Best Weighted Blankets for Kids
Studies show that many kids have difficulty falling sleep. Finding a workable solution has become a priority for parents, as it is understood that sleep deprivation can hinder children’s attention, social skills, behavior and learning abilities. Weighted blankets are specially designed for smaller children. They provide the feeling of “a mother’s hug” by distributing the feeling of firm pressure touch evenly across the body, which can help kids who may have difficulty sleeping.
It’s no secret that a weighted blanket can bring forth many benefits to children who suffer from conditions such as ADHD. If the deep pressure stimulation provided by these products sounds like something you’d want to try, let’s go over some of the best weighted blankets for tiny humans that the market currently has to offer.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Bedsure Weighted Blanket
|
|
| #2 |  BUZIO Kids Weighted reversible Blanket 5 lbs
|
|
| #3 |  MAXTID Weighted Blanket
|
|
| #4 | 
YnM |
|
| #5 | 
ZonLi |
|
| #6 | 
Weighted Idea |
|
| #7 |  Life Tree Weighted Sleeping Bag
|
|
Table Of Contents
- Best Weighted Blankets for Kids
- Bedsure Weighted Blanket
- BUZIO Kids Weighted reversible Blanket 5 lbs
- MAXTID Weighted Blanket
- YnM
- ZonLi
- Weighted Idea
- Life Tree Weighted Sleeping Bag
- How does a weighted blanket work?
- Who Benefits?
- – Children with ADHD
- – Children with Autism
- – Children with Anxiety
- – Children with Insomnia
- Important Features to Consider
- – Size
- – Fabric and Filling
- Bottom Line
- Recent Updates
Best Weighted Blankets for Kids
Bedsure Weighted Blanket
Best with removable duvet cover
This five pound weighted blanket is idea for children between 40 and 70 pounds. This weighted blanket is made from a 100% cotton shell and glass bead fill to supply the weight. The manufacturing of the blanket is sewn in a quilt box pattern that will keep the weighted beads evenly disbursed on the body. The beads are non-toxic, odorless glass beads and are denser and less bulky than plastic beads. However that means the blanket cannot be washed. That is why the blanket comes with an incredibly cuddly dual-sided, zippered cover that is easily removable, making it easy to keep the blanket clean by throwing the cover into the wash. The cover includes reinforced ties that are sewn inside to keep the cover and the blanket connected in order to reduce shifting. 100% five star reviews on Amazon!
Who Should Buy This Blanket:
The Bedsure Weighted Blanket is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy to wash and maintain weighted blanket for their young kids.
Pros
- Specifically weighted for kids
- 100% cotton insert
- Removable Soft Plush Cover
- Quiet hypoallergenic glass bead filling
- Interior ties
Cons
- Made in China
- Plain design
Specs for comparison:
Package Dimensions: 15.94 x 13.74 x 5.03 inches
Item Weight: 5 pounds
Product Dimensions: 36”x38”
BUZIO Kids Weighted reversible Blanket 5 lbs
Best patterns
The Buzio dual-sided weighted blanket offers children tactile comfort to help them calm down and fall into deep sleep in a short time. It has a breathable cotton side that keeps your sweating little one dry and comfortable at night while the reverse side is a super soft, raised dot, skin-friendly minky fabric. It has corner straps if you want to get your own cover for easier maintenance. The blanket comes in different sizes for use by kids at different ages. Safety is their top consideration and they take extra care with their kid’s weighted blanket to make sure that there are no hazardous substances in the materials and that it has undergone stringent tests for safety certification. The construction has an extra layer of fabric to ensure maximum comfort and prevent the beads from leaking. The non-toxic and odorless glass beads are locked evenly in 4” x 4” pockets for even weight distribution.
Who Should Buy this Blanket?
Parents looking for a pleasing pattern that their kids will love.
Pros
- Two sizes available
- Multiple patterns to chose
- Reversible
- Machine washable
- Lifetime warranty and 30 day refund guaranteed.
Cons
- No removable cover
Specs for comparison:
Package dimensions: 13.18 x 11.85 x 5.19 inches
Available sizes: 36″ x 48″, 41″ x 60″
Available colors: Blue Car, Blue Dinosaur, Pink Cat, Pink Panther, Yellow Giraffe
Weight: 5lbs or 7lbs
MAXTID Weighted Blanket
Best weighted blanked for toddlers
This blanket comes in a size small enough for a toddler weighing as little as 19 pounds. The blanket has a unique manufactured special sewing process to the middle of the blanket that makes it easy to fold. Even a child could fold the weighted blanket independently! The weighted toddler blanket is reversible and is made of very soft, minky, cuddle fabric for sensory input on one side. The other side is simple and smooth, made from 100% breathable organic cotton that helps keep hot sleepers cool. The blanket is filled with hypoallergenic, non-toxic, odorless lead-free glass bead filling. This product is not recommended for infants under two years old.
Who Should Buy This Blanket?
For parents looking for a small sized blanket for younger children and toddlers.
Pros
- Machine Washable
- Comes in various weights and sizes
- 100% organic cotton
Cons
- Not recommended for infants under two years old.
Specs for comparison
Available in 3lb, 5lb, 7lb, 10lb
Available colors: Grey, Purple, Blue, White, Pink
YnM
With many colors and patterns to choose from, YnM is bound to have a model in their collection that child will love to cover themselves with. Aside from that, the YnM weighted blanket is all about quality. The cover fabric is premium cotton, with eight loops located on the corners and edges, to make sure that you can secure the duvet cover. Inside the blanket, you will find tiny glass beads that are 100 percent hypoallergenic, without any particular smell or toxins. The blanket’s surface is sewn to create small compartments that evenly distribute the fill, making the blanket efficient on every square inch. If looks are a great topic of interest to you and make a difference when you’re looking to buy a weighted blanket for your child, YnM provides great versatility in this area, with 22 different colors and patterns to choose from.
Pros
- Even weight distribution.
- Seven-layer system.
- Corner and edge duvet loops.
- Covered in premium cotton.
- Plenty of colors and patterns to choose from.
- Hypoallergenic glass beads fill.
Cons
- Not as breathable as advertised
Specs for comparison
- Available sizes: 12 choices
- Available colors: 33
- Weight: 7-30 lbs
ZonLi
If you’re looking for a more affordable weighted blanket for your child (because you’re still skeptical about the efficiency of this kind of product), we understand you, and we’ve got you covered. Meet the ZonLi, a weighted blanket that’s available in two children sizes, plus a bunch of adult ones.
The cover is made from cotton, which is probably the best choice because of its breathability and ease of cleaning. If you want a duvet cover, you will have to purchase one separately. We recommend that you do because the blanket features corner and edge loops for better securing the blanket inside the cover. Plus, it’s a way to keep the blanket clean, as you remove the cover and wash it. The fill is made of tiny glass beads, which are hypoallergenic, but there’s also an extra layer of microfiber padding, which both protects the blanket from leakage and also prevent your child from feeling the beads inside their blanket.
Pros
- Even weight distribution.
- Two sides with different fabrics.
- Minky side is very soft.
- Machine washable.
Cons
- Noisy
Specs for comparison
- Available sizes: 36″ x 40″
- Available colors: 5
- Weight: 5 lbs
You may want to read: ZonLi Weighted Blanket
Weighted Idea
Very popular amongst children and parents alike, the blanket developed by Weighted Idea comes is a variety of weights and sizes, perfect for both adults, as well as the little ones. You can opt for the five or seven lbs. version of the blanket, always making sure your respect the blanket-to-body weight ratio (the weight of the blanket should be 10 percent of the child’s total body weight).
The outer shell of the blanket is made from cotton, which is breathable and soft material that feels really good when brushed against the skin. There are many different colors to choose from, some blankets even having playful patterns, such as the pale blue model with white imprinted whales. If you’re a fan of cotton fabric when it comes to choosing clothing and bedding items for your child, this Weighted Idea blanket is one of the best products to try. Plus, it helps that thousands of other parents ordered the product and were happy with the result.
Pros
- Soft cotton exterior.
- Best-selling product.
- Playful colors and patterns.
- Two weight options for children.
Cons
- Dry clean only.
Specs for Comparison
- Available sizes: 41″ x 60″
- Available colors: 7
- Weight: 7 lbs
Life Tree Weighted Sleeping Bag
Best weighted sleeping bag
If you have a school aged child that uses a weighted blanked at home and they have begun to get invitations for sleep over or camp, but turns them down because of their sleep issues, there is a solution! This weighted sleeping bag will allow your child to relax and participate in the next sleepover invitation! It has small pockets that evenly distribute the weight of odorless, non-toxic glass beads. The sleeping bag has a five pound weighted top blanket and soft padded base, as well as a removable pillow. It has a high quality full zipper for long lasting durability, plus it’s machine washable!
Who Should Buy This Blanket?
Parents with children who need a sleeping bag and use a weighted blanket at home.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Portable
- Pillow included
- Comes in two sizes
- Multiple designs to choose from
- Easy to fasten straps and carry handle
Cons:
- Polyester
Specs for Comparison
Package dimensions: 18.2 x 10.4 x 8.1 inches
Product weight: 5, 7 lbs
Product colors, Blue, green, pink, yellow
How does a weighted blanket work?
When your child is upset and needs a hug there is a scientific reason why. Researchers have found that this deep-pressure touch, like a great hug, releases serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer that helps to reduce anxiety creating a feeling of calm.
A weighted blanket mimics the deep pressure touch and helps children to calm down when they’re over stimulated and helps them fall and stay asleep.
Who Benefits?
Talk to your doctor first. If your child has issues falling asleep, before you purchase a weighted blanket it is strongly suggested that you consult with your pediatrician about your child’s sleep habits in order to rule out any underlying health conditions. There also are many other healthy habits to introduce that can assist your child in getting a better night’s sleep such as cutting out caffeine, creating a regular and consistent bedtime routine, and minimizing computer and television screen time before bed. If you do get a weighted blanket be sure to follow the guidelines of age and weight for the weighted blanket to ensure the safety of your child. While not all children respond to the deep pressure therapy of a weighted blanket there are tens of thousands of parents and children who have found relief with the addition of a weighted blanket to their lives.
– Children with ADHD
Children with ADHD often have trouble to find a centered place of calm and can have trouble settling down from overstimulation and excitement. This can make bedtime particularly difficult and can often add to the stress. None of that is conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. A weighted blanket has been shown to be a good tool to help provide a sense of calm and allow children with ADHD the ability to calm down quicker and fall asleep faster.
– Children with Autism
Children on the autism spectrum often struggle with sensory issues including sensory processing disorder. This means they have difficulty processing sensory input and which can impede all of the five senses. This in turn can cause issue with understanding their own internal emotions. Children with autism can suffer from elevated anxiety due to the feeling of sensory overload. A weighted sleep blanket can help to reduce the feeling of anxiety and release their natural serotonins, which is a necessary component to create melatonin for sleep. This process can make for a better quality of sleep as oxytocin is released, providing a sense of security. In cases with autism, the weighted blanket can also be very useful in helping to de-escalate emotional overloads and sensory over stimulation throughout the day. It is often mentioned that under a weighted blanket there is a feeling like being hugged and while many children deep on the autism spectrum have trouble with direct physical contact, the weighted blanket mimics the feeling the body needs without having direct contact.
– Children with Anxiety
Anxiety is something that’s more and more common, even if your child doesn’t have autism or ADHD. While there is a lack of scientific evidence to support that weighted blankets actually relieve anxiety, this has been tested with positive results on adults, so that’s why people assume it might work for children as well.
Regardless of what science says, one thing is for sure: weighted blankets are designed to mimic a hug. Considering that deep pressure stimulation is a psychological and therapeutically-proven method of triggering happiness, weighted blankets can help a lot with this problem.
The main problem that children with anxiety, ADHD, and autism face is the inability to calm down. When you’re agitated, your brain is receiving mixed signals, and therefore sending other mixed signals throughout the body.
Children with high arousal levels can’t just calm down in an instant without some sort of sensory trigger. Because weighted blankets offer a tactile input and proprioceptive input, they can make children relax and calm faster.
In fact, weighted blankets aren’t good only when you want to put your child to bed. They can be used in children with ADHD that just can’t stand still for a second, even throughout the day. Just place the weighted blanket on the child’s shoulders, whip up a batch of popcorn, and have them sitting comfy on the couch, watching some cartoons.
– Children with Insomnia
While the weighted blanked was originally designed to help children on the autism spectrum and with sensory processing disorder, also neurotypical children without such a diagnosis have experienced extraordinary benefits from using a weighted blanket to help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Parents have found that children with mild to severe insomnia began sleeping more soundly. As a good night’s sleep is a primary component to a healthy and happy child, the overall benefits to a weighted blanket’s use are very clear.
Signs Your Child May Respond Well to a Weighted Blanket:
- They enjoy sleeping or laying under piles of blankets
- Like to crawl into small spaces or behind furniture
- Has difficulty relaxing and sitting still
- Likes wearing heavy clothes
Signs Your Child May Not Respond Well to a Weighted Blanket:
- Is very sensitive to touching different textures
- Does not like sleeping or laying under blankets
Important Features to Consider
– Size
When it comes time to choose a weighted blanket for kids, the most critical concern is to make sure it’s a safe weight and size. It is advised to use a blanket that weighs no more than 10 percent of your child’s body weight and that has a footprint small enough that your child won’t get tangled up in it. If you are getting a blanket to cover the entire bed of an older child you can have an additional two to three pounds on top of the 10% of their body weight. Infants and young toddlers are not good candidates for using a blanket, as they do not have the physical ability to cast the blanket off if they require it. There are a lot of blankets out on the market now but be sure that you are looking at the size, weight and size that will fit a small child.
– Fabric and Filling
Choose a fabric your child will enjoy. Many weighted blankets are made from a soft, minky or fleece material. An organic cotton blanket can help reduce heat retention while sleeping. There are different fillings that are used to create the weight for the blanket, although the majority is filled with either micro glass beads or poly pellets.
Poly pellets: Plastic poly pellets are one of the most commonly used fillers for weighted blankets. Plastic poly pellets are small, round beads the size of very tiny pebbles. Plastic poly pellets are made from 100% polypropylene and are considered to be a completely safe level five plastic. However, if not used with a thick enough shell, they may be noticeable in how they move and feel. So if the child has skin or sound sensitivities, then this may not be the best option. For those looking out for the environment the plastic pellets are not a good choice.
Micro glass beads: These are by far the most favored fill. They resemble large grains of sand and are heavier than other fillings, so you use less of them to achieve the same weights as poly beads. Glass micro beads are an environmentally friendly alternative to poly pellets and are also completely hypoallergenic. They will feel much smoother inside your blanket too and are probably the best selection for people with any type of auditory, sensory and physical sensitivities.
Steel beads: The micro steel beads are smooth and move against one another well. They are a bit larger than glass beads, and they work well for thinner shell materials. Since they are a larger size they do not leak easily, but even though the beads are smooth some find they can also be a bit lumpy and noisy.
Millet: Rice, millet, or other fine grains can also be used but care must be taken to keep them dry because they absorb moisture and can rot. They are very effective and provide soft, uniform movement and weight distribution. The disadvantages to using food as fillers becomes apparent as the blanket begins to age or needs to be washed. First of all, food will deteriorate and is not a durable material.
Bottom Line
Children need good sleep habits to help in their physical, emotional and intellectual development. Sleep issues can cause a multitude of behavioral problems in kids. Children with medical conditions like autism or ADHD often have difficulty with stress and sleep. Deep-pressure touch can work to calm the nervous system and soothe anxiety but it does not work for everyone who tries it. However, when used correctly for a child with the right sensory needs, a weighted blanket is a valuable tool to help your child have happier, calmer days and nights.
Recent Updates
October 19, 2021: MAXTID Weighted Lap Pad has been removed due to product unavailability, replaced with the popular ZonLi, YnM and Weighted Idea blankets for kids.