How We Transitioned Our Twins to Big Girl Beds

Making the leap from cribs to big beds is a huge milestone for any family, but when you’re doing it with twins, the challenge—and the reward—can be double. When it was time to transition our 4-year-old girls out of their cribs, we took an unconventional route.

Instead of going with toddler beds or even twin beds, we went straight to queen-sized beds. And while that choice raised some eyebrows, it ended up being the perfect fit for our family.

Here’s how we navigated this transition, kept bedtime battles at bay, and encouraged healthy independence—all while keeping our little ones safe and well-rested.

Why We Waited as Long as Possible

We knew this change would be a big one—not just for our twins, but for us as parents too. That’s why we made the intentional choice to wait as long as possible before transitioning them out of cribs.

At four years old, they were still sleeping soundly in their cribs, with no attempts to climb out or signs of resistance. We weren’t in a rush, and honestly, the security and structure of the crib worked beautifully for them. So we held off, trusting that when the time came, we’d know.

Truthfully, they started looking extremely crammed in their cribs towards their 4th birthday. I am 5’10 and my husband is 6’3, so you can imagine that our twins are certainly closer to the higher percentile for height!

Waiting allowed us to skip the toddler bed phase entirely, and it also gave the girls more maturity and emotional readiness to handle the freedom that comes with a big bed. They understood rules better, communicated more clearly, and had a firmer grasp of expectations.

For anyone feeling pressure to transition early, here’s some reassurance: there’s no deadline. If your child is safe, comfortable, and sleeping well in a crib, it’s okay to wait.

Why We Skipped Toddler Beds

When we started planning the transition, we debated whether to use toddler beds as a stepping stone. But the more we thought about it, the more it made sense to go straight to queen beds.

Here’s why:

• Long-Term Use: We wanted beds that would grow with them. A queen bed can take them all the way through their teen years (and beyond), so it made sense from a practical and financial standpoint.

• More Space: Our girls are tall and growing fast! The extra space gives them freedom without feeling cramped.

• Less Disruption Later: Skipping the toddler bed meant we wouldn’t have to transition again in a few years. One big change now, instead of two smaller ones.

To keep them safe and secure during sleep, we added safety guard rails on each side of the bed. The beds are also low to the ground, so even if someone did roll out (which hasn't happened yet!), the fall wouldn’t be far. The guard rails gave both the girls—and us—extra peace of mind during those first few weeks.

Setting the Stage for Crib to Bed Transition

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer is prepare your kids ahead of time—especially when they’re moving to something so new and exciting.

We started talking about the “big girl beds” several weeks in advance. We read books about sleeping in big beds, talked about how grown-up it would feel, and let them help pick out their own sheets and stuffed animals for the new beds. This gave them a sense of ownership and pride.

But it wasn’t just about hyping up the excitement. We also spent a lot of time explaining expectations:

• Staying in bed after lights out

• Not jumping or roughhousing

• Using their quiet voices in their room

• What to do if they needed something (i.e., calling for us vs. getting up)

  
  

We role-played different situations, practiced our bedtime routine repeatedly, and kept the messaging consistent. This preparation paid off—we avoided most of the typical back-and-forth of “I need water” or “one more story” because we’d already laid the foundation.

 Safety Proofing our Toddler’s Room

With new freedom comes new temptation—especially when it comes to exploring at night. One of our biggest concerns was safety. We wanted our girls to have some independence but still stay safe in their room.

That’s where the Door Buddy Latch came in. For those unfamiliar, this kind of latch is a child-proof latch that allows you to keep the door secure from the inside while still being accessible in case of emergency.

Now, to be clear—this isn’t a must for every family. But for us, it made sense. We have a large staircase just outside their rooms, and we wanted to eliminate any chance of someone wandering out and taking a tumble in the middle of the night. The latch gave us an added layer of peace of mind. As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn commissions.

We explained it gently, framing it as something to help keep them safe while they were learning to sleep in their new beds. They adjusted to it quickly, and it became just another part of the bedtime routine. Truthfully, they have actually NEVER even tried to come out of their rooms yet in the middle of the night, so we will probably remove this latch in the near future, however, as a parent, I like having the extra piece of mind. We also have a very good baby monitor in their room which allows us to hear if they were to need something overnight as well as these safety guard rails to prevent falling out of the bed.

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Lastly, we made sure everything else in the room was child-safe: furniture was bolted to the wall, cords were out of reach, and anything potentially breakable was removed.

Introducing Quiet Time During the Day

Another game-changer during this transition was establishing a consistent quiet time routine during the day. We had already moved away from naps, but we wanted to preserve some downtime in their rooms.

We carve out about 45–60 minutes each afternoon where they are expected to stay in their rooms and engage in independent play. This usually involves:

• Looking through books

• Playing quietly with dolls or puzzles

• Playing with their “Me Reader”

• Taking a short nap if they want

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Quiet time helped reinforce the idea that their room—and their beds—weren’t just for nighttime. It also gave them confidence in being alone, learning to entertain themselves, and respecting personal space.

We kept expectations clear: this wasn’t a time to come out asking for snacks or new toys. We set a timer, gave them a few quiet options, and reminded them that we’d check in when quiet time was over. Now, it’s something they actually look forward to!

The First Few Nights for my Twins in their Beds

The first few nights were a mix of excitement and adjustment. We expected some hiccups but all in all they did great! They did refuse to sleep under the covers for the first week or so, but then quickly realized that the blanket is comfortable and sleeping under the covers is fun!

But overall, the transition went smoother than we expected. Because we had put so much emphasis on preparation, structure, and safety, the girls quickly adapted.

We kept the bedtime routine consistent: bath, pajamas, books, cuddles, and lights out. They knew what to expect, and that predictability helped ease their anxiety about the new beds.

Final Tips when Transitioning your Little One to a Bed

Transitioning twins from cribs to big beds is a big moment—one filled with emotion, excitement, and (let’s be honest) a little anxiety. But with thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and a strong bedtime routine, it can be a smooth and even joyful process.

We’re glad we waited as long as we did. Giving our girls the extra time helped make the transition feel empowering, not overwhelming. Now, they love their big girl beds. They feel proud, independent, and cozy. And we, as parents, feel proud too—not just for making the leap, but for doing it in a way that respected their readiness, our comfort, and the reality of parenting two growing kids at once.

With practical steps like safety guard rails, a monkey lock, and clear bedtime expectations, the transition can feel less intimidating and more empowering—for everyone.

If you’re on the fence about making the switch, just know: with a little prep and a lot of love, you’ve got this!