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REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Sleeping Bag
The REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Sleeping Bag checked all the boxes and then some. It was rated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, probably a bit toastier than needed on a 50-degree mountain night, but its mummy shape and hood meant that he could sleep with it zipped open without just falling out of it immediately. It was also comfy enough that it didn't matter where in the tent he ended up by the morning — and the synthetic fill would help alleviate the dampness that's always an issue when you're camping. Or dealing with toddlers.
Best of all, the Kindercone came with a built-in cinch sack that doubled as a length adjuster, meaning that he'd be able to use it well into his big-kid years. And it was almost half the price of comparable sleeping bags from other brands.
Sleeping bags always take up a lot of space, and this was not a small bag just because it was for kids — rolled up and packed away, it was not that much smaller than my ancient, four-season adult sleeping bag. I've lived out of my 85-liter backpack for months at a time, and the Kindercone took up more room in there than all my clothes combined for my longest trips. (Granted, I pack light.) Since it was just him and me on this trip, that meant I had to jettison some of my own comfort items to make way for his good night's sleep.
But in the end, it was all worth it. Did I end up waking up with a tiny foot on my face? Yes, the Kindercone didn't cure his sleep dancing. But he slept soundly enough that he didn't stir at all when a couple of curious black bears started making a racket tramping around the bushes right next to our tent. And the next day, as soon as I rolled his new sleeping bag up for the trip home, he asked when we could go camping again.
Other kids' sleeping bags to consider
Most kids' "camping" experiences these days probably take place in pillow forts, so if you want an indoors-only sleeping bag, or if you want your kid to sleep in style — and under the aegis of a fancier brand name — then these kids' sleeping bags may be worth looking at instead.
Kids' L.L.Bean Adventure Sleeping Bag 30
The Kids' L.L.Bean Adventure Sleeping Bag 30 comes in a brilliant azure, is rated to basically the same temperatures as the Kindercone 25, has a roomy mummy shape and fits kids up to 5 feet. Plus, it's L.L.Bean, so naturally it's monogrammable!
Wildkin Trains, Planes & Trucks Original Sleeping Bag
Strictly for indoors sleepovers and not actual outdoors camping, this Wildkin sleeping bag earned 4.6 stars from nearly 750 reviews on Amazon. It is easy to clean and rolls up for simple storage. Plus, it comes in the kinds of vibrantly colored designs that may actually convince a young'un to settle down for some quiet time.
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