[NewMamaLotsaLove]

We are looking to take in kids ages 3-6. Do we need a toddler bed? At what age to kids "graduate" to a big kid twin bed?

[lnussbaum]

No a toddler bed isn't needed. Our children have always went from the crib to a twin sized bed with a rail. Never had any problems.

[mom2behappy]

I would suggest going str8 to the twin bed even if you buy a side rail in case the 3 yr old needs one but I transitioned my son str8 from the crib to a toddler captain bed @ 2 he fell once and no rails and does well. a toddler bed would be a waste in my oppinion

[vernellinnj]

Originally Posted by NewMamaLotsaLove

We are looking to take in kids ages 3-6. Do we need a toddler bed? At what age to kids "graduate" to a big kid twin bed?

My FC wasn't too keen on the toddler bed - child is almost 4. Been in the guest room in the queen for over a year (in spite of the fact that there are twin bunk beds in the room).

[jbee]

i agree, the toddler beds are a waste. just buy a rail thing at the store if you are worried about falling. our kids have never even had the rail, though.

[kimb1005]

MY 4 year old moved to a twin bed at age 3, no rail,no spils and he's a pretty active sleeper. I like the twin bed better--I feel far more comfortable climbing onto the bed and reading stories and so do his older brothers.

[rachelandbrad]

On a side note, my 17 year old brother was laying in my nephew's todler bed with my 2 year old nephew and my 3 month old son. They had all climbed in together to nap. I guess 17 year old's don't think bed's can break. I took a quick pic then grabed the baby out.

[Piratedogmama]

We just transitioned our DD from her crib to her twin bed with rails this past weekend. So far, so good and she is an active sleeper. The box springs is on the floor though, we took the frame off for now.

[Withay]

I use a convertible crib, so both boys are in toddler beds right now (both are 1 year old). The top of the mattress is only 11" off the floor.

That said, if I got a new fc who was 2 or more I would put them in a twin bed.

Most toddler beds also have a weight limit of 50 lbs.

[dakotabluebaby]

I have one, just for space sake. I also have one because I was given a brand new one with matress for $25. I would not have bought it other wise.

Our small back room is SMALL it could fit a twin bed and dresser and walk in and out, with a toddler bed it gives enough space for a small play area/ a rocker.

[cabbagepatchkid]

When I was getting ready to start fostering, I found a nice little toddler bed at a yard sale so I bought it. The kids kept falling out of it and did better in a regular twin bed.

[mommy2fiveplus]

I built bunkbeds that fit the crib mattresses, the bottom bed was almost on the floor and the top bunk was about 3 1/2 feet up. It really saved space in thier rooms and the kids like to make "forts" out of them during the day. They pretty much graduated out of them last year when they were 5 and 4 years old, but that was just in time for the other kids to move out of cribs so it worked well. Because it saves so much space we now can fit one regular set of bunk beds (twin) and one set of toddler bunk beds in each room (one girl room, one boy room) and so in a pinch we can fit 4 kids in a 12x12 room and they still have lots of room to play. We really liked this option because we didn't want to move the kids into the basement bedrooms (they have easement windows) until they are older (at least 10y). The bunkbeds were made of 2x4's and 2x6's and were super sturdy.

[KT08]

I built bunkbeds that fit the crib mattresses, the bottom bed was almost on the floor and the top bunk was about 3 1/2 feet up.

Great idea. How did you build them?

[mommy2fiveplus]

KTO8
I used 2x4's and 2x6's (my dad is a contractor so I know my way around a saw and drill).

First I built the boxes for the mattress, using 2x4's for the edges and a big piece of OSB to hold up the mattress.

Then I attached 2x6's for the upright stantions (legs) and placed the bottom box almost on the ground (just enough room to squezze a flat/rolling tub for toys underneath) and the top box at about 3 1/2 feet tall leaving enough room at the top of the stantions to put a rail to prevent falling.

Then I made rails out of the 2x6's to keep the kid in the top bunk from falling out

Then I made "steps" with 2x4's so they could get up top.

They are ugly but they work, and boy are they strong! All 4 of my oldest children and by 200# brother can sit/lay/crawl on them without fear of them collapsing. If I didn't have 5 kids I might take the time to sand and stain them, but at this point the kids have already "decorated" them with crayons and markers when I wasn't looking.

All you need is:
2x4's (4-12ft lengths)
2x6's (3-12ft lengths)
1 sheet of 4x8 OSB (1/2 sheet per bed)
2" screws
screw gun (drill)
saw

Ours cost less than $40 and we made 2 sets of bunks.

If you are really interested in the plans I can snail mail them to you, several of my foster friends have used the plans to make some too.

[hubbyswife]

Mommy- u should post a pic of the toddler bunk beds.... I'm interested how they look.... :-]