Though they’ll insist it’s the toys and games, the most important part of a child’s bedroom really is the bed itself. But while it may not be nearly as fun the video games or as funky as the beanbag chairs, the bedroom kids and adolescents sleep in needs to have a top-quality mattress to help with healthy growth and development.
Many children receive a hand-me-down mattress from older siblings or other family members. However, the fact that it’s being replaced means somebody had a reason to get rid of it. A bed too worn out for an adult isn’t going to be any more supportive for a child, and a pre-owned bed that was outgrown presents hygiene questions. Even if the mattress being handed down was once a top model, its original build quality isn’t restored the second it passes hands. So while “When I was a kid, I could sleep anywhere,” may be true, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have gotten much better support for your growing body on a quality bed.
One potential benefit for younger children is that a supremely comfortable mattress may make bedtime less of sentence handed down and more of something to be enjoyed. This is even more true if the mattress’ frame is something fun like cars, space ships, or themed around their hobby. Meanwhile, storage beds with drawer space can be useful for younger kids who often seem to have more things than places to put them. A teen bed needs to tout enough room for growth; one reason full-size beds are increasing in popularity for teens. Even if you’re only adding a foam topper to a mattress, providing children with the most comfortable and supportive sleep surface possible is important to their health and happiness.