As a child, having a car-shaped bed is up there with an unlimited-sweet dispenser and a pet dinosaur in terms of coolness. There’s no better way to show off to your friends then sleeping in a sporty bed at night – especially if your life revolves around watching Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3.
If your little one is showing an early interest in cars, whether the cartoon variety or driving around with you and shouting “GO FASTER!”, then a car bed is the ultimate addition for their bedroom. We’ve found the best ones and listed them below so you know which one will be perfect for your kid.
Please note, all these beds are transitional beds and are designed for toddlers. Bear this in mind before purchasing one.
What you need to know about kids’ car beds:
What features should I look for?
As these beds are clearly aimed at children, most of the features they offer will appeal to a child. The bright decals and cartoonish design will entice children, even if they’re a bit tacky for most adults.
A built-in toy chest will be handy for keeping their bedroom tidy and working lights are cool but in no way necessary.
Look for a bed that is low to the ground and offers some side protection to stop them from falling out of it and hurting themselves in the night.
Also bear in mind how easy it is to change the bed sheets; we all know little ones have accidents, so think about access when it’s the middle of the night and you’re changing linen bleary-eyed.
Safety is key
Safety should be your number one priority when shopping for anything for your child. Make sure that any car bed you buy conforms to UK safety legislation. Also, make sure to follow the instructions closely and ensure that the bed is correctly assembled. The last thing you want is it to be structurally unsound.
Also closely examine weight and height limits for a bed and make sure your child doesn’t exceed them. Not only can this be a safety risk, but it can also be deeply uncomfortable for them to use. Think about the future too, if your child is right up at one of these limits it may not be worth buying one, especially with how unpredictable growth spurts can be.
Lightning McQueen Kids Toddler Bed
Price: RRP £202.88 | VIEW OFFER
Cars is possibly the greatest car film ever made and your child will probably adore Lightning McQueen. That makes this officially licensed bed one of the coolest gifts you can buy a child. It’s fairly easy to assemble and made of high-quality MDF.
Pros
• Integrated toy storage under the ‘bonnet’
• Children will love it
Cons
• Requires a mattress
Childrens Red Fire Truck Bed Frame
Price: RRP £272.95 | VIEW OFFER
Fire engines are one of the coolest things in the world for most kids so making one into a bed is a no-brainer. Made of high-quality wood and featuring a cab at one end, it’s sure to provide hours of fun before bedtime.
Pros
• Quality construction
Cons
• An expensive option
• Requires a mattress
Formula 1 Car bed frame
Price: RRP £119.95 | VIEW OFFER
Ever wanted a formula one car but just didn’t know where to keep it, well – how about one for your child‘s bed? Yes it might not have an ear-splitting V10 like the cars of yesteryear but in this, they’ll be sleeping so soundly they’ll be snoring like a V6 turbo hybrid.
Pros
• Great value option
• Easy to assemble
Cons
• The wooden sides could hurt your child – it’s a good idea to add some padding to the inside
Storm Children’s Racing Car Bed
Price: RRP £299.95 | VIEW OFFER
Let your little one drift off to sleep in a sports car with this design, which comes with a mattress, unlike many others. The body is made from moulded plastic.
Pros
• Includes a mattress
Cons
• The strong chemical smell when first unwrapped – this should go after a while
Kidsaw JCB Junior Bed
Price: RRP £189.99 | VIEW OFFER
If your child is obsessed with construction then an official JCB bed will have them in awe. Featuring high-quality decals and a front scope that also acts as a toy box. It’s also really easy to assemble thanks to slot construction.
Pros
• Great quality
• Integrated toy box
Cons
• Requires a mattress
Novelty Flash GT Car Bed
Price: RRP £549.99 | VIEW OFFER
If you really want to push the boat (or car) out, this is the ultimate kids’ car bed. It’s rather-more-expensive than the others on our list, but this means the quality and details are much higher. Just remember your child won’t sleep in this for long before they outgrow it, so make sure it’s worth the investment. You can add a mattress for an additional £100.
Pros
• Detailed
• The ultimate car bed
Cons
• Expensive
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