Unpacking Comfort: Explore the World of Kids’ Camping Sleeping Bags
Spending time creating fun memories with your kids is one of the best things you can do as a family. While kids can be unpredictable, and stressful situations are a part of everyday life with them, still, camping with them is one of the most enjoyable things you can experience, without a doubt.
But in order to make it more enjoyable, you should be prepared for everything, especially when it comes to sleeping. Acquiring the right tent is one of the most basic things you can do, but in order to keep them warm and comfy throughout the night, you should also invest in specialised children’s sleeping bags.
Sleeping Bags As Essential Gear
While sleeping without a bag might be acceptable when the weather is hot, having one is crucial once temperature drops; this too can happen during summer nights. Bringing along a junior sleeping bag is one of the wisest decisions you can make in order to keep them warm when the weather is cold, or the temperatures drop significantly.
A roomy junior sleeping bag offers plenty of space for your child to move around while keeping him dry and warm all the time. An essential thing to know about this kind of bag is that investing more could provide you with better quality. Some cheap bags don’t offer a good temperature range, so the chances that your kid can literally freeze are huge when camping in the cold. Furthermore, each season requires a different sleeping bag, so understanding the ratings and temperature range is paramount.
That being said:
- Summer season bag types can handle -1 and higher temperatures.
- 3-Season bags can be used for temperatures between -9 and -1.
- Winter sleeping bags are perfect for being used for temperatures of -9 and lower.
These are general rules and guidelines you should follow on average, however, every person is different, so if your little one is always cold, think of investing in a sleeping bag with a higher temperature rating. You should also consider the idea of using a sleeping mat and towels, lighter blankets or clothes inside the bag to keep warmth and heat much longer.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Sleeping Bag for Your Child
Bag’s Shape
Rectangular
As the name implies, these bags are quite spacious and they offer plenty of room. Even if your child is a restless sleeper or wants to stretch a lot, this bag offers him a lot of space to move around.
Semi-Rectangular
This bag is a bit smaller and is also known as the modified mummy or the barrel-shaped sleeping bag. It’s said that this bag offers the needed warmth and maybe more than the previous model but at the expense of space.
Mummy
The mummy bag model offers the greatest warmth level so far. This bag has a snug fit and is perfect for children who want to feel snug and warm when sleeping.
Double Bags
These bags are mainly made for couples. They seem to offer better warmth as a couple sleeps side by side which makes for faster warm up than when sleeping in individual bags. However, this is not the most suitable option for children, especially those aged 3 or younger ones given that the bag is longer and they could smother themselves. However, if you have an older and taller child, you can invest in a double bag and share it.
Bag’s Insulation
When in the search of the right model, you should also take into account the bag’s insulation. Generally speaking, you should choose between a bag that is insulated with down or synthetic fill.
Down Insulation
Sleeping bags with such insulation are lightweight and are proven to provide you with the utmost insulation, especially in cold and dry weather. In order to make sure they’re safe from damp and wet conditions, the bags should be coated with a water-resistant treatment. Down-filled bags are extremely durable while offering the utmost comfort and warmth no matter how long and how often you use them. Another great benefit is that these bags can be compressed for easy packing.
Synthetic Insulation
These bags are a more affordable option than the previous model and they tend to offer great warmth as well. They can continue to provide you with good insulation even when damp which is one of the reasons why some people prefer them.
Sleeping Bag Shells
Generally speaking, the outer fabric of these bags is made from nylon or polyester as these seem like the perfect materials for the purpose. They have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish which is designed to offer protection of the bag’s filling.
Bag’s Hood
To increase the bag’s warmth, you should invest in a bag with a hood. It would be great to look for such a feature in bags with a lower temperature rating.