WHICH KID’S LOUNGEWEAR IS BEST?

Everyone likes to be comfortable while relaxing in their own homes, and that includes children. Kids’ loungewear is just what they need to kick back on the couch to watch cartoons or sprawl on their bed with a good book. Here’s what you need to know before buying your child a set.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY KID’S LOUNGEWEAR

Comfort

The whole point of loungewear is that it should be comfortable. The cuffs should be soft with plenty of stretch to them, since kids tend to hate tight cuffs and some won’t abide elasticized cuffs at all. The waistband should have covered elastic with a soft stretch to it so it doesn’t dig in. The neck shouldn’t be too small so it’s easy for your child to get their head through and it doesn’t rub or feel tight while wearing the top.

Sizing

Most kids’ loungewear has age-based sizing, such as 1 to 2T, 5 to 6 years and so on. In theory, this makes it easier to find the right size for a child, but not all children fit the clothes designed for their age range. If your child is tall or short for their age, you may need to size up or down. If in doubt, check the sizing chart.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN QUALITY KID’S LOUNGEWEAR

Sets

Many pieces of loungewear for kids are sold in sets featuring both tops and bottoms. However, you can also buy separate tops and pants, which is more practical if your child is smaller on the bottom than the top or vice versa.

Materials

If comfort is your prime concern, loungewear made from natural materials such as cotton or bamboo is soft against the skin and breathable, so kids don’t feel hot or sticky. While 100% cotton or bamboo is great for some garments, others require a little stretch, so they may contain a small percentage of spandex. Polyester and fleece are also popular choices if you’re OK with synthetics.

HOW MUCH YOU CAN EXPECT TO SPEND ON KID’S LOUNGEWEAR

A two-piece loungewear set can cost between $10 and $50, depending on size, brand and overall quality.

KID’S LOUNGEWEAR FAQ

Q. Does gender matter when it comes to kids’ loungewear?

A. You may notice kids’ loungewear is listed as either for boys or girls, but there’s really no difference between them, so any piece of children’s loungewear is suitable for kids of any gender. More often than not, girls’ loungewear features pastel colors, such as lilac or sky blue and prints that are stereotypically considered feminine, like florals or animal prints. Boys’ loungewear is more likely to feature bold or bright colors with stereotypically masculine prints, like camouflage.

Anyone who’s spent much time around kids knows that they’re all individuals with their own likes and dislikes. There’s no reason to adhere to the prescribed gender of a piece of loungewear — just buy what you know your child will like.

Q. Is kids’ loungewear just for wearing at home?

A. This depends on the loungewear and the child. Some loungewear looks much like pajamas and is best for wearing at home, whereas other options are closer to activewear, so they don’t look out of place worn out and about.

However, kids have their quirks, and some might insist on wearing pajama-like loungewear out of the house. As long as it keeps your child warm enough, don’t sweat the small stuff — you probably have more important things to worry about than your child wearing PJs to the store.

WHAT’S THE BEST KID’S LOUNGEWEAR TO BUY?

Top kid’s loungewear

Simple Joys by Carter’s Girls’ Six-piece Snug Fit Cotton Pajama Set

What you need to know: This comfortable loungewear set from a respectable brand fits children and teens from sizes 6 months to 8.

What you’ll love: There is a wide range of color and print options, including both long-sleeved and short-sleeved options. It’s 100% cotton and is machine-washable. It comes with three sets of clothes that you can mix and match.

What you should consider: This set may shrink when machine-washed.

Worth checking out

Adidas Boys’ Tricot Jacket and Pant Clothing Set

What you need to know: These Adidas jackets and track pants are cool and stylish for fashion-conscious kids. They come in sizes from three months to seven years.

What you’ll love: They’re available in a range of colors and prints, most with the classic Adidas three-stripe design. There are also cuff-free pant options. They’re a great value for money.

What you should consider: Some people complain that the pants are slightly short.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Which green tea is best?

Green tea is the fresh, nonoxidized leaves of the tea plant, picked at the height of their verdant glory. Picking tea before it has oxidized imparts it with a lighter more vegetal taste that is herbal in flavor and feel. Although it can contain as much, if not more, caffeine than black tea, the best green teas provide a mellow, energetic boost that provides a counterpart to black tea’s frenetic rush.

If you’ve never tried green tea before, Harney & Sons Japanese Sencha Green Tea is a good place to start.

What to know before you buy green tea

Tea bags vs. loose vs. powdered

Green tea is available in many forms, and which you choose depends on when and how you are most likely to prepare it.

Tea bags: These are the most convenient option and produce the most consistent results, but they can also be stale.
Loose tea: Loose tea requires strainers or reusable bags, but it allows you to customize the intensity of your tea and may work better for cold brewing.
Powdered tea: Powdered tea, also called matcha, is strong and bitter. It requires a special whisk (and some matcha know-how) to create the perfect cup.

Type of green tea

There are many varieties of green tea, each with its distinct flavors and characteristics.

Sencha: This Japanese variety is the most common type of green tea and is available in two styles (the lightly-steamed asamushi and its heavier counterpart fukamushi). The flavor of sencha is savory and light, with grassy notes of pine and salt.
Longjing: Originating in China, longjing tea is roasted by hand to create a sweet flavor that tastes mildly of chestnuts. It’s expensive, so seek out spring-harvested tea that has short, fat leaves that are pale green or yellow.
Bilochun: Bilochun is another green tea from China. It’s more affordable and tastes slightly nutty. Taiwanese biluochun has hints of sweet pineapple coming from fat leaves.
Gyokuro: The secret to this Japanese green tea’s flavors of seaweed and dashi lies in its cultivation. The tea is grown in shade for the last six weeks, forcing the plant to produce extra nutrients to stay alive. It’s an expensive tea that is best served in small quantities.
Laoshan: Laoshan is a smooth, affordable Chinese green tea with a silky texture and a mild flavor of spring peas.
Genmaicha: Rounding out the list, genmaicha is the working class’s daily drink. It’s sencha tea with added sorghum or puffed rice to bulk it up. The flavor is not complex, but it’s great as a digestive, refreshing tea.

What to look for in a quality green tea

Organic

Organic green teas are produced without chemicals or fertilizers. This results in a clean tea with a pure flavor.

Clear region of origin

Because green teas can differ so much in flavor (and price), look for a clear region of origin indicated on the package. This provides information on what to expect in terms of taste and texture.

Chemical-free tea bags

If you choose tea bags, look for companies that use chemical-free tea bags. Chemical-free bags are good for the planet and do not impart an off-taste when dipped into hot water.

Sustainable packaging

The best green teas use sustainable packaging (e.g., recycled cardboard and paper and no plastic). Look for companies that have taken the climate pledge to reduce carbon emissions in their deliveries, too.

How to brew green tea

Follow these steps to brew the perfect cup of green tea.

Heat water to no more than 185 degrees (boiling water extracts bitter flavors from green tea).
Heat your mug by rinsing it with hot water.
Add tea leaves or a tea bag.
Steep the tea for three full minutes.
Strain the tea leaves if using, then sweeten if desired and enjoy.

How much you can expect to spend on green tea

Across varieties, tea format and quantity, expect to spend $5-$14.

Green tea FAQ

Does green tea have health benefits?

A. A review of studies in 2010 found that green tea had potential benefits to lower blood pressure, reduce the chances of stroke, manage weight and reduce cardiovascular disease. Since then, green tea has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease and decrease the chance of colorectal cancer.

How much green tea can you drink per day?

A. To get the potential health benefits of green tea, and based on the results of research, the optimal amount of green tea to consume is three to five cups a day. Green tea is caffeinated, so if you have concerns about adding caffeine to your diet, talk to your doctor.

What’s the best green tea to buy?

Top green tea

Harney & Sons Japanese Sencha Green Tea

What you need to know: This is one of Japan’s traditional teas and a good example of complex flavor.

What you’ll love: This pack of 50 tea bags contains high-quality sencha from the Shizuoka prefecture of Japan. It’s hand-picked in the spring for a light, floral taste with notes of spinach and toasted bread.

What you should consider: Some green tea purists found it weak, while those new to green tea did not like the grassy, vegetal taste.

Top green tea for the money

Chaganju Green Tea Leaves

What you need to know: This is loose tea that is more subtle and milder than some other options.

What you’ll love: Loose tea allows you to tailor the strength of the tea to your taste. This tea is grown without chemicals or fertilizers and meets strict international organic standards. This is also delicious when brewed with cold water.

What you should consider: Some tea drinkers found this relatively flat and flavorless.

Worth checking out

FGO Organic Gunpowder Green Loose Leaf Tea

What you need to know: This highly caffeinated, loose-leaf Chinese tea is certified organic by the Department of Agriculture and is non-GMO.

What you’ll love: This loose-leaf tea is in the “gunpowder” style, with the leaves rolled into little pellets. It’s grown to USDA organic standards and has no additives. It has a light, smoky flavor. It’s imported from China and packed in the U.S.

What you should consider: It’s not exactly like the traditional gunpowder tea found in China.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.