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.
It can be tricky to get your little to one to go to sleep in a new place, but choosing the right bed can help with this. There are plenty of options to choose from in a range of bright colours and fun designs, including inflatable and blow-up mattresses, covers, sleeping bags and even nap beds.
Editor's Choice:
•Best inflatable option: The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed - Buy now from Amazon, £79
•Best for comfort: Bed in a Bag - Buy now from Great Little Trading Co, £92
•Best with a pump: Intex Kidz Travel Bed with Hand Pump - Buy now from Argos, £35
•Best for portability: Butterfly Craze Floor Bed Cover - Buy now from Amazon, £24.99
To help you to decide which children's travel bed would be most suited to your child, we have put together this little list. Simply pair one of these beds with a toddler pillow and they will be all set for their new adventure!
The best toddler travel beds 2024
Best inflatable option
Description
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.
One reviewer said: "We purchased this bed ahead of a week away for use by our 2 year old. The bed is a good size, deep enough so it doesn't feel like they are sleeping on the floor. I like the fact that you can tuck sheets under the mattress part in the middle. Our daughter loved the bed and slept a dream on it."
Read our The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed review here.
Pros
- Water resistant vinyl
- Anti-squeak
Cons
- May require an American plug adaptor
Best lightweight option
Description
This all-in-one nap mat rolls up neatly for easy storage and travel. Featuring unicorns, fairies, rainbows and castles, it has a padded base and cover to keep your tot comfy. You'll love that it's machine washable too at 40°C, so if they have any accidents, it's easy to clean.
One reviewer said: "I 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."
Pros
- Soft cotton blend
- Simple Velcro fastening
Cons
- Not very thick
3.
Bed in a Bag
Best for comfort
www.gltc.co.uk
Description
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 and far less time consuming than other options.
One reviewer said: "I am really pleased with this purchase. It is extremely well made and very comfortable."
Another reviewer said: "My little one loves using this bed on holiday because it is super soft and I love it because it is quick to get ready."
Pros
- Super soft cotton cover
- Quick and easy to set up
Cons
- Not machine washable
Best for a budget
AmazonDescription
Available in a fun Paw Patrol design, this ReadyBed rolls right up into a handy carry bag, making it easy to carry and store. This 2 in 1 portable airbed and sleeping bag also includes a child proof safety zip and fast action deflation valve. It also has a cosy machine washable cover, a supported headrest and tumble free sides.
One reviewer said: "I bought this for my 3 year old Grandson as he loves Paw Patrol and is out growing the travel cot. He slept in it all night and it hasn’t deflated 2 weeks later!"
Pros
- Lightweight material
- Supportive headrest
Cons
- Quite small
Best with a pump
www.argos.co.uk
Description
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.
One reviewer said: “I bought this bed a month ago for a family holiday. It was easy to inflate and it came with a pump. It looked great and felt like a real mattress. It didn’t deflate through the night and 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.”
Pros
- Airtight
- Carry bag included
Cons
- Keep away from furniture as it could pop
Best for portability
Description
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.
One reviewer said: "It looks just like it does in the picture but it doesn't come with pillows. I got it for my daughter who has special needs so it's for her room with her sensor lights she absolutely loves it she's not been off it since that came definitely worth the money."
Pros
- Zippers keep everything in place
- Folds away when not in use
Cons
- Needs pillows to pad it out
Best for durability
www.stokke.com
Description
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.
One reviewer said: "I bought it for all of the upcoming travels that we have. It’s really perfect and compact, as advertised. We haven’t taken it in a carry on yet but based on how compact it is, I think it’s absolutely doable. My child is a tall for his age but he still fits with some wiggle room!"
Pros
- Breathable mesh cover
- Foldable and compact
Cons
- Some users say it may take a while to deflate
Best novelty design
Description
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. This shark design is super fun, but there's also other animals to choose from, including a seal, a cat and a unicorn.
One reviewer said: "I was expecting a really low quality given some comments but to my surprise I think this sleeping bag is really great! My little daughter is delighted, she is tall but it is the perfect size for her. The Happy Nappers bed makes a fantastic present."
Pros
- Multiple size options
- Easy to climb into
Cons
- Not the most durable design
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 with children 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. Just like a travel stroller, you want it to take up as little room as possible, especially as you'll need to store it year-round too.
Safety: Make sure the travel bed is durable and supportive of their head and neck. On another note, if you're little one is a little escape artist, you may want to bring a travel stair gate with you to keep them safe if they wonder out of bed in the middle of the night.
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 during your family holiday.
Where should my toddler sleep on holiday?
Your little one will be comfortable in a travel toddler bed, but if they still fit in a travel cot, and they are comfortable and safe, then it's okay for them to continue using it. Ultimately, you will know where your child is comfortable and safe. If possible, prepare your child for sleeping in a different bed, or cot, before you travel by showing them their new toddler travel bed, or even letting them have a trial night or two at home.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.