Our Favorite Kids Pajamas

I think my baby looked 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 0–3 months and others ranging up to 6–9 months.

Many Wirecutter parents are longtime fans of Hanna Andersson’s iconic pajamas. As the mom of two kids, now 8 and 13, 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 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, they come in adult sizes too, as well as versions for the family pup. Kids sizes start at 0–3 months and go up to 14/16. I wait for sales, which are frequent.

When my kids were younger, I dressed them in these Polarn O. Pyret merino wool pants and shirts for bed on cold nights (or outside, under their snow pants). The fabric is very soft; neither of my girls ever complained about them being at all scratchy. The pieces are pricey, but a good value. My girls wore them through multiple winters, thanks to the stretchy fabric, and the PJs held up well after dozens of washings. The bodysuits have sizes for babies 0 months to 2 years and the tops range from 6 months to 12 years. The bottoms, which also include joggers, range from newborn to 12 years.

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, yellow, muted gray, or pink; you can also choose a sun and moon pattern or an abstract leaf shape. 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 14/15 (but nothing that fits me, sadly).

I love the unusual, nature-inspired prints Lewis puts on its pajamas: radishes, oysters, alligators. These two-piece PJs are one of my favorite gifts for new parents. They’re screen-printed and made in India from thick, soft 100% organic cotton. They come in size newborn up to 10Y, with snaps at the neck for 0–6 months and 6–12 months sizes. They also have kimono sets for newborns.

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. 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.

When my then-7-year-old son asked for “jammies like Daddy’s” (meaning, the kind of button-up, wider-leg 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 options, 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. It’s ridiculously sturdy and elegant, and flipping it open feels like an event worthy of the lord of the manor. While we’ve found the regular cotton sets for kids hold up well, a flannel set a colleague ordered last holiday season shrunk dramatically in the wash.

Both my kids have enjoyed cozying up in these fleece robes from L.L.Bean, the adult version of which is a pick in our guide to the best robes for adults. They’re great for after bathtime or to provide an extra layer on cold, winter evenings (people in warm climates may find them more than a bit too cozy). I’ve discovered that you can buy a size or two up and the same kid will get many years of wear out of this—with the robe evolving from ankle-length to knee-length—before it’s ready to be handed down. The robe comes in five colors, has two roomy pockets, and, my favorite feature, has a belt that’s attached at the back, so you never have to go searching for it. It comes in size 4 all the way up to a size 18 for big kids. L.L.Bean also makes hooded animal-themed robes for toddlers (and big kids), though we haven’t tried it yet.

This article was edited by Amy Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.