As a parent, you probably know that an unprepared trip with children can turn into a nightmare. As a parent I swear I spend most of my time packing and unpacking, getting everyone ready, and making sure we have everything we need. And that’s before the actual trip even starts! But there are ways to make travel with kids less stressful. One of them is to get a good travel bed. It will give your child a sense of familiarity and comfort when sleeping in a new place.
We spent hours researching and testing different models to find 5 best toddler travel beds. Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed showed the best results and became our Editor’s Choice. Making our selection, we considered several factors. The dimensions are a must, to make sure your child fits in. The weight capacity is another one because if your child is too heavy, the bed may not support them. The type of material is also something to look at to ensure the bed is high quality and will last. The weight of the bed will determine how easy it is to transport.
More features: acts as a suitcase while in the folded position; waterproof machine washable cover
This model from the well-known kids’ products manufacturer is one of the best travel beds for a toddler, due to its convenience and comfortable materials. First is the outer piece, which has high bumpers on all four sides to prevent your toddler from rolling out while sleeping. The outside material is durable canvas, with velour on the inside for extra softness, plus it is waterproof and washable for added convenience.
The inner mattress is removable, attaching to the outer bed with Velcro to keep it from shifting as your child moves. This model is two inches thick, with a waterproof cover that can be removed and tossed in a washing machine whenever needed. A fitted sheet is also included with this handy travel bed, so you never have to hunt for one before your trip.
When it comes time to travel, you can fold up this bed, securing it quickly with the Velcro sides and handles. Though a bit large when folded, this bed can double as a suitcase. With room enough for a pillow, blankets, clothing, and a few treasured stuffies, it will be the only piece of luggage your child will need. And those side flaps tuck away when you unpack the bed, with Velcro covers for the gaps to keep little fingers out at all times. This comfy bed lets your toddler sleep anywhere you go.
More features: passes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) testing protocols; removable sleeping pad
This handy little bed from KidCo is perfect for traveling anywhere, even if you prefer camping in the great outdoors. It is incredibly lightweight, can be folded down into its own small carry case, and also fits into a carry-on baggage for air travel.
The Peapod has polyester tent material on the top and bottom but uses mesh for the sides to ensure your little one can breathe, even if they roll enough to have their face against the side of the pod. The doorway is wide enough to allow you to place a small child inside, even when sleeping. Then, you can leave it open or zip it closed as needed.
For comfort, a Micro-Lite sleeping pad comes with the bed, which can be attached to the bottom of the bed on the outside using snaps. This makes it easy to assemble, without risking your child’s safety. This pad is effortless to clean with a damp cloth and some soap.
If you plan to use this bed outside, it offers some UV protection, as well as keeping the bugs away when all closed up. There are also some anchor straps to keep it secured to the ground, even on windy days.
The only downside is that some have found it difficult to fold, though there are many handy videos to help with this if needed. Also, mind that the bed’s maximum length is 46 inches which may be unsuitable for toddlers older than three.
More features: built-in bed rails; comes with a pump and an XL travel bag
Whether you need the best toddler travel bed for family vacations or just one for a night at Grandma’s house, this inflatable toddler bed will be a hit with the little one. It is portable, easy-to-use, and comes with everything you need.
This little bed includes two pieces, which inflate separately using the pump (comes with the purchase). The outer section inflates around the edge, with bumpers on the sides to prevent your toddler from rolling off. The inner mattress is one large piece, with velvet on the sleeping side for a soft layer against your child’s skin.
Both pieces are made of durable inlay-enforced vinyl, which is thick enough to resist tears and punctures. There are reinforced weld-seams as well to reduce leaks on these high-stress areas. The valves are heavy duty, so it holds tight when closed, keeping the air inside where it belongs.
The setup is easy, inflating one piece at a time, both of which are ready to use in under 30 seconds. You also won’t need special sheets and blankets for this portable bed since it can fit any standard crib sheets, and because you have a toddler, you will likely already have these at home.
For travel, this inflatable toddler bed rolls up small and fits into its handy storage bag. You can tuck it into a trunk while traveling and store it in a closet when you’re done with it.
More features: removable machine washable cover; comes with a travel bag
Though this toddler travel bed is a bit pricey, it is a well-made product that can go with you anywhere you need it to. It consists of a foam pad surrounded by cushioned bumpers that surround the inner mattress and keep your little one from rolling off.
These pieces are covered by a padded cover, which can be removed and thrown into your washing machine whenever it needs to be cleaned. It can even be placed in the drier, as long as you do so on low to prevent shrinking.
Since this product is one-piece, with no folds or buttons that hold it together, you can lay it out flat as a child’s bed, or they can fold it in half and use it as a cushioned seat when reading story books or playing with toys.
This handy bed is somewhat big to hold even larger children but still rolls up small enough to fit into its included travel bag to take on the road or store in a closet.
Because it is already put together, the setup takes only seconds, with no extra tools or pumps needed. Most standard crib sheets should fit, but you may also want to add a waterproof pad. Any of your child’s favorite pillows and blankets can also fit on this bed.
More features: comes with a carry case; includes a cotton fitted sheet
If you need a cheap little bed for your toddler, this one from Regalo is a great option. It has a simple design that makes it convenient and easy-to-use, plus it is light enough to carry with you wherever you need it.
The My Cot Portable Toddler Bed has an all steel frame that is sturdy enough to hold up to 75 pounds but doesn’t add too much to the weight of the bed. This frame is fully put together, so you can unfold it right out of the bag and put it to use.
The liner of the bed is made of nylon, with reinforced stitching around the edges where it attaches to the frame. This keeps it tight, with no shifting or tearing. The material is also waterproof so that accidents won’t damage it. You can also clean up any spills or nighttime wettings with a bit of soap and a damp cloth.
Also included with this handy cot is a cotton fitted sheet, which is soft for sleeping on. It is machine washable, though you need to do so carefully or it will shrink and need replacement. The main issue with this bed is that it doesn’t lock in place when open, though it shouldn’t fold up while your child is sleeping on it.
Anyone who has small children knows that they need special equipment at home and on the road. A toddler bed for travel is one of those handy and necessary items. Of course, you can’t just get any bed out there. It needs to fit your child size and age, plus have a few other features to ensure your little one will be comfortable while they sleep.
Toddlers are that awkward size between babies and kids. They are too small for a crib, but not big enough for a grown-up bed. That’s why toddler beds were created, and toddler beds for travel soon followed.
These little beds come in a few different styles, but all have one thing in common. They are the perfect size for those little ones between the ages of one and five. Travel toddler beds are portable, so you can take them on family vacations, camping, or just overnight at Grandma’s house. Many of them also have protective barriers to keep your child from rolling off.
These beds also factor in accidents, usually with some sort of waterproofing or at the very least a removable cover for quick washing. This way, you won’t have to worry about the messes little ones are known for ruining their new travel bed.
When looking for the best toddler travel beds for family vacations and other outings with your smaller children, there are a few features you’ll need to watch for. This will ensure you are getting the right bed for your specific child.
The size of a travel toddler bed is one of the most essential features. If the bed is too big, the child can use it for a few years, but if it is too small, they likely won’t be comfortable in it right from the start. That’s why you need to check out the dimensions of the bed before you even buy it, comparing those to the height and width of your child at the same time.
You also need to consider whether those dimensions include any outer material, like side bumpers.
For instance, the Leachco BumpZZZ Travel Bed has a few different dimensions listed, one for the entire bed and one for the inner mattress area only. It also lists the dimensions of the bed when packed in its storage bag, which is another critical feature to look at, especially if traveling with limited space.
You may have noticed that three of the products we reviewed do not have a weight capacity. This is because they don’t need one, as all three of them are placed directly on the floor, using some soft padding for comfort.
But the other two are a different story. The Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed needs a weight capacity because it uses steel rods to hold up the bed and whoever lays on it. If the weight is too much for these poles to bear, they will bend and break. The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is filled with air, which can also only support a certain amount of weight.
To ensure your new toddler bed will last for as long as you need it, be sure to check out whether or not a weight limit is recommended and stay within these guidelines.
The materials used for toddler beds varies with the type of bed purchased. For inflatable beds, vinyl is usually the most common, due to its strength and resilience. Softer beds typically consist of some type of foam padding with cotton, nylon, or polyester as a cover. A few of these even add some softer microfiber or velvet on the areas your child will likely be touching. All of these are great materials that should hold up well, even with daily use.
But fabrics alone won’t hold up under repeated strain. These fabrics need to be secured well, using heavy-duty seams and quality zippers to ensure no tearing or damage occurs.
If the bed has some sort of frame that keeps it off the floor, like the Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed, these parts should also be well-made, using steel or other durable metals. The attachments, like bolts or screws, should be tight and hidden if possible, so little fingers don’t catch on them.
When traveling with a toddler bed, you want to make sure it is lightweight. Otherwise, you may strain yourself trying to give your little one a proper place to sleep. Thankfully, most toddler beds out there are made of lightweight materials, like foam and lighter fabrics. This makes it easy to carry to and from your vehicle. Some, like the KidCo Peapod, are even light and small enough to fit comfortably in a carry-on bag for air travel, without putting you over any weight restrictions.
As with every product you purchase for your child, your home, or yourself, a decent toddler bed should have a good warranty. Such a warranty should cover you for any damage that happens to the bed before it reaches you, so you aren’t paying to repair the damage you didn’t cause.
Some beds come with a guarantee for a few months, while others offer a year-long warranty. The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed, on the other hand, has a lifetime guarantee, so if the mattress doesn’t meet your expectations or fails during use, you can exchange it at no cost. These types of warranties are the best, because not only do they take the stress out of using these products, it shows that the company stands behind their products.
Though having a portable toddler bed can take the worry out of traveling with small children, there are a few features that make them even more convenient to use. One of these is inbuilt bumpers, like those found on three of the products we reviewed above. These bumpers stop your child from rolling out of the bed as they move in the night, protecting them from even a short fall.
Another handy feature is a removable cover, which can protect the bed from spills and stains, plus make it easy to change out in the middle of the night if an accident occurs. A fitted sheet is also great to have, especially if it comes with the bed. This way, you’ll always have one you know is the right fit.
Storage and travel bags are also necessary accessories. This makes it easy to take the bed with you, keeping it compact and easy to move around. You don’t have to try to stuff it into a spare bag or a suitcase if a travel bag is included.
If you’re buying an inflatable bed, like the hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed, a pump is another extra that should be included with the rest of the package. You can’t blow up a bed without one, plus many pumps have different sizes of nozzles. Having one you know will fit with your specific bed can save you a lot of stress, especially when your little one is tired, cranky, and needing a nap.
If you have a toddler at home, you know how much they need their own bed for naps and nighttime. Having the best toddler travel bed can take the worry out of going anywhere overnight, ensuring your toddler has the best bed possible for a comfortable night’s sleep. Though all five beds would work for any trip away from home, they are not all created equal.
Our top choice is the Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed. This one is versatile, doubling as a suitcase for your toddlers’ belongings. It uses soft material, has a removable, washable cover, and even includes a fitted sheet.
Another excellent option is the KidCo Peapod, which can be used inside or outdoors as needed. It is compact and lightweight, so is perfect for all types of travel. It is safe to use, with breathable mesh, UV protection, and a closable flap to keep bugs away.
The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is our third choice, with its durable materials, included pump for fast setup, and the soft velvet mattress for comfort. Plus, it fits standard crib sheets for added convenience.
