14 Best Travel Beds for Toddlers for 2024
Traveling with young kids means traveling with cool accessories like portable toilet seats and travel beds for toddlers. There’s no way around it-you will end up bringing at least one extra thing (or fifty) that you would not have packed otherwise, especially if it is an overnight trip.
One of the extra accessories we have used the most is the toddler travel bed we purchased a few years ago.
The best travel bed for toddlers will look different for every family. Some families look for inflatable travel beds for toddlers while others are looking for toddler travel tents. Folding toddler travel cots are another option, but you could also use something as simple as toddler travel bed rails that attach to full-sized beds.
All of these portable toddler beds are functional and pack easily, making them great for overnight trips with little ones.
Do you need an awesome travel bed for a one year old? Or maybe the best travel crib for a 2 year old? Check out our post for portable bassinets that includes traveling with a pack and play!
What To Look For in a Toddler Travel Bed
Are you still traveling with a pack and play? I strongly encourage you to consider a toddler travel bed instead! However, please note that your family’s preferences really come into play when looking for a portable bed for your toddler.
Toddler travel beds come in many shapes, sizes, and forms. Someone looking for the best travel crib for a 2 year old might be looking for something different than a family looking for a portable toddler bed for a 4 year old.
Ultimately, the best travel bed for toddlers is lightweight, folds easily or deflates, and has some great reviews from other families. Bonus points for beds that are budget friendly as well!
Best Travel Beds for Toddlers
There are four main types of travel beds for toddlers: inflatable travel beds, folding toddler travel cots, travel tents, and travel bed rails for toddlers. We have broken them down by category and given you our top picks in each category!
Inflatable Travel Beds for Toddlers
Inflatable travel beds for toddlers are essentially smaller, inflatable mattresses that usually have some sort of side guard to keep them from rolling off of the bed. They also usually have a removable insert that allows you to customize the bed, if needed.
Are inflatable beds safe for toddlers? Can a 2 year old sleep on an air bed? Yes and yes! Each of these beds comes with a recommended age. Many of them recommend inflatable beds for ages 3-6. However, our two and a half year old sleeps in one just fine. This is completely up to you and how well your two year old will do in an open space!
Here are our top picks:
Intex Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed
Intex is one of the leaders in inflatable items. From pools, to floats, to travel beds for toddlers, Intex has a great reputation for quality inflatable items.
This is one of the best toddler travel beds out there because it essentially creates a safe bubble for toddlers to sleep in. It has numbers on all four sides and quickly inflates with its portable pump.
It measures 42″ wide x 66″long x 10″ tall, meaning it is suitable for kids up to age 6. It is also one of the most affordable!
Sleepah Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed : Blow-Up Mattress for Kids
This is one of Amazon’s top picks for travel beds for toddlers and it has great reviews! It comes in two colors (pink and blue) and comes with a pillow, pump, and travel bag.
One thing we like about the Sleepah mattress is that it only has three bumper guard sides. If you have a toddler who needs to use the bathroom during the night, they have an easy out at the end of the bed!
The mattress size inflated is 61″long x 40″wide x 12″tall, making it great for kids up to age 6. The mattress insert also fits standard crib sheets making it even more convenient.
Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Sides
This inflatable toddler travel bed with sides (no top or bottom bumper) gives your kids options for getting in and out of the bed. We personally prefer the beds that are fully enclosed with four bumpers.
However, some kids need to be able to exit quickly to use the bathroom. If that sounds like your toddler, then this may be a great option for you!
This is one of the few portable toddler beds that does not come with a pump included. However, it can be inflated with a hairdryer! It does include a removable mattress pad and pillow.
It measures 61 long x 39.5 wide x 14 inches tall, so it should fit children up to age 6. This mattress uses standard size crib sheets and blankets.
Folding Toddler Travel Cots
The best travel cot for toddlers will fold easily, be low to the ground (just in case), and be priced affordably.
Our personal favorite toddler cot doesn’t fold, so we did not include that one in our round up because it does not travel well. However, all of the travel cots for toddlers listed below do fold and most of them are very compact when folded.
Regalo Travel Cot for Toddlers
The Regalo Travel Cot for Toddlers has 20k 5-star reviews! Regalo is one of the most trusted names in beds/bed accessories for toddlers.
The all-steel frame can hold up to 75 pounds and offers a large sleep surface. Unfolded, the cot measures 48″ long x 24″ wide x 9″ tall. Folded, it measures 9” long x 8” wide x 24” tall.
This toddler travel cot even comes with a fitted sheet! No need to buy an extra. It also comes in three different colors: blue, pink, and gray.
Regalo DELUXE Travel Cot for Toddlers
The Regalo Deluxe Travel Cot for Toddlers has even more convenient features than the regular cot listed above. The deluxe version comes with a built in sleeping bag and removable pillow!
It is made of the same steel frame and supports the same weight as the version listed above. It is also the same size, though a little larger when folded due to the attached sleeping bag.
We would not recommend cots as a travel bed for a one year old or younger. Always follow age guidelines when purchasing baby/toddler equipment!
Joovy Foocot Travel Cot for Toddlers
The Joovy Foocot toddler travel cot has 1000 5-star reviews and is one of the newer toddler travel cots on the market.
This small, lightweight travel cot for toddlers measures 48 x 25 x 9.5 unfolded, and 24.5 x 8 x 6 folded. It is made of a steel frame with an easily washable fabric material.
It folds easily and comes with a carrying case with strap.
This model also offers unique color choices and a storage pocket. My kids like to have a book to read at night and their water so that pouch would be perfect for those things!
Toddler Travel Tents
A toddler travel tent is a great option for toddlers that need visual separation from parents sleeping in the same room. They help eliminate distractions to make falling sleep in a strange place a little easier.
These are not the same as black out tents, like the Slumber Pod. The Slumber Pod is a black out tent that does not have a bottom and fits over most baby/toddler pack and plays. If you are traveling with a pack and play, then I would recommend you check out the Slumber Pod!
If you are wondering, how do I keep my toddler in bed when traveling? Then a toddler travel tent might be perfect for you and your toddler. They zip closed!
Toddler travel tents are just smaller tents that give toddlers a cozy, enclosed space to sleep in. They usually come with a sleeping mat to provide some added comfort to the bottom of the tent while sleeping.
KidCo Peapod Camp Lightweight Pop Up Child Portable Travel Bed
The KidCo Peapod Camp Lightweight is essentially a toddler travel bed with sides and a roof. It provides some visual separation from other people in the room while also giving your toddler a comfy space to sleep in.
If you are looking for the best travel crib for a 2 year old (e.g. something they can stay contained in) this might be a great transition option for you, rather than traveling with a pack and play!
It is super lightweight, pops up/down in less than 3 minutes, and zips closed. It also features sunshades on three sides if you are hoping to use this outdoors.
It measures 43″ wide, deep, and tall.
Regalo My Cot Deluxe Portable Toddler Travel Bed
The Regalo My Cot Deluxe is one of the best portable toddler beds because it is adaptable! It can be a travel cot for toddlers without the tent, or it can be combination toddler travel tent + cot!
We really like that this one gives you options to be a more open cot or a closed tent. If you were on the fence about buying a toddler cot or a toddler tent then this might be a great option for you since it does both!
Unfolded, it measures 48”L x 24.5”W x 9”H and folded it measures 12”L x 7”W x 29”H. It has an easy fold and go design that requires no assembly/setup.
The tent portion also provides UV protection with UPF50 material, making it a great toddler tent for camping!
Best Travel Bed Rails for Toddlers
Toddler travel beds are very convenient if you do not have an extra full-sized bed available. However, travel bed rails can make any extra, available bed a toddler bed! Bonus: they are usually more compact for travel!
Travel bed rails for toddlers come in a variety of shapes and forms. From collapsible to inflatable, we have given you our top picks below!
The Shrunks : Inflatable Travel Bed Rails for Toddlers
The Shrunks travel bed rails for toddlers are the most compact version of bed rails on the market because they are inflatable. When deflated, they fit into a flat 10″ carry bag. These bed rails measure 48″ long x 7″ wide x 4″ inches high when inflated.
They fit under any sheets and have grip strips on the bottom to keep them in place. Bonus: no pump necessary!! The orange rapid inflation valve makes set-up and take down a breeze.
We personally love travel bed rails for toddlers if we know we are going to place that has spare beds. They are so compact and do not require extra blankets, sheets, and pillows.
You can buy The Shrunks as a 1-piece (for beds that are typically up against a wall) or as a set of 2.
Hiccapop Toddler Travel Bed Rails – Water-Resistant Foam Bed Bumpers
Hiccapop has been around for a long time (25+ years) and has over 10k reviews that average 4.5 stars! Their foam bed bumpers are some of the most reliable toddler travel bed rails on the market.
Many parents are concerned with inflatable travel bed rails becoming flattened in the middle of the night. These foam bed bumpers eliminate that worry! They conveniently slide under the sheets and stay securely in place all night.
They do not travel as conveniently as the inflatable travel bed rails but they fit easily in the floorboard of our SUV or on top of the luggage in the cargo area.
They measure 52inches long x 7 inches wide x5.25 inches tall. Just tall enough to keep kids in a bed while asleep, but short enough that they can easily get out to use the bathroom!
Hiccapop toddler travel bed rails are sold as single pieces or as a 2-piece set, depending on your needs.
Milliard Travel Bed Bumper (Foam)
Another awesome option for foam toddler travel bed rails is the Milliard foam bumper that folds in half! It makes packing them SO easy.
These bed bumpers measure 40″ long x 7″ wide x 4.5″ tall. The halves are connected (so you can’t lose one when they are folded up) and, when unfolded, they stay flat with velcro attachments.
They are also fitted with a removable, washable cover! They fit easily under any fitted sheet and feature a non slip bottom.
Regalo Traditional Toddler Bed Rail
So, these are not really designed to be toddler travel bed rails. However, we have actually packed these up in the back of our car with no issue to take to the grandparents’ house.
If you are looking for something that you can use at home and while traveling, then this might be a good option for you!
The Regalo traditional toddler bed rail comes with an anchor strap to secure the bed rail to the boxspring. The cover on the outside of the rail is also washable!
These rails come in three lengths (33″, 43″, 54″) and all stand 20″ tall for added protection and safety. These are great transition rails for little ones who are used to a crib front!
Other Portable Toddler Beds
These options are budget-friendly and super lightweight. I would put them more in a sleeping bag/mat category than a physical bed, but our kids have definitely used a roll-up mat for overnight stays before!
Milliard Toddler Nap Mat-Portable Toddler Bed
This Milliard portable toddler bed is listed as a toddler nap mat. It would be similar to the kindergarten mats that 90s children used. You know, the blue and red ones?
It is made of foam and provides more than enough support to be used on hard floors or even in a camping tent.
It measures 58″ long x 24″ wide x 3″ tall unfolded, and 24″ long x 19″ wide x 9″ tall.
This is the quickest option for a travel toddler bed in terms of packing. It folds/unfolds in less than a minute. Our toddlers can unfold these completely on their own which is why we added them to our list!
Disney Toddler Nap Mat
This Disney toddler nap mat is perfect for short stays, especially on a carpeted surface! It is extremely lightweight. So lightweight that toddlers can be responsible for carrying their own bed!
This toddler bed comes in 15 different Disney designs including Star Wars, Minnie/Mickey, Spiderman, Forzen, Avengers, and more.
It measures 26″ wide x 62″ long. It is filled with polyester microfiber so it provides enough support for toddlers to be able to sleep on the floor, but I would not recommend it being used on the ground as a camping mat.
Accessories for Toddler Travel Beds
Even the best travel beds for toddlers may need a few extra items to make them even better for travel. We recommend you looking at one of these five accessories to accompany your new travel toddler bed!
Toddler Travel Cot Sheets
The travel cots for toddlers that we listed above do not come with accessories. We highly recommend investing in a sheet, especially if you are using your cot outside or your toddler is not fully potty-trained.
These sheets are especially made for toddler travel cots and come in two colors: pink and blue. They fit both the Regalo and Joovy cot dimensions, as well as any other brands that size.
They make clean up a breeze and help protect the fabric of the travel cot so that you can use it for years!
Toddler Pillow
Some of the beds listed above come with pillows and others do not. We highly recommend bringing a toddler travel pillow or at least the pillow they normally sleep on.
[ Some of the inflatable pillows are not very comfortable and cots do not come with pillows at all! ]
This travel pillow for toddlers is the perfect size for little heads and fits perfectly on all of the portable toddler beds listed above. It is also machine washable!
Mattress Protector for Crib Mattress
A mattress protector for a portable toddler bed is a must have for us! Most of the inflatable air mattresses have a very soft outer fabric that, unfortunately, is not very easy to clean.
Enter the matter protector! The inflatable air mattresses on our list are either the size of a crib mattress or have an insert that is that size.
Wrapping the inflatable mattress in a waterproof protector keeps it clean for years to come!
Extra Crib Sheets
For the inflatable mattresses, extra crib sheets and mattress protectors are a must! They help protect the mattress fabric and also make for easy clean up in case of accidents.
These extra crib sheets are standard, basic crib sheets because we try to travel on a budget. You can obviously get as fancy as you want, but we LOVE these and have used them multiple times with no signs of wear.
Inflatable Air Mattress Patch Kit
Traveling with an air mattress, especially with kids, means you need to be prepared to fix it on the go.
We made this mistake once and ended up having to buy a sleeping bag because we could not find a patch kit or a replacement mattress.
This patch kit is very easy to use and comes with instructions for applying the patches. Obviously if you have a large tear or cut then these smaller patches will not help you.
They measure 2.7″ square so they are great for tiny holes where air is leaking out or for small punctures.
Manual Air Pump
A manual air pump is always a good thing to pack if you are bringing something inflatable. Obviously any hotel, AirBNB, or relative’s house will have power.
However, there are campsites that definitely do not. Also, if you are traveling internationally, you don’t want to be stuck with the wrong adapter/plug for outlets in other countries.
This manual air pump is not a foot pump-I personally don’t think those work well. Ours always pop up while I’m stepping on the pump. We like this one because you stand on the bottom bar to stabilize it while pumping with your hands. This also keeps the hose from moving!
It is less than a foot tall and weighs less than one pound!
Tips for Using a Toddler Travel Bed
Toddler travel beds are really convenient but there are a few things you should do before you go on vacation with it.
- Let your toddler help choose the color/sheets/etc. of his/her new travel bed. This helps them feel like it is truly “theirs.”
- Try it out at home first! Let your toddler have a sleepover in a different room (or even in his/her own room) with the new travel bed. It makes it more familiar and more likely to be well-received in a new place.
- Bring pillows/blankets that are familiar to help make the sleep space feel familiar as well. Worst case scenario, borrow some from an AirBnB or hotel you are staying in.
- The beds we have listed are some of the best travel cribs for a 2 year old (or older). However, they should not be used for babies or young toddlers that normally sleep in a full-sized crib. If you have a younger toddler, we recommend you continue traveling with a pack and play. If you have a baby, check out our post here for best portable bassinets for baby!
Top 10 Reasons Why You Need a Portable Toddler Bed
- No More Sharing a Bed – This is reason number one at our house. I do not prefer to share a bed with an active toddler, especially when I need extra energy for vacation. A portable toddler bed gives everyone their own space to sleep.
- Familiar Vacation Sleep Space – If your toddler knows he/she has a travel bed, they will know what to expect in an unfamiliar space when it comes to sleep. It can make the bedtime routine more smooth but also gives them something to look forward to.
- Multiple Children – If you have more than one toddler (like we do), it is not always feasible for our kids to have their own rooms on vacation or even their own beds. Toddler beds solve this problem because they can both sleep on the floor in the same room or in a hotel room with us.
- Travel Crib Too Small – Event the best, most spacious travel crib for a 2 year old will eventually get too small. Toddler travel beds are larger than pack and plays. Plus, who wants to be traveling with a pack and play forever?! They are heavy and bulky. Portable toddler beds are lightweight and easy to travel with.
- More Portable – As I said..more portable is key. Many of these on our list are portable enough that toddlers can carry their own beds. We always encourage our kids to help load/unload so its nice when they can be responsible for their own things.
- Toddler Moves Too Much – Pack and plays and full-sized beds are not feasible for toddlers who move a lot at night. The inflatable beds with bumper guards are perfect solutions!
- Keep Toddler Close – Sometimes it is helpful to have an option for toddlers to sleep in the room with you without being in your bed. These travel beds keep them close but not too close.
- Great for sleepovers at Grandma’s house – We actually have a portable toddler bed that stays at my parents’ house so that our oldest can sleep on the floor next to the pack and play that our youngest still uses. It is small enough that it easily stores in their closet!
- Toddler’s Love Their Things – I do not know about your toddlers, but mine love to have things that are theirs. A travel bed is no exception.
- Lightweight & Easy To Pack – If you are still traveling with a pack and play then you know how heavy they can be and how much time it takes to break down a pack and play. A travel bed for toddlers takes a maximum of 5 minutes to set up/take down. Plus, they are all extremely light weight, some weighing less than a pound!
Wrap-Up: Best Toddler Travel Beds (and why you need one!)
Toddler travel beds are amazing inventions that give parents so many options when traveling in different cities, states, or even countries! They are lightweight, portable, fold/deflate in minutes, and give your toddler an independent space without you paying for a 4 room house.
We highly recommend bringing a portable toddler bed with you on your next adventure. Do you already have one that you love? Leave us a comment! Happy traveling!
