Best kids' blanket hoodies: tried-and-tested warm picks for children

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Kids' Oodie review

Around 30% longer than most of the competition (according to Oodie itself), this kids' blanket hoodie is incredibly popular thanks to its soft flannel fleece exterior and 100% sherpa fleece interior. During testing, we found it was spectacularly cosy and soft, and on really cold days it did a brilliant job of keeping little ones snug and warm.

The Kids' Oodie swamped our six-year-old tester, but fit our 12-year-old reviewer perfectly, with plenty of room to grow. It was also super easy to wash; we tended to pop it on a wool wash and dry it on an airer. Thankfully, the softness and quality didn't deteriorate over time, although it did take a while to dry because of how thick it is.

The Oodie has a bit of a cult following, and if you want to buy your child one of these, it’s worth noting they don't come cheap, particularly for their licensed designs. That said, we found it was much better quality than some other cheaper alternatives, so you may feel it's worth the investment. Plus, Oodie is pretty unrivalled when it comes to pattern choice; there's something for every child!

Read our full Oodie review of the adult size

It may be somewhat thinner than the original Oodie blanket, but Sienna blanket hoodies have been selling like hot cakes this year, with many Mumsnetters recommending them as a more affordable alternative. The price point for the Sienna Kids Oversized Hoodie Blanket is less than £20, which certainly appeals to parents, but don’t think you’re sacrificing on quality - many Mumsnet users couldn’t tell the difference!

With warm microfibres on the outside and soft sherpa across the body and hood, these hoodie blankets come in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ style in two colour choices - 'Blush Pink' and 'Charcoal Grey'. Pair with one of the best kids' hot water bottles for a truly cosy winter.

Related: Best warm clothes by Uniqlo

If you have a Harry Potter fan in your house, you’ll love keeping your budding witch or wizard warm with this Harry Potter Oversized Hoodie Blanket for Kids. Our little tester loved the soft, cosy design, praising its pointed wizards' hat hood as a nice detail.

Generously sized with a good length for children from juniors to teens, its soft fleece has elasticated cuffs to hold in warmth and a large pocket for stashing their wands. It's worth noting that it's more lightweight than the Kids' Oodie, meaning it's not as hot (though it still provides plenty of warmth). That being said, this may be a plus – we found this was a more versatile choice for use all year round.

Read our full Harry Potter Oversized Hoodie Blanket for Kids review

Despite it being over 20 years since its original release, kids seem to be more obsessed with Stitch recently than ever. As a result, it’s no surprise that there are three unique Stitch hoodie blankets to choose from in this range of Disney Kids' Oversized Hoodie Blankets (as well as a range of other licensed designs).

With cute 3D ears, embroidery and designs that span the front and back of the hoodie, it's a soft and snuggly hooded blanket that is sure to appeal to tweens and teens.

Related: The best winter coats for women: stylish, warm picks

If you’re buying a hoodie blanket as a gift and are worried that you’ll pick the wrong colour or pattern, the subtle design of this Dunelm Oversized Blanket Hoodie is a great unisex all-rounder with cute ears on the hood - and it also comes in an adorable 'Reggie the Cockapoo' theme too.

Whilst it's a little shorter than some children’s hoodie blankets, it's soft and comfortable with a generous pocket to the front. Dunlem also sells a matching adult design, making it a great option for family members or siblings who like to embrace the twinning.

Related: The best thermal curtains for insulating your home

Probably the biggest competitor to Oodie, Kuddly’s range of hoodie blankets is a popular alternative amongst Mumsnet users, and Kuddly now claim to be the number one ranked oversized blanket hoodie in the UK. When we tested it, we found it was super cosy and warm, and it retained its softness after being popped in the washing machine – although admittedly, it was hard to part with it, even for just that short period of time!

Whilst they don’t have a hoodie blanket specifically for children, they do offer some fun designs that will appeal to older kids and teens, including a gorgeous glow in the dark star design. Just bear in mind that this is a very big option (6XL), so it will swamp little ones. It's quite pricey too, but we think the quality is worth it, and Kuddly offer bulk discounts if you’re planning to buy hoodie blankets for the entire family.

Read our full Kuddly Hoodie Blanket review