Kids Bed Buying Guide

To choose the perfect bed, peek under the covers ...

Choosing a kid's bed shouldn't keep you up at night. There are a lot of amazing options today (don't you wish you were a kid now?) so let us help you separate the truth from the bunk. The doctor said no more monkeys! Like the song says, your little monkeys are probably going to jump on the bed. That's one reason to get a good quality mattress. Another is that growing bodies need good support. Healthy sleep habits start now, and a good twin mattress can last through high school. If you have room, go ahead and splurge on a full or queen size mattress. We have kid bed frames to fit any size. Little kids are loony. An entire padded room might not be practical, but for rambunctious children, look for headboards and railings with padding. If it saves you one trip to the dentist, it pays for itself.

Okay, corral

Fresh from the crib, tots benefit from boundaries. Some kids beds come with border rails to corral flip-flopping sleepers, especially important in tall bunk beds. Another option is a platform bed that's low to the floor, so your cub's first fall out of bed is a short trip.

You won't believe the choices available to kids now. Platform beds, trundle beds, beds with extra storage, and theme beds ranging from sleighs to race cars will have your tot counting the hours until bedtime. (For a while, anyway.) If they're restful sleepers, even little ones can enjoy space-saving bunk beds, as long as it has safety rails. While you are matching bed themes with your child's interests, keep in mind the "feel" of the bed, too. Restless, overstimulated children benefit from a calmer sleep environment. Bedtime is not the best time for flash and dazzle.

Space, man

If you have lots of room, enjoy the luxury of a dream-world canopy or poster bed. If space is tight or you have a whole gaggle of children, you'll love our space-making kids loft beds, bunk beds and storage beds. The only problem left will be deciding who gets to be on top.

All kid beds on hayneedle.com list their dimensions, so you can compare how each bed would fit before you order. Beds often look bigger in real life. By measuring first, you'll avoid bad surprises later.

Compare your desires with our vast choices. You'll find the perfect bed easily, with lots of time left over for a nice, long nap.