The back-to-school season is such an exciting (and slightly daunting) time for parents and children. After all, a new school year brings new learning opportunities, new friends, and a new (or revamped) nighttime routine for your kids.
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for everyone, but it’s even more important for your child’s mental and physical development. Receiving the recommended amount of sleep enables your child to focus and be active at school and in their everyday lives.
So, to help ensure the kid (or kids) in your life gets adequate shuteye this school year, we’ve put together a list of sleep-enhancing back-to-school gifts for students of all ages.
Back-to-school gifts for children and tweens
Cloud b Calming Nightlight Star Projector
Back in college, I used to babysit a 5-year-old who’d ask me to turn on her ladybug star projector every night—so I can vouch that this calming nightlight and star projector is a must-have! It’s a great gift for kids who prefer some light when sleeping or feel uneasy about the upcoming school year.
Offering gentle room illumination and aiding peaceful sleep, it features four ladybug hues, eight constellations, a rotating color mode, and a 45-minute auto-shutdown. This nightlight ensures bedtime is soothing and comforting while kicking those back-to-school scaries to the curb.
Saatva Youth Mattress
Just as adults invest in their own sleep, parents should prioritize their children’s rest, especially as each school year brings new challenges and developmental stages. Our
Our dual-sided nontoxic crib mattress for little ones
is designed to grow with your child, featuring dual sides to accommodate ages 3 to 12. The firmer foam on the 3+ side provides optimal spinal support for younger children, while the Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire on the 8+ side offers excellent lower back support for older kids.
Additionally, the mattress is wrapped in an organic, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial cover, with foam layers certified free of harmful chemicals. It also includes a water-resistant finish and an internal waterproof barrier for easy cleaning and protection against stains and spills.
Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector
If you’re looking for extra mattress protection for potential wet bed accidents as your child adjusts to the changes of the new school year, our
Breathable, undetectable protection from spills, dirt, stains, and humidity
is an excellent choice!
This mattress protector helps shield their bed from spills, stains, dirt, and humidity, while its deep pockets and silicone band ensure a secure fit for kids who wiggle throughout the night.
Pillowfort™ Dinosaur Weighted Plush Kids’ Throw Pillow
While some kids just need a little light to alleviate them of any back-to-school jitters before bed, others could appreciate a furry friend to sleep with every night. This weighted stuffed dinosaur offers just that and more.
Not only will this weighted stuffed animal offer companionship and comfort to your child at bedtime and throughout the night, but its weighted quality applies pressure to their little body, giving them a calming feel similar to that of a hug.
Saatva Sweater Knit Blanket
Kids love to be coddled by their parents before bed to feel safe—so elevate that quality time than with our
A supremely soft blanket that’s as cozy as your favorite sweater
. This lightweight, cotton blanket is the perfect pick for your little one as it gets softer after every wash and is airy and breathable yet warm.
It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and free of potentially harmful chemicals. Whether for warmer weather or colder nights, this blanket will quickly become your child’s year-round favorite. It’s perfect for the new school year and beyond!
Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol Pajamas
Going to bed can seem boring to a child, who would much rather stay up and play with their toys or watch TV. I’ve had children I’ve babysat run and hide when it was time for bed—that is until I brought out my secret weapon: fun pajamas!
From Peppa Pig to Paw Patrol, make bedtime fun and exciting with your child’s favorite cartoon character, food, or animal-printed PJs. Trust me when I say the right sleepwear makes a world of a difference to your kids, who would sleep in their favorite princess dresses or superhero costumes if they could.
Dr. Teal’s 3-in-1 Sleep Bath
PSA for parents: Kids need spa days too, especially during the back-to-school season. So, give your little one all the relaxation they need every night with this sleep bath. Bath time is already a great step in your kid’s (and anyone’s) sleep routine as it allows them to unwind and for their body temperature to drop, which prepares them for sleepy time.
Now with this sleep bath, you can make it even easier for your child to go to bed since it contains melatonin and essential oils that promote better sleep. It’s also hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and paraben-, dye-, and phthalate-free.
Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm Self-Help Kids’ Coloring Book
The back-to-school scaries are a real thing for children of all ages, whether they’re starting school, changing schools, or parting from old friends and teachers. However, expressing these feelings can be tough for a kid, and that’s where the Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm book can help.
Similar to journaling, this self-help coloring book (for ages 4 to 11) allows children to channel their emotions onto paper so it doesn’t disrupt their daily lives and sleep. It imparts techniques for anger management, stress reduction, and increased happiness to overall enhance emotional intelligence. The book also offers sections for parents to read to their children, making it an ideal pre-bedtime activity for relaxation and bonding.
Goodnight Moon and other bedtime books
It’s no secret that reading before bed calms the mind and stimulates imagination, aiding sleep on stressful nights. Yet, for children, bedtime reading offers even more. Reading books to children supports mental imagery, narrative comprehension, and worldly awareness. It also boosts their language, listening, and memory skills. Not to mention, it’s bonding time!
Based on the many books I’ve read to children at bedtime (over and over again, I’ll point out), here’s a list of my favorite bedtime stories:
(Pro tip: For older children who can follow along with wordier books, choose a longer book and read them a chapter or a few pages every night!)
Hatch Rest Go
To create the most peaceful sleep conditions for your child, it’s important to consider noise. A noisy house can make it difficult for them to fall asleep quickly (which is the last thing you want during the school season). But luckily, this sound machine from Hatch can be a quick fix.
With 10 sounds to choose from—including white noise—and five color options, the Hatch Rest Go can give your child the most serene slumber by masking unwanted sounds. It’s also small and portable, making it easier to travel with for road trips, flights, and even slumber parties!
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Pillows are great gift ideas for children of all ages as they allow for proper spinal alignment and neck support, which is important for their development.
Give your child the best sleep foundation and that “sleeping on a cloud” feel with our
Hypoallergenic with a plush and airy feel that’s perfect for cuddling
. This plush pillow is breathable, hypoallergenic, and durable, helping your child snooze in no time.
Back-to-school gifts for teens and young adults
Saatva Classic
Help your college freshmen say goodbye to flat, old mattresses that strangers have slept on with our bestselling
America’s best-selling online luxury innerspring
. The surface you lie on is everything, and oftentimes, college freshmen are required to sleep in dorm rooms that aren’t usually equipped with quality mattresses that can properly support their bodies.
So, if your college kid is moving from the dorms into a new apartment soon, then this innerspring mattress is the perfect gift as it provides adequate back support and pressure-point relief and works well with all body types.
ANRRI Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Let’s face it: Many teens (and parents!) use their phones for social media, homework, television, and more before bed. While a little screen time seems harmless, the blue light from these devices can interfere with melatonin production, aka the sleep hormone.
While we aren’t encouraging late-night phone use, we think these blue light-blocking glasses are the perfect gift for a student (especially in high school or college) who only has time to do their work at night or treats themselves to a good show before bed. With four styles to choose from, these glasses will block blue light and reduce eyestrain, making it easier for your teen to snooze.
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper
College students often deal with uncomfortable dorm and student apartment mattresses, which can cause sleep disturbances. The problem is, a new mattress isn’t the easiest solution for many as dorms are typically temporary living arrangements, and apartments lack storage to put away an old mattress—but maybe a mattress topper is!
Our
Body-hugging comfort with advanced cooling technology
is the perfect (and simplest) solution for making your kid’s sleep quality a whole lot better. It features a 3-inch layer of memory foam infused with cooling graphite, providing pressure-point relief, as well as a cover made with naturally breathable and moisture-wicking organic cotton.
Nike Fleece Hoodie
No one loves throwing on a cozy hoodie for bed (or any time of day) more than teens. When I was at that age, my Nike Fleece hoodie was my go-to, and for good reason.
Ranging from sizes XS to 4XL Tall, this closet staple acts as a security blanket to not only keep you warm and toasty throughout the night but provide emotional comfort as well. It’s a wonderful present for teens going away for college as a subtle reminder that the person who gave it to them is always right by their side.
Saatva Essential Sheet Set
Sheets can make all the difference when it comes to how well your kid will snooze, especially if they’re hot sleepers. That’s why our
Soft & breathable cotton-viscose blend sheets are an upgraded staple
(which includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases) would make for a great back-to-school gift.
Made of percale cotton and viscose, this set is extremely soft, lightweight, and breathable. It’s also OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified to be free of harmful chemicals!
ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser
All-natural essential oils provide a plethora of benefits to our bodies. Lavender soothes and induces sleep; peppermint enhances memory and digestion; eucalyptus combats colds, flu, and pain. Amid school stress, this essential oil diffuser can help your child manage their overall well-being.
With seven LED colors, various mist modes, a remote, and a safety feature that prevents it from overheating when it runs out of water, this diffuser can set the mood for their sleep space, which in return helps them set themselves up for academic success.
Saatva Silk Eye Mask
For teens who share a bedroom with their siblings or who are off to college with roommates, it can be difficult for them to agree on when lights should be out (or if any lights should be left on). If your child is experiencing some sleep disturbance due to light in their bedroom, our
Blocks out light for restful sleep while protecting the delicate skin around the eyes
This eye mask blocks out light while also protecting the skin around their eyes. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and temperature-regulating to prevent any irritation or trapped heat as they sleep throughout the night.
Saatva Como Swivel Chair
Back-to-school season is an incredibly exciting time for all students—but even more so for college kids with a new school, new environment, and a new sleep space! Decorating dorm rooms or college apartments can be fun, but it should also be functional.
Our
A modern & eye-catching bedroom chair with clean lines
is a great addition to their sleep space to give it that “homey” feel. With its geometric shape and plush seat, this chair is the ideal addition to your teen’s book nook, perfect for those stressful nights when all they want to do is snuggle up, read, and relax. It comes in Taupe Vintage Velvet, Graphite Vintage Velvet, and Natural Linen!
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Reading before bed is one of our most highly recommended tips for relaxing the mind and winding down before bed, especially for young adults. However, physical books can be costly and take up valuable space, especially in a student’s dorm or housing. This e-reader makes an excellent gift for any book lover. It features a 6.8-inch glare-free display, slim borders, and up to 10 weeks of battery life.
With its adjustable warm light, it minimizes blue light exposure, which helps maintain a healthy sleep cycle. Plus, it’s waterproof and offers 16 GB of storage, with compatibility for audiobook subscriptions. (You can also add a Kindle Unlimited subscription to your gift, which provides access to over two million titles and audiobooks, offering endless reading opportunities!)
White Curtain Light and DAYBETTER LED Strip Lights
Fun lights are undeniably great for any age, but I found them to be most comforting as a teen in college who was homesick, feeling under the weather, or stressed. Not to mention, they made my room look luxurious! If you have a kid who appreciates some light in their sleep space or who would love to add to the aesthetic of their room, these LED curtain lights and strip lights are amazing!
The curtain lights come in four different colors, have eight light settings and a remote, and can last up to 50,000 hours. The strip lights, on the other hand, are color-changing lights that you stick to your wall or furniture and control with a remote. They also have a music sync and timer feature. Both options are safe, don’t overheat, and will add that “cozy” vibe to your kid’s bedroom.
Saatva Plush Towel Collection
Just like a college apartment isn’t complete without towels, neither is a spa-like bath for a good night’s snooze. Our luxury
Our reinvented take on the classic luxury hotel bath towel
is made of cotton in a thick and absorbent terry weave, features two hang tags for even weight distribution, and comes in a natural cotton drawing bag for storage.
Perfect for stressful days filled with classes, exams, and study sessions, these towels will help your teen relax and replicate that hotel experience in their own space.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Youth Mattress
This dual-sided innerspring mattress provides optimal support and comfort to children of all ages. Simply flip it over from the 3+ side to the 8+ side when your child is ready.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Waterproof Mattress Protector
Made from cotton knit that wicks away moisture with a waterproof barrier that allows airflow while effectively blocking liquids.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Sweater Knit Blanket
Wrap yourself in indulgent comfort with the weighty yet breathable softness of our sweater knit blanket. 100% long-staple cotton gets softer with every wash.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Down Alternative Pillow
Made from two types of hypoallergenic down alternative fibers, wrapped in 100% organic cotton. Soft, plush, and breathable for cool, comfortable sleep.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress
Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Graphite Memory Foam Topper
The latest in high-tech cooling. The contouring support of memory foam, plus the advanced heat-dissipating properties of graphite.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Essential Sheet Set
This upgraded staple is woven from percale cotton and viscose to create an extremely soft, lightweight, and breathable sheet that gets softer with every wash.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Silk Eye Mask
Drift into dreamland with our sleep-enhancing eye mask made of the finest quality mulberry silk. It keeps light out for more uninterrupted sleep—no matter where you are.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Como Swivel Chair
With its geometric silhouette and abundantly plush seat, the Como makes the perfect reading chair to transform your bedroom.
Help your child get better sleep with these Saatva products
Plush Towel Collection
When only the finest towel will do, these impossibly plush and soft towels are the final touch to a spa-like bath experience. Exclusively woven in durable long-staple cotton that gets softer with every wash.
Back-to-school sleep tips
Besides a gift for better sleep, helping your child organize their school nights and mornings is also important. That’s why we’ve compiled these five back-to-school sleep tips to help you and your kid cruise through this upcoming school year.
- Plan mornings wisely: Prep your younger kids’ breakfast and lunch, pack their backpacks, and lay out their school outfits in advance for a less chaotic, less rushed morning. For older kids, encourage them to learn how to prep for their mornings.
- Build a sleep routine: Create a simple, yet effective sleep routine with your kid with steps and activities that prepare them for bed. Examples include reading, bathing, and meditating.
- Set a bedtime: Before the school year begins, gradually adjust your child’s bedtime to a set time that allows for their recommended hours of sleep.
- Set a wake-up time: Before the school year begins, gradually adjust your child’s wake-up time to allow them to mentally and physically prepare themselves for the school day.
- Say no to screen time before bed: Bluelight affects melatonin production, so turn off the electronics as your child’s bedtime approaches so they can snooze easier and faster.
Need more help?
We have a variety of articles to help the students and teachers in your lives get better sleep. Check these out!
- 12 Back-to-School Sleep Tips for Kids of All Ages
- How Much Sleep Your Child Needs, According to Their Age
- How to Spot the Signs of Sleep Deprivation in Children
- 4 Ways to Set a Bedtime Routine for Teenagers
- 6 Best Sleep Tips for College Students
- 6 Tips to Help Teachers Get Better Sleep
- How to Pull an All-Nighter (if You Absolutely Must)
FAQs
What’s a good back-to-school gift?
There are numerous back-to-school gift options to choose from for your child, including mattresses, eye masks, sound machines, nightlights, and e-readers.
Shop Saatva for all your back-to-school sleep essentials
Saatva offers everything you need to get your family’s sleep on track during the back-to-school season and all year long, from kids’ mattresses to eye masks. Head to saatva.com to find the best back-to-school sleep gifts for children of all ages.
