Kids Beds Buying Guide

When considering which bed size is best, we always advise choosing a mattress size and bed frame that leaves enough room for your child to grow. This will maximise the product's lifespan and not leave your children in an unsuitable bed for long.

If you are still trying to figure out where to start, take measurements of your child's bedroom to get a rough idea of the space available. After that, consult the mattress size chart below to find the perfect bed size.

While you may not be in the market for a new mattress, using mattress size is the best way to pick your child's bed size. We have included a recommended age range, but every child is different, so these age ranges may differ slightly.

While the toddler and cot bed age ranges are relatively set in stone, each child will transition to a "big kid's bed" at different times. It's common for a child to transition to a small single or a single bed before the age of 4, for example.

Transitioning to a new bed is a big moment in a child's life. To make the process easier - and to find the average ages of transition - look at 'Transitioning Your Child to a New Bed: The Essential Guide'. If you're set on a mattress and bed size but need clarification about which mattress type is the best for your little one, read our in-depth blog 'How To Choose the Right Mattress for Your Child'.

There is no answer as to which is the best toddler bed, as that depends on you and your child. But rest assured, all our toddler beds are designed to uphold strict safety standards! To keep your child safe as they sleep, a toddler bed will usually have raised sides that will help to prevent them from rolling out of bed during the night.

Regarding what kinds of toddler beds are available, we have a wide range of fun toddler character beds with bright and colourful designs. This makes bedtime comfortable for them and exciting as they sleep next to their favourite characters! Make sure to choose a toddler mattress specifically designed to fit into these unique beds. Our kids mattresses are designed to support your child as they sleep and grow.

Whilst it may be enticing to immediately upgrade your little one from a cot to a big kid's bed, it's essential to consider their age, as each age bracket should ideally use a different bed. As many types of children's beds exist, we've compiled this helpful list to help you better understand what bed size is best for your child.

• Cot bed - for children under 2, we recommend they continue to use a cot that will help provide safety as they sleep, thanks to the high sides.
• Toddler bed - toddlers between 2 - 4 years should be upgraded to a toddler bed. These don't have the high safety rails that cot beds do; instead, they simply have raised sides to help reduce the risk of them falling out of bed in the middle of the night.
• Low sleeper bed - ideal for the age of 4 and up, low sleepers are easily accessible due to being low to the ground.
• Mid sleepers - also called a cabin bed, a mid sleeper bed is higher than a standard bed but lower than a bunk bed or high sleeper. They usually have handy storage built in underneath the sleep space. Because of their height and the fact they have ladders or steps to reach the mattress, mid-sleepers should only be used by children over 6.
• High sleepers - with an elevated sleep space that’s reached via ladders, we recommend that these high sleeper beds (loft beds) are also used by children above 6, making them only suitable for older children.
• Bunk beds - the top bunk of a bunk bed should be used only by children over the age of 6 to help increase safety, whilst children can use the bottom bunk over the age of 3.

When purchasing a kid's bed, it's equally important to keep the kid's bed size in mind, as kids' mattress sizes are sometimes different from an adult bed. Toddler beds will want a toddler mattress, and so forth!

How do I transition my toddler to a bed?

There will come a time when your little one needs to transition from a cot to a bed. Whilst there's no real answer to the question of what age children go into a bed, you will most likely have gotten an idea that your child is ready to transition up to a bigger bed.

Most importantly, consider whether a toddler bed is the ideal transitioning bed for them before moving up to a big kids bed. This is because a toddler bed often has fun and colourful designs while low to the ground and still having essential safety features such as practical side barriers.

We recommend that children under 6 should not be allowed on the top bunk, and those under 3 should not be on a bunk bed at all. While our bunk beds adhere to the strictest UK Safety Standards and include many features, including raised side railers and fixed ladders, we specify this age range for more safety.

As such, our age recommendations are because the top bunk of a bed is much harder to access than the bottom bunk, and it also comes with the added risk of a potential fall from height that could cause a young child potential injury. If you want to learn more about bunk bed safety, then read our detailed blog on the subject 'What You Need To Know About Bunk Bed Safety' or check out our Bunk Bed FAQ's for more helpful information.

Being one of the littlest members of your family means your little one will likely have one of the smallest bedrooms. However, our range of children’s beds is designed to suit any child's bedroom, from the grand to the petite. Look for a bed frame with built-in storage space for a space-saving bed. Cabin beds are great, while divan or even ottoman beds work particularly well in older kids’ rooms. They’re a great way of introducing extra storage without taking up more space.

If your child shares a room with their sibling or often has friends to stay over, a bunk bed is an excellent option, providing extra sleep space without taking up any more floor space. Trundle beds are another good option for sleepovers, featuring an additional mattress that can be pulled out when required freeing up a space to play day-to-day.

Cabin Beds

Storage Beds

Bunk Beds

Ottoman Beds

The right kids mattress for your child depends on many factors, including how they sleep or what they are like while sleeping. Three of the most important factors to consider are the following:

• Constantly moving - if your child is a chronic fidgeter whilst sleeping, they will want a mattress capable of providing plenty of support to avoid waking them up. A pocket spring mattress contains individually pocketed springs that operate independently from each other, absorbing your child's movement whilst keeping them asleep!
• Overheating - keeping your child cool during the night is very important, as children can often get very hot quickly. Cooling mattresses or mattresses with natural fillings that are temperature-regulating, such as cotton, are the perfect solution here.
• Needing extra support - children need plenty of support for their growing bodies as they sleep, so we'd recommend a medium or medium/firm mattress!

Of course, each child is unique, so what might work for one child might not work for another, so it's essential to carefully assess what you think your child needs. The good news is that all Happy Beds mattresses and beds marketed towards children will have been manufactured to the highest safety standards, whether you opt for a firm mattress or a memory foam mattress, so you can be assured that your child will be comfortable and safe.

Your little one can get the sleep they need with the right children's bed. You never know; with beds this comfortable, they may even let you lie in!