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10 best kids’ bedding sets that make bedtimes a lot more fun

Help coax little ones into a peaceful night's sleep with these sheets that are kind to the skin

Rosie Shephard
Friday 28 August 2020 09:30
We tested for durability, washability, quality and softness
We tested for durability, washability, quality and softness

Parents will do just about anything to ensure that their kids sleep well. If bedtimes are a battle, creating an enticing nest for little ones to snuggle down in may help coax them into bed.

Fun bedding is a quick way to add personality to a child’s bedroom. If one day Peppa Pig is out and Batman is in – simply swap the duvet cover – no need for a full refurb.

We all know how lovely it is to slip in between high quality sheets and it is no different for kiddies. If you can, look for GOTS or Oeko-Tex certifications – then you can be confident that the product has gone through testing and is as safe as it can be for little humans.

Bedding expert Frugi gave us some advice on creating the perfect sleeping environment for little ones:

“Adults spend an average of six to eight hours in bed each day and for children that figure jumps to about 10 hours of sleep a night. So, investing in organic bedding is worth it to protect delicate skin.

"Buying GOTS Certified organic cotton sheets might seem extravagant and not worth the fuss or cost, but keep in mind that the high colorants used in the bright patterns of less expensive children’s sheets often contain toxic dyes. These strong dyes can cause allergic skin reactions.

"Organic cotton is much softer and snuggly than conventional cotton and it’s good to know that less water and no pesticides are used in the production. The GOTS certification on a product means that dedicated workers were behind the entire growth and processing journey of the core materials that are used in manufacturing.”

The design of bedding you choose depends entirely on who cares most about it – you or your little one. If you have spent years Pinteresting the ideal children’s bedroom then you should go for a set that makes you sigh contentedly every time you make their bed.

If your child is obsessed with space or superheroes and you would happily tuck them into a large jiffy bag by the end of the day if it meant they slept soundly, then you should let them choose a bedding set that makes them do a little happy dance all the way up the stairs. Both of these options mean you are still an excellent parent.

We tested these bedding sets over a period of several wash cycles. We judged on softness, durability, washability, quality of the material, beauty of the design and the reactions of our sleepy little testers.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Frugi sleepy single duvet set, unicorn stars

With roller-skating unicorns on one side and stars on the other, this is a lovely bed set for any little adventurer. It is made from 100 per cent GOTS certified, chemical free organic cotton percale and comes in cot bed and single duvet size. With a 210 thread count, the set comes in a cute cotton drawstring bag, perfect for keeping PJs in. You can also get a matching single sheet.

We love Frugi’s sustainable values and cheerful yet tasteful designs, and this bedding set didn’t let us down. The material is soft and washes perfectly without fade. The designs on both sides are super fun but not too in your face or brash – an ideal balance for both those who buy the bedding and those who sleep in it. It is eczema friendly and great value, too. This set is currently out of stock, but it will be back soon, and you can add it to your wishlist on Frugi's site to keep an eye on it.

The White Company Noah's art quilt

If you don’t know what to buy for a baby, visit The White Company. If you really like the parents, buy this quilt. It’s perfect for any little boy or little girl’s nursery, with cute elephants and giraffes on super soft 100 per cent cotton cambric patchwork. It is cot bed sized, at 95 x L120cm.

This quilt was the softest of them all, and the embroidery is exquisite. It washes well, doesn’t fray and stays white. It transformed our little tester’s room into a show bedroom (well the bed part anyway) and could be used to throw over other bedding, or even used out and about. It is beautiful and the price reflects this. Matching bed linen and pillow cases are available to make this a beautiful set.

The Little Green Sheep organic duvet cover and pillow case set – cot bed

This duvet cover is cot sized at 150 x 120cm, with a small pillowcase at 40 x 60cm. It is made from 100 per cent certified organic cotton and is light and breathable. It is a simple, plain white, which means it is free from any chemical patterns or dyes. Going against the grain of bright or character bedding will add classic charm to any child’s room. It is beautifully soft and looks clean and fresh. It comes into its own at laundry time – not only does it wash well, it made us feel like a super mum in a washing powder advert with whiter than white whites.

Disney Marvel comics duvet cover and pillowcase set

Our little superheroes loved this bold print and it definitely makes a statement in any bedroom – we quickly disregarded any concerns of it not matching our existing decor when we saw their toothy little grin. It is made from a polycotton blend and comes in cot bed and single bed sizes, with a matching pillowcase. It is reversible to add variety. Dunelm also has matching sheets, curtains and other Disney Marvel items to kit out a whole bedroom, should you wish. It’s quite soft and we were pleased at how well the bright colours washed. A definite show-stopper.

Ella James pink ice cream girl's duvet and pillowcase set

This gorgeous bed set is perfect for any princess’s bedroom. It comes in cot, cot bed and single duvet size. The summery pattern with ice creams, bunnies and picnic blankets is printed onto 100 per cent cotton. We love that it comes in a matching cotton drawstring bag which is perfect for storing pyjamas or other treasures. It transformed our little tester’s bed into a puffed-up meringue of sweetness, which was a huge success. It feels super soft and washes perfectly.

Snuz three-piece crib bedding set, rose spots

This gorgeous set is designed to fit all Snuzpod or bedside cribs. It comes with two fitted sheets and a reversible cellular blanket, all made from 100 per cent jersey cotton. The sheet fits mattresses as big as 90x 50cm and the blanket is 75 x 75cm. They can all be used from birth. We love the sweet, yet modern design. There is also a grey set available too. This was one of the softest sets we tried – we wish they did adult sizes so we could snuggle in too. The best thing is the multipack – it makes life simple which is always a win for us.

Red Candy shark duvet cover set

Although this duvet sparks our protective maternal instincts and gives us a mild heart attack every time we check in on our sleeping child, we have to admit it is pretty funny. There are also astronauts, mermaids, dinosaurs and other similarly entertaining designs to choose from. This duvet cover is UK single size at 135 x 200 cm, 100 per cent cotton and has a 160 thread count. It also comes with a 50 x 75cm pillowcase. We love that it doesn’t come with loads of plastic packaging. It’s as soft as we'd hoped, washes well and goes in the tumble dryer for quick bedding changes. Our little testers thought this set was great fun and it became a game in itself.

The gruffalo junior duvet set

Just when you thought kids could not get any more gruffalos into their lives – they get to take the characters to bed. It’s familiar and comforting to the little ones, and fun for the older kids. Our little Gruffalo fans adored this set. It's single duvet sized, made from 100 per cent cotton and we love the bright and fun design. The reversible pattern gives variety and versatility, too. It is soft and washes well – maybe there is such thing as an ideal duvet set after all.

Terrys supersonic bedding set

This is the ultimate bedding set for any budding space cadet. Not only is the reversible pattern super fun, the stars actually glow in the dark – for up to 15 washes. The polycotton duvet and pillowcase comes in junior, single and double sizes. There are also matching sheets and ready-made lined curtains to match.

It worked wonders at bedtime – our little tester couldn’t wait to blast off to the land of nod. We loved it because the glow in the dark stars made bedtime an adventure but were not bright enough to keep them awake. The glow lasts about six months, but it is good value enough to justify a replacement if the novelty hasn’t worn off first.

Alex and Alexa kindness cat crib bedding set

We love this design. It’s fun and feline, but the calm colour keeps it stylish too. The 100 per cent cotton material is Oeko-Tex certified, and made from pre-washed cotton for sensitive skin. The pillowcase is 35 x 35cm and the duvet cover is 100 x 130cm which fits most standard cribs and toddler beds. This set is super soft and great quality – which is reflected in the price. The muted tones gives it a designer vibe, but the cat design keeps it fun, making it pleasing to both parents and children.

The verdict: Kids’ bedding

The Frugi bedding set wins our best buy because it is both fun and functional. We also love 100 per cent cotton – the more sustainable the better. We also love The White Company quilt for a stunning gift.

For more reviews, read our round-up of the best kids' beds and best children's mattresses

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