Choosing a kids' mattress: what to look for? The complete guide
Choosing a kids' mattress seems simple, until you look at what is on offer. Mattresses range from under 100 to several hundred euros, in foam, springs or latex, with or without zones and in a wide range of thicknesses. What do you really need to know to make a good choice for a child of roughly 5 to 12 years old? In this guide you will read which size fits (90x200 or 80x200), how firm and how thick a kids' mattress should be, which materials exist, whether you need zones and what to look for in the cover and the certifications.
A child of this age sleeps nine hours or more every night and is still growing a lot. A mattress that supports well, lets air through and is easy to keep clean really matters. It is worth taking a little time over it.
The checklist in short
- The size fits the bed, with as little gap along the edges as possible.
- The mattress is medium to soft and springs back well.
- The mattress is at least 10 cm thick and suits the bed, especially for a loft bed.
- The material lets air through and does not get too warm.
- The cover is removable, washable and has a zip your child cannot open alone.
- You know which part of the mattress has been tested for harmful substances.
- Your child has tried it out: on the back, on the side and on the stomach.
1. Which size do you choose: 90x200 or 80x200?
The mattress has to fit the bed. Always measure the inside of the bed, even if the size in the description matches. A mattress that is too small leaves a gap along the edge that a child can get caught in, especially in a bed with high sides or a loft bed. Keep the gap as small as possible, and no more than about 2 cm.
| Size | Suits | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 90x200 cm | Kids' bed, teen bed, (mid-height) loft bed and single bed | The most common size. At 200 cm long, a child can keep growing into it for years. |
| 80x200 cm | Narrower beds and smaller rooms | Less common. Not every bed comes in this size, so check the inside dimensions of the bed first. |
| 70x140 cm | Toddler bed or junior bed | For younger children. A toddler bed is usually too small for a child of 5 to 12. Looking for a mattress for a toddler bed or cot? Read how to choose a baby mattress. |
2. How firm should a kids' mattress be?
Medium to soft is a good choice for most children aged 4 to 12. A child's body puts little weight on a mattress. A very hard mattress quickly feels too stiff, and a very soft one offers too little support. The right firmness depends mostly on your child's weight and height.
Many brands indicate firmness with an H rating. H2 stands for medium and is the usual choice for most children.
A simple test: let your child lie on their side. The back forms a straight line and the hips and shoulders do not sink in too far. Also let your child try lying on the back and on the stomach, at least 5 to 10 minutes in each position. Children often sleep in several positions, and they know best what feels comfortable.
Preferably choose a new mattress. A second-hand mattress can be deformed or damp, and you do not know how it has been used.
3. How thick should a kids' mattress be?
Buying guides mention a minimum thickness of 8 cm for young children. From about 4 years old, you are better off with 10 to 12 cm or more, and mattresses for older children and teenagers are often 10 to 14 cm thick. A thicker mattress usually offers more comfort and support for a growing body. Thickness is not the only criterion though: material, firmness and fit count just as much.
Also look at the height of the bed. A thick mattress lowers the height of the side. Check the maximum mattress thickness in the bed's instructions.
4. Which material do you choose?
The filling determines how the mattress feels, how well it lets air through and how long it keeps its shape. Children get warm quickly, so a mattress that ventilates well and does not hold too much heat is important. A good mattress in one material beats a poor one in another. No material is the best for every child.
| Material | Strengths | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cold foam | Resilient, temperature neutral and often affordable. A frequently mentioned choice for children. | Quality varies a lot. Look at firmness and density. Cold foam usually has no comfort zones. |
| Memory foam | Adapts to the body and can relieve pressure for older children. | Less recommended for young children: it moves along less and ventilates less well. |
| Pocket spring or innerspring | Good ventilation and pressure distribution thanks to the springs in the core. | Advice on suitability for young children is not unanimous. Ask the seller. |
| Natural latex | Resilient and breathable. | Slightly more expensive and heavier. If there is a latex allergy in the family, discuss it with your doctor first. |
5. Do you need zones?
Advice on zones is not unanimous. Some guides consider them unnecessary for children, because a small, light body does not lie in the zones the way an adult does. A mattress without zones is therefore a perfectly good choice. If you still want a mattress with zones, let your child try it out: it should feel comfortable in every position, without any spot feeling too hard or too soft.
6. The cover: removable, washable and safely finished
All sorts of things happen with a child: a night-time accident, a glass of water in bed, breakfast on the mattress. A cover you can unzip and wash yourself is no luxury. Pay attention to these points:
- Removable and washable. A removable cover keeps the mattress hygienic. Check the washing instructions, because the temperature differs per cover, from 30 to 60°C. Wash the cover regularly and let it dry well before putting it back.
- A zip your child cannot open alone. This keeps your child away from the filling.
- No loose parts. A zip puller or loose stitching must not be able to come off.
- Mattress protector. For night-time accidents, a protector can be handy. Choose one that lets air through and is machine washable, and use just one, not several layers on top of each other.
7. A mattress for a loft bed or bunk bed
Many children sleep in a (mid-height) loft bed or a bunk bed. Something extra applies there: the side of the bed has to stay high enough above the mattress to stop your child from rolling out. Do not use a mattress that is thicker than the bed's instructions allow. A mattress that is easy to lift also makes changing the bed at that height simpler.
8. Smell, certifications and harmful substances
A child spends hours on their mattress every night, close to the face and skin. A new mattress can have a slight smell at first. Let it air before you start using it, in a well-ventilated room. For foam mattresses, a few days is perfectly fine.
Labels can help you compare materials, but always ask which part has been tested: only the core, only the cover or the whole mattress.
A well-known label is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which tests materials for harmful substances.
9. When is it time for a new mattress?
A mattress does not last forever, especially with a child who moves a lot and keeps growing. It is time for a new one when:
- there are dips or sagging spots and it no longer springs back well;
- the cover, the zip or the stitching is damaged;
- the mattress is damp or mouldy;
- your child has outgrown the bed or the mattress, for example when their feet reach the end.