The Coziest, Comfiest Sleeping Bags for Kids (Babies, Too!)

There’s nothing quite like embracing the outdoors as a family. Away from the routines (and screens!) of daily life, a family camping trip can be an excellent way for a family to enjoy quality bonding time together. Camping is an excellent pastime for building kids’ confidence, as they learn new skills and explore the natural world. But family camping requires some planning and investment in supplies that will keep the entire crew cozy and comfortable, chief among them, a good sleeping bag. Here are our top picks for sleeping bags for kids.

When finding the perfect sleeping bag for your little one, it’s important to consider how it will be used. If you plan to use the sleeping bag for slumber parties and warm-weather camping trips, you don’t need to worry as much about water resistance, weight, or warmth. If you are packing up for a hiking trip or a cooler-weather hike, you’ll want to look for a sleeping bag that packs up light but has a good temperature rating. A sleeping bag temperature rating indicates the lowest possible temperature at which the bag will keep its occupant relatively warm. Another important factor is the sleep sack, with ease of use being a big priority for kids’ ability to manage their sleeping bag on their own.

If you’re ready to take your wee ones to the campsite, you’ll want a small, snug sleeping bag that keeps them cozy and warm through the night, and the Little Mo 40 for Infants and the Big Mo 40 for Toddlers deliver on that promise. The infant version includes a one-way, bottom-up zipper for midnight diaper changes, plus adjustable cuffs that can be opened so babies can use their hands and closed to keep them warm. The toddler version offers the same perks but in a slightly bigger size, and both are machine washable.

The REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Kids Sleeping Bag suits all of our family’s needs and even exceeded my expectations. It manages to be snuggly and warm without becoming a stifling sweat sack in warmer weather; it’s water resistant, so dewy dampness stays where it belongs (outside of the sleeping bag); and it’s easy to zip. That last part is something I didn’t realize would be important until my kiddo tried navigating a fussy zipper. As any caregiver reading this can guess, that quickly became my problem! This one, by contrast, is easy for my kiddo to use on her own. She can even pack it up herself in the morning because the carrying case is attached — a brilliant move that ensures that it can’t be lost, despite our best efforts. 

I also appreciate the fact that this can be made more snug with the built-in space adjuster, so your child can tailor the bag to their size (which keeps them cozier) and then the bag can “grow”’” as they do — up to 5 feet. If your kiddo prefers a roomier sleeping bag, which are a bit better for warm-weather camping trips, check out the REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Kids Sleeping Bag, which offers the same advantages as the Kindercone 25 but with more breathability (and three cute colorways).

As much as it pains me, I have reached the point in my motherhood where my firstborn is now taller than I am. We were getting dangerously close to this threshold in fifth grade, but by middle school, it was obvious, and they’re only getting taller. If your kiddo is growing like a weed and they love to camp, it may be advantageous to get them an adult camping bag, like the Marmot Lost Coast Sleeping Bag — one that they can take with them as they go out into the world for camping trips with friends or backpacking in Europe (Do people still do that?). This is the same camping bag I chose for myself. It’s a BIFL (Buy It for Life) investment that checks every box I’m looking for in a camping bag — warm, waterproof, and, like my favorite dresses, it has pockets. It’s big enough for sleepers up to 6 feet, which hopefully my 13-year-old won’t surpass anytime soon.

We are strictly a warm-weather camping family. I have no desire to commune with nature when it’s cold outside. So, for my kids, I wanted a sleeping bag that could keep them cozy without being stiflingly hot. To that end, the REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Kids Sleeping Bag is a great choice. It boasts the same advantages of the REI Co-op Kindercone 25 (see above) but with more breathability. 

If you are a cold-weather camper, you’ll want to check out the temperature rating and make sure it aligns with the coldest temps forecasted for your trip. Big Agnes’ Little Red 20° keeps kids toasty down to 20° and fastens to a sleeping pad to keep kids comfortably snug all night long. The Little Red has room for kids up to 4’ tall with adjustability to keep them bundled up as they grow (for bigger kids, try the Torchlight EXP Youth 20°), and the built-in storage sleeve means the sleep sack can never get lost.

After using any sleeping bag, it’s important to clean and store it properly to make sure it lasts for years. Air out the bag outdoors, while it’s open and airing out, look for any areas where you may need to do spot cleaning with a damp washcloth. For machine washable sleeping bags, turn them inside out and zip them before washing on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Dry on low heat and then hang the bag to allow it to air-dry to avoid any clumping. Once the sleeping bag is completely dry, store it in a breathable bag (cotton or mesh) in a cool, dry spot.