It can be a difficult time when your child transitions from an infant to a toddler. It is difficult to know the exact right time to get rid of the crib and substitute a toddler bed. Some parents like to wait until the child’s second birthday for this big event. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing your child’s face light up when he sees his new bed on his birthday. Whenever you decide to get a new bed for your toddler, the most important thing is to make sure it is a safe cheap toddler bed that you can afford. Since he may soon outgrow it, you don’t want to regret having paid too much. Here are a few tips to help you save money on this important purchase.

1. Swap the Crib

Possibly the best money saver is to find someone with which to barter for your crib. If you can find someone who needs a crib for their upcoming baby, and they have an extra bed, then you may be able to help each other out to mutual benefit.

2. Do It Yourself

A great thing about beds is that they really aren’t too complicated. You can find the plans for a small bed online and then find most of the supplies you need at a store like Home Depot. The bulk of the materials you’ll need will be 2×4s and screws. It might be a good idea to buy the mattress first so that you can build the bed to fit the mattress, but you can always cut it down if needed. To save even more money, you might consider making the mattress yourself.

3. Garage Sales

Garage sales are a great place to find a cheap toddler bed. The best place to look for these garage sales is in neighborhoods where there are a lot of young children. Families here are constantly trying to get rid of old beds.

You can definitely get your hands on a cheap toddler bed if you put your mind to it. Though you may have to think outside the box and use a little ingenuity, you’ll be able to make both your toddler and your pocketbook happy in the end.