Toddler Bed Buying Guide imageMoving a little one into a toddler bed might be difficult, but it can be made a lot easier with the purchase of the right bed. Finding a toddler bed that will ensure a little one will be comfortable, safe,...Read More about Toddler Bed Buying Guide kids table + chairs(42) Toddler Furniture for Your Growing Kids Light up your little one’s eyes with a kid-friendly selection of toddler beds and other durable furniture from JCPenney. Does your toddler have a wild side? Kindle their adventurous spirit with a safari-themed table and chairs, or let their love for animals roar with furniture shaped like lovable jungle creatures. Any girl will feel like royalty on a Disney princess recliner or sitting at a princess-themed vanity—complete with mirror and stool. She can even have her afternoon tea with her favorite stuffed animals at an adorable pink table set. Boys will feel like superheroes on an upholstered Spiderman chair or fly high on an airplane rocker.
Keep their toys and goodies in order with a personalized toy box or storage bench. For a more traditional appearance, your kids will feel like grown-ups with classic wooden furniture or espresso toddler beds with a beautiful lacquered appearance. With so many toys and clothes, storage is can be a problem. Storage bed is the best solution. Get a bed with a single or multiple drawers. Or select a beautiful chaise lounge for extras seating and storage. From Hello Kitty to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Dora the Explorer, we have a great assortment of cartoon themed furniture. Whatever your child’s tastes, we have the toddler furniture to match their one-of-a-kind personality and their growing imagination.ToddlerIf your 2-year-old (or dexterous 18-month-old) has started to make like Houdini and attempt to escape the confines of his crib, it’s probably time to let him graduate to a big-kid bed. Got a crib that converts to a toddler bed? Then you’re all set once you make the change. But if you need to buy a toddler bed, read on.
Your Toddler Bed OptionsYou have two choices for your tot’s new sweet-dreams spot:A toddler bed, which is a small bed frame that fits a crib-size mattress and often comes disguised as a spaceship, princess castle or sports car.A twin-size mattress and bed frame and portable safety rails.Both are safe, so let these benefits and drawbacks to each guide your decision.Buying a Toddler BedPros:Bed frames for children are pretty affordable for toddler gear, ranging in price from $50 to $200. Plus, most come with safety rails and accept standard crib mattresses, so you don’t need to buy these extras.The fun designs and colors on toddler bed frames can up the excitement about transitioning from crib to bed.Most toddler beds are low to the ground, which is good news for your little one, who’s likely eager to climb in and out on his own.Cons:The weight limit for toddler beds is 50 pounds, which means your tot will eventually outgrow it. Another bummer: You won’t be able to hop in for a cuddle during his bedtime routine.
Your mischievous little monkey may bounce out of bed (intentionally or not) in the middle of the night since toddler beds are so low to the ground.Many toddler beds are plastic, so they may not be especially durable.What to look for:A frame that holds a standard-size crib mattress. If the crib mattress you have doesn’t fit snugly into the bed frame, buy one that does. Gaps between the mattress and the frame pose an entrapment hazard.The toddler bed you buy has to be tough enough for your rough-and-tumble tot (and maybe some visiting pals as well).Side rails — or a toddler bed that lets you attach them. These help restless sleepers (and tossers and tumblers) stay put.A smooth finish, rounded edges, and hardware that doesn't stick out, so your pipsqueak doesn’t get poked.The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification. Look for this sticker on the packaging for any toddler bed and safety rails you buy. (It guarantees the product has met certain safety standards.)
Buying a Twin BedPros:You’ll get more use out of it than a toddler bed, since it can hold your honey through high school (and beyond).Some twin bed frames feature kid-friendly designs or headboards that can get your sweetie psyched about sleeping there.It will be big enough to host you too, which comes in handy for snuggling while your child drifts off to dreamland.Cons:You’ll need to buy a twin-size mattress ($150 to $1,000), a twin-size toddler bed frame ($100 to $300), and portable safety rails ($20 to $100 each, and you’ll need one for each side of the bed that’s not flush against a wall). That adds up to considerably more moola than buying a toddler bed.If the portable safety rails aren’t placed firmly against the mattress, there’s an entrapment hazard.Some twin bed frames are too high for a munchkin to mount easily.What to look for:Just like when buying a toddler bed, look for twin bed frames that are sturdy with a smooth finish, rounded edges, and hardware that doesn’t protrude.
Portable safety rails should have the JPMA certification sticker on them. (A twin bed frame without a JPMA sticker doesn’t mean the product’s unsafe since it isn’t subject to JPMA standards.)You’ll need mesh safety rails if your toddler tends to toss and turn while he sleeps. If he stays still while he snoozes, steel or wood safety rails should be fine.Most children move from a crib to a toddler bed sometime between a child’s first and third year. It's important not to make the switch too soon. When your little one is too big or active for a crib, consider these options.Toddler beds are a nice transition. They’re about the size of a crib, so your child will feel snug and cozy. They use a crib mattress, so you won't have to invest in a new twin-sized or larger mattress just yet.Toddler beds have high sides or built-in rails to keep your child from falling or rolling out. And – adding to the kid appeal – they come in cool designs including spaceships, princess castles, or speed-demon cars.
If your crib converts to a toddler bed, you can just use the conversion kit from the crib manufacturer (sometimes sold separately), which usually includes hardware and a bed rail. Swap one side of the crib for the rail, and you're done. Your child will enjoy the familiarity of the old crib and sleep safely enclosed, but will be able to get in and out without your help.See a photo gallery of our favorite toddler beds.A standard bed frame and mattress can also work. You'll need to install bed rails or inflatable or pillow-style bolsters on both sides to keep your child safely in bed.A mattress placed on the floor is another option, although you may still want to use bolsters to keep your child from wiggling off. Once your little one has mastered the art of crib-free sleeping, you can move the mattress onto a frame.Browse dozens of toddler bedding and beds.Sturdy construction: Give the bed a good jostle – it needs to stand up to a few years of bouncing and other toddler wear and tear. The more solidly built the frame, the less likely you'll have to replace it after one too many dance parties.
Solid wood costs more, but will endure better than cheaper materials.A snug fit: You want a frame that holds the mattress tightly. If the crib mattress you have doesn't fit snugly into the bed frame, buy one that does. Smooth edges: To avoid injuries, look for a design with an even, smooth finish and rounded edges, as well as hardware that doesn't jut out.Safety standards: Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification seal on the packaging of the toddler bed and safety rails you buy.Side rails: Many kids toss and turn while sleeping, and a rail on each side helps prevent tumbles. Some beds come with high sides or rails attached, while others have slots that let you attach ones purchased separately. Make sure any rails installed fit snugly against the edge of the mattress to avoid entrapment. Note that rails keep a child from falling but not climbing out of bed.Enticing designs: It may not be your personal taste, but a bed crowned with a princess tiara or emblazoned with a favorite cartoon character may be just the lure your toddler needs to transition out of the crib.