Toddler beds

[toohotinhere]

I'm just doing a bit of research into the ages kid's go into toddler beds, and what they are into at that age. I'm trying to design some toddler duvet covers and was just after some ideas. Do kid's go into toddler beds between 18 months and 5 years? If so, what are they into at that age. The ideas I've got are

Boys

1. Dinosaurs
   
2. Outerspace theme
   
3. Jungle theme - eg monkey, giraffe etc
   
4. Construction theme - eg digger trucks
   
5. Pirates
   

Girls

1. Fairies
   
2. Princess
   
3. Dolls
   
4. Cup cake
   

I think the girls one is pretty straight forward - unless there are some that I've not thought of, but I am not sure about the boys - not sure if the age group is too young for Dinosaurs, Pirates, and outer space!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BlueChampagne]

Never bothered with toddler beds - ours went straight into full size singles at 2-2.5. I think they're a waste of money unless either your cot transforms into one, or you're really pushed for space.

Think you're pretty much spot on for boys - how about adding ponies to the girls list?

[ditavonteesed]

do some pink out of space and dinasour ones.

[SillyBlueHat]

Butterflies & flowers? Ladybirds?
Cupcakes are everywhere.
Apparently the botanical theme is fashionable for interiors.

[BettyandDon]

Is it to sell? You would do a storm of Peppa Pig or Thomas the tank engine. Licences obviously a problem though. I have yet to meet a 2 yr old who doesn't like either. I think a lot of parents end up buying what their kids like rather than what looks good deco wise. I have an enchanted woodland room and my 3yr old is just so so about it although it is clearly fabulous!

[notso]

Judging by what is around now I'm probably in the minority but I would like some unisex toddler bedding that isn't themed as such.
Just bright colours maybe with numbers, letters, shapes or animals that would go with different colour schemes.
Ikea do some like this but not many other places.

I have two toddler DS's sharing a room and didn't want anything themey as they tend to go off things quickly and as they grow up I bet both boys will like different things.

[llamallama]

I think fairies and princesses are essentially the same theme!

Some unisex ideas would be good...woodland, circus, jungle, polka dots, stripes etc

[wetnoodle]

I tend to stay away from character prints as every few weeks DS is into something else (first Peppa, then Toy Story and now Thomas and Cars).

There's a real lack of unisex and/or contemporary bedding for toddlers.

US brands like Dwell Studio and Serena & Lily have a great selection of unisex bedding but the cost is £££ (£100+ for a duvet cover!)

www.dwellstudio.com/modern-kids-rooms.html

www.serenaandlily.com/Kids

[Hasitfallendownagain]

Those themes all sound a bit "safe" ie boring and the same as everything else that is out there.

I'd love something a bit different, a bit original. 2 year old girls probably don't like cupcakes that much (no more than boys do anyway) - eating them yes, having them all over their bedding, don't imagine they would care either way.

I'd like stuff that was a bit more unisex - stars, stripes balloons, letters and numbers, some different animals for a change. Woodland animals instead of jungle ones, or maybe fruit and veg instead of cupcakes fairgrounds, playgrounds, under the sea... just something a bit different to every other product out there.

One feature I really like is "reversible" bedding - John Lewis does this in the kid's range, there is a different pattern on each side of the duvet.

[cantreachmytoes]

I agree about unisex. Your lists strike me as nothing new. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if you're going to go to the effort of designing something and getting the designs printed it would be a shame to do something that essentially already exists.

The advantage of unisex is also that you have double the market per design!

[Betty5313]

I think you would have a niche if you did non obviously just boys space, dinosaur, jungle, construction... my 3 yr old dd loves all of those and so do lots of her friends. Please, please. no more pink fairies princesses cakes etc!

[4yoniD]

DD1 (5) would like a pink background with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Plus maybe some purple butterflies. HTH.

[DerbyNottsLeicsNightNanny]

Vw campervans please for my ds! If you do this let me know & I will purchase

[mrsyattering]

you are spot on with your choices imo. but some unisex, brightly coloured animals, stripes, shapes, numbers. Might be a good idea. I have two dcs, one dd and ds in toddler beds, sharing a room

[SkiBumMum]

Oh for goodness sake read your list and be a bit more inventive please! I have two girls. At toddler bed stage they like(d) wild animals because we go to the zoo a lot, balls and bikes because they play in the garden a lot, domestic animals because they see them around, cars because they see them around and they are colourful. Kids don't know about princesses and pirates unless we force it down their throats.

All kids seem to love dinosaurs but please please please don't do them in effing pink to sell to parents of girls and khaki for boys. Please.

[wonkylegs]

Another one for good quality unisex bright bedding.
It's hard to find but I pounce on it when I can get to it.
I love White backgrounds with a mix of bright colours (red, yellow, blue, green).

Spots/stripes
Alphabet/numbers
Bikes
Bugs/ Birds/ Fish
Buildings
Picture frames

Unisex bedding is really helpful for toddler beds as it quite often lasts for a 2nd child.

[toohotinhere]

That's great. It's given me lots of ideas. The unisex one is one I didn't even think of, so we could be onto someting there. Thanks for all your help.

[poocatcherchampion]

a bit gender stereotypical isn't it?

dd would like dogs or ducks on hers

[PriyaKoothrappali]

My DD would like monkeys (specifically cheeky ones), different animals including lions and tigers and ones with teddy bears on them.

[CreatureRetorts]

Def yes to unisex. DS's are from ikea although he'd love the octonauts

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

bright primary colours with unisex patterns on. im sick of this pink/blue divide. football and princesses. give me a break.

[notso]

Maybe I'm not in the minority after all!

[RobotElephant]

Have you checked the duvet sizing for toddler beds? They're quite awkward. Single duvets work but are big really, and cot mattresses are too small. If you're doing duvet covers what size duvet are they going to fit?

If they're just singles, then less of the dinosaurs for boys and princesses for girls please. Girls like dinosaurs too (though I'm not sure how boys are on princesses ) so make them bright interesting colours, not blue or brown. Anything based on rainbow colours is generally a winner IMO.

[mum2jakie]

Please make it 100% cotton - polyester bedding drives me mad (and is no longer allowed through the door!)

[RobotElephant]

Oh - and include some owls. Owls are great.

[TwentyTinyToes]

Unisex, 100% cotton bedding please.