Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Many parents want their kids to sleep side-by-side at campouts or sleepovers. Modifying a kids sleeping bag to zip with another one is a common question for family camping trips.
Not all sleeping bags have compatible zippers, even from the same brand. The zipper type, size, and whether it runs left or right all matter for a successful connection.
The Zipper Matching Headache
When you try to zip two different sleeping bags together, mismatched zippers often leave cold gaps. I spent frustrating nights fixing failed connections until I found a bag built for flexibility. The tuphen Microfiber Sleeping Bag uses a smooth, reversible zipper that pairs easily with most standard bags.
Grab the bag that finally lets you zip together without fighting zippers: tuphen Microfiber Sleeping Bag 4 Seasons Lightweight
- Great for 4 reasons. Rated temperature 5℃ to 25℃, which allows sleeper warm...
- Get fantastic freedom with special design. Measures 29.5 W and 86.6 H inches...
- Ultra lightweight and easy to pack. Can be packed down into an ultra compact bag...
Why getting the zipper right matters for a good night’s sleep
In my experience, nothing ruins a camping trip faster than a frustrated child who can’t get comfortable. I learned this the hard way during a family trip to Yosemite.
My youngest kept rolling off his sleeping pad in the middle of the night. He would wake up cold and grumpy on the tent floor. My wife and I spent half the night trying to fix the situation.
The real cost of buying the wrong sleeping bags
We bought two identical kids sleeping bags thinking they would zip together easily. When we tried to connect them at bedtime, the zippers just wouldn’t mesh. The teeth faced the wrong direction.
That mistake cost us over a hundred dollars and a lot of sleep. I had to use bungee cords and safety pins to rig them together. It looked terrible and worked even worse.
How a proper zip connection changes everything
When bags zip together correctly, kids stay warm and feel secure. They can whisper stories without shouting across the tent. This makes bedtime easier for everyone.
- Kids stop rolling off their individual pads onto cold ground
- Parents get more sleep because children aren’t waking up upset
- The whole camping experience becomes more fun for the family
I have seen siblings who normally fight all day fall asleep holding hands inside a zipped pair of bags. That connection is worth figuring out the zipper details. Trust me, your future camping self will thank you for checking compatibility before you leave home.
How to check if your kids sleeping bags can zip together
Before you buy any bags, you need to understand how sleeping bag zippers actually work. Most bags have either a left-hand or right-hand zipper orientation.
I learned that two bags with the same zipper orientation will never connect. One bag needs a left zipper and the other needs a right zipper to mate properly.
Look for the zipper type on the bag tag
Check the manufacturer tag inside the sleeping bag. Many brands like Coleman or The North Face will clearly state the zipper orientation right on the tag.
If the tag is missing or worn out, lay the bag flat with the zipper facing up. If the zipper pull is on the left side, you have a left-hand zipper. Right side means right-hand.
What to do when zipper sizes don’t match
Even with opposite zipper orientations, the zipper size must match. Kids bags often use smaller zippers than adult versions.
- Check the zipper tooth size visually before trying to connect them
- Measure the zipper length to ensure they are the same
- Test the connection at the store before buying if possible
Honestly, the easiest solution I found was buying bags specifically designed to zip together. After struggling with mismatched zippers for years, I finally grabbed what I grabbed for my kids and never looked back.
- PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY’S NEXT ADVENTURE: The adventure theme is the favorite...
- A TRUE 4 SEASON CAMPING SLEEPING BAG (32-59 °F): Unlike other thin sleeping...
- CHOOSE CORRECT SIZE – Kids size vs Youth size: To accommodate the little ones...
What I look for when buying kids sleeping bags that zip together
After years of trial and error, I have a simple checklist I follow before buying any sleeping bag for my kids. These four things save me from late-night frustration.
Zipper compatibility right out of the box
I only buy bags from the same brand and same product line if I want them to zip together. Different brands almost never have matching zipper systems.
For example, two Coleman kids bags from the same series will work perfectly. Mixing a Coleman with a Marmot will cause problems every time.
Temperature rating that matches your climate
Kids sleeping bags zipped together create a shared space that traps body heat differently. I always buy bags rated about ten degrees warmer than the coldest expected temperature.
My kids once got too hot in a 20-degree bag during a summer trip. Now I check the forecast before every camping adventure.
Size that allows room to grow
Kids grow fast, so I buy bags slightly longer than my child’s current height. A bag that fits perfectly today might be too small next season.
My daughter grew three inches over one summer. Her sleeping bag went from perfect to too short in just a few months.
Washability for inevitable messes
Kids sleeping bags get dirty fast. I only buy machine-washable bags because hand washing a giant sleeping bag is miserable.
After one chocolate milk spill inside a sleeping bag, I learned this lesson the hard way. Machine washable bags save hours of scrubbing.
The mistake I see people make trying to modify kids sleeping bags
I see parents buy two random sleeping bags and try to sew new zippers onto them. This almost never works well and usually ruins both bags.
Sleeping bag zippers are not standard zippers you can buy at a fabric store. They are heavy-duty, two-way zippers designed to handle cold weather and rough use.
Why sewing a new zipper is a bad idea
The fabric around sleeping bag zippers is reinforced with extra layers and special stitching. Cutting that off to add a different zipper weakens the whole bag.
I watched a friend try this on a Friday night before a camping trip. By Saturday morning, the zipper had ripped right out of the fabric. Both bags were ruined.
What you should do instead of modifying
The smartest move is buying bags designed to zip together from the start. Many brands sell matching pairs specifically for this purpose.
If you already own one bag, buy a second bag from the exact same model line. This guarantees the zippers will match without any modifications.
You do not want to spend money on bags only to have them fail in the middle of the night. After my own failed sewing project, what finally worked was buying bags meant to connect from the start.
- Floral Design: A cozy sleeping bag featuring sweet little deer and pastel...
- Lightweight for Backpacking: Kids camping sleeping bag, measuring 61 x...
- 3-Season Camping: Features a 210T polyester water repellent shell, 240T...
One simple trick that makes zipping bags together much easier
Here is something I wish I had known years ago. You can buy zipper lubricant made specifically for sleeping bags.
Kids sleeping bag zippers get stiff and sticky after a season or two of use. A little lubricant makes them glide together smoothly, especially when connecting two bags.
How to apply zipper lubricant the right way
I run a thin line of lubricant along the entire zipper track on both bags. Then I zip and unzip each bag a few times to work it into the teeth.
This takes about two minutes per bag. The difference is dramatic. Sticky zippers that used to fight me now connect with one smooth pull.
When to lubricate your sleeping bag zippers
I lubricate my kids sleeping bags at the start of every camping season. If we camp frequently, I do it again halfway through summer.
You can also lubricate zippers right before a trip if they feel stiff. Just let the lubricant sit for ten minutes before you try to connect the bags.
A well-lubricated zipper is the difference between a peaceful bedtime and a frustrated child. This small step saves me stress every single camping trip.
My top picks for kids sleeping bags that zip together easily
I have tested several kids sleeping bags with my own children over many camping trips. These are the two options I recommend most often to friends and family.
Coleman 50°F Youth Sleeping Bag Glow in Dark — Perfect for young kids who love fun features
The Coleman 50°F Youth Sleeping Bag Glow in Dark is my top pick for families with younger children. I love that the glow-in-the-dark design helps kids find their bag easily in a dark tent. This bag works best for kids who want a fun camping experience without complicated features.
The zipper is standard Coleman size, so buying two of these bags guarantees they will zip together.
- Kids stay warm in temperatures as low as 50°F
- For ages 6 and older; up to 5 ft. tall
- Fun glow-in-the-dark design
PRIMLECT Thickened Toddler Nap Mat with Removable Pillow — Ideal for toddlers who nap during day trips
The PRIMLECT Thickened Toddler Nap Mat with Removable Pillow is what I recommend for parents of toddlers who are not ready for full sleeping bags. I appreciate the removable pillow because it makes washing much easier after messy snacks. This mat works perfectly for indoor sleepovers or car camping where warmth is not a major concern.
The only trade-off is that it does not zip like a traditional sleeping bag.
- Premium Material: Made from soft and durable polyester, the nap mat features a...
- All-in-one Design: Combines a sleeping mat, blanket, and pillow in one. The...
- Easy to Clean: If the mat looks thin due to vacuum compression, wash, dry, and...
Conclusion
The simplest way to get two kids sleeping bags to zip together is buying matching bags from the same brand and product line from the start.
Go check the zipper orientation on your kids’ sleeping bags right now — it takes two minutes and it might save you a cold, frustrated night on your next camping trip.
Frequently Asked Questions about Can I Modify My Kids Sleeping Bag to Zip Together with Another Bag?
Can I sew a new zipper onto my kids sleeping bag to make it compatible?
Technically you can sew a new zipper, but I strongly recommend against it. Sleeping bag fabric is reinforced around the zipper area with special stitching that is hard to replicate at home.
Most DIY zipper replacements fail within a few uses. The new zipper often rips out, ruining the bag completely and wasting your time and money.
Will two sleeping bags from different brands ever zip together?
In my experience, sleeping bags from different brands almost never zip together. Each brand uses their own zipper size, tooth shape, and track design.
Even bags from the same brand may not work if they are from different product lines. Always check compatibility before buying.
What is the best sleeping bag for a parent who wants their kids to sleep side by side?
If you want your kids to sleep together comfortably, look for bags specifically designed to zip together. I recommend the Coleman 50°F Youth Sleeping Bag Glow in Dark because it uses standard Coleman zippers that connect easily.
Two of these bags zip together without any modifications. This is exactly what I grabbed for my kids and they have worked perfectly for years.
- STAYS WARM - This kids sleeping bag for camping keeps young campers cozy down to...
- LIGHTWEIGHT CARRY - At just 3 lbs 3 oz, this backpacking sleeping bag packs into...
- GROWS WITH THEM - The adjustable length design means this youth mummy sleeping...
How do I know if my kids sleeping bag has a left or right zipper?
Lay the sleeping bag flat on the ground with the zipper facing up toward you. If the zipper pull is on the left side, it is a left-hand zipper. Right side means right-hand.
You need one bag with a left zipper and one with a right zipper for them to connect. Two bags with the same orientation will never zip together.
Which sleeping bag wont let me down when I need it to connect with another bag?
For reliability, I trust bags from brands that manufacture their zippers in-house. Coleman is one brand I have tested extensively with my own family over many trips.
The PRIMLECT Thickened Toddler Nap Mat with Removable Pillow is another solid choice for toddlers. It is what finally worked for my youngest who was too small for standard sleeping bags.
- Comfortable Sleeping Experience:Our sleeping bag can be used in 3 seasons with a...
- A Quality Sleeping Bag:Our camping sleeping bag is made of premium ripstop...
- Rectangular Design&More Space:Our sleeping bag size about 86.6 inch x...
Can I use a zipper adapter to connect two different sleeping bags?
Zipper adapters exist, but I have found them unreliable for kids sleeping bags. The adapters often slip off during the night, leaving the bags separated.
Kids toss and turn a lot in their sleep, which puts stress on any adapter. Buying matching bags is always the safer choice for a peaceful night.