Best kids' sleeping bags for camping, sleepovers and overnight adventures

While camping under the stars isn't for everyone, it's a great way to spend quality time together as a family without daily distractions. There's nothing more exciting for the kids than packing for a few nights away. If you're considering a camping trip, some good forward planning is vital, and luckily, we wouldn't let you wander off without the right gear.

Even if you’re not a camping enthusiast, it's still worth investing in a children’s sleeping bag because they can be used for all sorts of fun adventures. They're handy for sleepovers, pitching up in the garden, building dens in the bedroom, scouting adventures, overnight school trips and good old caravan holidays.

But let's be honest, if the kids aren't comfortable, they won't be happy campers, and relying on the great British weather isn't an option. It can be hard to choose the right kids' sleeping bag because there's plenty of choice and changeable weather conditions can make things tricky.

We've scoured the Mumsnet forums, camping best buy lists and customer reviews to help narrow down the most practical and affordable options for your family. Rest assured, insulation, season rating, size and weight, and a cosy shape are all aspects we've considered.

Here are the best kids' sleeping bags for keeping little explorers happy in 2022.

1. Best overall kids’ sleeping bag: Vango Nitestar Alpha Junior Sleeping Bag

Price: £39 | Buy now from Tiso

“We went for the Vango Nistar junior. Length 155ch should last the 4-year-old a while. The comfort rating is 7 degrees and I would have liked it to be lower but I don't like to camp when the temp is going to fall below 10 degrees so they should be fine” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Scotgirl 

“My three dc have Vango Nitestar Junior sleeping bags. They've had them since they were 2 and 3 yrs old, all our sleeping bags are a minimum of 3-4 years old, regular use, and still top class condition” - says Mumsnetter, MrsShrekTheThird

You can't go wrong with this award-winning, mummy-style sleeping bag that'll keep kids feeling as snug as a bug during camping adventures. Not only does it get the trusted nod from many Mumsnetters on the forums, it's also recommended by the Scouts Association. Designed with kids in mind, it's well-insulated, ideal for children up to 155 cm tall, and is suitable for temperatures ranging from 4-20 Celsius. You'll also avoid frantic night-time call outs from the kids that they’re stuck – the two-way zipper means you can unzip the bag easily from inside, while its handy auto-lock feature will stop it from unzipping on its own in the middle of the night. We also love that it's a safe choice for little guests as there’s no drawcord. Sweet dreams campers!

Key specs

• Material: Polyester 190T brushed fabric

• Size: 165 x 68 cm

2. Best budget kids' sleeping bag: Pro Action Kids 200GSM Envelope Sleeping Bag

Price: £14 | Buy now from Argos

“I picked up two at Argos last week for £22 deal for my dd and I used the other. They were snug and warm. I also put down a spare duvet below to help keep out the cold” - verified by Mumsnet user, kiwibella 

Suitable for campers that enjoy fairer weather (most of us), this cheap and cheerful kids' sleeping bag is a great budget buy. If you’re first-time family campers and want to test the waters, this is a reliable, affordable option. You could start sensible in the garden and bung it in the washing machine after braving the elements to keep it in tip-top shape. While it's not the most exciting sleeping bag on the list, children will love being wrapped like an envelope for some grass rolling fun when they're kipping. And, it's suitable for kids with seasonal allergies.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and hollowfibre

• Size: 170 x 65 cm

Read next: The best baby sleeping bags, tried and tested

3. Best lightweight kids' sleeping bag: Mountain Warehouse Apex Mini Square Patterned Sleeping Bag

Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

“We've got some from Mountain Warehouse sleeping bags that my girls love. If they've got warm pjs, good insulation underneath and layers on top the sleeping bag doesn't need to be a very expensive one” - advice from Mumsnet user, rememberingnothing

This fun, shark-patterned sleeping bag from Mountain Warehouse is sure to prove an instant hit with young campers. It's extremely lightweight, offers a snug mummy-fit and will keep the kids comfortable between 6-10 Celsius. This one will also work a treat if the kids are staying at a friend's house or with the grandparents. It should entice them to go to bed – who wouldn’t want to show it off. It's neat, easy to store, good value and as families are happy to recommend it via rave online reviews, then so are we.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and synthetic

• Size: 160 x65 cm

4. Best kids' sleeping bag for sleepovers: Highlander Kids' Sleeping Bag

Price £40 | Buy now from Amazon

There's nothing more exciting than sleepovers for kids of a certain age and these adorable, character sleeping bags come with a backpack that kids can carry themselves to make staying away easy. The super-soft lining means kids will enjoy a cosy night under the stars in the garden, or in the bedroom (in between munching on those midnight snacks). Choose from a shark, a ladybird, or a panda. This one sadly isn't suitable for the washing machine and a regular damp cloth wipe-down is recommended to keep it clean. Reviews highlight that it's fairly easy to get it back into the pouch after use, which can historically be a bit of a faff (we'll admit to giving up on occasion), so storage is no problem.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and nylon

• Size: ‎170 x 70 x 50 cm

Read next: The best bunk beds to maximise space in your children's bedroom

5. Best for warmth: Decathlon Quechua Children’s Sleeping Bag MH 500 0°

Price £35 | Buy now from Decathlon

“We got the children’s ones from Decathlon. Comfy, warm and washable. Our younger dc didn't like to be zipped in, though, so we only zipped it up when asleep” - recommended by Mumsnet user, MousyMouse 

“We have a Decathlon Quechua one for ds1. It's ridiculously warm... when we camped in half term both children got so hot, they had to wear hardly anything and sleep half out of the bag!” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, thisisyesterday

If the family's considering a camping trip, you'll need some reliable overnight kit without having to worry about the great British weather. This kids' sleeping bag from Decathlon offers some serious protection from the elements. Thanks to its pull-and-fit feature, which adjusts the height to match the child (between 115-155 cm), it's a super-snug bag that's well-insulated and water-resistant. There's also a pocket for your child's favourite comforter which is a thoughtful touch. It can keep you toasty when temperatures drop to a ridiculously chilly minus 5° Celsius. There's nothing better at such a decent price point, and it'll last year after year.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: 180 cm x 65 cm

6. Best kids' sleeping bag for camping: Eurohike Adventurer 300 Sleeping Bag

Price: £38 | Buy now from Millets 

“We have the Eurohike mummy-style sleeping bags. DS gets hot easily so he has a lower category than the rest of us. They pack down really small (you don't roll them just shove, literally, into the bag.) They come in different sizes too. Some of ours have taken quite a battering but still look and feel as good as new” – recommended by Mumsnet user, mckenzie

The Eurohike kids' sleeping bag is perfect for overnight adventures. It'll keep the kids comfortable from 3-23° Celsius, so it should successfully help manage little ones that can easily get cold and miserable, and may demand to be taken back to the comforts of home at a moment's notice. We all want happy campers! Designed to last for many seasons, it features a durable polyester shell and synthetic hollow fibre lining. Its practical square-shaped bottom provides extra warmth around the feet – lovely! It's a neat looking bag and we’re sold on its modish lime green colour. One thing to note is that it's fairly heavy at 1.88kg. As one Mumsnet user points out, you don’t have to leave home to use it!

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and synthetic

• Size: 220 x 80 x 50 cm

7. Best kids' sleeping bag for adventure travel: Millets Pod Kids' Sleeping bag

Price: £25 | Buy now from Amazon

This red pod sleeping bag offers lots of wiggle room for those wriggly worms in your household. It's available in red or bright pink and the pod shape gives kids space to move around until they find their desired sleep position. It shouldn't make them feel too confined, so they kick it off and refuse to get back in. It's been made to use across two seasons and features synthetic insulation that is double layered for extra cosiness. This should also work to stop the kids from getting too hot. It packs away nicely in its own compact carry bag and can be transported easily whatever your camping plans.

Key specs

• Material: Synthetic

• Size: 165 x 82 cm

8. Best sleeping bag for teens: SOULOUT Sleeping Bag

Price: £33 | Buy now from Amazon

Teens might not put camping trips with their families high on their priority list, so it's wise to provide them with essentials they're comfortable with. This Soulout sleeping bag is available in black, orange, green, purple, and sky blue, and a double bag option is available for a little more if that's a deal-breaker. The online reviews suggest it's pretty fool-proof and comfortable to use on any terrain. It's waterproof and features a second layer that will protect from damp conditions. Additionally, it doubles as a picnic blanket or a mat. Despite there being no guarantee that teens will be impressed, it's practical and stylish and we believe it ticks all the right boxes.

 Key specs

• Material: Polyester

• Size: ‎41.7 x 30.2 x 16.3 cm

9. Best sleeping bag with a pillow: High Street TV Happy Nappers Sleeping Bags

Price: from £27 | Buy now on Amazon

If you’re looking for an exceptionally cute sleeping bag to help with bedtime battles, we’ve found it. This character sleeping bag with attached pillow is perfect if you’re looking to switch things up at bedtime, or for that pending extra guest. Kids can choose between a pink kitty, a white unicorn, a grey shark, a pink unicorn, a purple owl and a green dragon; it's worth getting them involved in the decision to prevent picking the wrong one. The plushie pouch is fun, fluffy and can house the entire sleeping bag undetected when not in use. Although primarily designed for children aged 3-6 years, they're available in larger sizes for older kids as well. There's an easy-grip handle, so it can be easily transported and the machine-washable bag itself zips all the way up to keep your little one safe and snug throughout the night.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester and synthetic

• Size: 46.2 x 43.4 x 14.9 cm

How to choose a kids' sleeping bag

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a kids' sleeping bag:

What you need it for: Considering what you need it for will help guide your search. If it's for a family camping trip then insulation is going to be high on the priorities list. You'll want your child warm and cosy on chilly nights. If it's for the occasional night in the garden, sleepovers, or the odd overnight school trip, a lightweight, compact option would work best as you'll want something that easily tags along with your plans.

Size: The length of the sleeping bag should mirror the height of your child. Most children's sleeping bags come as a standard size, with the exception of the Decathlon Quechua sleeping bag on our list.

If you're planning on hiking, or travelling around a bit, and are conscious that your child's load is likely to become yours, go for synthetic insulation but also consider a compact design and a weight that everyone (including you) will be happy to lug about. Backpacks will keep the kids carrying for longer, but carry handles are helpful for parents too.

Season rating: Most kids' sleeping bags will be given a season rating, or a comfort rating, which tells you what type of temperature the bag is most suitable for in order to maximise comfort. You’ll typically see the season rating from 1 to 3 in kids’ sleeping bags:

1. – Warmer nights where temperatures are above +5° Celsius

2. – Spring or summer nights with a cooler temperature ranging between 0 to +5° Celsius

3. – Designed for colder nights with temperatures dipping from 0 to -5° Celsius

Style: Despite your child's age, looks will be important to them, so choosing something that’s fit for purpose, as well as something visually pleasing should help with their willingness to carry it/sleep in it.

What’s the best filling for a kids' sleeping bag?

There are two main fillings for a kids' sleeping bag; down or synthetic insulation. Down insulation provides a much warmer sleeping bag than its counterpart, and is more suited to adult backpackers. Down sleeping bags do not insulate when wet, which is another reason why synthetic insulation works best for children. It will insulate, hold up to most weather conditions and keep a child warm in any weather, plus dry faster when it needs to. Synthetic is also the more affordable option and although it's typically heavier than down and won't compress as well, for the odd camping trip or sleepover, it will do the job just fine. They’re also mainly okay for the washing machine (always read the product guidelines to check).

The handy sleeping bag guide from Mountain Warehouse is very helpful.

What’s the best kids' sleeping bag to buy?

The Vango Nitestar Alfa Junior Sleeping Bag occupies our top spot because it's been tried and tested by Mumsnet users and the Scouts Association – both very trusted sources. It's a sleeping bag to suit all types of weather and will provide reliable warmth come rain, hail or shine. It also has plenty of kid-friendly features with its two-way zipper and auto lock system. And, it's going to pass the test of time and grow safely with your outdoor explorer. If any bag can help guarantee happy campers, it's this one.

How we chose our recommendations

We spent several hours sifting through Mumsnet's forums for recommendations from our users on kids' sleeping bags they rated most highly. We were also on the lookout for poor reviews of products to avoid.

We also consulted recommendations from experts, consumer websites and print media and made sure we included brands that regularly appeared in top 10 lists.

We then looked at reviews for each of our longlisted kids' sleeping bags to check that previous customers were satisfied with their purchases. By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose a top list that we think offers something for everybody.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.