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If you’re a parent who travels often, the thought of keeping your little ones sleeping soundly away from home can feel overwhelming. But don’t let it keep you from getting away with your family! Trust me, it’s always worth it. And it can be easier – and less stressful – if you’re prepared with the right baby products. In this SlumberPod review, I’m sharing why this product quickly became a must-have with both of our kids.
If you’re staying in a hotel room, visiting family, or sharing a space with your kids, the SlumberPod is helps babies and toddlers sleep better in any environment. After using the SlumberPod with my two kids on many trips, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer. One of my biggest tips is to start early so they get used to it!
Here’s my full SlumberPod review – what it is, how it works, and why I recommend it for traveling families. If you’re heading on a plane, also check out my Toddler Plane Travel Essentials.
What Is the SlumberPod?
The SlumberPod is a portable blackout tent that goes over a pack n play, mini crib, or toddler air mattress. We have even stretched it over full-sized cribs several times. The Slumberpod blocks out light and distractions – perfect for helping kids sleep soundly even in bright spaces. You can share a hotel room with your little one, put them to sleep in the SlumberPod, turn on a sound machine, and watch a movie or hang out with the lights on.
One of the reasons our kids have been comfortable in the SlumberPod is because there are ventilation panels, a pocket for a fan, and it’s made out of breathable fabric. The design is thoughtful, and assembling it is truly easy.
My Honest SlumberPod Review: What I Love
The SlumberPod has made it easy to share a room with our kids and avoid having to upgrade hotel rooms or Airbnbs to bigger spaces. We’re able to create a cozy, dark sleep area that helps my kids fall – and stay – asleep in any room. Here’s what makes the SlumberPod a must-have for traveling parents:
- Blocks Out Light for Better Sleep: The SlumberPod creates a completely dark space and has allowed my kids to take naps and sleep overnight in any space. The tent design allows plenty of space to sleep and even stand up.
- Use In Any Kind of Room or Space: We’ve primarily used it to create a “room” in bright hotel rooms or random rooms (even large bathrooms!) in houses.
- Compact and Travel-Friendly: It’s surprisingly small when packed, taking up about a quarter of a carry-on suitcase. It has its own travel bag with a strap for easy carrying.
- Simple Setup: Drape the main fabric over your child’s sleep space, snap together the two tent poles, and slide them into the loops to form an X. It’s similar to how you would set up a tent.
- Fits a Variety of Sleep Setups: We’ve successfully used it over pack ‘n plays, hotel or mini cribs, and toddler air mattresses. Even on full-size cribs, you can stretch the fabric a bit to make it work (though the website does not suggest this).
- Pockets for Monitor and Fan: There’s a pocket for a fan to keep the space cool, which we use when we’re in warmer homes. While I rarely use the monitor pocket since I’m usually nearby, it’s a nice option for those who want it.
- Kid-Approved: Both of my kids started using the SlumberPod around age one. They adjusted easily and now they love having their own cozy sleep tent on trips!
Tips for Using the SlumberPod
To get the most out of your SlumberPod, keep these tips in mind:
- Watch a video and practice at home before your trip. You’ll get the hang of it quickly, but this will take the stress out of it when you arrive at your destination. If it makes you feel more comfortable using it for the first time, try out a nap at home.
- Start using it early on. The parents I’ve heard say their kids didn’t like the SlumberPod were those who introduced it later in the toddler phase. I can only speak from the experience of starting to use it at age 1 and on and it worked for both of our kids.
- Set it up right when you get to your room. While it’s easy to set up, you’ll thank yourself for not saving this task for bedtime when everyone is tired.
- Dress your child in lighter pajamas. We’ve never found it to get too hot in the SlumberPod because there is good ventilation. However, our kids are comfortable in lighter pajamas than they are at home (we keep our bedrooms cold for sleep). The fan also comes in handy in warmers houses.
- Lay it flat on a bed to fold it up. It fits perfectly in its bag if you fold it in thirds from top to bottom, then roll it up with the poles inside the roll.
- Bring your child’s usual sleep items. We bring a sleep sack and stuffy from home, along with a sound machine, to create a familiar sleep environment.
Is the SlumberPod Worth It?
100%! While the SlumberPod is an investment, it’s one that pays off in better sleep for the whole family. If you travel frequently or often find yourself sharing a room with your child, the SlumberPod is a must-have. They also don’t get a lot of wear and tear on them, so you can easily pass onto another family when your kids have outgrown it.
Where to Buy the SlumberPod
You can use my link for a 5% discount (also sold with the fan included here), and it is also available on Amazon. The SlumberPod retails for $179.99 on its own, and $199.99 with the fan.
Overall SlumberPod Review
Traveling with kids can be unpredictable, but as noted in my SlumberPod review above, it has truly made a huge difference in our family’s ability to enjoy vacations without sacrificing sleep. As our family has grown, it has also saved us money because we can fit in smaller spaces by creating a SlumberPod “room” for our youngest.