Transition little ones to a big kid's bed
What is a kid's bed?
A kid's bed is a twin, or sometimes even double, sized bed that a toddler or young child transitions to either directly from their crib or daybed, or from a toddler bed.
A toddler bed is typically about 50-60 inches long while a twin kid's bed is about 80 inches long. Some kid's beds come with guard rails at the top portion where the child's head will be, making parents more comfortable transitioning a child straight to one from a crib.
Kids' beds come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, and are made of materials like wood, metal, and plastic. Safety features are typically at the heart, regardless of the type or design.
What are the different types of kids' beds?
There are traditional kids' beds that look just like adult beds but are twin or double-sized, with a headboard, footboard, and frame along with a mattress. Some are more modern in design, others more rustic.
There are also children's beds designed to look like race cars, castles, and more, specifically to appeal to young ones and to help make the transition from a crib easier. Ideal for older kids are loft beds that are elevated on taller frames, with guard rails and a built-in ladder for safety. Many of these have space underneath for storage, play, or even placing a work desk.
If you have more than one child, or your child has lots of sleepovers with friends and family, they might like a bunk bed. These are similar to a loft bed except there's one small bed at the top and a second one at the bottom. Both bunk and loft beds are great for saving space in a small room and include built-in guard rails and ladders for safety.
What should you consider when choosing a kid's bed?
Consider the layout of the room and available space. Even with a single child, a loft or bunk bed might make sense, allowing for additional storage in a smaller space. A kid's bed with built-in drawers or ample open space underneath for storing things might come in handy as well if you're strapped for space.
Look at the safety features, especially if the child is just a toddler. Guard rails are absolute necessities for loft and bunk beds, but you might also appreciate standard platform or traditional beds that include them if you're worried about your child moving around at night and potentially falling out of bed.
The style, finish, and material should match the rest of the room, of course. Find something your child will love and be comfortable with. You don't want to invest in a bed, after all, only to have your child refuse to sleep in it! Speaking of which, check the weight limit of the bed in case one parent might need to occasionally sleep with the child or lie down with them to put them to bed.