Once your child is too big for a travel cot, it's time to consider buying them a portable toddler travel bed instead. While these can also be used for sleepovers at Granny and Grandad's, they are especially useful when you're travelling with your family and you want to avoid paying for an extra room.
What to look for in a toddler travel bed
Age suitability: Toddler travel beds tend to be designed for two-year-olds and above. Children any younger than this should be in a travel cot instead.
Ease of use: Nobody wants to spend lots of time setting up a bed, especially when you've been travelling and it's a long day. Equally, you'll want it to be just as easy to put away again.
Size and weight: As you'll be using it for travel, the more compact and lightweight your chosen toddler travel bed is, the better. You want it to take up as little room as possible, especially as you'll need to store it year-round too.
Comfort: This will of course depend on your child specifically but it's worth trying out the toddler travel bed before you set off. After all, you'll want to avoid complaints when you get to your destination.
1. The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed
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Featuring inflated security rails, you can be sure that your toddler won't fall onto the floor with The Shrunks Toddler Travel bed. It also has tuck features so that your child can really snuggle up. If you fancy, you can also get this in a family size that will fit two people.
Size: 152 x 92 x 23 cm (inflated)
Item Weight: 7.5lbs
Read Mother and Baby's full review on The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed here.
2. Bloomsbury Mill Toddler Nap Map
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This all-in-one nap mat rolls up neatly for easy storage and travel. Featuring a range of dinosaurs from t-rex to triceratops and pterodactyls, it has a padded base and cover to keep your tot comfy. It's machine washable too at 40°C.
Size: 54.4 x 27.5 x 19.6 cm
Review: "Bought this for my granddaughter's afternoon nap during visits. She loves the animal pattern and easy wrap over cover. This keeps her warm but doesn't restrict movement as a sleeping bag style would. The size is ideal for her to snuggle into and the small raised pillow supports her head and neck well."
3. Bed in a Bag
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This 'Bed in a Bag' is a great travelling accessory. It has a clever roll-out mattress and packs away in an easy carry bag so that you can store and transport easily. You don't need to blow it up so it's extra efficient.
Size: 180 x 60 cm (inflated)
Review: "Really pleased with purchase. Well made and very comfortable."
4. Intex Kidz Travel Bed with Hand Pump
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Suitable for children between 3-6 years old, this five-star toddler travel bed has a raised surround to keep your child from rolling off as well as a removable inner mattress for comfort. A hand/foot pump is included and the bed inflates in 300 seconds and deflates in 150 seconds.
Size: 71 x 132cm
Item Weight: 11.43kg
Review: “I bought this bed a month ago for a family holiday. It was easy to inflate ad it came with a pump. It looked great & felt like a real mattress. It didn’t deflate through the night & we didn’t need to top up with air for the 3-day stay. A very comfortable sleep no rolling off as the design was made for a toddler. An amazing product really happy with it.”
5. Peppa Pig My First ReadyBed
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Available in a fun Peppa Pig design, this ReadyBed rolls right up into a handy carry bag, making it easy to carry and store. The cover is machine washable so you can keep the travel bed clean and fresh. We love the handy pocket to keep their favourite story books or toys safe while they sleep.
Size: 150 x 62 x 20 cm
Item Weight: 1.46 kg
Review: "We bought this ready for a trip to visit family and were a bit worried that our son might not want to use it, but he's currently obsessed with Peppa Pig and absolutely loves his bed. He would sleep in it every night, given the choice. Inflating is easy (even with a two year old helping) and deflating takes seconds. On a carpeted floor the bed is soft and comfy and it's easy to carry round in the build-in bag."
6. Tot-2-Ten Bundle Bed
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This lightweight toddler travel bed includes a 5cm thick self-inflating mattress, helping to create a cosy, comfy space for your tot. The included duvet and pillow (both made with 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles) buttons at the bottom and top to keep them in place. Weighing just 5kg, it all folds up neatly to store and carry in the handy bag included.
Size: 165cm x 50cm (unrolled) / 50cm x 25cm (rolled)
Item Weight: 5kg
7. Grey Shark Cosy Napper
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A sleeping bag like no other, this Cosy Napper is made from high quality soft fluffy fleece material. Zipping all the way up, it creates a cosy cocoon for your child to snooze in
Review: “My daughter was so happy and excited when she saw her happy napper, very good quality and lining inside. It is a bit pricey, but we are happy with our purchase.”
8. Floor Lounger Cover
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Doubling up as a comfy place for your child to lounge, you'll need to stuff this cover with five standard-sized pillows, not included. Made with plush, soft fabric, it's easy to wash - just toss it in the machine and wash on a delicate cycle with cold water. It's roomy enough for adults to use although you'll need to add a blanket.
Item Weight: 29.97 x 26.42 x 10.67 cm
9. CloudSleeper™ Jetkids™ by STOKKE® Inflatable Kids’ Bed
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This durable TPU mattress is made of a lightweight nylon which can be easily cleaned. It's great for hot holiday's as it comes with a breathable air mesh cover fitted sheet, to help regulate your child’s body temperature for optimum comfort. It comes in an easy packing cube with intelligent double zipper design for easy transport.
Size: 150cm x 75cm x 17cm / 59.1in x 29.5in x 6.7in
Weight: 1.4kg / 3.1lbs
Suitable from 36 months up to 68kg