Kids sleeping bags for sleepovers and first campouts

Our recommendations

Our pick

REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Sleeping Bag - Kids'

REI rates the Kindercone to 25°F, the warmest of these four. Its bottom cinches shorter for a smaller child, and the synthetic fill is machine washable after camping.

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Worth knowing.

• On r/CampingGear, owners warn that it doesn’t compress well. Car camping and sleepovers, yes. A kid carrying it on a backpacking trip, no
• At 25°F, it’s the warmest bag here, which puts cool-weather camping on the table
• The synthetic polyester fill is machine washable, and the stuff sack has a drawcord so a kid can pack it

Community discussions: r/CampingGear · r/backpacking

Outdoor pick

Kelty Kids' Mistral 30 Sleeping Bag

Kelty Mistral 30 gives a school-age sleeper 66 x 26 inches of space and CloudLoft fill rated to 30°F. A stuff sack comes with it.

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Worth knowing.

• Owners call it bulky for a kids’ bag. One parent returned two after they barely fit in a child’s 30-liter pack and filled it completely
• The 30°F rating and CloudLoft fill handle colder nights than the budget Coleman
• After a trip, it’s one load of laundry, and a stuff sack comes with it

Community discussions: r/CampingGear

Budget pick

Coleman Kids 50°F Cool-Weather Sleeping Bag

Coleman’s washable 50°F bag weighs 2.65 lb and suits sleepovers or summer trips. A colder campsite calls for the 25°F Kindercone or 30°F Kelty.

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Worth knowing.

• It fits up to 5 feet 5 inches, the tallest range here, so it lasts into the tween years
• A 2.65 lb bag with ThermoTech fill that goes in the washer is the easy grab for a sleepover
• In the included stuff sack, a kid can carry it into a friend’s house

Preschool nap pick

Wildkin Wild Animals Original Nap Mat

Wildkin’s nap mat folds a blanket and pillow into one washable roll for daycare. At 50 x 20 inches and ages 3 to 7, it serves rest time rather than overnight camping.

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Worth knowing.

• On r/Preschoolers, owners describe the Velcro roll-up straps curling and wearing out within months of daycare use
• Blanket and pillow are built in. One roll to carry, nothing separate to lose
• Cotton outside, polyester fill, and the whole thing goes in the washer, which daycare messes demand

Community discussions: r/Preschoolers

How I narrowed it down

• Checked each bag’s identity, intended use, age guidance and care instructions against its listing.
• Read owner threads for the problems that show up after purchase. For these bags that meant bulk, how small they pack, and straps that wear out.
• Lined up the published ratings, from REI at 25°F and Kelty at 30°F to Coleman at 50°F and no rating at all for the Wildkin mat.

I'm Matt, a dad of two boys. If we've used something at home, the card says personally tested. The rest I read up on. I keep a weekly list of kids' product recalls. How I pick.