The step up from a cot to a proper bed is an exciting one for young children. It marks the growth from a baby into a toddler and the increased autonomy that comes with that. It's also a fun opportunity to play with designs and choose colour schemes that will work in your child's room, whether you want to go classic or modern.
Perhaps you're choosing a toddler bed specifically for a girl or boy, or maybe you'd like one that would be suitable for both so it can be passed down. Some parents may also be looking for a bed with good guard rails for an active sleeper, or one with storage. Either way, there are plenty of fun but safe options out there from Argos, Amazon and more which we'll reveal in this article.
Quick List - Top Toddler Beds
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As well as the exciting elements of choosing a bed for your toddler, it is also necessary to take into account more practical considerations such as safety. Both appearance and appropriateness can be priorities, and this guide will help you to find that balance.
The most popular material for children's beds is wood. MDF or engineered wood are favourites, meaning they are not the highest quality, but this helps to make the beds more affordable. Plus, they make for a bed that's easy to put together and lighter to transport.
Metal is used sometimes and can look attractive, but it can't provide the large panels needed in toddler beds that stop them falling out. The can also be less stable as their foundation is not as solid.
Whilst toddler beds are much smaller than your average-sized adult bed, they still take up quite a bit more space than a cot. Before you upgrade, check that the dimensions of your bed of choice fit into the space you have in mind.
You will also want enough space for your child to get out of bed safely and to be able to open any storage drawers or cupboards that a bed might include.
Be careful if you are thinking of getting into bed with your toddler to tuck them up or read them a bedtime story: most toddler beds are not designed to be able to cope with an adult's weight. This means no bigger kids or adults jumping on the bed, either!
Most beds recommend that the user doesn't exceed around 40 kg, but some can take much more. At this stage, it is probably time to move on to an adult bed.
Children need to be big enough and mature enough to start sleeping in a bed, and this stage will come at different ages for each child. Some bed brands will have their own advice as to what age it is suitable to start using their product, but this should be treated as guidance.
For some children, it is appropriate to start using a bed at 18 months. For others, that time might not come until they are three. Use the product advice in conjunction with your own understanding of your child to come to the right conclusion.
Learning to sleep in a proper bed is a new experience for a toddler and one that might take a bit of getting used to. Sleeping in a bed means fewer boundaries and restrictions, which is an important stage of development, but you still need to keep your toddler safe.
To stop them from falling out of bed and to make them feel more secure, it is worth getting a bed that has guards on the side. These either come halfway down the bed or all the way along. If your child is a wriggler, you might want more protection, but if not, then a more open design makes it easier to get in and out.
Buying a child's bed doesn't necessarily mean all the components are included, and this is an important thing to check before you buy, particularly when it's something as fundamental as a mattress.
Toddler beds will normally be photographed complete with a mattress, and sometimes even bedding, but these things are not actually always included within the price. So, it's well worth double-checking this or you could end up having to unexpectedly spend more money than you budgeted for.
Clever ways of keeping things ordered and tidy are always a welcome addition to any room, and a new bed is a perfect opportunity to provide extra storage options without taking up any more floor space.
Most beds will feature storage in the form of a larger drawer (or drawers) which run the length of the mattress and fit under the bed. Sometimes, they will have some at the end of the bed and possibly some shelves, too, so just keep an eye out for whichever would suit your space the best.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Argos Home Ellis Toddler Bed | ![]() | This Simple But Effective Design Will Suit Everyone | |
2 | Bjird Toddler's Bed | ![]() | A Bed That Can Be Assembled to Fit Around Your Space | |
3 | MEBLEX Toddler Bed | ![]() | A Bed That Both 2-Year-Olds and Adults Will Find Cool | |
4 | Argos Peppa Pig Toddler Bed Cube & Mattress | ![]() | A Fun Design for Them, Plenty of Storage for You | |
5 | Happy Beds Cabin Bed | ![]() | This Bed Unit Is Cosy but Not Claustrophobic | |
6 | Worlds Apart Dinosaur Toddler Bed | ![]() | A Bed That Any Dinosaur Fan Would Love | |
7 | Argos Home Bodie Toddler Bed Frame | ![]() | A Stripped-Back Bed With a Modern Touch | |
8 | MCC Racing Car Kids Bed | ![]() | Let Your Child's Imagination Race Off | |
9 | John Lewis & Partners Boris Toddler Bed | ![]() | A Classic Bed Frame for a Timeless Feel | |
10 | Christow Blue Toddler Metal Bed Frame | ![]() | The Blue Colour Livens Up This Metal Bed Frame |
This bed for toddlers doesn't make things too complicated but provides everything that you and your youngster could want or need. It comes in at a very affordable price too, especially when you consider the fact that it comes with a mattress (again, a trusty toddler model from Silentnight).
The white frame will go in any room, and the bed guards are the perfect length. They will keep your child safe when sleeping, but they also allow plenty of space for getting out. All round, this is a first bed that will be loved by parents and children alike.
This bed's main advantage is the way that it can be built in whatever way suits you. Each side has guards, one of which comes halfway down the bed and the other which covers the full length. These can be switched depending on what works best for you, your child and the room.
If you're a parent who loves to share a bedtime story with your toddler, then fear not, this bed can support up to 120 kg. Although it might be a bit short for a fully-grown adult, if you can squeeze on somehow, you can lie on the bed without worry. There are 5 colours to choose from.
Like other beds with a more modern feel, this piece of furniture moves away from straight edges and instead explores the use of curves. The overall design is minimalistic and the colours muted, which makes it extremely versatile, and any colour or design that children want to add can be done through bedding.
Better yet, it has an enormous amount of storage underneath in the form of a drawer running the length of the bed, which is perfect for storing away toys, clothes and any other clutter.
This bed design keeps everyone happy. For your toddler, their favourite character will make bedtime more exciting than it's ever been. For you, it is easy to tidy up the mess from the day with the many, many storage solutions.
It comes with a good quality Silentnight mattress, so you don't need to worry about sourcing one of those. When your child is ready to move on from their cot, even from as young as 18 months, this bed is a great next step.
This bed is far more than just a bed. In addition to being somewhere for your toddler to sleep, it includes two drawers and two shelves to provide ample storage. The shelves are open, allowing you to have some fun with putting certain things on display, but there are also drawers to cater with the overspill.
It also has a step up to the bed which will not only make it easier for your little ones to get in and out but will also add to the excitement. Hopefully, the shelving will provide enough of a barrier to prevent falling out, but be careful if your child is very wriggly or active in their sleep.
The adorable dinosaur design on this bed finds just the right balance between being bright and exciting enough that it will catch your kid's attention, but not so much that it overwhelms the bed and becomes tacky. It has bed guards to keep your child in place but is open at the end so it's easy for them to get out.
This bed is one of the shortest options, so if your child is tall, they could grow out of being able to use it quite quickly – not ideal if you want a bed to last throughout the toddler years.
The all-white panels on this bed paired with the sleek, curved design of the headboards give it an aesthetically-pleasing shape and finish. Keeping it white also means that it will slot into most rooms without looking out of place, whether that's a girl or a boy's room.
This bed is expensive when you consider how simple it is. It might be nice to look at, but it doesn't include any of the extras you might want, so you will need to be prepared to spend more on a mattress.
This eye-catching bed is sure to be a favourite with your little one. Its racing car design, complete with wheels, a number and a rear wing that doubles up as a headboard, is one that any car-loving child would love to find in their room.
It is safe in the way that the sides come up higher than the bed, but this is the case all the way down, which might make it hard for youngsters to get out, particularly in the dark. It is also quite solid, taking up space without providing any storage.
The antique wood of this bed frame is a much better quality wood than the MDF that is usually used for toddler bed frames. This means it will last and last, and its classic look will never feel out of place no matter what the rest of the room is like.
Its simplistic style doesn't allow for any built-in storage which you might want, nor does it come with a mattress. Plus, whilst it might look timeless and appeal to parents, children might not like the fact that the design is not very exciting or colourful.
If you are set on a metal frame for your toddler's bed, this option puts a more exciting and child-friendly spin on a traditional design. Car shapes are subtly built into both ends, and the more open style makes it look less intrusive than some wood designs.
Unfortunately, it does have quite a limited age range as it is only suitable for kids between the ages of 3 and 5. Although it is cheap, you will have to add to the cost by buying a mattress and potentially more storage, too.
With a growing toddler comes a growing list of items to think about buying, but finding the most suitable isn't easy. Including the best cups for bedtime drinks and clever alarm clocks to help you convince your child of the value of sleep, we hope our related articles will make finding what you need less of a hassle.
Everyone needs a good night's sleep, and this is especially true of toddlers who need plenty of rest to fuel their rapid growth. A bed where they feel comfortable and cosy is the perfect way to provide this, and with the right safety precautions in place, you'll be able to sleep easy too.
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Argos Home|Ellis Toddler Bed
No. 2: Bjird|Toddler's Bed
No. 3: MEBLEX|Toddler Bed
No. 4: Argos|Peppa Pig Toddler Bed Cube & Mattress
No. 5: Happy Beds|Cabin Bed
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