
Best Mattresses for Kids: A Complete Guide for Parents
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G'day parents! If there's one thing we know at Koala, it's that a good night's kip can make all the difference to our little ones' days. Just like us grown-ups, kids need proper support while they're catching those all-important Zs. However, their growing bodies have some unique needs that deserve special attention.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about picking the best mattresses for kids, from the best options out there to the features you should look for. Let's dive in and sort out your kids' sleep situation once and for all.
Contents
Key takeaways
Kids Need More Than Just a Comfy Bed: From supporting growth spurts to regulating temperature, the best mattresses for kids strike the right balance between cuddly comfort and proper spinal support.
Safety and Sleep Go Hand in Hand: All Koala mattresses use CertiPUR-US® certified foams, so your little one isn’t breathing in nasties while they do the all-important job of growing.
Breathable Means Better Sleep: With TENCEL™ Lyocell, Cooling Gel Kloudcell®, and moisture-wicking covers, Koala mattresses help kids stay cool, dry, and sound asleep.
Trial and Warranty Give You Peace of Mind: With a 120-night trial and 10-year warranty, Koala mattresses give parents time to be sure and support kids for the long run.
Joey Kids Mattress
The Joey Kids Mattress is expertly designed specifically for children aged 3-12, offering the perfect combination of safety, comfort, and practical features that both kids and parents will appreciate.
What makes the Joey Kids Mattress stand out:
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Hybrid Mattress with Pocket Springs: The Joey features responsive pocket springs that react to pressure points, combined with Koala's signature Kloudcell® foam technology. This hybrid mattress construction provides the ideal balance of support for growing bodies—not too hard, not too soft, just right.
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Highly Safety Certified: This mattress for kids meets strict safety standards, including OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, meaning every component has been tested for harmful substances. Parents can rest easy knowing their child is sleeping on a safe surface.
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Water-Resistant Protection: Nighttime accidents happen! The Joey features a clever water-resistant protective layer that prevents moisture from reaching the mattress core, protecting your investment and keeping the sleep surface hygienic.
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Machine-Washable Cover: The Joey's removable, machine-washable top layer is made from 100% recycled polyester and can be unzipped and popped straight into the washing machine. This practical feature is a lifesaver for busy parents dealing with the inevitable spills and accidents.
Single Mattress Size: This hybrid mattress comes in a single size, making it ideal for transitioning from a cot to a "big kid" bed. It's also compatible with Koala's Joey Bed Base, which features adjustable height options.
Koala SE Mattress
The Koala SE Mattress is our perfect starter option for kids, delivering a good night’s sleep on a budget. Inspired by the award-winning Koala Mattress that started it all, the SE gives your little ones all the sleep comfort essentials without breaking the bank.
What makes the SE ideal for kids:
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Cloud-Like Comfort: The fixed quilted topper is extra plush for that float-on-top feeling kids love. This soft mattress is super comfy but supportive enough for proper spinal alignment during those crucial growth years.
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Kloudcell® Technology: After 8 years of perfecting our Kloudcell® technology, we've created a new mattress that offers gentle support for your child's back while relieving pressure on their shoulders, hips, knees, and feet. It is soft where they want it and supportive where they need it.
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Breathable TENCEL™ Cover: Kids often sleep warmer than adults, so the SE Mattress cover is made with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibre that helps absorb and release moisture, making nodding off a breeze even for the most active little sleepers.
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CHOICE® Recommended Quality: This mattress boasts an outstanding comfort retention score of 95% even after eight years of use, meaning it can withstand all those jumping sessions and still provide proper support as your child grows.
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The SE arrives in a single box with free same-day delivery in metro areas, making it easy to set up wherever you need it—no tools, no worries.
Koala Mattress
The Koala Mattress combines award-winning design with kid-friendly features to support growing bodies. Australia's top-rated mattress now comes with 17% more Kloudcell® technology, making it one of the best mattresses for kids who need both comfort and proper support during their developmental years.
Look at its advanced features:
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3 Targeted Support Zones: This system is smarter than a quiz show champion, targeting shoulders, hips and feet with just-right pressure relief. Growing pains? Not on our watch, mate.
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Flippable Mattress Firmness: Can't decide between a medium-firm or a firmer mattress? No worries! Just unzip, flip, and Bob's your uncle—you've got a different feel. It's like two mattresses in one: a medium-firm mattress for nights that need more comfort and a firmer mattress for times that require more support.
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Zero Disturbance® Technology: Your little tornado can toss and turn all night without the whole bed shaking. You can even sneak in for those parental check-ins without waking them. No more deer-in-headlights moments when you're caught checking they're breathing.
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Breathable Sleep Surface: The fancy TENCEL™ Lyocell cover wicks away moisture faster than a Vegemite sandwich disappears at brekkie. Combined with our Kloudcell® tech that lets air flow through like a summer breeze, your kids won't wake up all hot and bothered.
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Certified Kid-Safe Materials: We've made sure our mattress passes the CertiPUR-US® test with flying colours for a healthier sleep environment. Talk about a good quality mattress without the toxic chemicals!
The Future is Now: You might’ve grown up on a classic innerspring mattress or an ageing memory foam mattress, but mattress technology has evolved. Koala’s kids’ mattresses are designed just for your young ones—no outdated materials, just smarter support and soft surfaces tailored for sleep, play, and everything in between. |
Considerations While Looking for the Best Kids Mattress
Looking for the best kids' mattress isn't just about picking something comfy. (Most kids’ mattresses are comfy anyway.) It's about supporting their growing bodies and ensuring they get the quality sleep they need. Here are the essential factors to consider when shopping for kids' beds.
Safety First
When it comes to our little ones, safety is non-negotiable. Look for mattresses with CertiPUR-US® certification, which ensures the foam used is made without formaldehyde, heavy metals, and flame retardants.
Koala mattresses tick this box, with all our foams being CertiPUR-US® certified, promoting better indoor air quality through low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). This means your child can sleep soundly without breathing in nasties.
Support for Growing Bodies
Proper spinal alignment is crucial during those growth spurt years. A child’s mattress that's too soft might feel cozy at first, but it won't provide the support needed for developing bones and muscles.
Kids need a mattress with enough firmness to support their spine, but enough give to cushion pressure points like shoulders and hips. Our Kloudcell® technology is brilliant for this balance. It's supportive where needed (like the back) while relieving pressure on sensitive areas.
Durability for Active Sleepers
Let's face it—kids are rough on furniture. Between jumping on the bed (despite our best efforts to stop them), spills, accidents, and the general wear and tear, a kid's mattress needs to be built tough. Look for high-quality materials that can withstand the excitement of childhood.
Koala mattresses are designed with Aussie durability in mind. The Koala SE Mattress, for example, has an outstanding comfort retention score of 95% after eight years of use. That’s plenty of time for your little one to grow from preschool to high school without losing sleep quality.
Temperature Regulation
Nothing disrupts sleep like overheating. Kids typically run warmer than adults when sleeping, so a breathable mattress is essential for uninterrupted slumber.
With features such as Cooling Gel Kloudcell®, CoolThread™ fabric, TENCEL™ Lyocell moisture-wicking covers, our mattress collection has the temperature regulation features your little ones need.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Children with allergies or asthma need special consideration when it comes to their sleep surface. The materials in their mattress can either trigger symptoms or help keep them at bay.
Our mattresses feature TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres in the covers, which naturally wick away moisture and create an environment less hospitable to dust mites and other allergens.
Growing Up Starts Here: Kids grow faster than you can say “bedtime,” and so do their sleep needs. Whether you're upgrading from a crib mattress or moving your little one into bunk beds with their sibling, it’s worth choosing a mattress that offers advanced features such as temperature regulation and hypoallergenic properties. |
Trial Periods and Warranties
Choosing a comfortable and supportive mattress for your little one is a big decision, and with kids being, well, kids, you need some peace of mind that you're making the right choice. That's where trial periods and warranties come in. They're your safety net in the exciting world of kids' mattresses.
Koala’s 120-Night Trial
Your child isn't going to know if they love a mattress after just one quick bounce in a showroom. The real test happens over time as they lie down and fall asleep, which is why Koala offers a ripper 120-night trial. That's a full four months for growing kids to test their new bed! Not all mattress brands offer such a long trial period.
Kids may not articulate mattress issues clearly, so observe changes in sleep patterns, mood, and energy levels as indicators of sleep quality. The beautiful thing about a 120-night trial is you've got plenty of time to spot these patterns.
Koala’s 10-Year Warranty
While trial periods are about comfort and compatibility, warranties protect you against manufacturing defects. Koala mattresses come with a solid 10-year warranty, giving you protection through a significant chunk of your child's growing years.
A quality mattress is a long-term investment in your child's health and development, and the right warranty means you can make this important decision for your little one without the stress.
Dream On, Little One
Your child will spend a big portion of their childhood sleeping. Make those hours count with a mattress that turns bedtime from a battle into a blissful retreat. After all, better sleep doesn't just benefit your little one. It means more peaceful nights for the whole family, too.
Check out Koala's award-winning mattress range today and revolutionise your child’s sleep. Your little one could be bouncing out of bed tomorrow morning instead of bouncing on it all night!