Youth Sleeping Bags

Choosing suitable youth sleeping bags will help to ensure that your children sleep well at camp.

Children's sleeping bags didn't even exist when I was a kid. I used an ancient rubber backed, flannel lined sleeping bag of my father's. It did the job, but wasn't nearly as warm or as functional as the sleeping bags available today.

Youth sleeping bags are not just mini adult sleeping bags

Children's sleeping bags are designed to fit children's bodies.

Many sleeping bags for children have ingenious features that keep kids extra comfortable.

Think comfort

When choosing youth sleeping bags, look first for the same things you want in an adult bag: warmth and comfort.

With a good night's sleep behind them, your children will have energy and enthusiasm for the next day!

Types of sleeping bags for children

Slumber bags

Great for sleepovers, but not for camping

Toddler Slumber/Nap Mat

Don't be distracted by inexpensive slumber bags. Yes, they are cute, but they don't offer much warmth. Many are made of cotton - which means that they will absorb body moisture and will take a long time to dry.

Sleeping bags

For camping, you want a real sleeping bag, constructed just as warmly as an adult bag.

Look for a synthetic sleeping bag - not cotton! Synthetic bags stay warm even when wet, and dry quickly.

The Kelty Kids Sleeping Bag is a good quality bag that has the following features:

Cozy cloudloft synthetic insulation
Durable yet lightweight shell and liner
Offset quilting to prevent pesky cold spots
Natural fit spacious footbox = more room to wiggle your toes
Comes with stuff sack for easier pack-ups

Sleeping bag shapes

There are children's mummy sleeping bags, children's barrel sleeping bags and children's rectangular sleeping bags.

  Choose between these options just as you would when choosing an adult bag.

If the bag will be used for winter camping, warmth is your main concern. Choose a mummy sleeping bag.

If comfort is your main consideration - and if you are car camping and have lots of room - choose a rectangular sleeping bag.

For the best of both worlds, choose a barrel sleeping bag.

Size

Why can't my child just use an adult bag?

You might be tempted to buy an adult bag for your child, realizing that he or she will grow into it eventually.

Remember, though: your child's body has to heat the air in the bag. The more empty air there is, the longer it will take to heat it - and the chillier your child will feel.

All it will take is one miserable night for you to wish you had bought a children's bag!

Choose a bag that fits well now

If possible, go to an outdoor store and have your child crawl into a number of youth sleeping bags. You want a bag with a roomy comfortable fit and with some room in which to grow.

Essential Features

Once you have taken care of the basics - warmth and comfort - you can start to consider other features.

A good zipper

A good sleeping bag zipper is important.

Many children's bags have an anti-snag system - either a special zipper or a piece of stiff webbing behind the zipper.

A stuck zipper is annoying for anyone, but especially for a 6 year old who really really needs to get out to go to the bathroom!

Look for a big, easy to grab zipper pull, too.

A safe design

If the sleeping bag has a drawstring for tightening the bag around the shoulders (or around the face in the case of a mummy bag), be sure that the string is designed in such a way that it is not a strangulation hazard. 

More options

Toddler sleeping bags

Here's a great bag for the littlest campers. It comes in a variety of styles.

Read more about this sleeping bag and purchase HERE.

Here's another option for kids aged 2 - 4. Stuffed with premium down-like synthetic fiber filling, ensuring a puffy, cloud-like sleep that will keep your little one warm and cozy during camping trips.

We think this looks super cozy! You can purchase it here.

"Walk around" sleeping bags

Here's an interesting design: a sleeping bag that you can walk around in! This might be just the thing for those chilly mornings when your child just can't bear to get out of bed.