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When establishing a young one’s bedtime routine—or re-establishing a sleep pattern for those experiencing sleep regression—it’s important to create a comforting sleep environment. Luckily, there are many products to help lull little ones to sleep, including star projectors, which display colorful celestial patterns on the ceiling or walls of the bedroom. Some star projectors also function as night lights and sound machines to help kiddos sleep through the night. In addition to its aesthetic value, a star projector can help make bedtime fun, prevent battles with cranky toddlers, create a consistent environment and cozy space, and provide a cue that it's time to go to bed, according to Alanna McGinn, a certified sleep consultant. When choosing a star projector, consider the features that will be most useful for your kid, whether that’s a night light function, white noise, or automatic shutoff timer. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best for Babies: Best for Toddlers: Best for Older Kids: Best for Large Rooms: Best Lamp: Best With Rotation: Best With Constellations: Best With Built-In Speaker: Pros Three color options 45-minute auto shutoff timer Plush Cons No sound features Requires 3 AA batteries (not included) Your little one will enjoy the plush material of this turtle-shaped star projector that can double as a lovey. A cute choice for infants who need a soft glow in the nursery and for older kids who use a night light, this turtle switches between green, blue, and amber lights with two taps of the button on its shell. The machine projects eight different constellations for kiddos to gaze at, and caregivers will appreciate its auto-shutoff timer, which stays on long enough to help them fall asleep without disrupting their REM cycle. Plus, thanks to its small size, the projector is easily transportable. It’s also sold as a colorful ladybug. Pros Reasonably priced Three projection settings Three ways to power the projector Cons Fragile dome Batteries and plug not included If you’re searching for a star projector that can grow with your child and isn’t too pricey, the Sunnest Baby Night Lights Moon Projector is a versatile option. With eight color options for the lights, kids will appreciate selecting the most soothing color for their nighttime routine. It’s equipped with three easy-to-use modes, so it can be used as a night light, static star projector, or rotating star display. Parents may want to help younger children choose the projector mode and colors since the dome is quite fragile, and note that the 360-degree rotation feature may be too overstimulating for babies and younger children. The projector can be powered by AAA batteries, a plug adapter, or a USB device. Pros Eight soothing sounds Customizable auto-shutoff timer Emits a dim light Cons Designed to sit on a tabletop or flat surface The Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Night Light Soother Owl is designed for babies who need some relaxing sounds, music, or light to help them relax and wind down. This star projector features four melodies, including Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Rock-a-Bye Baby, as well as four nature sounds like crickets and waves. Caregivers will appreciate that the projector allows them to control the sound level, light intensity, light display, and duration of the automatic shutoff timer. It can be adjusted to display on a wall or the ceiling, and the owl’s belly emits just enough light to add a soft glow to the baby’s room. The plug-in device is also available in an elephant-shaped option. Pros Plush stuffed animal Automatic shutoff Three color modes Cons Requires three AA batteries Only one timer If your toddler loves to cuddle stuffed animals around bedtime, the Cloud b Twilight Buddies will fit right into their routine. This star projector is designed to function as both a projector and a night light for babies, while it’s also a cuddly companion for toddlers. It’s easy for children to switch between green, blue, and amber light colors by touching the buttons on the back of the plushie to emit a colorful array of moon and stars. Available as a bunny or a unicorn, Twilight Buddies have an automatic timer and will turn off after 45 minutes when the shutoff option is selected. The 8 Best Toddler Pillows to Help Your Child Sleep Comfortably Pros Adjust settings with the app or remote control Lights can sync with music Schedule to turn on and off at your desired time Cons Doesn’t rotate horizontally The YouOKLight Sunset Lamp Projector is our top pick for older kids because it’s much more elaborate than the other projectors on our list. For starters, kids can use a remote control or app on their smartphone to turn it on or off and adjust the settings. They can also sync the light to beat along with music and change between 16 different colorful projections. Another thing we like about this lamp is that you can program it to turn on and off at whatever time you want, such as when you go to sleep and wake up. You can also adjust the size of the projection by rotating the light and turning it up and down to project on the ceiling or floor. However, it doesn’t rotate horizontally, so you’ll need to move the base of the lamp in order to do so. The 71 Best Gifts for Teens of 2024 Pros Rotation and static features Lots of color combinations Can be used as a night light Cons May require adult supervision Designed for children ages 3 and older, this star projector fills your child's room with stars and moons in various colors. Kids can explore the impressive 17 color combinations and choose between static and rotating features. To switch between displays, a parent or older kid will need to change projection films, so some supervision may be required. When the projection film is removed, the projector operates a night light that emits white light. Each of the four buttons performs a simple command: timer, rotate, change color, and night light. Pros Adjust settings with the remote control Choose from up to 16 colors Good for travel Equipped with a USB-rechargeable battery Cons Doesn’t project images If you want a more subtle light for your child’s room, we recommend the Brightworld Moon Lamp. Although it doesn’t project images like some of the other items on our list, we love its ethereal glow of swirling colors that resembles floating cosmos and the surface of the moon. Your kid is bound to have fun choosing from one of 16 different colors to display, and will love doing so through the included remote control. Best of all, this lamp has a built-in USB-rechargeable battery, making it a good night light to use while traveling. The Best Kids’ Luggage We Packed, Rolled, and Dropped in Our Lab Pros 360-degree rotation covers up to 900 square feet App allows you to adjust colors, create patterns, and more Syncs with Bluetooth, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa Cons App can be tricky to use If you’re looking to completely transform your kid’s room, the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve Projector is the way to do it. This small, circular light rotates 360 degrees and covers up to 900 square feet of space, giving you the feeling as though you’re surrounded by a beautiful night sky. We love that it projects twinkling stars and large, realistic nebulas and that you can customize their colors in the BlissHome app. Another thing we like about the BlissHome app is that it allows you to create and name your own nebula patterns. However, the app can be tricky to use and may sometimes disconnect from the light. Thankfully, this projector also syncs with Bluetooth, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, giving you even more ways to control your display. The 38 Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys of 2024 Pros Displays 12 constellations Can be used as a desk lamp Remote control-operated Cons Not recommended for children 3 and younger Must be charged for one hour before use Complete with 12 constellations and planets, your future astronomer will enjoy the way this star projector turns their room into a starry scene. They can also select from three colors—blue, yellow, and white—as well as six light modes. To switch between colors, activate the rotating feature, or dim the brightness, simply use the included remote control to adjust the display. A one-hour auto shutoff timer ensures your child will not keep the projector on all night. When your kiddo isn’t using it as a projector, put on the cover, and it doubles as a desk lamp. The 14 Best Twin Mattresses for Kids of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Pros Bluetooth speaker Remote control-operated Cons Pricey If you’re searching for a star projector that doubles as a speaker, check out the Rossetta Galaxy Projector. Its Bluetooth speakers allow users to sync soothing bedtime music or a book on tape to the light projection, which makes for a fun way to personalize a nighttime routine. With the remote control, switch between 16 color modes, eight white noise options, and star displays including Northern lights, auroras, and more. The automatic shutoff timer can be set to one or two hours, but if you or your kid forget to set it before they fall asleep, it will still shut off after four hours to conserve energy. If white noise is a must-have for your child to fall and stay asleep, the Rossetta Galaxy Projector can play melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” other lullabies, and nature sounds, too. The 9 Best Speakers for Teens of 2024 Pros Can be controlled by an app For infants and up Soft lighting Cons Has to be plugged into an outlet Creating a calming, quiet sleep environment is essential to establishing a bedtime routine for babies. The Fisher-Price Smart Connect Deluxe Soother allows parents to do just that by controlling its range of light and sound features from a handy app on their smartphone or tablet. (This means there’s no need to sneak into the baby’s room to change the settings and risk waking them up.) The colors projected from this device—blue, brown, orange, red, yellow, and white—are soothing enough to help your little one fall asleep without being too bright, and the sounds can be set to a low setting to ensure they are not too distracting for bedtime. From the app, you can select the star projection color mode, speed, and brightness; night light mode; and sounds, plus you can power it on or off. The projector can also do an animal light display in addition to stars. The 9 Best Tablets for Kids to Make Screen Time Safer and More Fun Pros Cool dinosaur egg-shaped design Can be controlled by an app or an included remote Cons Pricey If your child is going through a dinosaur phase, this dinosaur egg-shaped lamp is a fun and fitting option. Aside from its cool look, the galaxy projector features 15 colors to light up your little one’s room as well as eight calming sounds, including white noise and ambient lullabies. Parents will appreciate that the projector can be controlled by a smartphone app or the included remote, which can change the lighting, brightness, sounds, and speed of the star projection. The lamp also has an automatic timer that will shut off the lights after four hours. There’s also a Bluetooth speaker that older kiddos who want to make their room a fun hangout space will enjoy. The Best Dinosaur Toys for Your Future Paleontologists Pros Heartbeat vibration Plush Several automatic shutoff settings Cons Requires three AA batteries The SwaddleMe Slumber Buddies Deluxe offers little ones a soothing night light and a plush pal to cuddle with during nap and bedtime. Since it’s similar in size to a stuffed animal, it’s easy to tote to a grandparent’s house or on a plane trip. Kids can use the buttons on the plushie's plastic case to select between three calming color star displays, a light show, five lullabies, three nature sounds, and gentle vibration that mimics a parent's heartbeat. A volume button controls the sound level, while a music button lets them select the best song for nighttime. Depending on how fast your kiddo tends to fall asleep, the automatic shutoff feature can be set for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Remember that stuffed animals should not be placed in a baby’s crib, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This device should be placed on a tabletop or dresser instead. The Best Kids' Sleeping Bags for Staying Warm and Comfy Pros Realistic HD twinkling stars Rotating feature Shooting star function Cons Fragile The SEGA Toys Homestar Flux Home Planetarium Star Projector will make your child feel like they’re in space—or at least a planetarium. This projector displays 60,000 twinkling HD stars onto your child's room ceiling or walls, depending on the projector's angle. Parents or children ages 6 and older should be in charge of operating this device since its advanced optics glass lenses are fragile. In addition to the life-like stars, a rotational feature and a shooting star function bring the images to life. This projector is expensive, so it may be best suited to older children or family time. The 9 Best Night Lights for Kids Pros Functions as a night light Two power sources Cons Does not play sounds The comforting glow of a soft night light, like the Hontry Night Lights Projector, can help children who need help falling asleep. It can either be left on all night or set to a timer, making it easy to personalize each child's preferred bedtime environment. If a more stimulating nighttime scene is preferred, children can remove the dome portion of the device and activate the starry scene feature, which includes four rotating colors that will fill the walls and ceilings of their room. Pros Multiple settings to customize projection Remote control Cute astronaut doubles as a decorative figurine Cons Green stars can be overwhelming If your kiddo wants to feel as though they’re in outer space, the SunTime Star Projector is a must-have for your family. We love that it projects eight colorful nebulas with green stars, which can be displayed together or separately depending on your preference. However, the green stars can feel overwhelming to some kids, so it’s helpful to know parents can turn this feature off. We also like that you can adjust the settings with the included remote control and that the projector can be moved up or down to change where the nebulas are displayed. Plus, the cute astronaut doubles as a decorative item for your child’s room. Parents will also appreciate the 45- and 90-minute timer so that the projection doesn’t disturb their child’s sleep. These Are the Best Rugs for Kids’ Rooms, Recommended by Design Experts After speaking to sleep experts, parents, and child development professionals, we researched dozens of the best star projectors, lamps, and night lights for kids. We looked for options that met our experts' recommendations and also offered the best value, light displays, and additional features. The goal of star projectors is to help kids create a space that will help them relax at bedtime. With this in mind, we selected options that offer auto-shutoff timers, white noise features, soothing lighting, and different settings to help lull children of all ages, from babies to teenagers. Are star projectors good for toddlers? While star projectors are not recommended for infants under the age of 1—especially if you're starting a sleep training process—they can be a great tool for kiddos ages 2 and up, says McGinn. They help toddlers become comfortable sleeping in their own bed, providing “a consistent feel to their environment, so they understand turning on the light projector is a cue that it’s time to go to bed,” she tells Verywell Family. Are star projectors safe for kids? The safety of a star projector depends on your child's age and the projector's particular features. "If parents want to use a star projector to create a relaxing mood or have a fun educational moment, then there [are] really no restrictions in age groups,” explains Xu. “But for young babies and toddlers, please limit their exposure to light projection. Ideally, we should not let babies look at blue light projections or screens an hour before their bedtime.” While professionally manufactured star projectors are generally safe, those with young kiddos who have transitioned into a toddler bed should make sure their child cannot access a projector's batteries, which can pose a safety hazard, says Xu. Additionally, make sure that any power cords are out of the little one’s reach. Do star projectors help kids sleep? Star projectors won’t miraculously fix your child’s sleep schedule, but they can be a useful tool in making their bedroom a calmer, more relaxing space. “If your child has expressed fear of darkness and has challenges staying alone in a dark environment, having a night light on can be beneficial,” Xu says. When picking out a star projector for nighttime use, look for one that emits warmer colors, she notes. Steer clear of blue, green, and white lights at night to avoid throwing off your baby’s circadian rhythm—instead, look for calming, warmer colors, which can encourage kids’ bodies to produce melatonin, according to Xu. How much do the best star projectors cost? Depending on their features, star projectors can range in price from around $20 to nearly $300. Those in the lower price range may only be static lights or have limited features, like fewer melodies and color modes. Others in the mid-price range may give parents more control over their child's sleep routine, such as the app-enabled Fisher-Price Smart Connect Deluxe Soother. Those on the higher end, such as the SEGA Toys Homestar Flux Home Planetarium Star Projector, may deliver higher-quality displays of the starry sky and space. What color light is best for kids sleep? Bight lights are not conducive to quality sleep, Hallas tells Verywell Family. To help send children to dreamland, she suggests selecting the most relaxing colors for sleep, which are warmer colors like reds, oranges, and yellows. Night lights that emit disruptive colors—blue, white, and green lights—can result in less sleep time for babies and young children, Xu notes, explaining, "Blue wavelengths are proven to suppress the production of our sleep hormone known as melatonin." Some little ones need a soft glow to help them fall asleep and get back to sleep when they wake during the night, but not all children require light all night. For this reason, parents should consider star projectors that include timers, which are often automatic. Ambrosia V. Brodyis a California-based editor, journalist, and mother to three. She has worked as a professional journalist for more than 16 years. When she isn't writing, you can find her at the library, Starbucks, or the park with her kids. The 10 Best Alarm Clocks for Kids To Help Them Rise and Shine Each Day:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwf-best-star-projectors-for-kids-tout-29e2b43b325141a59972a3cb67a3b916.jpg "The 16 Best Star Projectors to Turn Their Room Into a Planetarium (1)")
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Best for Babies
Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Baby Soother
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Cloud b Calming Nightlight Star Projector
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Best With Constellations
Winince Star Projector
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Best Galaxy Light Projector
SunTime Star Projector Galaxy Night Light
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