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.

The 15 Best Star Projectors for Kids of 2023

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.

“[A star projector] can make bedtime fun, it can relieve some of those bedtime battles and extend naps. It also can provide a consistent feel to their environment, so they understand turning on the light project is a cue that it's time to go to bed,” says Alanna McGinn, the founder of and senior certified sleep consultant at Good Night Sleep Site. 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:

Cloud b Night Light Soother at Amazon

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Sunnest Moon Projector at Amazon

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Best for Babies:

Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Baby Soother at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Cloud b Calming Nightlight Star Projector at Amazon

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Best for Older Kids:

Discovery Projection Alarm Clock at Amazon

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Best Galaxy Light Projector:

BlissLights Sky Lite at Amazon

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Best for Large Rooms:

Mokoqi Star Projector at Amazon

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Best with Constellations:

Winince Star Projector at Amazon

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Best with Built-In Speaker:

Rossetta Galaxy Projector at Amazon

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Best Smart Projector:

Fisher-Price Soother at Amazon

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Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $34

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 8 x 10.7 inches | Design: Stars and constellations | Power Source: Battery | Features: Automatic shutoff, night-light}

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $26

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎4.7 x 4.7 x 5.3 inches | Design: Stars | Power Source: Battery and/or power cord | Features: Night-light}

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $35

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎4.5 x 6 x 5.5 inches‎ | Design: Star display on wall or ceiling | Power Source: Battery and/or Power cord | Features: Sounds, automatic shutoff, night-light}

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎7.9 x 4 x 6.7 inches | Design: Moon and stars | Power Source: Battery | Features: Night-light, automatic shutoff}

JCPenny

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Pros

Alarm clock
Noise machine
Multicolor star display

Cons

Requires three AA batteries
For kids 5 and up

Quality sleep is important for all kids, including older ones who need to be alert and able to concentrate in school the next day. With its six soothing sounds and colorful moving stars, the Discovery Projection Alarm Clock helps kiddos get better rest, but it also helps them wake up in the morning thanks to its alarm feature. Designed for children 5 years and older, the alarm clock displays the date, time, and temperature, and kids can choose between four different alarm sounds.

Price at time of publication: $36

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 4.3 inches H x 4.3 inches W x 3.5 inches | Design: Stars | Power Source: Batteries | Features: Alarm clock, sounds, temperature}

Amazon

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Pros

Features rotating motion
6-hour auto timer
Includes a star and nebula cloud display

Cons

Pricey
Limited to two color modes

From a static blue nebula cloud to a rotating display of green stars, young stargazers will enjoy the stellar displays emitted by the BlissLights Sky Lite. Button controls let you click through various light cycles, adjust the brightness, and activate the star rotation, which can be displayed on a wall or ceiling depending on how you tilt the base. While this projector does not have a dimmer, there are three brightness settings to choose from and the lights automatically switch off after six hours. Do note that the brightness and rotation may make this an overstimulating choice for younger kids.

Price at time of publication: $60

Key Specs:
^{Dimensions: ‎2.9 x 6 x 6 inches‎ | Design: ‎Rotating stars and static nebula cloud display | Power Source: USB cord | Features: Automatic shutoff}

Amazon

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Pros

Rotation and static features
Lots of color combinations
Can be used as a night-light

Cons

Pricey
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.

Price at time of publication: $24

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎5 x 5.9 x 5.4 inches | Design: Moon and stars | Power Source: Batteries and USB cord | Features: Night-light, automatic shutoff}

Walmart

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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.

Price at time of publication: $24

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.4 x 8.3 inches‎ | Design: Constellations and planets | Power Source: USB cord and/or batteries | Features: Remote control, automatic shutoff, converts into a desk lamp}

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $33

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.9 x 4.3 inches‎ | Design: Auroras, Northern lights, stars | Power Source: Batteries and/or USB cord | Features: Bluetooth, remote control, automatic shutoff, white noise, sounds}

Amazon

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Pros

Can be controlled by an app
For infants and up
Soft lighting

Cons

Pricey
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 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.

Price at time of publication: $65

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎‎5.5 x 5.5 x 6.9 inches | Design: Stars or animals | Power Source: USB plugin | Features: Night-light, app-compatibility, sounds}

Amazon

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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 both 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.

Price at time of publication: $80

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎ 6.32 inches x 6.32 inches x 7.8 inches | Design: Stars or light show | Power Source: Power cord | Features: Bluetooth, remote control, automatic shutoff}

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $33

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎‎11.8 x 6.1 x 4.7 inches | Design: Stars or light show | Power Source: Three AA batteries | Features: Night-light, automatic shutoff, vibrations, sounds}

Amazon

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Pros

Rotating display
It can be used as a night-light
Huggable stuffed animal

Cons

Does not include soothing sounds
20-minute automatic shutoff may be too short for some

For an immersive indoor star show, check out the huggable Ontel Star Belly Dream Lites plushie, which projects rotating lights around the room with a squeeze of the toys’s belly. It projects six colors of stars and shapes, including purple and pink, and can rotate at three different speeds. A still mode is also an option if the rotation is too overstimulating for bedtime.

The star projector includes a 20-minute auto shutoff timer, which may be too short of a time for some children. Parents will appreciate that it’s easy to travel with since it can fit inside a travel bag or be carried on a plane.

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 5 x 9.6 x 12.8 inches‎ | Design: Stars and shapes | Power Source: Three AAA batteries | Features: Automatic shutoff}

Amazon

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Pros

Realistic HD twinkling stars
Rotating feature
Shooting star function

Cons

Pricey
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.

Price at time of publication: $259

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.8 x 7.6 inches‎ | Design: Stars and shooting stars | Power Source: USB cable | Features: Rotates}

Amazon

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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 features four rotating colors that will fill the walls and ceilings of their room.

Price at time of publication: $35

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: ‎2.8 x 2.2 x 6.7 inches ‎ | Design: Stars | Power Source: Four AAA batteries or power cord | Features: Night-light, automatic shutoff}

How We Selected the Best Star Projectors for Kids

To make our list of the best star projectors for kids, we spoke with Donna Hallas, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, the director of the pediatric nurse practitioner program at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing; Alanna McGinn, a certified sleep consultant and founder of Good Night Sleep Site; and Ting Ting Xu, the founder and owner of Ting Ting Child Sleep Consulting. Then, we took their advice and researched various brands and styles to select our top picks based on price, styles, customer reviews, features, and more.

What to Look for in Star Projectors for Kids

Ease of Use

Bedtime can get hectic enough as it is, so there’s no need to add a complicated device to the mix. Look for a star projector that’s easy to use, with clearly labeled buttons and instructions. Some projectors come with a remote control or are compatible with smartphone apps, which may be the best options for some families.

Features

Handy features, such as adjustable brightness and sound levels, can make bedtime go more smoothly. "We don't want a light show at bedtime. We don't want bedtime to be a concert; we want low-level stimulation, low-level calming," McGinn says.

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.

Many kiddos find white noise or soothing nature sounds helpful for falling (and staying) asleep. Several of the picks on our list play these sounds, and some can even act as Bluetooth speakers and play your kiddo’s favorite tunes.

Design

Star projectors come in a variety of cool designs, from planets to galaxies to shooting stars. If you’re planning to use one primarily as a sleep aid, consider one with soft light, subtle colors, and simple designs so your kiddo doesn’t get overwhelmed. For playrooms, a star projector with bolder colors and more complex designs, like the dinosaur egg-shaped Rossetta Star Kids Projector, can be a fun option.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ambrosia V. Brody is 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.