A weighted blanket for kids is the sleepy-time saviour that helps little ones settle faster and sleep longer – otherwise known as the holy grail of parenting.
Quilt-like, cosy, and filled with evenly distributed weights, these therapy blankets are known to provide much-needed comfort to anxious and restless children by working as a form of ‘deep pressure therapy’.
And the word is, they feel as delicious as a big warm hug.
What to consider when buying a weighted blanket for kids
While they all aim to soothe children, not all weighted blankets are created equal. Here are some key points to ponder when scouting one out:
Weight: Depending on the brand you go with, weighted blankets come in different sizes and varying degrees of heaviness. Always refer to the store’s guide to ensure you choose a blanket that is safe for your child’s body weight.
Covers: Like doonas, weighted blankets are designed to be used with a cover, and these are often purchased separately.
Washing: Thankfully, many weighted blankets for kids are machine-washable, but it depends on how heavy the blanket is, and the type of filling used. Having extra covers may help to stretch out the washing intervals of the blanket itself.
Fabrics: Minky covers provide the ultimate in cosiness, while bamboo and cotton breathe well and remain cooler. Some blankets come in a combination of both for an all-season solution.
Filling: In Australia, weighted blankets for kids are most commonly filled with either micro glass beads or plastic pellets. Glass beads tend to be the filling of choice for premium brands because they’re noiseless, odourless and eco-friendly.
9 calming weighted blankets for kids
Ready to tackle those sleep woes? Check out nine of our favourite weighted blankets for kids.
1. Calming Blanket
Calming Blanket Kids’ Weighted Blanket ($199)
Filled with silent glass beads, kids won’t be disturbed by any rustling as they settle in for a snooze with this one. It comes in a weight of 2.2kg for children and is available in three glorious shades that you’ll never get tired of.
2. Neptune Blanket
The Neptune Blanket II (from $219)
With a hypoallergenic filling and Minky cover that is oh-so-soft, these premium blankies are the ultimate in cosy cocoons. Entirely machine-washable, they come in contemporary hues and start at 2kg for children’s blankets.
3. Calming Moments
Calming Moments Sensory Minky Blanket (from $209)
If it’s colour they want, look no further. These spectacularly bright handmade blankets from an all-mum team come in a choice of 12 different kid-friendly shades – and with the sensory addition of raised dots on each blanket, they’re just asking to be snuggled.
4. Milky Sheets
Milky Sheets Bamboo Weighted Blanket for Kids ($139)
The 100% bamboo cover on this classic, Aussie-designed weighted blanket has a welcome cooling effect that makes it ideal for warmer climes, hot sleepers and an all-year use. They’re available in 2.2kg and 3.2kg weights for littlies.
5. Changing Seasons
Changing Seasons Weighted Bamboo Blanket ($165.99)
Heavily researched, and thoughtfully designed, these therapeutic blankets for kids come with their own sensory covers in a choice of pink or purple. And for even more convenience, blankets can be fully zippered into their covers so that they stay put.
6. Therapy Blanket
Therapy Blanket Adaptive Series (from $289)
Packing oodles of cuddle-like comfort and advanced features, it’s little wonder this brand’s signature blanket is such a hit with Aussie kids. We’re loving that it comes with a reversible cover in super-soft materials and that it has been designed with smaller grids for even coverage of weight.
7. Gravid
Gravid Junior Weighted Blanket (from $139)
The ultimate in versatility, this premium weighted blanket can be paired with a dual-function VERSA cover that sports a toasty-plush finish on one side and cooling cotton on the other. This is also the only weighted blanket around with a ZipperTech securing system for no sagging or bunching – ever.
8. DreamZ
DreamZ Kids’ Weighted Blanket ($79)
Affordability meets function with this breathable weighted blanket for kids. It is filled with high-density glass beads, making it safe to be washed in the machine, and it comes with a pure-cotton printed cover for maximum cuteness.
9. Harkla
Harkla Kids Weighted Blanket ($129.99)
They’ll be unwinding easier and drifting off sooner wrapped up in this Minky gem. Weighing in at 2.25kg, this popular weighted blanket is ideal for tots and preschoolers and comes with your choice of two-tone sensory cover.
Life Tree
Life Tree Weighted Blankets ($110)
Uniquely, these machine-washable weighted blankets come as one single piece, meaning you don’t have to concern yourself with covers or ties. Designed especially for kids, they weight 2.5kg and come in some of the most adorable prints around.
This post includes affiliates and/or paid inclusions. See our Disclosure Policy.
Know some weighted blankets we should add to our list? Contact us and let us know.
Read these roundups next ….
Continue your search for the best weighted blanket
Looking for a weighted blanket and still not sure if any of these are right for you? Join one of our Facebook Baby Groups and ask thousands of other mums what they recommend. They are grouped together based on your baby’s birth date so everyone is going through the same stages at the same time.
Click here >> Mum’s Grapevine Facebook Groups << to find your group today!