Toddler Bed

Toddler Bed

Since we are soon going to be welcoming our second child we decided that we want to move our daughter out of the nursery and into another room. First though was we would put her in a twin bed but on second thought we decided to make her a band new toddler size bed. We were not sure how our daughter would like it but it turns out that she LOVES her new bed and can’t wait to sleep in it each day. Even though we designed it so that an adult can sit on the edge of the bed our daughter has yet to get on her own when she is not supposed to, very surprising!

This is one of the first woodworking projects I have attempted since I was a young -gun using all my dad’s tools so there are a few methods used that are a first; pocket screws being the major one. In the end it was a piece of cake and there are only a few things I would do differently if I build another bed and I will bring these up as they come about in the article.

I designed this bed to hold the typical toddler mattress, 27×27.5×5, with side rails that would allow the bed to be situated either way against a wall. We wanted it low to the floor so that if kids do climb out they don’t have far to go and we wanted enough mattress support that an adult can sit on the end of the bed with no issue. After finishing this bed I really think that MUCH lighter wood can be used but that is up to you, we wanted it to last a long time. Below is what we ended up with.


Materials List

  • 2 ½” Pocket Screws
  • 1 ¼” Pocket Screws
  • 2 ½” Lag Bolts with washers
  • 3” Lag Bolts with washers
  • 2” Wood screws
  • 4 2x6x96
  • 3 2x4x96
  • 4 1x3x96
  • Wood Filler
  • Stain
  • Tongue Oil
  • Wood Glue


Tools List

  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Kreig Jig
  • Clamps
  • Finishing Slupplies


Toddler Bed Cut Sheet
Headboard (Above) Assembled using; wood glue, 2 1/2″ Pocket Screws, 1 1/4″ Pocket Screws and 2″ Wood Screws.
Footboard (Above) Assembled using; wood glue, 2 1/2″ Pocket Screws, 1 1/4″ Pocket Screws and 2″ Wood Screws.
Bed rails assembled using; wood glue, 1 1/4″ drywall screws. The mattress slats are not glued down, for easy removal and re-assembly.
Railings x2 (Above) Assembled using; wood glue, 2 1/2″ Pocket Screws, 1 1/4″ Pocket Screws.
Bed rails bolted together using 3″ lag bolts and appropriate washers and lock washers. 
Railings bolted on to bed rails using 2 1/2″ lag bolts and appropriate washers and lock washers. 
Click on a picture in the gallery below to see a description.
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