Last Updated: December 29, 2022

8 best natural sleep aids for kids.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 15 min read

If you’ve got a young insomniac on your hands, you know how frustrating it can be to see your little one struggle to fall asleep at bedtime. You’ve tried everything — reading one more story to soothe their busy minds, trying different bedtimes to see what sticks, switching up before-bed routines in the hopes that maybe a warm bath or hour of quiet play will get ‘em sleepy enough to go to sleep.


The reality of it is, sometimes your kid just can’t sleep. Instead of pulling your hair out trying to understand why, try a natural sleep aid. Natural sleep aids for kids are a great option for parents who just want their young ‘uns to get a good night’s rest. Look for herbal sleep aids like chamomile, melatonin, and lavender. These remedies help your kids fall asleep — and stay asleep — with ingredients straight from Mother Earth herself.


But there are a lot of sleep aids for kids, and picking the best one for your bundle of joy can be an overwhelming task. Fret not! We’ve done the legwork for you. Our list of the best natural sleep aids for kids has a ton of great rec’s that’ll have your babe drifting off in no time. Note: Some items listed below are only for older kids (13 & up).


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.


This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.

1. San Francisco Salt Co Epsoak Everyday Sleep Formula

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Sleep tight every night and bring an easy, at-home nighttime routine to any room in your house with this San Francisco Salt Co Epsoak Everyday Sleep Formula. This Espom salt soak relieves soreness, eases stress, soothes aches, and cleanses skin all in one simple use. It uses natural ingredients such as magnesium sulfate and is infused with a …

(45)
2lb
$10.49
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2. Grove Co. Relax and Unwind Set - Ultrasonic Diffuser + Essential Oils

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(35)
1 x Diffuser, 1 x Unwind Essential Oil Blend - 1 FL OZ, 1 x Organic Lavender Essential Oil - 1 FL OZ
$71.99
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3. method Laundry Booster - Sleep

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It’s not something we think about but sweat and body oils can really build up on our bedding over time — yuck! This method Laundry Booster – Sleep works alongside your regular detergent to leave your sheets, linens, and bedding fresh, clean, and softer than when washed with just laundry detergent. It’s made without parabens, phthalates, and …

(52)
28.2 oz
$12.99
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4. Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep with Melatonin, Grape Chewable Tablets

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Some nights, dreamland just doesn’t come easy and neither does getting your children down for a peaceful night’s rest. For troublesome nights or for getting your children back on track when it comes to their sleep schedule, use Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep Melatonin Supplement. This melatonin for kids is especially formulated for children …

(64)
30 Chewable Tablets
$8.49
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5. Natural Vitality Calm Sleep Gummies

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Craving a good night’s sleep, but you can’t calm your mind and body enough to catch some z’s? Natural Vitality CALM® Sleep Gummies contain 3mg of melatonin per serving plus L-theanine, an amino acid that supports relaxation. Help yourself ease into restful sleep with these delicious blueberry-pomegranate flavored magnesium supplements.

These …

(36)
120 Gummies
$25.99
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6. Little Moon Essentials Sleep Comes Easy - Mist

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Say goodbye to restless nights of tossing and turning. This Little Moon Essentials Sleep Comes Easy – Mist is handmade in the U.S. without parabens or sulfates, and it’s vegan and suitable for even sensitive skin types. This sleep-aid spray uses essential oils to promote relaxation and a better night’s sleep. Its easy-to-use spray bottle is perfect …

(113)
4 Oz
$10.79
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7. The Good Patch Plant Based Dream Patch

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Longing for some shut-eye, but can’t get enough rest? The Good Patch Plant Based Dream Patch is infused with the dreamy goodness of melatonin (10mg), hops (4mg), and valerian root (3mg) to promote quality sleep. Each 4-pack includes state-of-art transdermal patches in a resealable packet that’s easily stored.

Dream patch for night night or …

(43)
1 ct (4 patches)
$13.99
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8. Badger Balm Sleep Balm

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Lights off, balm on. This Badger Balm Sleep Balm calms you before you’re ready to hit the hay. It’s a blend of essential oils like lavender and bergamot that help you clear your mind, relax, and drift off to sleep naturally, a healthier sleep aid compared to powerful drugs or supplements. It’s paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, …

(14)
2 oz
$9.99
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FAQs

What can I give my child to help them sleep?

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Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


Melatonin is generally the go-to sleep aid for parents and caregivers who are trying to get their children to fall asleep. Melatonin, often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” is a hormone that’s released by the pineal gland at night and encourages sleepiness.


Melatonin supplements are available in pills, chewables, and liquids. While melatonin sleep aids for kids are sold without a prescription, it’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor or pediatrician before starting your child on any herbal supplements. Melatonin sleep aids typically take around an hour to start working so you’ll want to plan accordingly to make sure your tot is ready to sleep at bedtime.


Kids aren’t the only ones who have trouble falling asleep. Being a parent is one of the best experiences a person can have but it doesn’t come without its stressors. If you need a little help catching zzz’s at night, we’ve got just the thing for you. Check out our favorite natural sleep aids for adults and get some tips on creating a bedtime routine that’ll help you get a solid night’s rest.


Are melatonin sleep aids safe for kids?

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Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


Melatonin has been shown to help kids and teenagers get better sleep. Other studies have found that melatonin can support sleep in kids with disorders like autism and ADHD. There haven’t been enough studies done on the long-term effects of melatonin on children for the FDA to approve it for kids but short-term studies show that it’s safe and effective for most children.


If you’re considering using melatonin sleep aid for kids who are struggling to sleep, it’s best to check with your doctor or pediatrician first to make sure they approve it for your child.


What can you use instead of melatonin?

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Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


Don’t want to use melatonin to help your lil’ bub fall asleep? No problem. There are a bunch of melatonin-free sleep aids that’ll have your kiddo counting sheep in no time. Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are well-known for their calming scents that lull adults and children alike into a deep sleep. Consider using a diffuser in your kid’s room to infuse the air with a soothing aroma. If diffusers aren’t your bag of chips, there are sleep mists on the market that can be used in the air or directly on your little one’s sheets and pillow.


Building a bedtime routine for your kids is another great way to encourage healthy sleep without the use of herbal sleep aids. Bedtime routines consist of the same activities, done in the same order every night before bed. This helps your child prepare for sleep by getting them to wind down and relax.


Here are a few ideas your child can do to create a bedtime routine:


  • Dim the lights
  • Turn off electronics
  • Eat a snack or have a drink
  • Brush teeth
  • Go to the bathroom
  • Talk about their day
  • Read a book
  • Sing a lullaby
  • Massage, cuddling, or rocking

What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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