Every child is different. Some love to play with paint and mud and get messy while others can't bare to get their hands "yucky". In the same way when it comes to transferring your child from the familiarity of the cot that they've known since their birth into a big bed then some will take to it like a duck to water and some will resist either from insecurity or just plain stubbornness.

Some parents feel that a novelty toddler bed is not actually a bed but is a toy and there fore a distraction at bed time and their opinion is valid. However if you are a parent who struggles to settle your toddler on a night then a bed that looks like a car might be the answer and may just do the trick.

Boys novelty beds mostly take the form of cars or trains, which is what really fuels a lad's imagination, while girls novelty beds are based round fantasy items, such as fairy castles and carriages.

As an added incentive to encourage your child to stay in bed and go to sleep you could try snuggling them down and tucking them in then making up your own story around your little one and their magic bed ... as long as they are not prone to nightmares of course.

If your child has a small bedroom and space is at a premium then look for a junior bed with storage included or consider an under bed box on wheels or drawer. Remember that your naturally curious toddler is likely to have a good rummage in the drawers so don't store any unsafe items in there.