Weighted blankets are touted as cozy, calm-inducing insomnia fighters that promote better sleep. So if your little (or not-so-little) one is struggling in the sleep department, adding a weighted blanket to their bed might help.
The only thing is, weighted blankets for adults are usually too heavy for kids, especially younger ones. Soooo, you’ll need to get your reluctant snoozer one that’s sized just for them. Here are seven solid options.
Quick look: Our fave weighted blankets for kids
- Overall best weighted blanket for kids: Luna Kids Weighted Blanket
- Best weighted blanket for younger kids: MAXTID Weighted Blanket for Toddler
- Best weighted blanket for older kids: Bedsure Weighted Blanket
- Best duvet-style weighted blanket: Gravity Kids Weighted Blanket
- Best knitted weighted blanket: Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket
- Best cooling weighted blanket: Mosiac Coolmax Weighted Blanket
- Best budget weighted blanket: Roore Weighted Blanket for Kids
Do weighted blankets really even help kids sleep?
Maybe! So, weighted blankets are basically heavier-than-average blankets that exert a little extra pressure — the same kind you might feel from being hugged or held. This pressure therapy is thought to be potentially helpful for conditions like insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, and autism.
Now, the jury’s still out on whether pressure therapy can help your kid’s sleep problems. But the concept seems like it couldn’t hurt? Basically, stress and anxiety ramp up the body’s heart rate. Pressure from a weighted blanket (or a hug, or anything, really) is thought to slow the heart rate down, in turn exerting a calming effect.
Are weighted blankets safe for kids?
Probably, as long as your child is healthy and is not a baby or young toddler and the blanket is the right size. Some important things to keep in mind before buying:
- Talk to your pediatrician before buying. There’s not any official recs on when a child is old enough for a weighted blanket, but most studies on weighted blankets and kids were done on children 5+. Additionally, some toddlers may not weigh enough to sleep with weighted blankets safely. (Babies under age 1 shouldn’t sleep with any kind of blanket in their crib, period.) Bottom line: Get the OK from from a healthcare pro first. Plus, the doc might have other suggestions for managing your child’s sleep issues.
- Pick the right size for your kid. Blankets that are too heavy could pose a possible suffocation risk. The general rule is to choose a blanket that’s 10 percent of a person’s body weight. So if your little dreamer weighs 50 pounds (lbs.), you’d want a 5-lb. blanket.
- Avoid weighted blankets if your child has certain health conditions. Namely, asthma or obstructive sleep apnea, since the blanket’s weight might make it harder for your child to breathe.
What size weighted blanket should I get for my kid?
Glad you asked! Your pint-size person definitely needs a pint-size model, especially if they’re a younger kid, since a too-heavy blanket could pose a suffocation risk. The general rule is to pick a blanket that weighs 10 percent of your child’s body weight — 4 lbs. for a 40-lb. child, 8 lbs. for an 80-lb. child, and so on.
But that’s really just a broad rec, and these products generally haven’t been tested for safety in kids. So you should still clear the product in question with your child’s doctor before letting your kid try it out.
Our picks: How we chose
There aren’t any official testing or safety standards for weighted blankets for kids. The most important thing is to make sure a blanket isn’t too heavy, so we stuck with options that came in weight ranges that were thought to be appropriate for children. Easy-to-wash blankets scored high on the list, too, because, uh, kids.
If you want to learn more about our product selection and vetting process, check out this page!
Pricing guide
- $ = under $40
- $$ = $40–$100
- $$$ = $100-150
- $$$$ = over $150
The best weighted blankets for kids
Whether you’re looking for a blanket for a younger kid or an older one, these cozy covers are the best of the bunch.
Best overall
Luna Kids Weighted Blanket
Price: $$
More than 13,400 Amazon reviews and an average 4.6/5-star rating can’t be wrong. This breathable cotton blanket is filled with medical-grade glass beads distributed through seven layers to reduce uncomfortable shifting and keep weight evenly distributed.
It comes in multiple sizes and weights (starting at 5 lbs.) so you can get the right fit for your kid. The Oeko Tex-certified cotton cover comes in a ton of cute colors and patterns and is easy to remove and wash, so there’s zero frustration if the blanket gets dirty.
Best for younger kids
MAXTID Weighted Blanket for Toddler
Price: $$
This blanket comes in weights as light as 3 lbs., so it’s a possible option for older toddlers or preschoolers. The glass beads stay put thanks to a diamond stitching pattern that prevents shifting or bunching.
Reviewers say their kiddos love the soft, cozy feel of the polyester fabric — and it’s easy to toss in the washing machine, too, so it’s an all-around win.
Best for older kids
Bedsure Weighted Blanket
Price: $
Bedsure’s blankets are available in weights of 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22, and 25 lbs., so it’s easy to find the right size for school-age kids, tweens, and teens (or yourself). The 100 percent cotton fabric feels cool, and the seven-layer construction means your sleeper won’t actually feel the glass beads at all — just soft, calming pressure.
Also good: The square stitching keeps the beads in place, even when you toss it in the washer and dryer.
Best duvet-style weighted blanket
Gravity Kids Weighted Blanket
Price: $$$$
With an inner glass-bead blanket surrounded by a removable polyester cover for easy washing, this blanket boasts some seriously thoughtful design. The beaded blanket itself features gridded stitching to keep the beads evenly distributed, and internal clasps keep the inner blanket securely attached to the cover. It also comes with a cute weighted puppy dog for extra snuggles
The blanket weighs in at 10 lbs., which the manufacturer says is suitable for kids ages 7 and up. But if your kid weighs less than 100 lbs., we’d recommend getting the green light from their pediatrician first just to be on the safe side.
Best knitted blanket
Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket
Price: $$$
If your kid needs a weighted blanket that doubles as room decor, they’ll be pretty psyched about this super-chunky knit. It’s made from Oeko Tex-certified weighted yarn, which some sleepers might prefer to the more typical glass beads (plus, it just looks cool). With 8- and 15-lb. options, it’s a good choice for older elementary schoolers, tweens, and teens.
The open-knit design is breathable, so your kid can use it solo on warm nights or layer up with another blanket when it’s chilly. And unlike your fave knit sweater, this thing is totally fine to go in the washer and dryer.
Best cooling blanket
Mosaic Coolmax Weighted Blanket
Price: $$$$
Got a hot sleeper on your hands? Here’s a cover that won’t make them sweat. The fabric is a combo of crisp cotton and the brand’s proprietary fabric, which is designed to wick away moisture and deliver max breathability (while still being machine washable, thx).
The kids sizes come in 5-, 8-, and 10-lb. weights, and bigger tweens and teens can upgrade to the twin blanket, which comes in 12-, 15-, 18-, and 20-lb. weights. If it’s not the right fit, the brand offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can send it right back.
Best budget weighted blanket
Roore Weighted Blanket for Kids
Price: $
This plush, bead-filled blanket checks all the boxes (removable washable cover, stitching to keep the beads in place, fasteners to keep the inner and outer blankets attached) at a super affordable price.
It comes in weights as low as 5 lbs., so it’s a good test-run option for your little kid who might want to try a weighted blanket but isn’t totally sure about the whole thing.
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