The 3 Best Toddler Beds for a Grandparents’ House

Sending your little one off to go spend the night with grandma and grandpa is supposed to de-stress you.

It doesn’t always work that way.

What if they get sick? How do we handle it if they act up? Will they eat their dinner? What if grandma and grandpa let them do whatever they want with no rules?!

Oh, yeah, and where the heck are they going to sleep?

Well, those other problems are probably best saved for another article, but there are actually some pretty great toddler beds for a grandparents house out there that will make this whole parents-night-out thing easier (on you, your kid, AND the grandparents!)

Here are some of my favorite travel toddler beds that are great for grandma’s house:

• Best budget bed: Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed
• Budget mid-range bed: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed
• Best high-end bed: Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed

(Amazon links below)

How to shop for the best toddler bed for grandma’s house (3 things to look for)

I’ve given you some really great options above to get you started, but if you’d like to keep looking (and trust me, there are PLENTY of options out there), here are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for a travel or toddler bed for a 2-year-old or so:

Is the travel bed easy to use?

Take it from me, basically the only person in my family that knew how to work the old pack and play, you want to buy something that anyone can set up without a lot of coaching and instruction.

There might be comfier options out there with more versatility, but if they’re hard to use, forget about it. It’s going to be a headache for you to have to do all the setup and take down when it doesn’t even stay at your house.

Inflatables and foldables are perfect solutions.

Is the toddler bed comfortable?

This should go without saying, but kids can be really finicky about where they sleep.

It’s hard enough to get them to sleep in a new place without you as it is, the least you can do is give them a super comfortable bed. You’ll know your kid best and whether they’ve ever had success sleeping on a cot, on an inflatable bed, etc, and how sensitive they are to different surfaces and materials.

Is it fun?

For adults, I don’t think we would really care how a portable bed looked as long as it was easy to use and comfortable.

But for kids to use something, they’ll often have to really like it. Something with a fun design or other cool features that’ll get kids excited will likely work better than a plainer, more utilitarian option.

Best Budget Toddler Bed for Grandparents’ House: Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed (with sleeping bag)

Overview:

If your kid goes to daycare or preschool, they probably take naptime on some sort of cot like this one.

And I’ve always been amazed at how teachers can get a dozen toddlers to all fall asleep at the same time on something as simple as this! Toddler cots may not look like much, but they are super effective and kids seem to love sleeping on them.

This one from Regalo is great quality, comfortable, and actually comes with a sleeping bag and pillow, at a price that makes it a perfect addition to any grandparents’ house or for travel.

Why I like it:

This thing is really durable, but also super comfortable for kids, which is an awesome combination.

It’s made of waterproof nylon so it should stand up to plenty of spills and late night accidents while washing off incredibly easily.

It’s not the longest option on the list at 48″ long, but that’s plenty for most toddlers. It makes up for being a little shorter by having a built-in sleeping bag and pillow, which makes it not just great for naptime, but for overnights as well.

A lot of the options on this list are great for travel, and this one is no different. It folds up and fits into a travel case so you can take it wherever you need, or simply stow it away in a closet as grandma’s house when it’s not needed.

Set up is a breeze, too, which is always important if you know you might not be there to set it up yourself.

Potential Drawbacks:

This cot is on the shorter end at only 48″ long. That’s a pretty good length for kids 2-5, but around 5 years old you’re going to start running out of room. (By then, your kid might be ready to sleep in a regular bed at grandma and grandpas, or in just a sleeping bag on the floor).

It’s also not the most beautiful option I’ve included on this list, which is fine, but it’s something to note. It only comes in one color (dark blue) and probably isn’t something you’d want to leave out all the time.

Read real customer reviews and get the latest price of the Regalo on Amazon.

Best Mid-Range Toddler Bed for Grandparents’ House: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers

Overview:

An inflatable toddler bed for a grandparents house is an awesome option for a number of reasons.

First, they take up very, very little space when deflated and properly stowed.

Second, they’re really comfortable!

And third, inflatable beds are some of the easiest around to set up.

The inflatable bed from hiccapop checks all those boxes and more, with built-in side bumpers to keep toddlers from rolling out in the middle of the night, and it comes with a pump for super, duper easy setup.

Why I like it:

I love a lot of things about this bed! (In fact, this is the one my daughter uses at her grandmom’s house). It’s really easy to set up and can inflate in around 30 seconds. Unpacking it, unrolling it (or repacking) it takes just a few minutes, so it’s mega convenient.

(It packs away so tight and fits into a little sack, that it’s a great option for any form of travel.)

I love the built-in bumpers, which are great for restless sleepers and younger toddlers who might roll out.

The mattress on this bed also fits standard crib sheets, so you won’t have to buy any special bedding to go along with this.

Finally, the hiccapop inflatable bed is pretty long at 62″ and can hold up to 300lbs, so this bed should be good for your kid’s sleepovers until they’re in the preteen years, at least. (hiccapop recommends it for any child under 13)

Potential Drawbacks:

There’s not too much to dislike here, but there are a few drawbacks.

If your kid is really young, this bed may actually be too big at first. They’ll be fine in it, but it may take up more room than you need at 62″ in length.

It’s a pretty sturdy piece of furniture, but inflatables always come with a popping risk if it snags on something (especially if your kid likes to drag it from room to room!)

Finally, set up and take down are pretty easy, but not everyone loves dealing with inflatables.

Read real customer reviews and get the latest price of the hiccapop on Amazon.

Best High-End Toddler Bed for Grandparents’ House: Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed (foldable)

Overview:

The options above are super convenient and cozy, but if you’re looking for something with just a little extra cute factor, you’ll want to check out the Milliard portable toddler bumper bed.

It’s basically a cushioned box with full siding that unfolds into a cozy and adorable sleeping space — in some ways it’s a portable toddler bed with rails.

It folds up into a relatively compact and easy-to-carry case, and is really easy on the eyes and comfy looking (so kids will love it, and you won’t mind having it lying around while not in use). It also comes with a fitted sheet.

Why I like it:

When it comes to comfort, it’s hard to beat the Milliard. The padded inside is lined with a cozy velour, which is warm and fuzzy compared to some other toddler beds on the market. Kids love sleeping in this thing, and who can blame them?

It’s got solid length at 55″, so it should last your kids a little while as they grow.

The included fitted sheet is a great addition, too, so you won’t have to shop for extra bedding. And the sheet and mattress cover are machine washable, so you won’t have to worry about spills and accidents.

This bed also has full side bumpers to keep kids from rolling out, which is a huge plus. When you fold it up, it’s basically a 25″x27″ box with a handle for super easy travel.

Set up could not possibly be easier. Just unfold the bed from its case.

Potential Drawbacks:

This bed doesn’t stow as small as some of the others on this list, making it a less attractive option for airplane travel. But it’s absolutely perfect to stay at a grandparents’ house and slide into a closet when not in use.

It’s also a little more expensive than some other options on this list and likely won’t last as long as the 62″ inflatable bed above due to its size.

Read real customer reviews and get the latest price of the Milliard on Amazon.

Wrapping Up

Like I said above, I actually own and use the hiccapop inflatable toddler bed when my daughter goes to sleep at her grandparents’ houses and on vacations, and it works great. It’s easy to use and set up, and should last us a while.

But I think my top recommendation would actually have to be the Milliard Portable Bed.

It’s not as good for hopping around between different houses and travel spots, because it doesn’t collapse down as small, but if you just want something that thrives in terms of comfort and cuteness, and can stay in just one place most of the time, this is one of the best options out there.

If you don’t want to drop the money, a simple cot or set of bed rails on a bed could work depending on your kid’s size and age, but if you ask me, I think it’s worth investing in a more permanent and comfortable solution.

Check out more details and pricing on the Milliard toddler bed on Amazon.

Hope this guide has helped! Good luck, parents (and grandparents!).

(And psst, you might also like my guide on the difference between 4T vs 4 toddler clothes.)

Related Questions & Toddler Bed FAQ

What age can a toddler spend the night with grandparents?

Really any age is fine, as long as your parents are capable of the level of care your kid needs.

I wouldn’t drop a newborn baby in their laps without supervision unless they’re comfortable doing all the dirty work — diapers, feeding, cleaning spit up, etc.

Chances are if your parents are physically able, everything will be fine! Don’t let your anxiety get the better of you, you deserve a date night!

2-year-olds can definitely spend the night at grandma and grandpas, especially if you have a good bed for them there.

How can I stop grandparents from spoiling my toddler?

This is a tough one, and it will usually involve a tough and slightly uncomfortable conversation.

But one great tip I’ve picked up is to give the grandparents an alternative to spoiling your kid with sweets and presents, like contributing to their savings account or saving up to give them a bigger gift or experience (rather than showering them with dozens of trinkets and candies).

That way, they still get to do something nice for their grandkid without overstepping your day-to-day rules.

Is a travel bed or a permanent toddler bed better for grandma and grandpa’s house?

This totally depends on the space!

I think in most cases, it will make more sense to go with a travel-style toddler bed or something that can fold away or otherwise be stored when not in use. Not many grandparents will be able to dedicate an entire room to the occasional overnight visit from their grandkids — though if they can, that opens up a whole new world of possibilities!

From there, you can go with a real full-sized toddler bed and all the accompanying decorations, bedding, and other fun stuff that will help your toddler feel like that room is really theirs.