Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by admin
They can stay in a crib as long as they fit in it, but for some, it will start to get a little snug sometime within this year. Others need to transition out earlier because a new sibling is on the way.
The best article I found comparing the pros and cons of buying a toddler bed versus just skipping right to the twin is here on Apartment Therapy.
If you’re looking for a gift for a 2 year old who might move to a new, big kid bed soon, here are some gift ideas that can ease the transition.
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Big Kid Bed Books
You might start with a several children’s books available on the topic, especially if you think the new bed will be a hard sell. The Elmo book shown here got great reviews on Amazon.
A Wake Up Clock
Along with the transition out of a crib comes the inevitable power trip toddlers get when they realize that they technically don’t have to stay in their beds anymore. My kid took about a week to realize there was nothing physically holding him in bed, and then the battles began – both at bedtime and for early morning wakeups.
Several clocks have been developed that help kids understand when it’s OK for them to actually get out of bed without having to understand how clocks or time work. The clock shown here, for example, simply changes color when kids are allowed to get out of bed, according to the times you set.
A Fun Bedding Set
Another way to commemorate the shift to a big kid bed could splurge on fun, twin-sized sheets or even a full bedding set to get them excited about the change. I personally went with solid colored bedspread that would still get use when they were older, but got fun patterned sheets to go with them.
A Fun Bedframe
As I mentioned in my post about how to organize toddler toys, I like to keep my kids’ bedroom free of toys or even of things that could make them feel excited or ready to play — I would rather it be a calming space.
But I understand that for many families, the kids’ room is the best or only place to store fun stuff. Plus, I’m pretty sure that every kid has fantasized about having a bed that was also a toy.
