From warm to cool and save to splurge - we have your external sleeping needs covered.

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If there’s one non-essential, essential item that your kids should have at home, it’s a decent sleeping bag.

Why, you ask? It’s simple really – for those impromptu sleepovers with family and friends, camping trips where everyone wants to be snuggly and warm in the outdoors, and for when you have unexpected little visitors staying over your place.

Because we know how hard it is to find the right one, we narrowed it down to our favourite sleeping bags for camping trips and sleepovers.

Happy little campers. Image: Catch

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This kid’s sleeping bag is great for family camping when travelling to places with moderate temperatures. The roomy rectangular shape will mean your little one stays comfortable on the run.

This sleeping bag comes in a variety of colours and designs, so it will suit any fussy little camper. It has a 2-season rating, which makes it ideal for spring to autumn, and is lightweight and compact.

Buy it from Mountain Warehouse in pink, blue and a variety of other colours.

Otherwise known as ‘the school camper’. This bag is ideal for a first-timer while on school camping trips or even a weekend away camping with the family. Ideal for moderate climates.

The Big Agnes is great if you want your child to grow with the sleeping bag, not needing to buy another each time they grow out of it. The loop and closure system means a smaller child can sleep comfortably in it without any cold spots from areas in the bag that aren’t filled, and you can then expand it as they grow taller.

This lightweight sleeping bag come with a compact drawstring carry case and is perfect for indoor getaways with a comfort temperature of 15 to 5 degrees. It’s easy to pack and compact, making it an easy one to throw in the back of the car for impromptu sleepovers.

Buy it from Mountain Warehouse in pink and blue

This travel cot is one you can store for camping adventures and unexpected guests at home. The BowFrame™ design creates a pressure-activated structure that keeps you off the ground, and the stretch-free PVC-coated mesh body is breathable to prevent overheating. It’s easy to set up and break down.

This lightweight sleeping bag is great to have at home for sleepovers or even slumber parties at home for the kids. It’s easy to carry and opens up as a flat bed and dooner.

Bluey fans will go nuts over this inflatable bed! The portable, all-in-one airbed and sleeping bag can go from bag to bed in a matter of minutes. The cover is also machine washable, so it’s ready to go for the next guest.

If you have room under your little one’s bed, it’s definitely worth investing in a good trundle. This Poppy trundle comes in two different colours and easily slides out from under the bed thanks to the wheels attached.

Buy it from Freedom in white and natural

This flip out sofa bed is perfect for relaxing by the TV, a quick day nap or even an overnight visitor. It comes in a fun range of colours and patterns to choose from.

Buy it from Adairs in a variety of designs and colours

This is a great little backup for visitors or sleepovers. The sleeping mat comes with a matching pillowcase and is available in different designs/prints.

This article was first published in July 2020 and updated in April 2022.