Portable Travel Beds for Toddlers
I don’t know about you, but I don’t enjoy sleeping with our toddler. He is 36 inches but feels the need to take up the entire bed, which is why we researched the best travel beds for toddlers.
He’s been using a toddler travel tent for years, but now that he’s older, it was time to transition him to another toddler bed. Since we are always on the move, having a portable toddler bed is crucial for us.
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Related Post: Our Favorite Toddler Travel Essentials
For families that travel with their kids, it’s nice having the bed to yourself, especially in a hotel room. If you are looking for the best travel bed for toddlers, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our favorite portable travel beds for toddlers.
Toddler Inflatable Travel Bed Comparison Table
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tob 5 Inflatable Travel Beds for Toddlers
Here are some of my favorite products that I recommend when looking for the best travel beds for toddlers.
There are many different types of travel beds, but many parents prefer inflatable travel beds for toddlers. They fold compactly, making them great space savers when you’re traveling with little ones.
These portable toddler beds have plenty of room so your child won’t feel cramped while sleeping. Plus, they don’t take up much space, which makes them perfect if you’re flying.
Related Post: Best Travel Diaper Bags
Shrunks Toddler Travel
The Shrunks Toddler Travel is the perfect transition bed that will help your child feel right at home. It’s designed to be low to the ground so they can get in and out of it easily on their own.
The patented safety rails are included with every purchase so parents don’t have to worry about their children falling out of bed or getting hurt while sleeping. Plus, the unique design allows toddlers to use standard-sized crib sheets and blankets without any issues!
Easily set it up with the electronic pump, which only takes 30 seconds to inflate. Your toddler will love sleeping on this bed.
Use this portable toddler bed for years thanks to the extended warranty plan that covers up to 5 years after the purchase date. If you have any issues, just call customer service and they’ll take care of it.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Different characters
- Lightweight
- Extended warranty
Cons
What we love:
- Disney characters –
What we don’t love:
- Doesn’t pump as quickly –
Shrunks Disney Character Travel Beds
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
EnerPlex Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed
The EnerPlex inflatable travel bed is the ideal portable toddler bed for a variety of travel-related situations, including camping, staying at a hotel or a friend’s house, or even in a camper van or RV.
When deflated, this bed folds into a small travel bag which can be easily carried onto a plane or in a car without taking up much space.
It then only takes 30 seconds to inflate thanks to the included 120V pump, so you don’t have to spend time fussing over-inflating and deflating the bed.
This product is the ideal combination of firmness and softness. It’s not cloud-like enough that your child will be essentially lying on the floor, nor is it firm enough to make your toddler ache.
Instead, the puncture-resistant PVC material works to maintain the structure of the bed until it is deliberately deflated.
My favorite thing about this product is that it comes with an optional blow-up mattress. This means that it can be used either as a normal bed or as a bassinet for little ones who prefer the safety of bumpers to stop them from rolling out of the bed!
Pros
- Quick inflation
- High safety bumpers
- Comfortable
- Taller than other beds
Cons
- Heavy
- Bulky
- Need to air out
What we love:
- Travel bag – Once deflated, the bed folds into a small travel bag for easy transportation
- Safety bumpers – High safety bumpers to keep your little one safe while sleeping
- Quick inflation – Takes only 30 seconds to inflate
What we don’t love:
- Smell – While it only lasts for a few days, the bed comes with a plastic smell, so I recommend letting it air out a few days before using it
- Weight – This portable travel bed for toddlers is heavier than the other inflatable beds on our list
Milliard Portable Toddler Travel Mat
No products found.Sometimes, the idea of inflating and deflating a travel bed for toddlers might seem like an unnecessary and time-consuming task.
Even if you can’t spare 1 minute to inflate a bed, you might just need one that does the work for you. That’s where this travel bed comes in! The Milliard portable toddler travel mat is a pop-up bed that simply unfolds into its position.
As it doesn’t need inflating, this product is made of a velour material that keeps the bed firm yet squishy, providing a mattress-like surface for your little one to snooze away.
When not in use, the mat folds into a box-like structure, which might not be the smallest thing to carry around, but it’s good for transportation nonetheless.
This product is fairly low to the ground with little elevation and comes with bumpers to prevent your toddler from accidentally rolling off the bed – which is also ideal for toddlers who prefer the comfort of a bassinet.
As for cleaning, the mat comes with a removable and washable cover that can be replaced by purchasing separate fitted sheets. It’s not the same size as a regular toddler bed, so you’ll have to buy size-appropriate sheets.
Pros
- High bumpers
- Easy setup
- Comfortable
- Mashine washable
Cons
- Doesn’t fit in bag
- Not spacious
- Bulky
What we love:
- Pop-up design – Doesn’t require a pump to inflate, it just unfolds into place
- Folds easily – Folds into a portable box
- Bassinet-style bumpers – Prevents toddler from rolling off the bed
What we don’t love:
- Sheets – Need to purchase size-appropriate sheets as these are smaller than standard crib sheets
- Not spacious – If your toddlers move around a lot this toddler travel mat doesn’t have much space for them to move around
- Too bulky for airplanes – This travel bed fold into a suitcase, so it’s a little too bulky to take on an airplane
Babyseater Toddler Air Bed
One of the main problems with some kid travel beds is that they don’t come with the additional features of a pillow, bag, pump, or repair kit for inflatable beds.
This can result in suitcases and bags being filled with more items that could easily come in one package.
The Babyseater toddler air bed understands the inconvenience of having to buy and pack multiple accessories to maintain a travel bed for toddlers, which is why their product comes with everything you need.
This product comes with a blow-up mattress, a pillow, an electric air pump, a travel bag, and a repair kit for accidental punctures. Punctures are unlikely due to the vinyl material sewn together with extra-large seams that can hold children of up to 310 lbs.
The mattress itself is ribbed with a velvet texture, but you can also tuck in a regular crib bed sheet for added comfort. When it comes to inflating the bed, the handy electric pump means it only takes 30 seconds for the mattress to inflate.
The travel pillow takes even less time to inflate, plus it’s removable if your kid doesn’t like it. It also comes with tall bumpers to prevent your little one from rolling onto the floor.
Pros
- Affordable
- Uses crib size sheets
- Includes patch kit
- Accessories included
Cons
- Travel bag is bulky
- Takes longer to inflate
What we love:
- Accessories included – Pillow, travel bag, inflating pump, and repair kit included
- Very strong – Can hold toddlers of all weights without puncturing
- Standard size – Fits standard crib sheets so you don’t have to buy size-specific ones
What we don’t love:
- Size of travel bag – While it all fits conveniently in a backpack-sized travel bag, make sure you know your flight’s carry-on size requirements
- Takes longer to inflate – This inflatable toddler bed takes longer to inflate than the other portable toddler beds on our list
Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed
The safety of your child is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a toddler travel bed.
Even though travel beds reside close to the ground, the last thing you want is to be awoken by screaming because your kid rolled out of bed and hit their head.
The hiccapop inflatable toddler travel bed is ideal for parents who are worried about their child’s safety in a travel bed without restricting them to the confines of a crib-style bed.
This product comes with bumpers near the head, feet, and sides of the child to prevent them from accidentally rolling out.
The best part is that these bumpers don’t run around the whole bed, which allows your child to feel less claustrophobic. Ideal for helping them through the transition between a crib and a proper bed!
This product comes with an electric pump to inflate the bed within 30 seconds as well as a small sleeping-bag-sized travel bag for convenient portability.
The material is made of thick vinyl that works to prevent the bed and mattress from puncturing, which is enforced by the heavy-duty seams and air valve. This is to ensure that the bed remains inflated throughout the night.
Pros
- Comfortable
- High weight capacity
- Tall bumper rails for safety
- Fits all standard sheets
Cons
- Heavy for suitcase
- Takes up a lot of space
What we love:
- Transitional bed – Four bumpers mimic the safety of a crib while encouraging your child to transition to a toddler bed
- Portable – Rolls into a small bag for flights
- Very comfortable – Velvet-like texture and puncture-resistant material makes for a permanently comfortable bed
- Lifetime warranty – This toddler travel bed has a lifetime warranty, so if anything goes wrong reach out to the company
What we don’t love:
- Pump not suitable for international travel – US 120V pump is only suitable for use in the United States
- Take up a lot of space – Since this portable toddler bed is larger than the other ones on our list, it takes up more space, so make sure the spot you have set up in your hotel room is large enough
Related Post: Best Travel Toys for Toddlers
Toddler Travel Tent & Cot Comparison Table
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top 5 Travel Cots for Toddlers
Joovy Foocot Child Travel Cot
The Joovy Foocot Child Travel Cot is the perfect way to give your child a place of their own while on vacation or visiting family.
The foocot folds up easily and can expand in seconds, making it easy for on-the-go traveling!
There are two storage pockets inside – one big enough for toothbrushes or snacks while another smaller pocket holds their travel toys that they LOVE playing with.
Your little one will love this cozy cot that’s just their size! There’s no assembly required. Open it up and let them get comfortable!
It even comes with a travel bag, so you can bring it along wherever life takes you next! This is an affordable travel cot for toddlers that will make traveling with your little one easier than ever before!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Includes pockets
- Easy to set up
Cons
- No safety rails
- May need to buy sheets
What we love:
- Very portable – At only 6 lbs, this toddler travel cot is lightweight and portable the travel bag makes it easy to store
- Storage pockets – The storage pockets are a great addition for toddlers to store their favorite toys or favorite travel books
- Easy to clean – All you need to clean this toddler travel cot is a damp cloth and a little soap. Put it out to dry and you are good to go, have it clean in less than 10 minutes
What we don’t love:
- No rails – There are no safety rails, so your little one has to be used to sleeping in a big kid bed, or without rails
Toddler Nap Mats
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed
The Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed is the perfect solution for your child’s sleeping needs while on the go. Whether you’re at home, going on a road trip, at grandma’s, or going on a long-overdue vacation, this toddler travel cot has got you covered.
This toddler travel cot sets up in seconds, so no dealing with inflating beds or patch repairs. You can easily set it up wherever and whenever you need it, so your child can sleep soundly without any hassle.
This travel cot is the perfect solution for sleepovers, plus it’s compact. The all-steel construction makes it durable and safe for little ones.
With its sturdy canvas material lining, this cot provides comfort and comes with a fitted sheet, so no need to buy additional sheets.
This toddler travel cot will make your life easier, plus it’s affordable, so it’s easy to see why there are over 20,000 reviews.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy setup
- Portable
Cons
- Narrow
- No safety rails
- Can be uncomfortable
What we love:
- Very affordable – If you are looking for a toddler travel cot that won’t break the bank, this is the best option for you
- Easy to setup – This travel cot takes less than 1-minute to set up for our little one
What we don’t love:
- No safety rails – Your little one can fall off if they aren’t used to sleeping without bumpers or rails
- Can be uncomfortable – If your little one isn’t used to sleeping on a cot, it can be uncomfortable for them at first and require a transition period
Bed Rails for Toddlers
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
KidCo Peapod Plus Infant Travel Bed
No products found.We’ve been using the KidCo Peapod Plus Infant Travel Bed for nearly three years as full-time travelers.
Our son started sleeping in it as his bed at 14 months and used it until he turned 3-years- old. Now he sleeps in a big boy bed. He uses his travel tent to hang out and play with his blocks during quiet time.
In my opinion, this is the ultimate travel bed for toddlers. It’s lightweight, durable, and fits inside your suitcase. Although I may be a little biased, given that we’ve been using this toddler travel tent for over 2.5 years.
At only 3.5 lbs, this is one of the lightest toddler travel beds on our list. Many parents love the versatility this travel cot for toddlers has.
The UPF material makes it perfect for a day at the beach, the net makes it breathable and prevents bugs, plus the padded cushion makes it comfortable for your baby to sleep anywhere.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Fits inside suitcase
Cons
- Difficult to fold
- Somewhat expensive
What we love:
- Very lightweight – This toddler travel tent fits inside your suitcase without adding too much weight
- No setup required – This tent pops up, so there is no setup required, just open it and put it in the designated sleeping area
- Durable – This travel tent can be used up to 5-years-old, so you get your money’s worth over the years
Read More: Our Honest Kidco PeaPod Review
What we don’t love:
- Learning curve – It takes some time to learn how to fold this toddler travel tent
Joovy Gloo Travel Tent
No products found.Pros
- Lightweight
- Fits inside suitcase
- Different sizes available
- Different color options
- Can be used with babies
Cons
- More expensive
What we love:
- Transitional bed –
What we don’t love:
- Pump not suitable for international travel –
Lotus Travel Crib
For little ones that haven’t quite transitioned to a big kid bed, the idea of sleeping without the protective bumpers of a crib can seem quite daunting.
This is especially true for taking toddlers traveling because young children require consistency and routine to ensure that they are sleeping, eating, drinking, and living comfortably.
If your toddler isn’t quite ready for the realms of a bumper-proof bed, check out the Lotus travel crib. This travel bed consists of a thick foam mattress and mesh tall bumpers designed to replicate a proper crib.
The mesh design allows them some privacy without making them feel claustrophobic. In one of the mesh panels is a door that can be zipped open for easy access to breastfeeding or lying down alongside your little one to help them sleep.
This travel crib is made of a non-toxic material to ensure your child’s safety and health.
For the convenience of the parent, this product simply folds open into its upright position within 15 seconds. When not in use, it can be easily folded into a slim bag that weighs only 11 lbs – ideal for bringing on a plane.
Read More: The Top 10 Pack n Plays for Travel
Pros
- Quick setup
- Durable
- Can’t get out without assistance
- Perfect for transitioning toddlers
Cons
- Heaver than others on our list
- More expensive
- Can’t fit inside suitcase
What we love:
- Mimics a crib – Ideal for little ones during the transition period between a crib and a bed
- Easy to set up – Simply folds into and out of the structure
- Works as a playpen – Can be used to play with toys when your child needs a place to play and relax
What we don’t love:
- Might require additional padding – As the mattress folds into a cube shape, it can cause creases and bumps
- More expensive – This toddler travel crib is more expensive than the other travel beds on our list
Read More: Best Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds
Our Toddler Travel Bed Buying Guide
What To Look For In A Travel Bed For Toddlers
When preparing for a trip, parents will most likely think about packing everything they will need for their toddler during the daytime. This includes considering a stroller, carrier, diaper bag, extra clothes, food, milk bottles, and more.
However, you might not have thought about where your toddler is going to sleep. As most toddlers are in that awkward transition phase between a crib and a big kid bed, it is important to allow them time to make the smooth transition whilst traveling.
The key to successfully traveling with a toddler is routine, after all!
Here is what to look for in a travel bed for toddlers.
Read More: 20 Tips for Flying with Toddlers
Bumpers
It is common to see a children’s travel bed that comes with tall sides known as bumpers. These are an essential part of a portable travel bed because they provide a form of protection that prevents your child from rolling off the bed.
While the bed is close to the ground and you might not think falling off will cause much damage, good bumpers can stop your toddler from badly hitting their head while they are asleep.
Some toddlers are fine with shorter bumpers or bumpers that only cover certain parts of the travel bed, but for those who haven’t quite transitioned to regular beds, I recommend opting for a toddler travel cot instead.
This will replicate their cot back at home and should encourage them to sleep.
Portability
Traveling with a toddler is all about finding the most convenient ways to do things.
This means that you’ve got to think about how you intend to transport the travel bed with you – whether you’re going by plane or car.
Look out for travel beds that roll or fold into a smaller bag that won’t take up much room in a suitcase or overhead bin.
Think About The Intention
Most importantly, you’ve got to consider where you’re intending to put your travel bed. Is it going to stay in a hotel room or a friend’s house?
Are you going to use it when camping in a camper van or a tent? Whatever the intention, this will ultimately alter your opinion about what kid travel bed to get.
Inflatable travel beds work best in hotels and homes because they require electricity to use the pump.
A pop-up toddler bed might be a better option for camping. It won’t have the risk of puncturing against the potentially uneven ground. Camping cots are fine, but they’re not always the comfiest option for little ones.
Read More: 9 Tips for Flying Budget Airlines with Kids
Additional Features
It’s also worth considering other factors that will determine what type of travel bed you get for your toddler. This includes the size of the bed.
Even though a small travel bed might still hold your toddler, you might have to purchase specific sheets that fit the smaller mattress, which is a bit of an unnecessary additional purchase.
Instead, I recommend opting for a travel bed that is the same size as a crib, because then you can use your regular sheets to make your kid feel more at home.
Other additional items include a pillow, pump, and repair kit. An inflatable pillow is an optional feature if you intend to bring a pillow anyway, but as regular pillows take up so much storage space, rolling a deflated pillow into a bag will be a huge space saver.
A pump is only applicable to inflatable beds, so just make sure that a pump is included in the package and that you can successfully use it on your travels.
Likewise, a repair kit is only applicable for inflatable beds due to the risk of punctures. You can buy these separately if they don’t come with the bed itself.
Read More: Best Travel Pillow for Toddlers
TODDLER TRAVEL BED: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Do Toddlers Sleep In On Vacation?
While it might seem easy to have your toddler sleep in a regular bed (or your bed) during vacation, this isn’t something I recommend.
The key to traveling with a little one is to stick to a routine that makes them feel like they are at home to ensure a (somewhat) smooth vacation.
This is why I recommend buying a travel bed for toddlers that encourages them to sleep by themselves without making them sleep in a bed that’s too large for them.
Toddlers go through an awkward transition phase between going from a crib to a regular bed, which can result in a lot of sleepless nights for the child and the parents.
A portable toddler bed blends the two with the design of small bumpers that protects your child from rolling off the bed, which also provides a sense of comfort and security for your little one.
Can You Put A 3-Year-Old In A Travel Cot?
There isn’t a rule about what age you can put a child in a travel cot.
As long as they fit within the boundaries of the cot (such as the weight capacities and the size) with enough room to comfortably move around when sleeping, then it’s safe for a three-year-old to sleep in a travel cot.
However, you might find that a travel cot is too small for some three-year-olds, which can lead to the child feeling restricted and not having enough space to sleep comfortably.
In this case, I recommend opting for an inflatable toddler travel bed rather than a portable travel cot, as the beds tend to be slightly longer and larger.
How Long Can A Child Sleep In A Travel Cot?
Travel cots are only intended for traveling, which means they should only be used for short periods.
This includes sleepovers at Grandma’s house, staying at a hotel for a week, and even the transition period between a crib and a big kid bed.
Travel cots lose their quality and lifespan after continuous use, which can lead to discomfort.
Related Post: 50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers
Do Travel Cots Need Sheets?
I recommend bringing sheets to put on your travel cot. The canvas surface may not be comfortable for your little one.
Instead, bring a couple of your sheets from home to give them a familiar smell and feel. Plus, bringing more than one sheet means that you can have one on standby for any accidents!
Just make sure to measure the size of your travel cot, because not all travel cots have the same dimensions as a regular cot. This means that you might have to buy separate size-appropriate sheets.