We spoke with the experts to better understand the benefits and potential drawbacks and how to pick the best weighted blankets for kids. While these blankets have only recently started to be studied for their benefits and impact, there is a ton of anecdotal evidence from parents, psychologists, and educators confirming that weighted blankets make a big difference in the day-to-day lives of children—especially (but not limited to) those who have ADHD or ASD, or who are highly sensitive. Benefits include: Teaching self-care: According to therapist Lily Thrope, LCSW, the comfort children experience from a weighted blanket can be helpful in developing their own coping strategies. “It is similar to an adult mindfulness practice—when the child chooses to utilize the weighted blanket, they are consciously choosing to care for themselves, which is a valuable lesson to teach them at a young age. Self-care routines [early on] can lead to a stronger sense of confidence and allow them to set better boundaries in adulthood.” Reduced feelings of anxiety: “Many times, children with anxiety, ADHD, and autism have sensory needs that are unmet throughout the day,” explains psychologist Anjali Ferguson, Ph.D. “Some of these kids can experience a sense of calm with deep pressure, which may stimulate the release of serotonin to calm the nervous system. This calmness can allow better focus, more regulation, and improved mood.” Improved sleep: “Given the deep pressure effects, these blankets can calm the nervous system and stimulate relaxation to promote sleep,” says Ferguson. In one small study from 20212, parents of children with ADHD reported a significant improvement in their child’s sleep routine after implementing a weighted blanket. If your child runs hot, you might want to consider a cooling weighted blanket specifically. Thrope says that in addition to picking a safe weight for your little one, the best type of weighted blanket for a child is one that they enjoy. “Try to find a blanket the child will identify with positively, such as their favorite color or in the shape of an animal they love. If the weighted blanket feels like a favorite object, the child is more likely to turn to it when things feel challenging and learn to lean into taking care of themselves when they have big emotions.” Due to the inclusion of small glass beads, the brand recommends this blanket for children who are at least 5 years old. We also suggest limiting use to kids who are at least 90 pounds, due to the 10% rule for weighted blankets. As long as your kid meets both requirements, they’ll get a handful of fun neutral colors to choose from: Petal Pink, Indigo, and Aqua. What’s more, the breathable blanket is also machine washable, making it a standout choice for accident-prone kiddos. It can even go into the dryer—but the company warns to keep an eye on the blanket, as the design can dry in as little as 20 minutes. What customers say: “This small blanket (but not too small) is a ‘starter’ weighted blanket for my 15-year-old, who wanted to test it out to relieve anxiety. She loves this blanket! The bright, cheery color just makes it better. Wonderful blanket. Have only washed it once, but it went through washer/dryer fine!” Choose from two colorways: navy blue or light gray. While both do a great job of hiding spills, the blanket is also machine washable and safe to toss in the dryer on low heat. It also has eight corner ties, so you can easily cover it with a duvet for added personality. What customers say: There aren’t any reviews specifically for this kid-sized blanket, but the adult version has more than 3,900 reviews, the majority of which are glowing. Many reviews speak to the blanket’s cooling properties, with one saying, “Usually I wake up in the night a few times sweaty and needing water; this has not happened with this blanket. It does keep me way cooler overnight!” The only negative comments we found were from people who don’t like the feel of a weighted blanket in general. With a straightforward design, this weighted blanket uses a cotton shell, polyester fill, and tiny glass beads distributed across many 4-inch squares. Where this pick shines, though, is its significantly lower price and multiple fun print options to choose from. Whether your child loves unicorns, dinosaurs, or is an aspiring astronaut, one of the 16 fun patterns available is sure to make it a fast favorite. Or, if you’d rather pop a duvet cover on this blanket, there are loops on each corner for ties. What customers say: Some reviewers warn that it’s a little slippery and can slide off the bed easily. And a few wish the dimensions of the 5-pound blanket (36 by 48 inches) were a little larger. What customers say: On the con side, some people say that, while it is super snuggly, their kid gets too hot in this blanket. A few others complain about some quality issues, particularly with the duvet zipper. What customers say: There are only a couple of reviews for this lap pad on the brand’s website, but most people are happy with their purchase. One person praises the portability of this pad writing, “Would recommend. One of the fleece fabrics has a marble you can move inside that’s fun to fidget with.” Some folks wish there were more size options available, but SensaCalm also makes weighted blankets beyond this fidget pad that are worth looking into. The duvet uses corner ties to hold a weighted bamboo and glass bead inner blanket, so it’s easy to untie the outer shell and toss it into the washing machine. There are four weight options, with three colors to choose from. The fabric is soft and snuggly, and the dotted texture is stimulating for kids with sensory challenges. What customers say: With over 600 reviews on the brand’s website, this blanket generally gets awesome feedback. Parents have been using these blankets for years, with rave reviews about the quality, too. “We find the blanket maintains equal distribution of weight consistently, high quality materials that maintain over time. The first blanket we bought is now 7 years old and is used by another family member. Very happy with overall quality and benefits.” Another person comments on the washability, saying “I appreciate the high quality materials used in this product and how easy it is for me to clean and re-assemble.” However, a few folks complain that the duvet ties are slippery and that the blanket can slide out of alignment easily. You’ll likely find most kid-sized weighted blankets in 5- or 10-pound weights. However, there are some in-between weights available, too, or lower weights for lap pads. Here’s a weighted blanket size guide so you can begin to gauge the appropriate weight for your child: Children 50 to 60 pounds: Blanket 5 to 6 pounds Children 60 to 80 pounds: Blanket 6 to 8 pounds Children 80 to 100 pounds: Blanket 8 to 10 pounds Children 100 to 120 pounds: Blanket 10 to 12 pounds
