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Best weighted blankets for kids for a calm, cosy night's sleep
If your child has anxiety, is autistic or simply has trouble settling down and relaxing, a child’s weighted blanket might help them feel calmer, comforted and ready for sleep.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Jan 2, 2024
If you’re finding bedtimes difficult, you're not alone. Mumsnetters recommend all sorts of clever sleep aids - like a white noise machine or blackout blind - but the product that's been a game changer for many in our Talk forums is a weighted blanket. These blankets are made from heavier, woven fabrics, and are usually quilted, with heavy beads or rice in each section of the blanket to make it feel heavy.
Taking advantage of the science behind why a hug feels so nice, the best weighted blankets for kids provide evenly distributed pressure designed to mimic a comforting squeeze. This can help release serotonin (one of nature’s happy hormones) to help your little one drift off and get a better night’s sleep. They’re also great for keeping cool during warm summer nights, as they're not filled with feathers or polyester stuffing like a duvet or sleep sack.
Parents of children with special needs, particularly autism or anxiety find them helpful, but neurotypical children can also benefit from using one. There are a couple of things to be aware of before you make your purchase, however. You should choose a weighted blanket that's safe for kids to use, and choose one that they can lift themselves. They're not suitable for children under three, and if in doubt, remove the blanket at night once they've drifted off to sleep.
Here are the best kids' weighted blankets to buy in 2024.
No removable cover
Can’t be tumbled
Price: £49-£59 | Size: 120 × 90cm | Weight: 2kg or 3kg | Filling: polyester wadding and glass beads | Removable cover: No
While there are plenty of plain weighted blankets on the market, we've picked this Marvel one from John Lewis for the top spot, thanks to its great quality, choice of child-friendly weights and bright, fun pattern. The cool design with webs and masks will appeal to superheroes of all sizes and there’s a range of matching and contrasting Marvel bedding available at John Lewis if you want to theme the room. Marvel not your thing? There are also space, unicorn and Barbie weighted blankets available.
The printed cover is made from a breathable cotton and the reverse is a soft plush fabric that feels super soft on the skin. A polyester wadding and glass bead filling gives the blanket its weight, which applies gentle pressure to your child’s body to calm and relax them. We’d prefer it if the cover were removable for washing but the blanket as a whole can at least be machine washed and air dried flat. It’s available in two different weights, depending on your child’s size.
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Also available in two larger sizes
Comes in a carry case to keep it dust free in storage
Breathable materials
Excellent price
Only available in one colour
Lightest weight is 4kg so not suitable for smaller children
No removable cover
Price: £19 | Size: 125 × 150cm | Weight: 4kg | Filling: Glass beads | Removable cover: No
If you’ve started investigating weighted blankets for your child, you might be thinking that you’ll have to spend a fair bit to find the right one. But this Brentfords weighted blanket is a great budget option to help your child get a better night’s sleep without breaking the bank. The lightest weight available is 4kg so your child will need to be at least 40kg (around six stone) to use it but if you have a tween or teen this might be the right sort of weight for them.
The cover is made from microfibre polyester, with the weight of the blanket created by non-toxic glass beads which are sewn into 10-13cm pockets to stop them from shifting about too much. It doesn’t have a removable cover, unlike some others on our list, but at this price you might just decide to get more than one – snuggles in the lounge as well as the bedroom!
Great price
Child-friendly 3kg weight
Soft teddy fleece on one side
Only one weight and size available
Price: £20 | Size: 100 × 150cm | Weight: 3kg | Filling: Glass beads | Removable cover: No
For a kid-friendly weighted blanket under £25, Mumsnetters recommend this one from Dreamscene. Featuring a simple star pattern and pink or grey colour options, one side is made from smooth polyester microfibre while the other side is soft teddy fleece.
A perfect size for a single bed, this is a brilliant budget buy to see if your child gets on with a weighted blanket.
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Good weight for kids
Tactile ‘minky dot’ fabric
Smaller pockets for better bead distribution than some
Practical removable cover
No 2kg version for younger kids
Price: £45 | Size: 105 × 155cm or 153 x 203cm | Weight: 3.2kg or 6.8kg | Filling: glass beads | Removable cover: Yes
This 3.2kg, nine-layer blanket from CosiHome has a removable plush microfleece cover, which makes it a good choice for year-round comfort and a practical option, too as it’s easy to wash. The outer cover is made from 100% breathable cotton, which gives a soft outer layer to the breathable internal padding and non-toxic weighted beads.
The beads are evenly packed into 8cm square pockets – so they shouldn’t shift around too much during the night – and the 105 by 155cm size should fit most children’s beds too. The fact that it’s made up of nine different layers, gives this a superior feeling of comfort and the breathable cotton layers mean it’s less likely to make you feel too hot. We liked the addition of the carry bag which means you can take it away with you and it also won’t get dusty when stored if not in use.
Available in summer or ‘year round’ covers
Available in a range of patterns
More expensive than many
Cotton cover is breathable but less ‘cosy’ than some of the more tactile blankets
Price: from £160 | Size: 90 × 120, 100 x150cm or 110 x 170cm | Weight: 3 or 4kg | Filling: Glass | Removable cover: Yes
Gravity Blankets are highly recommended by Mumsnetters and across the wider web. If you’re looking for a bit of a luxury feel and a standard of craftsmanship that will stand the test of time, the Kids Weighted Blanket from Gravity Blankets is handmade in Europe from 100% certified cotton and features a weighted filling of fine, evenly distributed glass beads. The blanket comes with a cover that’s designed to be either ‘summer’ or ‘year round’ so you can choose which you prefer, and the fact that this is removable makes it a more practical choice for laundering.
The package includes the weighted blanket and a standard or summer cover. Both are designed to be machine washable, and it’s another brand that offers a money back guarantee (you can send it back within 28 days if you’re not happy). There are various patterns available in the two types of cover so you’re sure to find something to suit.
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Super soft cover
Cult favourite brand
Available in 3 weights
Pricey
Lightest weight is 4.5kg, so it's not suitable for younger children
Price: £49 | Size: 198 x 121cm | Weight: 4.5kg, 6.8kg, 9kg | Filling: glass beads and polyester | Removable cover: No
A great buy for tweens and teens that feel the cold, this weighted blanket from Oodie is a little warmer than some so very cosy for winter, and is available in weights from 4.5kg up to 9kg so is ideal for bigger and older kids who need a little extra weight in their weighted blanket.
There’s no cover with this one AND it can’t be machine washed - only spot cleaned and hung outside on a dry day, which is the main downside to this weighted blanket, however, reviews say it really is one the cosiest available, a particular boon as we head into a cold winter, and the blanket works as well draped over your shoulders watching TV on chilly evenings as it does used over the whole body in bed. It feels robust and well made and the fabric cover is both breathable and soft. Looking for something brighter? Oodie have weighted blankets in a number of designs, including Baby Yoda and Pokemon.
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Very lightweight for younger kids
Machine washable and can be tumbled
Some reviews say it doesn’t wash well
Cover material isn’t as soft and snuggly as some
Price: £43 | Size: 101 × 78.7cm | Weight: 1.2kg | Filling: micro glass beads | Removable cover: No
Because weighted blankets need to be around 10% of your child’s body weight it can be really hard to find one for younger or very small children. While weighted blankets aren’t recommended for under threes, two year olds could use them in a supervised way during the day. This aden and anais version solves that problem of not being able to find something light enough. At just 1.2kg this weighted blanket is really lightweight and gives just enough pressure to calm a small child.
The blanket is made up of three layers of breathable cotton with hypoallergenic non-toxic micro glass beads spread carefully throughout to give even weighting. Although there is no cover this weighted blanket can be machine washed and tumble dried, which is a must with very young children.
Machine washable (and can even be tumble dried)
Made of warm fleecy material
Single unit blanket
Limited colour options
Price: £49 | Size: 48"x78” or 60"x80” | Weight: 4.7 and 7kg | Filling: Glass micro sand beads | Removable cover: No
As smooth as velvet and just as soothing, the Kuddly Weighted Blanket is beautifully soft and contains ultra-silent glass sand beads, which stay quiet when they move to form and hug your body.
Made with breathable, ultra-soft MicroCool Fleece to help you to stay comfortable, whatever the temperature, the beads sewn into the kuddly stay in place which means no bunching and the whole thing can be put in the washing machine if needed.
It comes in two sizes and weights, so it may be worth buying another one for yourself to make sure you and your children are both getting a good night’s sleep.
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What is a weighted blanket and how do they work?
The idea behind weighted blankets is to recreate the feeling of a hug by being a bit heavier than a normal blanket. This feeling of being held releases serotonin (one of nature’s happy hormones) to help your child feel more relaxed. Parents of children with conditions ranging from anxiety through to ADHD and poor sleepers report they can help encourage a more restful night’s sleep.
The blankets are typically filled with tiny glass or plastic beads to provide the pressure. Glass beads are most popular because they're more dense than plastic pellets. Weighted blankets aren’t just for bedtime either – lots of people like to use them to snuggle up on the sofa too.
Are weighted blankets OK for children?
Yes, but not for babies or toddlers. Weighted blankets are fine for children over three years of age and you should only use the recommended weight for your child (see below) as they need to be able to easily remove the blanket themselves if they get too hot.
It’s really important that they’re used correctly – particularly for children – so make sure they don’t restrict movement, and the cover should never go past a child’s shoulders or cover their head or face. In particular, make sure your child is able to take if off themselves – for safety reasons.
The NHS offers more advice on how they can be safely used for children.
How heavy or big should a weighted blanket be for kids?
Weighted blankets aren’t recommended for children under three. By far the most important thing is to make sure that you (or whoever is using the blanket) can remove it without any help.
Most manufacturers recommend that your weighted blanket should be around 10% of your child’s body weight – but there’s no need to worry if it’s a little bit either side (aim for between seven and 12%). Make sure you follow the manufacturers recommendations (many products have a size guide on their website).
If you’re buying one for a younger child, the weight should typically be at the lower end of the scale – you could aim for around 5-10% of your little one’s body weight. Getting a weighted blanket in this weight range should mean they feel a nice hug-like pressure without feeling crushed.
Another thing to consider is the size of the blanket. They do come in a range of sizes – so make sure you don’t pick one that is bigger than their bed, as the weights could mean that it slides off the edge – the last thing you need just when they’re getting cosy.
Are weighted blankets good for children with anxiety?
Weighted blankets work in the same way massage does, with deep pressure touch, which calms the mind, very much like swaddling. They’ve been found to boost oxytocin levels and lower heart rate as well as help improve concentration levels. Many occupational therapists recommend the use of weighted blankets for children with anxiety.
What is the best weighted blanket for a toddler?
Weighted blankets are only suitable for children of three and up so shouldn’t be used for younger toddlers. For older toddlers and preschoolers look for very lightweight, small blankets that are around a tenth of your child’s body weight. We think the aden + anais weighted blanket, which has a 1.2kg version is a good choice for this age group.
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
In short, they aren’t for everyone. They aren’t recommended for any children under three, and they shouldn’t be used by anyone with breathing difficulties like asthma or sleep apnoea, or a circulatory problem like Type 2 diabetes.
What weighted blanket is best for kids? (overall winner)
We think the Marvel Spiderman Weighted Blanket from John Lewis is the best overall weighted blanket for kids. It’s available in a 2kg and a 3kg version, and can even be washed on a cold cycle.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on their favourite kids’ weighted blanket.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality or didn’t work.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best kids’ weighted blankets on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.