money.
Kids need sleeping gear appropriate for their size and ability to avoid the common pitfalls of camping, like waking up in the middle of the night because your child is freezing after rolling out of their sleeping bag.
If you’re planning on camping with toddlers, especially children under three, having the right size sleeping bag is a matter of safety as well.
Take a look at our favorite kids sleeping bags of 2023 to help you decide what to buy for your next family outdoor adventure.
Big Agnes Little Red: Best Overall
- Kid-Specific Design – Built to inspire life-changing experiences in the great outdoors, the Little Red 20 provides kids a warm, comfortable, and regenerative backcountry sleeping experience; Fit’s kids up to 4’ / 122 cm
- Pad Integration – Slide a pad into the integrated full pad sleeve. This allows your kiddo to comfortably roll around inside the bag without rolling off their pad; The backless design provides a roomier sleeping experience without adding pack bulk; Requires a 20” wide pad (sold separately).
- Toasty Warm – No-draft collar, No-draft wedge, No-draft zipper keep warm air in and cold air out; Sculpted mummy contour allows the bag to drape around you, increasing insulation performance. The contoured hood follows the shape of their head for a cozy, comfortable fit.
- Recycled Insulation and Fabric – Feel good that your little one is snug as a bug in a bag that is made with soft and cozy recycled fabrics as well as insulation that is GRS certified, 100% post-consumer recycled.
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We’re choosing the Big Agnes Little Red as one of the best sleeping bags for kids because it has ingenious features for keeping your kids warm and comfortable.
The smartest thing about the Big Agnes is the mattress pad sleeve on the back. Simply slide in your child’s mattress, and you have a bed and sleeping bag in one. No more waking up because your little one has rolled off the mattress!
The reasonably priced Big Agnes Little Red is a mummy bag, which keeps kids warmer. It also has a no-draft collar and a no-draft zip with a contoured hood for extra insulation and warmth.
It’s machine washable and made of recycled materials instead of down insulation, which is another plus.
One thing to note is that some parents find it a little bulky and tricky to pack down for a kid’s sleeping bag. Also be aware that the mattress pad is not included and has to be bought separately.
However, overall, the Big Agnes solves some of the toughest problems of camping with kids.
The Little Red is suitable for children up to four feet tall. Check out the Big Agnes Torchlight and the Big Agnes Wolverine for older kids with many of the same features.
- Room to Grow – Built to inspire life-changing experiences in the great outdoors, the Torchlight Youth 20 provides a warm, comfortable, and regenerative backcountry sleeping experience. The Torchlight Youth offers a customizable fit allowing the bag to grow with your camper from tot to teen; Fits campers from 4’5″ to 5’4”.
- Expandable – The Torchlight Youth is also expandable, allowing for more girth when wanted, or keep it fully zipped to have the insulation close. No-draft collar, No-draft wedge, No-draft zipper keep warm air in and cold air out; Sculpted mummy contour allows the bag to drape around you, increasing insulation performance and providing warmth.
- Pad Integration – Slide a pad into the integrated half pad sleeve that keeps you securely attached to the pad from the hips up while allowing your legs to move freely. This allows your kiddo to comfortably roll around inside the bag without rolling off their pad; The backless design provides a roomier sleeping experience without adding pack bulk; Requires a 20” wide pad (sold separately).
- Recycled Insulation and Fabric – Feel good that your little one is snug as a bug in a bag that is made with soft and cozy recycled fabrics as well as insulation that is GRS certified, 100% post-consumer recycled.
- Junior Design – Built to inspire life-changing experiences in the great outdoors, the Wolverine 20 provides kids a warm, comfortable, and regenerative backcountry sleeping experience; Fit’s kids up to 4’8” / 142 cm
- Pad Integration – Slide a pad into the integrated half pad sleeve that keeps you securely attached to the pad from the hips up while allowing your legs to move freely. This allows your kiddo to comfortably roll around inside the bag without rolling off their pad; The backless design provides a roomier sleeping experience without adding pack bulk; Requires a 20” wide pad (sold separately).
- Toasty Warm – No-draft collar, No-draft wedge, No-draft zipper keep warm air in and cold air out; Sculpted mummy contour allows the bag to drape around you, increasing insulation performance. The contoured hood follows the shape of their head for a cozy, comfortable fit.
- Recycled Insulation and Fabric – Feel good that your little one is snug as a bug in a bag that is made with soft and cozy recycled fabrics as well as insulation that is GRS certified, 100% post-consumer recycled.
Material: Polyester | Item Weight: 1.74 pounds | Dimensions: 48″L x 48″W
View on Amazon | View on BigAgnes.com | View on eBay.com
Kelty Kids Mistral: Best Budget Kids Sleeping Bag
- Cozy cloudloft synthetic insulation
- Durable yet lightweight shell and liner
- Offset quilting to prevent pesky cold spots
- Natural fit spacious footbox = more room to wiggle your toes
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Parents love the Kelty Kids Mistral because it’s a great sleeping bag at a great price. It has all the features of more expensive sleeping bags for almost half the cost.
The Kelty Kids Mistral is a mummy bag, which generally keeps kids warmer. However, its footbox is roomier than other sleeping bags, for kids who move a lot.
It has a hood which also helps with keeping in warmth. The unique offset quilt construction with synthetic insulation avoids the appearance of cold spots. It also comes with its own stuff sack to make packing it up easy. However, some parents find it a little bulky to deal with, even with its own sack.
This is a good sleeping bag for older kids to grow into, as it accommodates heights up to about five feet. Younger children, however, might find it a little too big and roomy.
This is one of the best sleeping bags, highly-rated at a great price. So if you’re looking for a junior sleeping bag for your next camping trip, this is a good one to try out.
Material: Synthetic | Item Weight: 3.55 pounds | Dimensions: 9.8″L x 9.5″W
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Big Mo 40 Kids Sleeping Bag: Best for Toddlers
- WARM: Puffy, down-like synthetic fiber insulation creates thick channels of warmth between the child and the outside air.
- FUN: Attached sleeves with adjustable open-and-close cuffs give kids the freedom to use their hands during the day and stay warm at night.
- VERSATILE: Comfortably fits growing kids from 2 to 4 years old. Features 2-way zipper for full draft control. Machine-washable.
- COMFORTABLE: Details like a fleece zipper flap, enclosed footbox, and down-filled draft tube keep kids comfortable and warm all night long.
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The Big Mo 40 Kids Sleeping Bag will keep your toddler cozy and toasty with features that guarantee warmth, safety, and comfort.
When it comes to toddler sleeping bags, the Big Mo makes a great choice. Perfect for ages 2 to 4, it has long sleeves, which means toddlers can’t roll out of it at night or get lost inside. No lost covers at night means you don’t have to worry about your kiddos getting cold.
Among its clever features are the adjustable open-and-close cuffs. This lets your kids use their hands when awake and cover them up when asleep.
It has a two-way zipper for draft control and enclosed footbox, so there’s no chance of cold feet.
It’s machine washable which is a must with sleeping bags for kids. It also packs down to the size of a water bottle, so no lumpy, hard-to-fit sleeping bag for your backpack.
One drawback of the Big Mo 40 is the price, since it will only last you about two years unless you’re passing it down to younger siblings.
Morrison also makes the Little Mo 20 and 40 for babies under two years old. The Little Mo 40 has synthetic insulation, while the Little Mo 20 is the down version.
- WARM: Thick channels of 100% RDS-certified down surround the child with warmth when temperatures drop. Internal baffles keep down from shifting and prevent cold spots. Sleeve ends are closed for maximum warmth.
- SAFE: Designed to meet all AAP-recommended guidlines for safe infant sleep. Has no hood or drawstrings, and the snug, secure collar keeps babies from slipping inside.
- VERSATILE: Patent-pending design comfortably fits babies from 6 months to 24 months old. Zips from the bottom-up for easy diaper changes without removing the sleeping bag. Machine-washable.
- COMFORTABLE: Details like a fleece zipper flap, enclosed footbox, and down-filled draft tube keep baby comfortable and warm all night long.
Material: Synthetic | Item Weight: 1.41 pounds | Dimensions: 19.68″L x 25.98″W
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Marmot Trestles 30 Degree Sleeping Bag: Easiest to Pack
- Kids’ mummy-style 30-degree sleeping bag for individuals under 5 feet in height; featuring SpiraFil high-loft insulation for maximum warmth and durability
- EN tested to provide a comfortable night’s sleep at temperatures as low as 30°F
- Anatomically shaped footbox for more wiggle room and less heat buildup
- Weight: 2 pounds, 9 ounce.; pack volume: 504.7 curie (8.27 liters)
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Marmot is well known for making high-quality, long-lasting, excellent outdoor gear. The Marmot Trestles 30 Degree Sleeping Bag suits children up to about five feet tall.
This is another mummy-shaped sleeping bag with a contoured hood, so it keeps your kids toasty warm when they snuggle down into it.
This Marmot kids sleeping bag has high loft insulation; however, parents find that it suits summer camping better than camping in lower temperatures, despite being a 30-degree bag.
This bag has a narrow fit, which may be a plus or minus, depending on your child’s preference. It will be comfortable for kids with a more slender body type who like to feel secure in a sleeping bag, but may be less comfortable for kids who prefer more wiggle room and space to move around.
Parents love how lightweight and easy it is to pack down, a major pro when carrying your gear.
You can always trust Marmot to produce a great product, reflected in the higher price. However, if your kid will only be using this for a couple of summers, you’ll want to consider whether it’s worth the money.
Material: Synthetic, Polyester | Item Weight: 2.56 pounds | Dimensions: 70″L x 52″W
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Coleman Kids 30 Degree Sleeping Bag: Best for Keeping Warm on Colder Nights
- COOL-WEATHER CAMPING: Keeps kids warm in temperatures as low as 30°F
- MUMMY-STYLE HOOD: Contoured shape surrounds the head for added warmth
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Hollow polyester insulation for better heat retention with less weight
- DIMENSIONS: 66 x 26 in.; for kids 6 and older up to 5 ft.
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Parents often find that the temperature rating of sleeping bags for kids are inaccurate, and extra blankets and layers are needed to protect your kids on cold nights. However, the Coleman Kids 30 Degree Sleeping Bag is a cold-weather sleeping bag that really does what it says.
Parents find that the mummy shape, extra insulated draft tube, and drawcord adjustable hood really do protect kids from the cold.
As a result of its extra insulation, it can be heavier and bulkier to pack up and hike with. That might be worth it, though, for your child and you to get a good night’s sleep.
It has some other nice features for kids, like a snag-free zipper that’s easy to use and an internal pocket to store a flashlight (or other treasures).
This is one of the best sleeping bags for car camping and perfect for kids ages six and up. It fits kids up to about five feet tall, so hopefully you will get a good few seasons of use out of it.
Material: Polyester | Item Weight: 3 pounds | Dimensions: 66″L x 26″W
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Recommended Accessories
In addition to having the best sleeping bag, a sleeping pad can make all the difference in your child’s sleep and warmth.
The High Stream Gear Kids Sleeping Pad is a reasonably priced option that many parents love. It inflates quickly, protects your kids from cold or frozen ground, and is a smaller size that’s easier for them to manage.
- KEEPS YOUR KIDS WARM & COMFY: Help them enjoy the outdoors with this compact kid sleeping pad for camping with superior insulation. The camping mattress for kids helps keep them warm in the winter and comfortable in the summer..
- SAVE SPACE AND CARRY IT EVERYWHERE: Folds down to just 8.5″ x 4″ x 4″ leaving plenty of room in your tent, backpack, luggage or travel bag! Our camping mat has a foldable design, making it portable and compact to carry during vacations.
- MADE TO LAST: This camping pad for sleeping is designed to keep up with every kid’s active lifestyle. Our portable camping sleeping pads for kids are made from highly durable 40D Nylon that’s waterproof, lightweight, and long-lasting.
- FOR FAMILY OUTDOOR TRIPS: Enjoy the scene of nature when you go outdoors with this boys and girls camping bed! It’s 2″ thick with a built-in pillow that offers comfort and support for your kid’s head.
Look for a sleeping pad that’s shorter, self-inflating or easy to inflate, and easy to pack.
How to Find the Right Sleeping Bag Size for Your Kid
You might be tempted to buy a regular adult sleeping bag or junior sleeping bag that your kids can just “grow into.” However, buying a sleeping bag that actually fits your child will pay off.
There are two reasons you should buy a sleeping bag that’s the right size for your kids: comfort and warmth.
Comfort
If your child’s sleeping bag is too big, chances are that as soon as they move in their sleep, they will come out of it and end up with no covering at all.
When this happens, your kids will wake in the night or very early because they’re cold.
There’s also a risk that in a bag that is too big, small children will wriggle down to the bottom of it and not know how to get out and become distressed.
Also keep in mind that children under three should not use a sleeping bag due to the risk of suffocation.
Kids are often more comfortable sleeping in something snug and cozy rather than something big that they can’t navigate. You’ll all get a better rest if your child sleeps in a kid-size sleeping bag they can handle and stay inside of.
Warmth
Secondly, kids stay warmer in sleeping bags that fit them. A sleeping bag that’s too big for your child will lose heat.
The key to keeping kids warm at night is a sleeping bag that’s the right size. Mummy bags and bags with hoods are even better at keeping in warm air and making sure you kids are comfortably warm at night.
To find the right sized sleeping bag, measure your child’s height. Keep this measurement in mind when looking at the lengths of sleeping bags.
What to Look for in a Kids Sleeping Bag
There are several important features to consider when choosing a sleeping bag for your child.
| Environment for Use |
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| Size |
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| Weight |
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| Temperature Rating |
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| Practicality |
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| Your Child’s Age |
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FAQs
Can a kids’ sleeping bag be used for multiple seasons, or are they designed for specific weather conditions?
Not all sleeping bags are alike. Sleeping bags are designed for different weather and seasonal conditions, and for this reason, they come with a temperature rating.
You should look for a temperature rating that matches the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. Sleeping bags designed for indoor use (like for sleepovers) may not be warm enough for camping, even in summer.
In addition to the temperature rating, consider whether your child is generally hot or cold at night. If your kid runs cold, choose the warmest sleeping bag that will make sense for the season and the altitude.
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