Best Kids Pillow 2024 – Today’s Parent

Getting a good night’s sleep is at the top of every family’s wish list for the day, and choosing the right bedroom items like mattresses for kids and blackout curtains make the 12 or so hours your child is asleep more restful. One of the most important items to consider is probably the pillow, although there can be some confusion on how to best choose one for your kid’s age, sleep style and size.

Here are the best kids pillows for every type of sleeper.

Dr. Ashanti Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, says the best kind of pillow for your kid depends on their age. “Most pediatricians feel comfortable with a pillow introduction after two years of age, while some feel comfortable introducing a pillow anytime after 12 months of age,” he says of letting kids sleep with a pillow.

Anything before 12 months of age could increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Look for pillows that comfortably fit their child’s head and neck, which are not too firm or too soft, are machine washable and allergen-free, says Dr. Woods. “Toddler pillows will need replacing approximately every 18 to 24 months, so they should be affordable,” he says.

Toddlers in particular should stick to pillows made just for their size and their toddler beds. “Adult pillows are often too large, too soft and may contain down feathers as filler, which some children might be sensitive or allergic to.”  If you’ve got a child over the age of five, an adult-size pillow could be an option.

For toddlers in the two to five-year-old range, the My Little Dreamy Pillow is an excellent option. At 13 inches by 18 inches, it’s designed specifically for toddlers and is a perfect type of pillow for transitional sleep. It comes with a pillowcase in dozens of colors and styles and both the case and pillow are machine washable to keep dander, dust and illness at bay.

• Highly rated on Amazon
• Best for kids ages two to five
• Washable
• Size 13 inches by 18 inches
• Comes with a pillowcase
• Both the pillow and case are machine washable

• Older children will need a bigger pillow

It’s hard to beat a two-pack of well-made, well-designed pillows, and this set is perfect for little ones under age five. Made from premium cotton percale, it’s comfortable, durable and easy to care for, just throw it in the washing machine.

Free of added chemicals, flame retardants and other harmful ingredients, these pillows are a great option. The two-pack ensures you’ll always have a backup to travel with and swap on wash days.

• Sold as a two-pack
• Best for ages two to five
• Made from premium cotton percale
• Comfortable and durable
• Machine washable
• Can later be used as a kids’ throw pillow
• Perfect for a toddler mattress

• Pillowcases are sold separately

This memory foam pillow from Nestl is one of the best out there thanks to its wide range of sizes, from toddler to queen to even a body pillow. Each one of the pillows is filled with gel-infused and shredded memory foam for a cooling effect which is especially helpful for hot sleepers.

The gel memory foam style is suitable for many types of sleepers including back, stomach and side, with the pillow firmly cradling the head and neck in the correct sleeping position. The pillows come with a removable, washable cover.

• Choose from toddler/child pillow to king sizes
• Made from cooling gel memory foam for cool, healthy sleep
• Pillows designed for hot sleepers
• Comes with a removable and washable cover

• Some shoppers say that the memory foam is too firm

If your child is over the age of five and ready to upgrade to a full-sized pillow, Saatva’s Latex Pillow is one of the best on the market, akin to sleeping on a luxury hotel’s pillow. It’s available in two different loft fill heights depending on how your child sleeps, and it’s made from shredded natural latex core to keep the neck and head in the correct sleeping position.

The removable and machine-washable fill layer has an organic cotton cover and is filled with down-like fibers. For back and stomach sleepers, you’ll want the four to five-inch loft, and side sleepers get the lift they need in the high loft, which comes in at six to seven inches.

• Full-size pillow, available in queen and king sizing
• Available in two loft heights making it one of the best pillow for kids options at different stages
• Made from shredded natural latex
• Has a removable and machine-washable fill layer
• Has an organic cotton cover

For those who love a down pillow, this one will satisfy you as it’s made from 95% goose feathers and 5% goose down. The pillows follow the Responsible Down Standard and are ethically sourced. Fluffy and soft, it’s available in three sizes for children ages five and up.

The medium firmness and 100% cotton make this a super comfy pillow, while a double fabric lining and tight stitching keep the feathers from popping out.

• Made from ethically sourced goose feathers and goose down
• Fluffy and soft like a stuffed animal
• Machine washable
• 20,000+ Amazon ratings
• Medium firmness
• Good for children’s sleep environments ages five and up

Avocado is known for its organic mattresses and pillows, and that extends to its toddler pillow. At 20 inches by 12 inches, it’s the perfect size for little heads. The pillow is made from premium organic and natural materials like organic certified cotton, latex and kapok fibers, all to help kids sleep cooler than synthetic materials.

• Organic certified cotton, latex and kapok fibers
• Helps kid sleep cooler than synthetically made pillows
• Toddler-sized, 20 inches by 12 inches perfect for any child room

• Children five and older need to size up to full-sized supportive pillows for big kid beds

For side sleepers, a firmer pillow or higher loft is a good bet. This memory foam pillow for kids—which Dr. Woods recommends—is great for children ages two to eight. It’s filled with cross-cut memory foam and microfiber to create a comfy yet firm pillow that can hold the head and neck in place properly.

Washable and easy to clean, it also comes with a childproof zipper and locking latch to keep little ones from accessing the foam. The brand also has larger sizes once your child graduates to a full-size pillow, paying attention to your child’s changing needs.

• Highly rated on Amazon
• Has an adjustable firmness
• Good for children two to eight
• Made from memory foam and microfiber for comfort
• Ergonomic design
• Locking latch on the zipper
• Larger sizes available once a child is old enough

• Could be too small for older toddlers