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- Though research remains limited, many people anecdotally report that weighted blankets help with stress, anxiety, sleep, and sensory issues.
- These popular blankets aren't just for adults. Several brands make high-quality weighted blankets for kids, too.
- The smaller dimensions and lighter padding are perfect for kids' bodies — or if you're on a budget, they also work as nap blankets for adults.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of weighted blankets for infants. Please consult your pediatrician before allowing your child to sleep with a weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets, it seems, aren't just a passing fad. For the past couple of years, they've been a popular way to relieve stress and tension and help people fall asleep.
And, following the success of standard, adult-sized weighted blankets, many brands now offer ones designed specifically for children.
Kids' weighted blankets are smaller and lighter, and they come in fun colors and patterns. They can also include marketing claims that the deep pressure touch they provide may help children with autism spectrum disorders.
So far, there has been limited research on whether weighted blankets — for children and for adults — actually live up to these claims.
That being said, Dr. Nekeshia Hammond, a psychologist based in Brandon, Florida, has worked with families who found them helpful.
"The most important thing about weighted blankets is for people to understand they are not a cure for mental health conditions," Dr. Hammond told Insider Reviews. "[However], many people have found them to help with symptoms, especially sleep, anxiety, attention difficulties, and sensory issues."
Hammond still recommends weighted blankets, "with the caveat that the results do vary."
While the following weighted blankets are designed for children, they can also be an affordable hack for:
- Anyone who wants to try a weighted blanket without splurging (some can cost hundreds of dollars)
- Anyone who wants a cozy nap blanket that's not so difficult to carry around the house
- Smaller adults who may find that full-sized weighted blankets provide too much pressure
Children's weighted blankets generally weigh between five and 12 pounds (compared to 15 to 25 pounds for the adult version), so they provide a nice trial experience for adults considering an investment in a full-sized weighted blanket.
Shop these 7 weighted blankets for kids:
Quility
Amazon
Quility Kids Weighted Blanket with Removable Cover
The best weighted blanket for kids you can buy is Quility's durable and versatile one. Its cover has a soft, mink-like texture, which feels great in the winter but can be switched out for something more breathable during warmer months. The removable cover also makes it easier to wash the parts of the blanket separately. The weighted layer is made up of glass beads and stays tied to the cover thanks to eight secure duvet loops.
There are 7-pound, 10-pound, and 12-pound options and six colors to choose from.
Shop all weighted blankets from QuilityRead our review of the Quility Weighted Blanket
Bearaby
Bearaby
Nappling
Unlike most other weighted blankets on the market, Bearaby's has a knit cotton texture, making it look like a stylish and cozy throw. The Bearaby Nappling gets its weight from layers and layers of organic cotton, rather than beads or artificial fillers. The 8-pound blanket comes in four colors and one size (40"x 60").
The adult-sized Cotton Napper is also our pick for the best knit weighted blanket, but if you want to save $100, we've found the Nappling still provides a decent amount of pressure and is large enough to layer on top of your existing comforter.
Shop all weighted blankets from BearabyRead our review of the Bearaby Cotton Napper
Luna
Amazon
Luna Kids Weighted Blanket
This is one of Amazon's top-rated and reviewed weighted blankets, and it's easy to see why. The kids' version comes in three weights (5-pound, 7-pound, and 10-pound), boasts some fun design options (like dinosaurs or space patterns, for example), and costs less than $50. It's also OEKO-Tex certified. On top of that, Luna donates 1% of sales to Mental Health America.
Shop all weighted blankets from Luna
Therapedic
Bed Bath and Beyond
Therapedic Kids Weighted Blanket
The 6-pound, 40" x 50" blanket is another option that comes with a cuddly stuffed animal, though this one is just plush and not weighted. The cover is removable and machine-washable, while the fill is made from glass beads and polyester fiber. It's one of the more expensive weighted blankets for kids, but it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Read more about everything you need to get a good night's sleep here:
Leesa
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