When it comes to babies, safety should be the first shopping priority. “The most important thing to consider when shopping for your baby’s bedding is to make sure that you’re following safe sleep recommendations and that the bedding is suitable for your baby’s age and stage,” says Jessica Torrisi, a pediatric sleep specialist at Little Ones. When toddlers are old enough to move to a bed, however, the criteria change a little. Torrisi recommends letting children help select their own bedding. “Seeing their favorite colors, designs, or characters on their bedding can help your child to feel positive—or even excited!—about bedtime,” she says. We considered style, quality materials, safe sleeping recommendations, budget, and practicality when looking at the kids comforters, sheets, and bedding sets on the market now to help guide your search. Based on our research, these are the best kids’ bedding options. This customer-favorite set is an excellent value at a budget-friendly price point, with a number of different colors and styles to suit many a kid’s taste (eight options in all), which is why we chose it as our best overall pick. Made of 100% polyester, it’s easy to wash and dry by machine. The super-soft microfiber construction is lightweight and comfortable for all-season use. Sets include a comforter and matching shams. If you’re going for a specific decor match, do beware a caveat: Some reviewers report that actual colors varied from the product description when they got them home. Price at time of publication: $33 The 10 different sheet print options may also have your kid sleeping in a more stylish (but still kid-friendly!) room than your own. Yes, it comes in at a splurge price point compared with some of the others on our list, but it’s a worthy investment for a super-soft complete set. Price at time of publication: $235 Price at time of publication: $100 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $209 for twin Price at time of publication: $142 for twin Price at time of publication: $30 Washing instructions: Machine wash, air dry Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $60 Price at time of publication: $41
What to Look for in Kids’ Bedding
If you’re shopping with your kids for their own bedding, Anna Franklin, interior designer and founder of Stone House Collective, advises first narrowing their options. “Before presenting to the child, choose two or three options that will work with the space regardless of their choice,” she says. “This way, they still feel involved, but the space will still feel thoughtful.” Kids will have their own reasons for choosing what they love, but here are some ways for you to select their short list.
Safety
When shopping for baby bedding, the single most important thing is safety. “There are many baby bedding products on the market that are not safe and do not adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines,” explains Emily Lau, a certified infant and pediatric sleep consultant. “When shopping for baby bedding, skip pillows, crib bumpers, blankets, comforters, positioners, and even stuffed animals.”
Material
Many of the products on our list are made from 100% cotton, which designer Franklin recommends as the material of choice for kids’ bedding. “It’s more breathable than most fabrics and will only get softer over time as you wash it,” she says. “To make their bed feel extra cozy, add comfy layers with a quilt, blanket, or linen duvet in different textures.” Whatever materials you choose for your child’s bedding, ideally look for chemical-free fibers, says Sarah Jameson, marketing director at Green Building Elements. “Known to few parents are the toxins present in mattresses and linens in general, including flame retardants and polyurethane foam that can be harmful to your baby. Be sure to check before making any purchase [to see] if these toxins are present in the product.” Also consider the durability factor when selecting materials. Jameson recommends microfleece for this reason. “Given that bedding for toddlers would require more washing, since they are much more exposed to bacteria and germs from outdoor playing, go for materials that are easy to wash but still soft enough,” she says. “Microfleece, in particular, is hydrophobic, which can be helpful for toddlers who wet the bed.”
Design
If your child is old enough—and opinionated enough—to express passionate interest in a particular character or movie-themed motif, you can find bedding to match whatever they fancy. But keep in mind that kids’ tastes and preferences can change swiftly as they age and mature. So if you choose a more timeless and less trendy print, it’s likelier to have a longer life in your home. “For patterns, stick to those that are basic and simple, or opt for a solid color,” advises Franklin. “Instead, incorporate the fun, kid-like prints and colors with the smaller accessories such as pillows or lamps, as those items can be more easily switched out if and when kids grow out of them.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Alesandra Dubin is a professional product reviewer in the parenting and lifestyle space. She’s also mom to 7-year-old twins, with years of in-home, hands-on, kid-tested experience at choosing cribs, toddler beds, big-kid beds, and everything that goes on them.
