Any parent worth their weight will tell you that their children's sleep is crucial to their own rest and well-being. The obsession often starts during the newborn phase (who remembers diligently chronicling naptimes and sleep training?) and lasts well into the toddler and kid years, when we start searching for the best toddler mattresses, best kids' mattresses, blackout curtains and noise machines.
One of the biggest transitions during childhood is moving from a crib or toddler bed to a full-size bed. While it's up to you when and how you do this, it's an important step that signals your kid has made it to the next stage. Here are some of the best full-size beds for kids to consider when making this move.
When looking for a full-size bed for your kid, start with the right thickness. "Low profile mattresses around 5 inches are great for young kids," says Dr. Chelsea Arzacon, a naturopathic medical doctor. "This height makes them easy to climb on and off. Older children can tolerate a slightly thicker mattress, around eight inches or so."
Her recommendation is a firmer mattress to support their growing bodies, adding that parents should look closely at the materials mattresses are made from.
"One potential health hazard is VOC or chemicals with documented health hazards used to make mattresses flame resistant," she says.
Look for certifications such as CertiPUR-US, GOTS or GREENGUARD to know the mattress you are considering is void of chemicals. However, these certifications can sometimes come with a higher price tag. If a low-tox mattress is out of your price range, Dr. Arzacon suggests letting the mattress sit uncovered in a well-ventilated room for a month to allow these chemicals to dissipate.
For those ready to make an investment that will last from a toddler mattress on, the Helix Kids Mattress is a great option. It features a two-sided, flippable mattress that has a firmer and softer side. The hybrid Helix Kids Mattress has springs and memory foam for supremely comfortable sleep and proper spinal alignment.
The firmer side is suggested for younger kids (ages three to seven) who need support for growing bodies, and the softer side can be used for those older than seven years should they want something cushier. The mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, which means it was made without chemicals known to be harmful to kids.
For those looking for the most budget-friendly option, it's hard to beat this one from FDW, available on Amazon. It features a gel memory foam that is six inches thick and boasts a medium firmness. It's hypoallergenic and breathable and can help relieve the pressure that can be put on the body with traditional mattresses.
The hypoallergenic cover is washable, and a four-way stretch in the mattress allows your child to toss and turn comfortably. Depending on how plush you like your mattress, it's also available in five-inch, eight-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch mattress sizes.
We love the overall versatility of this model, affordable pricing and varying thicknesses that make accommodating both standard bedframes and bunk beds a breeze.
"This is a great bed, especially for the price," writes verified Amazon purchaser, Jason. "It's cushy and a bit firm at the same time. It is also conforming to my body. I didn't notice any strange smells, and the bed seemed to be ready out of the bag in under one hour."
The ZINUS Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress has a whopping 70,000 ratings on Amazon and for good reason—it's a solid all-around choice for those looking for comfort at a reasonable price point. It provides temperature-controlled sleep thanks to its cooling gel memory foam technology and the 6-inch size allows for a medium firmness.
There's even a 10-year limited warranty included, which is helpful considering the average lifespan of a mattress is about seven to eight years. We love the supportive memory foam that has a soft top layer that cools and wicks moisture away while cradling growing spines. Parents love this one in their own bedrooms, too.
We think it's the best full size mattress for kids, but if you're working with a smaller bed frame or floor bed, it comes in twin size too.
Nearly 50,000 people have fallen in love with the Vibe 12-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, which features two memory foam layers that helps with cooling for better temperature control. An additional two layers of foam core beneath the gel exist to provide pressure point relief and assist with spinal alignment.
We love that this budget-friendly sleep option meets CertiPUR-US standards. The setup is easy thanks to fast, free compressed shipping and fits nicely in large-scale toddler floor beds. It also offers a versatile mattress firmness that pleases a variety of sleep styles and types.
The affordable price tag and easy setup makes it a great choice for guest bedrooms and dorms, too.
A hybrid mattress is kind of like the Goldilocks of mattresses for some people—not too hard and not to soft; just right thanks to the mix of foam and traditional coils. Offering a medium firmness that is great for growing kids, this Linenspa model is CertiPUR-US certified, which means it's free from toxic chemicals.
Over 134,000 people on Amazon agree that this is an excellent hybrid mattress option. It's extremely budget-friendly, boasts no off-gassing or odors and is a breeze to set up. It's a high-quality mattress for a low price and easily fits platform beds and bunk beds.
Specifically made for kids that are growing, the Saatva Youth Mattress offers a lot of longevity from preschool age through grade school. This eco-friendly option for kids is CertiPUR-US certified, which means that it's free from potentially harmful chemicals, which is important.
It's water-resistant and comes with a lifetime guarantee, which is pretty impressive, as are its five-star reviews. It comes with a lifetime warranty, free in-home setup and old mattress removal and a 365-night sleep trial. Seriously, your kid can sleep on it for a full year to decide if it's worth keeping (hint: it is!).
This brand also tops our list of the best crib mattresses. We're obsessed with the attention to detail, health-focused construction and white glove delivery service that makes purchasing a new mattress feel like a treat.
"We've used the California King split Saatva mattress for a couple of years now and love it, so when we needed a kid's mattress it seemed natural to come back to Saatva. I'm very pleased—the mattress is very comfortable and high quality. We haven't used the firm side for toddlers yet, but I look forward to trying that."
Walmart is a reliable staple for great items at great prices, so it's no surprise that Walmart mattresses also fall into this category. The Linenspa Dreamer 10-inch Hybrid Mattress is a bestseller for a reason—its hybrid model of gel foam and innerspring coils is a winning combination.
We think it's one of the best full size mattress options for kids thanks to an affordable price point, easy setup, fast and compact shipping and overall quality. Built-in temperature regulation makes it an excellent choice for a variety of climates, too.
The gel is particularly good for those who need temperature regulation while sleeping, and the coils help provide that traditional mattress feel that some truly love.
"Super comfortable bed," writes a five-star verified rating. "I love the depth. It shipped to the house compressed and while it had a slight chemical odor upon arrival, after waiting 48 hours to fully decompress the odor dissipated as well. We bought them in two sizes and I love them both!"
If you're looking for the Cadillac of all organic mattresses, the Happsy Organic Mattress might be a good bet. This hybrid mattress for your child is made from organic cotton, wool and latex and is breathable. This kids' full mattress is also a brilliant choice for adults, thanks to protection against dust mites and stains.
It's GREENGUARD-certified for low chemical emissions, made in America and GOTS-certified, which means that it has passed additional testing to be declared fully organic and non-toxic. It has no flame retardant materials, uses no glue and boasts a 120-night sleep trial that offers stress-free buying.
"This bed is a great value for the money," writes one five-star Amazon reviewer. "There was no chemical odor upon set up."
This organic, plush pillowtop mattress combines high-end tufting with organic cotton, wool, latex and encased coils for added safety and comfort. It's a hybrid model that feels truly luxurious. We love this full-size mattress for older kids and adults alike because no flame retardants are used (nor any other harmful materials).
It's a bit pricey, but this is a mattress you'll use for decades—and it's worth the investment. The brand offers a game-changing 25-year warranty, free returns, a 100-night sleep trial and free shipping in most regions. We love the five-star hotel tufted finish that makes every night feel like a dream.
The organic cotton pillowtop encasement is also easy to clean and is stuffed with 100% organic cotton fill you can feel good about. A tw0-inch organic latex comfort layer has reviewers raving.
"The Concerto pillowtop feels like what you would expect in a high-end luxurious hotel," writes five-star reviewer Hanna. "If you like a cloud-like plush feel, it does not disappoint. I wasn't sure that an organic mattress could deliver but this one does."
A full-size bed for kids is often referred to as a double bed and is roughly 16 inches wider than a twin. A standard full-size bed is 53 inches wide and 75 inches long and typically offers more than enough space for growing children and teenagers.
Full-size and queen beds are similar in size, but full designs are a bit more narrow and best for a single tween, teen or adult sleeper.
Typically, a full-size bed is for one person, though in different regions and cultures, a full-size bed may be used to sleep more than one sibling. That's a personal choice based on the size and age of your children, as well as a variety of other factors.
Kids sharing a bedroom is pretty common, and young children making the most of an oversized bed is common in space-constrained major cities and tight apartments.
Opt for a full-size sheet for a full-size kids' mattress. Queen sheets are only seven inches wider and can easily work if you're in a pinch. Because you wouldn't want your sheets to be pulled so tight that they tear, most full-size sheets measure 54 inches wide—a full inch wider than the mattress itself—to allow ample space for movement and breathability.
If you have a deeper-profile mattress, consider buying full-size sheets with deep pockets—these should measure at least 15 inches in height/depth.
First, it's important to use a waterproof mattress cover on any children's bed—accidents happen, and nose bleeds and sippy cup spills. And markers gone awry... and the list goes on.
Check our helpful guide on how to get blood stains out of a mattress, and then do yourself a favor and invest in a top-rated waterproof protector like this SafeRest Mattress Cover. In fact, a waterproof and stain-resistant mattress cover just may be the best investment you make in your child's bedding.
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