You spend a lot of time looking for the right toddler bedding sets to help your tot settle at night, but did you know that weighted blankets for kids are great for helping them to relax? Made with tiny beads or pellets sewn into the fabric, they compress under pressure and "hug" the body without overheating. The even pressure of these beads helps to relax muscles and stimulates the release of serotonin and melatonin while reducing cortisol, the stress hormone.
As a result, weighted blankets for kids has the potential to be especially comforting for children with ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder and can be useful for promoting calmness.
While they should not be used overnight like a toddler duvet can be, weighted blankets for kids are a great way to help your little one settle and to encourage them to get ready for bed. Weighted blankets aren't suitable for infants, so it's worth noting that a baby blanket might be more appropriate.
The best weighted blankets at a glance:
• Best branded weighted blankets for kids: Silentnight Kids Weighted Blanket - Buy here on Wayfair
• Best weighted blankets for kids for comfort: Slumberdown Wellbeing Kids Weighted Blanket - Buy here on Argos.
With a number of benefits to a weighted blanket, including helping to settle your child in their bed, research has shown that they help to reduce restless leg syndrome, control body temperature, and can even soothe symptoms of anxiety. The best thing is they also come in adult sizes, too.
Best branded weighted blankets for kids
www.wayfair.co.uk
Description
This Silentnight Kids Weighted Blanket is filled with tiny glass beads that offer comforting pressure to your child's body to encourage deep and restful sleep. The clever beads are virtually undetectable, so all your child will feel of them is their reassuring weight. The blanket also features a super soft cover, perfect for snuggling.
One customer review said: "This is used by my 11-year-old daughter. She was previously still awake past 11.30 pm. With this, her sleep has gradually improved and is now asleep within 20 mins of the lights off. I would recommend giving this a go."
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Larger design
Cons
- Some mentioned it's smaller than expected
Best unicorn weighted blankets for kids
www.johnlewis.com
Description
This John Lewis Magical Unicorn Weighted Blanket is designed to help reduce restlessness and aid relaxation with a reassuring, cosy feel. It features a lovely print on the front, complete with colourful rainbows and a plain, soft plush on the reverse side.
One customer review said: "This weighted blanket is a lovely quality and the design and super soft backing make it a very comforting blanket. It is weighted without feeling too heavy. We've used it as a comforting end-of-the-day blanket for quiet time and it folds away nicely between uses."
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Made from cotton and soft plush
Cons
- Only available in 2kg
Best Minecraft weighted blankets for kids
www.very.co.uk
Description
Suitable for children over the age of three, this Rest Easy Sleep Better Blanket is perfect for children who love Minecraft. It's 100 per cent cotton on the top layer, with a lovely, soft plush underneath for added comfort and cosiness. It's also available in two sizes.
One customer review said: "We bought this for our little boy who has additional needs and it has been a lifesaver during meltdowns. It's the perfect weight. It's very soft and a good price!"
Pros
- 100% cotton top layer and luxurious plush reverse
- Available in two weights
Cons
- Not suitable for machine washing
Best luxury weighted blankets for kids
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Description
Available in three dreamy colours including peach orange, minty green and powder blue, the Children's Weighted Blanket is also available in two different weight sizes. Designed for children between the ages of three to 12 years, the blanket applies gentle pressure to help calm. The cover is also removable so that it can be washed.
Pros
- Available in three colours
- Two weight choices
Cons
- No onsite reviews
Best weighted blankets for kids for comfort
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Slumberdown Wellbeing Kids Weighted Blanket is 4Kg in weight and suitable for all bedding sizes. It's a lovely grey, soft blanket with glass microfibre beads helping to create gentle pressure on your body to help relax and feel calm.
One customer review said: "I bought this a couple of weeks ago and have had plenty of use out of it. My son has Autism and becomes very unsettled very easily, this blanket has been a saviour, it is heavy and he just sits underneath and it settles him down so well. The blanket is heavy but he soothes with deep pressure and this blanket has helped massively with this. Excellent quality, perfect for what I needed it for, definitely recommend."
Pros
- Suitable for all bed sizes
- Soft to touch with grey cover
Cons
- Wipe clean only
How to choose a weighted blanket for kids
With so many different weighted blankets to choose from, it can be hard to weigh up all the pros and cons for each one, but there are some factors you need to consider:
Weight: When buying a weighted blanket, you need to pick the weight based on your little one's body weight. Not only will this ensure that your child gets the best benefit from the product, but it'll also mean it's not too big or small for them to use. The blanket shouldn't weigh 10 per cent more than your child's body weight.
Material: The most common materials used within a weighted blanket are microfibre beads, sand or grains. However, you want this product to have a calming effect on your child, so make sure it's material that doesn't make them feel uncomfortable.
Price: Children's weighted blankets vary widely in price, so it's worth weighing up the pros and cons of a blanket before you buy.
Medical concerns
Like toddler pillows, weighted blankets for kids must not be used with babies and toddlers as they pose a risk of suffocation. This is because they may struggle to move the blanket off themselves if they become trapped or too hot.
If you decide to use a weighted blanket, it is important it is heavy enough to be effective but not too heavy so it is uncomfortable to use. The maximum weight used must be no more than 10% of your child's body weight.
You should never use a weighted blanket if your little one suffers from epilepsy, cardiac problems, respiratory problems, circulatory disorders including type 2 diabetes, serious hypotonia, and physical, learning, or other difficulties where they're unable to remove the blanket independently.
How to wash a weighted blanket
Some weighted blankets come with a removable cover for easy washing, but it's important to follow all washing instructions on your own blanket.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.