Our Favorite Kids Pajamas | Reviews by Wirecutter

2022-08-08 09:24:41 By : Ms. Dennise Wang

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We’ve added the cozy and inclusive Old Navy Santa Claus Snug-Fit Pajama Set, solid-colored Primary Signature Kids Organic PJs, and luxe, old-timey Petite Plume Luxury Sleepwear to this list.

No matter your age, changing into pajamas can anchor a bedtime routine, and soft, cozy PJs make easing into evening a pleasure. The best sleepwear for babies and kids will keep them comfortable through the night. And it will also hold up through years of washing, remaining in good shape so it can be handed down to a younger sibling or friend. Below, we list a wide variety of jammies for kids—and a snuggly robe, too—that have been a hit with our own little ones.

Under the Nile Side Snap Kimono ($30 at the time of publication) I think my baby looks adorable in everything, but when she received an Under the Nile Side Snap Kimono as a gift, it really upped the ante on her sleep style. It’s made of supersoft Egyptian cotton and is far more stylish than much of my own sleepwear, with a cute, crossover ballet neck and a wide knit cuff at the ankle (that also helps keep tiny socks on overnight). Snap closures mean you don’t need to pull it over your baby’s head to get it on, or completely take it off for a middle-of-the-night diaper change. The kimono comes in a range of pastels and prints, with some in sizes for preemies and 0 to 3 months, and others ranging up to 6 to 9 months.

Hanna Andersson Organic Cotton Long John Pajamas ($25 to $48 at the time of publication)

Many Wirecutter parents are longtime fans of Hanna Andersson’s iconic pajamas. As the mom of two kids, now 6 and 11, I can attest that these soft, thick 100% cotton jammies stand up to years of wear with colors and elastic intact. They come in lots of different striped varieties and holiday-themed designs, as well as shorty versions that are perfect for warm summer nights. My boys like to mix and match tops and bottoms. And if you want to dork out and dress your whole family in matching PJs, Hannas come in adult sizes too, as well as versions for the family pup. Kids sizes start at 0 to 3 months and go up to 14/16. I wait for sales, which are frequent.

Polarn O. Pyret Bodysuits and Tops (in boys, girls, and unisex), and Bottoms (in boys, girls, and unisex) (about $40 to $50 per piece at the time of publication) If I’m ever worried about my kids getting cold at night (or outside, under their snow pants), I dress them in these merino wool pants and shirts. The fabric is very soft; neither of my girls have ever complained about them being at all scratchy. The pieces are pricey, but a good value. My girls have worn them through multiple winters, thanks to the stretchy fabric, and the PJs have held up well after dozens of washings. Bodysuits are sized for 0 to 12 months, and the tops and bottoms range from newborn to 12 years.

Old Navy Matching Santa Claus Snug-Fit Pajama Set for Kids ($30 at the time of publication)

Note: As of late October 2021, these pajamas were experiencing stock issues, and only the darkest skin tone (pictured above) was available.

Christmas comes just once a year, but my kids are certain that these multicultural Santa pajamas from Old Navy are perfect to wear anytime. This is the second year that Old Navy has sold these inclusive Santa pajamas. Despite the button-down style shown in the top image on Old Navy’s site, they’re actually the same cut and material as the company’s other snug-fit pajamas. Last year’s sets sold out almost instantly, and I was lucky to grab a few. Made from 100% cotton, they’re well constructed and durable—both of my children have enjoyed wearing them well over 100 times since last Christmas. And they still look great, with no fraying or shrinking, despite my drying them in high heat at least twice a week. With three Santa skin-tone options to choose from—and matching adult sizes, too—every believer can sleep soundly knowing that while no one truly knows what the real Santa looks like, it’s always fun to dream that he could look like you.

Mabo Organic Cotton Spotted Pajamas ($60 at the time of publication) Polka dots are inherently fun and festive, and Mabo’s high-quality pajamas sport an especially cute, minimalist design. I like the spots on these so much, I’ve been known to send my kid off to school in the top. These PJs are made in the US from thick, cozy organic cotton and come in bright red, teal, or yellow, or muted grey or pink. The neckline is just wide enough so the shirt slips on and off easily, and the PJs hold up well to washing and wear. They come in sizes from 3 months to 12/13 (but nothing that fits me, sadly).

Lewis Pajama Set ($48 at the time of publication)

I love the whimsical, unusual, nature-inspired prints Lewis puts on its pajamas: radishes, parsnips, and, my personal favorite, stingrays. These two-piece PJs are one of my favorite gifts for new parents. They’re screen-printed and made in India of thick, soft 100 percent organic cotton. They come in sizes newborn up to 6Y, with snaps at the neck for 0-to-6-months and 6-to-12-months sizes. There are also kimono sets for newborns.

Primary Signature Kids Organic PJ Top, Pants, and Short (about $28 for a top-and-pant ensemble, at the time of publication)

Given that my son grows like a weed on Miracle-Gro, I’m always on the hunt for versatile, year-round kids clothes that won’t break the bank. So I was happy to discover pajamas from Primary. Sold as mix-and-match separates (top, pants, shorts) and frequently on sale, they come in an array of whimsical designs (hearts, stripes) and holiday patterns (such as black cats with orange hearts). But I prefer the brand’s signature solids, available in as many as 20 colors, from size 2–3 through 14 (be aware: they do run slim). Beyond sleepwear, these have done triple duty as base layers for recess on cold days, and as crucial components for costumes (including a monkey, a tree, and Darth Vader). They’re not luxuriously thick and plush like pricier pajamas, but my son doesn’t know any better. I simply appreciate that after endless cycles in the wash, years later they still look cute on my younger nephew.

Petite Plume Luxury Sleepwear (from $48 at the time of publication)

When my then-7-year-old son asked for “jammies like Daddy’s” (meaning, the kind of button-down, wider-legged pajama sets that my husband, who approaches bedtime with all the formality of a Downton Abbey character, favors), I had no idea what a tough request that would be to fill. After many an internet dead end, I finally landed on Petite Plume, a self-proclaimed “luxury sleepwear” brand that features a range of grownup styles for kiddos (size 6 months through 14 years) as well as adults. Most of the collection is made from brushed cotton in traditional patterns and prints. Think gingham, seersucker, and seasonal tartan, with lots of piping and optional monogramming, which could either be interpreted as delightfully precocious or just a touch obnoxious. (Our family is aiming for the former.) Yes, these feel like a splurge in every way, but that’s precisely why we love them. On that note: Petite Plume charges an extra $5 for a gift box, and it’s worth every penny—ridiculously sturdy and elegant, flipping it open feels like an event worthy of the lord of the manor.

L.L.Bean Kids’ Fleece Robe ($45 to $51 at the time of publication) In our home, we call these “cozy robes.” We bought them for both of my daughters, who love how soft and warm they feel. I like that they’re so well constructed and that the belt is attached at the back, so we never have to go searching for lost pieces. I also have the adult version of this robe, and it gives me deep satisfaction to be “twinsies” with my girls, snuggled up on the couch. The robes do collect a little pet hair and pill slightly after multiple washes, but they’ve otherwise held up very well. They come in a toddler size all the way up to a size 18 for big kids.

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