The Best Weighted Blankets To Help Your LO Get A Better Night’s Sleep

A mom friend of mine who struggles with insomnia and also has an autistic son recommended this brand. Clearly, many people share her opinion — this particular blanket has almost 3,000 5-star ratings! The four-season blanket, which is made from breathable natural bamboo, uses a diamond-stitched design to ensure that the glass beads stay evenly distributed. The lightest option is seven pounds and 41″ x 60″. As a neutral, the gray will coordinate with many bedding colors and decor, but if your child  prefers something a bit more colorful, there are tons of options too. This blanket is machine washable, and machine washable covers are available separately. Bonus: The company offers a full refund if you’re not happy with your blanket.

Sure, this chunky-knit blanket is a bit of a splurge when it comes to weighted blankets, but in addition to being cozy and soft, it’s hand-knit from 100% organic cotton in a Fair Trade Certified™ facility. (The label signifies a commitment to safe working conditions, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and community development funds.) With a single size/weight available, the blanket weighs eight pounds and measures 40” x 60”. Available colors are light pink, navy, light gray, and confetti (a mix of all three), one of which will likely meet your child’s demands — I mean, preferences. This blanket is machine washable and dryer-safe but has some extra instructions: Use a laundry bag for washing and drying and do not hang the blanket, because it may stretch. 

A mom friend of mine who has a kid with sleep problems recommended the weighted blankets from this brand. The blanket pictured is a bit different from a typical weighted blanket, as it’s lap-sized. It weighs two pounds, measures at 12” x 18”, has glass bead filling, and is machine washable and dryer-safe. Reviewers note that the smaller size makes this blanket ideal for travel, homework time, and even school. If your kid likes bright colors, this blanket delivers, with vibrant pink, green, and blue options — but you can also choose the subtle black/gray and white/gray. (Each blanket has a different color on each side.) SensaCalm’s blankets are hand-sewn in the U.S.A. and have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The smallest size of this weighted blanket is 20” x 30” and three pounds, which is somewhat rare for the blankets on Amazon. (It’s small enough to be used as a lap blanket.) Lots of colorways are available, and the blankets have a different color on each side. The combos include black/purple, purple/lavender, orange/gray, and black/gray. Note that this blanket is hand-wash only — and air dry. (For me, “hand wash” typically means “throw it in the washer on the hand-wash cycle and it’ll be fine” — but YMMV.) One mom wrote in her review, “I have a 10-year-old that still gets up in the middle of the night. … She has slept all night in her bed alone for the past 2 weeks!!! … Usually she would wake her sibling, me and her father at least 3 times a week in the middle of the night.”  

Maybe the name of this company is supposed to act as a subliminal message — if you buy this blanket, your kid will say, “It’s time for bed? Sure!” (A mom can dream, right?) The sizes start at three pounds and 36” x 48”, and the blanket is available in the very popular weighted-blanket choices of navy and gray. Granted, those colors are pretty versatile for coordinating with decor, if that’s something that matters to you in your kid’s room. While the blanket itself isn’t machine washable, the included plush cover is, and it’s also dryer-safe. One grandmother wrote in her review, “I am raising my grandson who is on the autism spectrum [and] he has never slept much. This blanket has made all the difference. The first night with this blanket he slept ALL NIGHT!!!” 

This unicorn print is so cute and fun! If your kid isn’t a fan though, there are many other choices available including a nautical theme, sports theme, adorable pink llamas, dinosaurs, and some solids and patterns. Sizes start at 36” x 48” (five pounds), and the blanket is filled with glass beads contained in seven-inch squares. The cotton fabric is Oeko-Tex Certified, which means the material doesn’t contain any harmful substances, and you can machine wash the blanket and hang dry. A mom of an autistic child wrote in her review, “I cannot recommend this product enough, especially for a parent of a child with sensory issues, it has helped tremendously!”

Unlike the other weighted blankets on our list, this one contains ceramic beads rather than glass. (The company notes that they are finer and denser than glass and more durable than plastic.) This blanket also has more options for lower weights, starting at five pounds (36” x 48”) and continuing with six pounds, seven pounds, and so on. Available colors are navy and gray, and you can buy one without a duvet cover, with one cover (made from breathable Coolmax), or with two covers. (When it comes to kids’ bedding, it’s always nice to have a spare! Also, it looks like one of the covers has a fuzzy texture while the other is lightweight.) Among the 10,000+ reviews, one mom wrote this promising review: “My son has had trouble falling to sleep his entire [life]. … Not only does he now get to sleep sooner but he sleeps better through the night as well.” 

Lots of kids will love the fun space theme on this weighted blanket, which would go perfectly with those plastic glow-in-the-dark stars. (I don’t think those things ever come off — the ones in my son’s room have been up there forever!) The smallest size is three pounds and 36” x 48”; the heaviest is 10 pounds. If your LO isn’t a big space fan, no worries — there are three other options including dinosaurs and unicorns. This soft, seven-layer blanket is filled with glass beads and contains pockets that evenly distribute them. 

Looking for more patterns and prints that are kid-friendly? Sivio has got a ton of options to choose from (17 to be exact), along with four different sizes ranges from three to 10 pounds. “These blanket are the best ones I have bought for both my son’s,” said one reviewer. “They are cool feeling but yet comforting. The designs are adorable too. My 2 yr old was having trouble sleeping through out the night…He is sleeping so much better [now].”