Dr. Barry Jarvis
Switching your child to a big kid twin bed is an exciting milestone. With so many twin mattresses on the market, how do you choose one tailored for your child’s needs? This detailed guide reviews the 10 highest rated and recommended twin mattresses for all ages of kids from preschoolers to teens.
Benefits of a Twin Mattress for Kids
The twin size offers many advantages as a mattress for your growing child:
- Allows the move from a toddler bed to their “first big bed”
- Fits well in smaller kids’ rooms and shares rooms
- Provides space to roll around and grow into
- Usually the most economical kids mattress size
- Lasts many years from elementary into teenhood
- Makes sleepovers and trundles comfortable
While most twins measure 38” x 75”, longer twin XL mattresses with 80” length are also available for taller kids.
What to Look for in a Twin Mattress for Kids
Important features to keep in mind when shopping for a twin mattress:
1. Age of Your Child
Consider thickness, firmness, and design features tailored to your child’s age and stage. See the age chart below.
2. Sleeping Position
Factor in your child’s sleep position and body type to choose a twin mattress firmness and construction that keeps their spine aligned.
3. Quality Materials
Durable, quality foams and fabrics withstand growing kids using the bed daily and nightly. Certified clean materials keep kids breathing easy.
4. Support Level
Growing kids need a supportive mattress that reinforces the spine’s natural curves while providing pressure relief.
5. Value
While you want quality, the lower price of a twin allows spending less on a mattress they’ll outgrow quicker than adult sizes.
Using these criteria, below are the top twin mattresses recommended for providing kids with healthy, comfortable sleep.
1. Birch Organic Mattress by Helix
Highlights:
- GOLS organic and eco-INSTITUT certified
- Natural Talalay latex and wool comfort layers
- Firm support ideal for kids
- Natural fire barrier instead of chemicals
- GREENGUARD Gold and MADE SAFE certified
- 25 year warranty
The Birch twin organic mattress makes an excellent non-toxic choice for allergy-prone kids or parents looking for a premium organic model.
Price Range: $$$
Buy the Birch Organic Mattress on Birch’s Website
2. Brooklyn Bedding Chill Memory Foam
Highlights:
- 3 inches gel-infused memory foam
- Medium firmness provides support
- Titanium gel and copper infusion help regulate temperature
- High 4.5 lbs density foam is durable
- Low VOC emissions
- 10 year warranty
Brooklyn Bedding’s Chill Memory Foam combines cooling, high-density construction ideal for keeping kids supported as they sleep and grow.
Price Range: $$
Buy Brooklyn Bedding Chill Memory Foam Twin Mattress on Amazon
3. Linenspa 8” Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid
Highlights:
- Hybrid design with memory foam comfort
- Traditional innerspring support system
- Medium feel accommodates all sleeping positions
- Foam encasement for edge support and durability
- Available in twin and twin XL sizes
- 10 year limited warranty
This budget-friendly twin hybrid from Linenspa pairs the contouring benefits of memory foam with an innerspring support core kids love.
Price Range: $
Buy the Linenspa 8” Hybrid Twin Mattress on Amazon
4. Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Highlights:
- Flippable firm and medium soft feels
- Copper gel-infused memory foam
- Thermo-grip cover keeps sheets in place
- Antimicrobial copper prevents odors
- Excellent motion isolation
- Lifetime warranty
With the ability to flip over for a firmer or softer feel, the Layla twin mattress adjusts as your child grows. The copper infused foam also sleeps cool and clean.
Price Range: $$
Buy the Layla Memory Foam Twin Mattress on Amazon
5. Nolah Original 10”
Highlights:
- Proprietary AirFoamTM polyfoam
- Temperature neutral and pressure relieving
- Durable high-density foam base
- Works well for all sleeping positions
- Cooling heat-wicking cover
- Lifetime warranty
Nolah’s unique all-foam twin mattress offers both comfort and high-end cooling technology to keep your child sleeping soundly.
Price Range: $$
Buy the Nolah Original 10” Twin Mattress on Amazon
6. Tuft & Needle Original
Highlights:
- Proprietary T&N Adaptive® all-foam
- Great for pressure relief and motion isolation
- Antimicrobial and resistant to allergens, dust mites
- Cooling graphite and gel infusion
- Supportive high-density foam base
- 10 year warranty
The Tuft & Needle Original utilizes advanced foam technologies to keep kids sleeping cool and comfortable all night. Its antimicrobial properties also promote a cleaner sleep surface.
Price Range: $
Buy the Tuft & Needle Original Twin Mattress on Amazon
7. WinkBeds EcoCloud
Highlights:
- Hybrid innerspring and foam construction
- Reinforced edge support for durability
- Zoned back support area
- Made with plant-based foams and fabrics
- Naturally breathable Tencel cover
- 120 night risk free trial
Designed for growing bodies, the EcoCloud by WinkBeds offers an eco-conscious hybrid twin mattress tailored for your child’s needs.
Price Range: $$
Buy the WinkBeds EcoCloud Twin Mattress on WinkBeds’s Website
8. My Green Mattress Natural Escape
Highlights:
- GOTS and GOLS certified organic
- Organic cotton, wool, and latex
- Reinforced support ideal for kids
- Contours lightly for pressure relief
- Natural fire barrier made in the USA
- 10 year warranty
Handmade in the USA, this affordable organic twin from My Green Mattress offers a healthier sleep space for growing kids.
Price Range: $$
Buy the My Green Mattress Natural Escape Twin on MGM’s Website
9. Purple Kids Mattress
Highlights:
- Unique Purple GridTM isolate support
- Durable high-density foam perimeter
- Soft, cool Smart-Grid cover
- Designed specifically for growing kids
- Naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
- 10 year warranty
This innovative twin mattress from Purple uses a patented grid system to gently cradle and properly align kids’ spines all night.
Price Range: $$$
Buy the Purple Kids Mattress on Purple’s Website
10. Big Fig Twin XL
Highlights:
- Specifically designed for bigger, growing kids
- Made with high-density foams and coils
- Reinforced edges for durability
- Medium-firm feel provides full-body support
- Flippable design extends mattress lifespan
- 20 year warranty
With its durable hybrid construction and supportive medium-firm feel, the Big Fig twin XL accommodates growing and active kids.
Price Range: $$$$
Buy the Big Fig Twin XL on Big Fig’s Website
Shopping Considerations for Twin Mattresses Based on Age
Toddlers (Ages 1-3 years)
- Crib or toddler bed size
- Waterproof and reinforced edges
- Very firm for safety
Preschoolers (Ages 3-5 years)
- Move to a twin size bed
- Medium firmness with light contouring
- Low VOC emissions
Grade School (Ages 6-12 years)
- Focus on support and breathability
- Consider bed bug and allergen resistant
- Start with twin, size up to twin XL
Teens (Ages 13-17 years)
- Often ready for a twin XL or full size
- Consider lumbar support and cooling
- Focus on comfort and pressure relief
Mattress Firmness Guide for Kids
Here are tips for choosing the ideal twin mattress firmness for your child:
For Back Sleepers
- Soft: Insufficient support, spine alignment problems
- Medium: Aligns spine, adapts as kids grow
- Firm: Keeps back flat and aligned but with less cushioning
For Side Sleepers
- Soft: Fills space between shoulders and hips
- Medium: Aligns spine while cushioning pressure points
- Firm: Can create discomfort at the shoulders and hips
For Stomach Sleepers
- Soft: Allows abdomen to sink in too deeply
- Medium: Gently supports the tummy and spine
- Firm: Reinforced support prevents excess sinking
For Heavier Kids
- Soft: Bottoming out, lacks support, feels unstable
- Medium: Prevents excess sinking while cushioning
- Firm: Provided robust edge-to-edge support
Pros and Cons of Twin Mattresses for Kids
Pros:
- Allows move from toddler bed to “big kid” bed
- Most economical standard mattress size
- Fits well in kids’ rooms and shared spaces
- Wide range of brands and models available
- Should last 5-10 years depending on child’s growth
Potential Cons:
- Children may outgrow quickly if hitting growth spurts
- Limited selection of twin XL sizes compared to twin
- Not made in split king for adjustable bases
- Fewer premium materials and designs than larger sizes
- Lower resale value than adult mattress sizes
Caring for Your Child’s Mattress
Follow these tips to keep your child’s twin mattress clean, fresh and well-protected:
- Use a waterproof mattress protector to guard against spills and stains
- Rotate the mattress head to foot every 2-3 months to promote even wear
- Spot clean messes immediately with mild soap and water
- Vacuum with soft brush attachment to remove dust and allergens
- Disinfect your child’s mattress naturally every 6 months using safe methods
- Invest in a washable mattress cover that zips off easily for cleaning
Proper care and maintenance makes mattresses last longer and stay hygienic in kids’ rooms.
When Is It Time to Size Up from a Twin Mattress?
Signs your growing child is ready to size up from their twin bed:
- Their height surpasses the standard twin length of 75”
- They mention feeling cramped or confined in the bed
- You notice their limbs hanging off the mattress edges
- Existing mattress is over 6-8 years old with visible wear
- They are entering their teens and want more sleeping space
- They need room for larger stuffed animals and pillows
Measuring your child’s growth and evaluating their personal comfort help determine when it’s time to size up to a larger mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Twin Mattresses for Kids
Are twin or twin XL mattresses better for kids?
Twin XL mattresses with a length of 80” inches may last kids longer before needing to size up. But standard twin sizes tend to be more widely available and affordable.
What age should my child move from crib to twin bed?
Most kids can safely transition from a crib to twin mattress between 2-4 years old, when they meet the minimum height and weight limits and start climbing out of the crib.
Should I let my child pick their own mattress?
It’s smart to involve kids in testing mattresses, asking their preferences, and picking between 2-3 recommended options to help them feel ownership of their new “big kid” bed.
Can you put a twin mattress on a full frame?
While a full frame can physically fit a twin mattress, the smaller twin mattress size will leave gaps on either side that create unsafe spaces a child could get stuck in.
Are bunk bed and trundle twin mattresses smaller?
Bunkie twin mattresses are often the same dimensions as regular twin sizes. But some lightweight or RV mattresses can be narrower. Always measure mattress and bed frame dimensions.
Closing Summary
The right twin mattress tailored to your child’s age and sleep habits provides the healthy, supportive sleep kids need to grow and thrive. Evaluating your child’s needs and comparing top-rated options makes selecting their mattress fun and easy. Investing in the proper bed ensures your child will wake up refreshed and ready to take on each new day.
Originally posted on September 18, 2023 @ 7:13 pm
Author
Dr. Barry Jarvis
Dr. Barry Jarvis is a renowned sleep specialist, dedicating their illustrious career to the intricate world of sleep medicine. Holding a medical degree from a prestigious institution, Dr. Jarvis has cultivated a deep understanding of the complex mechanisms that govern sleep and its pivotal role in overall health and well-being. With a compassionate approach and a meticulous eye for detail, Dr. Jarvis has helped countless individuals reclaim restful nights and vibrant days. Beyond their clinical expertise, they have contributed to groundbreaking research in sleep medicine, unraveling the mysteries of sleep disorders and pioneering innovative treatments that stand at the forefront of the field.
