Assembly Instructions for Plastic Toddler Beds

Getting Ready

• While assembly instructions vary from bed to bed, there are common basic steps to assembling a plastic toddler bed. Grab a Phillips screwdriver, a drill and a hammer--the hammer is for tapping snap-together parts.

  Check your box for all the parts--it's important to make sure everything is there before getting started. Your toddler bed should at least have a headboard, a footboard, two sideboards, a mattress support and all the connection hardware.

Putting It Together

• Some toddler beds start with the headboard, while others start with one of the sideboards. Stand your headboard up and snap together one end of each sideboard into the headboard's connections. Make sure that the decorative sides are all facing out. Connect the footboard onto the other ends of the two sideboards.

  If your toddler bed begins with the sideboard--as some toddler car beds do--stand the sideboard up against a wall and snap into place the coordinating end of the headboard. Attach the footboard to the other end of the sideboard, and then snap the other sideboard into place to complete the toddler bed frame. Tap the connections together with a cloth-covered hammer if necessary.

Fastening All the Screws

• Locate all the screw holes and screw in the designated screws for each part. Start your screw connections with a Phillips screwdriver, and then fasten and tighten the screws with a drill fitted with a Phillips head.

The Mattress Support

• If your toddler bed comes with wooden slats, then insert these into their molded slots. Tap into place with a hammer for a snug fit. The middle slat may be secured to the plastic sideboards for extra stability to the frame. Connect one end of the middle slat to one sideboard with screws. Place the other end onto the other sideboard, push the bed's sides together to prevent any gaps between the middle slat's end and the plastic frame, and then screw into place.

  Some toddler beds come with a solid mattress support board. Drop this into the frame to rest on its support tabs. Screw the mattress board to the sideboards at the middle, pushing in both sides for a snug fit. Secure the mattress support at each end of the bed with screws, as well. Place your crib mattress into the toddler bed frame. Dress the bed with fun colors your child will enjoy.