Best mattress for kids: how to choose a child’s mattress
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. Shopping for a child’s mattress comes down to a few simple questions: what size, how thick, how firm, and how it will hold up to spills and growth spurts. Kids don’t need the thickest or most expensive bed, but they do need one that fits the frame and the stage they’re in. Here’s how we’d choose, which of our mattresses we’d pick for each age, and today’s prices: same factory models, lower price than other online retailers.
The short answer
- Size: a regular twin (38" × 75") fits most kids’ rooms, bunk beds and daybeds. A full (54" × 75") gives a child who sprawls more room. A Twin XL (38" × 80") is the pick for a tall teen or one headed to a college dorm.
- Thickness: 6" to 8" for younger kids, bunks and trundles; 8" to 10" for a main bed for older kids and teens.
- Feel: most kids do well on medium firm to firm. They’re light, so they don’t sink in far, and a mattress that feels firm to you often feels just right to them.
- Practical extras: a zip-off, machine-washable cover and a mattress protector, because liquid spills aren’t covered by the warranty.
- Babies: we don’t sell crib mattresses. A baby needs a crib mattress made for their specific crib; see the safe-sleep section below.
Pick by age and stage
| Stage | Size | Thickness and feel | Our picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby in a crib | A crib mattress made for that crib | Follow safe-sleep guidance (below) | We don’t sell crib mattresses |
| First big-kid bed | Twin | 6" to 8", firm; lower is easier to climb into | 8" Daisy Firm, 8" Gel Comfort Reactive |
| School-age kids | Twin, or full if the room allows | 8" to 10", medium firm to firm | 8" Daisy Firm, 10" Gel Comfort Reactive |
| Bunk bed, loft or trundle | What the frame’s label says (usually twin) | No thicker than the label allows, often 6" to 8" | See our bunk bed and trundle guide |
| Tweens and teens | Twin XL for tall teens, full for more room | 10", medium to medium firm; choose by sleeping position like an adult | 10" Rose Medium, 10" Gel Comfort Reactive |
| Heading to college | Twin XL (the usual dorm size) | 8" to 10" | See our Twin XL dorm guide |
What size mattress for a child?
For most kids, a regular twin is the right call: it fits small bedrooms, nearly every kids’ bed frame, and most bunk beds, trundles and daybeds. A full is the same 75" length but 16" wider, nice for a kid who sprawls, a parent reading bedtime stories, or a room with space to spare. A Twin XL adds 5" of length for teens who are getting tall, and it’s the size most college dorms use, but it won’t fit a frame built for a twin. Not sure which? Our twin vs Twin XL guide and mattress size chart have every measurement, and the full vs queen guide covers the full size in detail.
How thick should a kid’s mattress be?
Thinner than you might think. Lighter bodies don’t press as deep into a mattress, so 6" to 8" is plenty for most younger children, and it keeps the bed low and easy to climb into. For a main bed for older kids and teens, 8" to 10" gives more cushion as they grow. On a bunk bed, loft bed or trundle, the frame’s label sets the maximum, so start there; our bunk bed, trundle and daybed guide explains how to read it. The full 6" to 14" range is in our mattress thickness guide.
How firm should a child’s mattress be?
- Younger kids: firm to medium firm. A child weighs a fraction of what an adult does, so a firmer mattress still feels comfortable to them and stays flat and even.
- Teens: as they reach adult size, choose like an adult: side sleepers often like medium, back sleepers medium firm, stomach sleepers firm. Our mattress firmness guide has the full scale.
- Very plush mattresses are rarely needed in a kid’s room. Lighter bodies get plenty of cushion from a firmer mattress.
This is general shopping advice, not medical advice. If your child has a health condition that affects sleep, ask their pediatrician.
Babies and toddlers: safe-sleep basics
We don’t sell crib mattresses, and our mattresses are not made for babies. For a baby, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s advice is “Bare is Best”: nothing but a fitted sheet in the crib, bassinet or play yard, baby always placed on their back, and sleep products that meet federal requirements. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a firm, flat sleep surface and a crib mattress designed for your specific crib that fits tightly.
When is it time for a bed? The AAP suggests moving a child out of the crib once they’re 35 inches (89 cm) tall, or when the crib’s side rail is less than three-quarters of their height (about chest level), and says it may be time once a toddler can climb out. It also advises not placing a crib or any child’s bed near a window. For many families that first bed is a twin, and that’s where we can help. Your pediatrician is the best person to ask about your child’s sleep.
Materials, certifications and covers
- CertiPUR-US certified foam. The product descriptions for our 6" Essentials Firm, 8" Daisy Firm and 8" and 10" Gel Comfort Reactive list CertiPUR-US certified foams, which they describe as made without formaldehyde, phthalates, ozone depleters, heavy metals, PBDEs or certain Tris flame retardants, with low VOC emissions. The 10" Rose lists CertiPUR certification. More at certipur.us.
- Zip-off, machine-washable covers are listed on the 6" Essentials Firm, 8" Daisy Firm and 10" Rose. The 8" and 10" Gel Comfort Reactive have a quilted cover. Care instructions: cold, gentle cycle, air dry without heat.
- Non-skid bottom fabric is listed on the 8" Daisy and 10" Rose, handy on platform beds and bunks.
- New-foam smell: a mild “new” smell for a day or two is normal. Let it air out for about 24 hours before putting the sheets on.
Spills, accidents and protectors
Kids’ beds see juice, bedtime accidents and the occasional sick night, and liquid damage of any kind isn’t covered by the mattress warranty. A mattress protector is the cheapest insurance: put it on the day the mattress arrives. If a spill happens, the care instructions say to take the cover off right away and let the area dry before putting it back. Our Terry Cloth protector is listed as protecting against liquid spills and fits mattresses up to 11" thick.
Buying a mattress your child can grow into
- Think a few years ahead. If a growth spurt or a bigger room is coming, a full or a 10" mattress can carry a child from grade school into the teen years.
- Keep it simple for little ones. A younger child often moves on to a new bed or room before a mattress wears out, so a budget 8" makes sense.
- Teens are basically adults. A teen sleeping on a thin first-bed mattress may be ready for an upgrade.
- When to replace: a visible dip, lumps or a child who sleeps better anywhere else are signs. Our how long does a mattress last guide covers the rest.
Kids’ mattress prices today
Our kid-friendly mattresses in twin, full and Twin XL, at today’s prices. A dash means that size isn’t available right now.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin | Full | Twin XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" Daisy Firm | Most kids: firm, washable zip-off cover | 8BNV-T |
$309 | $359 | $309 |
| 8" Gel Comfort Reactive | Budget pick for a first big-kid bed | 8ESSCA-T |
$292 | $329 | $298 |
| 10" Gel Comfort Reactive | Older kids who want a bit more cushion | 10ESSCA-T |
$329 | $379 | $329 |
| 10" Rose Medium | Tweens and teens growing into it | 10BNV-T |
$329 | $399 | $339 |
| 6" Essentials Firm | Trundles and sleepover beds | 6ESS-T |
— | $289 | — |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
Compare every model side by side in the mattress comparison chart.
8" Daisy - Firm Mattress - 8BNV
Our pick for most kids. Firm, a manageable 8" tall, and the cover zips off for the washing machine.
- 2" gel air memory foam over a 6" Air Grid base
- Zip-off, machine-washable cover
- Non-skid bottom fabric
- CertiPUR-US certified foam
From $309 (Twin) · Queen $389 · See sizes & details
10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV
Our pick for tweens and teens. A 10" medium mattress with room to grow, in twin, full and Twin XL.
- 2" gel air memory foam top layer over support foam
- Machine-washable zip-off cover
- Non-skid bottom fabric
- CertiPUR certified
From $329 (Twin) · Queen $429 · See sizes & details
Tips for a kid’s new mattress
- Use solid support. The setup instructions call for a solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart.
- Give it time to expand. Our mattresses arrive rolled in a box. Kids can sleep on it the first night, and it can take up to 72 hours to fully recover its shape. See our mattress-in-a-box guide.
- Cut the plastic with scissors, not a blade, and throw the plastic wrap away right after so little ones can’t play with it.
- No jumping. The care instructions say not to stand or jump on the mattress, which is a good house rule anyway.
- Rotate it head to foot every few months for even wear, and buy fitted sheets for the exact size.
Shop this guide
Start with the 8" Daisy for most kids, step up to the 10" Rose for tweens and teens, and add a protector from day one.
- 8" Daisy - Firm Mattress - 8BNV, from $309. Firm 8" mattress with a zip-off, washable cover for kids’ rooms.
- 10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV, from $329. Medium 10" mattress for older kids and teens.
- Terry Cloth Mattress Protector - MATPROC1, from $31. Protects against liquid spills; fits mattresses up to 11".
Questions we hear a lot
What size mattress is best for a child?
A regular twin (38 by 75 inches) fits most kids’ rooms, bunk beds and daybeds. A full (54 by 75 inches) gives a child who sprawls more room, and a Twin XL (38 by 80 inches) suits tall teens and college dorms. Always match the size the bed frame was built for.
How firm should a mattress be for a child?
Most kids do well on medium firm to firm. Children are light, so they don’t sink in far, and a mattress that feels firm to an adult often feels comfortable to them. Teens close to adult size can choose by sleeping position like adults. This is general shopping advice, not medical advice.
How thick should a kid’s mattress be?
About 6 to 8 inches for younger kids, bunk beds and trundles, and 8 to 10 inches for a main bed for older kids and teens. On a bunk bed or loft bed, never go thicker than the maximum on the bed’s label.
When should a child move from a crib to a bed?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests moving a child out of the crib once they are 35 inches tall, or when the crib’s side rail is less than three-quarters of their height, and says it may be time once a toddler can climb out. We don’t sell crib mattresses; for babies, follow CPSC and AAP safe-sleep guidance.
Does a kid’s mattress need a waterproof protector?
It’s a smart idea. Liquid damage of any kind isn’t covered by the mattress warranty, so a protector that guards against spills is cheap insurance on a child’s bed. If a spill happens, remove the cover right away and let the area dry. Questions? Text John at 805-617-6878.
Still deciding? Just ask us
Tell John your child’s age, the bed frame (and its label if it’s a bunk or trundle) and the room size, and he’ll tell you honestly which mattress fits. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or use Help me choose. See our Purchase Policy & Warranty for the details.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs from the manufacturer; prices update automatically. General shopping advice, not medical advice. Baby and crib points summarize safe-sleep guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); for bunk beds, follow your bed frame’s own label and instructions.