Best Kids Sleeping Bag UK
A cold child in the night is the thing most likely to derail an otherwise brilliant camping trip.
Getting the right sleeping bag for your children is one of the most important investments you will make in your family camping equipment, and it is also one of the areas where it is easiest to get wrong.
Here is everything you need to know about choosing the best kids sleeping bag for UK camping. n this guide we compare the best kids sleeping bags for UK camping to help you find the right one.
Understanding Temperature Ratings
All sleeping bags come with temperature ratings, and understanding them is essential.
Most sleeping bags use the European EN13537 standard and show three temperature figures.
The comfort rating is the temperature at which a standard adult woman will sleep comfortably, this is the most relevant figure for children, who tend to feel the cold more than adults.
The limit rating is the temperature at which a standard adult man will sleep comfortably in a curled position.
The extreme rating is the survival limit, ignore this one for family camping purposes.
For UK camping from spring to autumn, a sleeping bag with a comfort rating of around 5 degrees Celsius is a solid choice for most children.
If you are camping in autumn or at altitude, go lower. Always stick on the warmer side when buying for a child.
Shape and Size
Mummy bags taper at the feet and have a hood. They are more thermally efficient because there is less air space to heat, but some children find them claustrophobic.
Rectangular bags are roomier and some children prefer the freedom, though they are less efficient in cold temperatures.
For most children, a mummy-style bag in an age-appropriate size is the best choice. A bag that is too big for a child will be cold, they cannot heat the excess space.
The Best Sleeping Bags for Kids: What to Look For
A proper hood or collar. A significant amount of body heat is lost through the head. A sleeping bag with a hood or at least a draught collar helps children stay warm overnight.
Comfortable zip with a good baffle. The zip is a common point of heat loss. Look for a zip with a thermal baffle behind it and a zip guard at the chin. Bonus points for a zip that can be opened from inside by a child making a night-time toilet trip.
Quality fill. Budget sleeping bags often use thin synthetic fill that compresses quickly and loses its warmth after a few trips. A decent synthetic fill or a down blend will last longer and perform better. Down is lighter and warmer for the weight, but loses its insulating properties when wet, not ideal for UK camping without a very good tent.
Washability. Children’s sleeping bags need washing regularly. Check that the one you buy is machine washable and follow the care instructions carefully.
Packability. A bag that compresses down to a reasonable size is much easier to manage in the car and on site.
Age and Size: Choosing the Best Sleeping Bag for Kids
Most children’s sleeping bags come in age-grouped sizes:
- 1-3 years
- 3-6 years
- 6-10 years
- 10-plus years
These are guides rather than rules. A tall eight-year-old might be better in an adult small or junior bag.
Some brands aimed at younger children offer sleeping bags with built-in feet that make night-time toilet trips easier without the bag tangling around their legs.
What About Liners?
A sleeping bag liner adds warmth and keeps the inside of the bag cleaner, which means you wash the liner rather than the bag after every trip.
A fleece liner can add several degrees of warmth to an existing bag, which is a cheaper way of extending the range of a bag you already own.
A Note on Budget
The best kids sleeping bag for UK camping does not need to cost a fortune.
A well-made sleeping bag in the £40-80 range from a brand like Vango, Yellowstone, or Mountain Warehouse will see most children through several seasons of UK camping comfortably.
If you camp frequently or venture into autumn and early spring, spending £80-150 buys a bag with a lower comfort rating and better fill quality that will last years.
Cheaper sleeping bags could do the job fine, but it’s a risk you take, and very weather dependant.
For more kit recommendations, visit our family camping equipment section, and for tips on getting a good night’s sleep on site with children, head to our family camping tips or the Camping With Kids homepage.
