Do’s & Don’t’s: Transitioning to a Twin Bed

Every child is different, but there are a few telltale signs that a twin bed might be on the horizon. If your child has started climbing out of their crib, that's often the biggest green light: safety first, always. You might also notice them showing more independence at bedtime, gravitating toward books and stuffed animals they want to arrange just so, or simply looking a little too cozy (read: cramped) in a space they've outgrown. These are all good signals that their little body and big personality are ready for more room.

If you're not sure your child is ready to go straight to a traditional raised twin, a Montessori-style floor bed can be a wonderful middle step. Starting low to the ground means your child can get in and out safely on their own, which is a huge confidence boost for newly independent sleepers. Nestig's beds are designed with exactly this in mind: they start as a floor bed and convert to a traditional twin as your child grows, so you're investing in a bed that grows with them.

One of the most fun parts of this transition? Letting your child have a say. Whether it's picking out their own bedding, choosing a theme for their room, or selecting a new stuffed animal to christen the new space, giving them ownership over their big-kid bed makes the whole thing feel like an adventure rather than a change. This is their room, their space, their growing identity — and letting them lean into that makes the transition smoother for everyone.

There's no magic age when a twin bed suddenly becomes the right call. Kids grow and develop on their own timelines, and there's no reason to rush the transition just because a birthday is coming up or because another child you know made the switch. If your child is happy, comfortable, and not yet showing signs of readiness, it's completely okay to wait. And when you do make the move, give them grace — every child will need a little time to adjust to their new sleep setup, and that's perfectly normal.

A new bed deserves a moment. This is a real milestone, and marking it, even in a small way, helps your child feel proud of how much they've grown. An extra bedtime story on their first night, a photo in their new space, letting them pick out a pair of special pajamas, or a quick video call with grandparents to show off their big-kid bed make the transition memorable in all the right ways. Because growing up deserves to be celebrated.