Whether you’re hopping from hotel to hotel, camping under the stars, or simply visiting family, finding the perfect sleep solution for your toddler is no small feat.
This fall (2024), as our son West turned three and a half, we faced the challenge of saying goodbye to our trusty Graco Pack and Play. West had simply outgrown it.
With a big road trip planned, we knew we needed something better, something more versatile, durable, and comfortable. Enter the Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed.
Our Experience: Goodbye Pack and Play, Hello Hiccapop
The timing was tight. We needed to find a solution quickly before embarking on our two-week road trip through the desert southwest, which would include a mix of camping and hotel stays.
The old pack and play has always been a bit too bulky for car camping, and West was too big for it. We needed something that would grow with him—something lightweight enough to easily pack, but durable enough to handle the rigors of travel.
We also liked that we could use it for both hotels and car camping, which saved us from needing to buy separate solutions for each situation.
Key Features: Convenience Meets Comfort
After some searching, we discovered the Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed, which ticked all the right boxes for us. The bed’s inflatable design immediately stood out as a great alternative to the bulky pack and play, especially given our focus on portability.
One of the main reasons the Hiccapop bed was so appealing was its blend of convenience and comfort. Here’s a closer look at the key features that made this travel bed a standout:
- Durability: Made with reinforced weld seams and extra-thick vinyl, the Hiccapop travel bed has been a reliable travel companion so far, withstanding some rough handling.
- Easy Setup: Gone are the days of struggling with travel cribs or playpens. The Hiccapop bed inflates in under 30 seconds with the included electric pump. It’s fast and easy—perfect for setting up a bed in a hurry.
- Safety Bumpers: The tall, long safety bumpers around the bed ensure that West stays snug all night long. The bumpers are high enough to prevent West from rolling out of bed, which is a huge plus for us since he tends to toss and turn a lot.
- Versatility: Whether we were staying in a hotel, camping in the desert, or visiting family, the Hiccapop bed has been up to the task. It’s compact and portable enough for a camping trip, but comfortable enough for a night in a hotel.
What We Like
- Easy to Set Up: The bed inflates in less than a minute. The included electric pump makes inflation effortless, we even use it on our inflatable REI Kingdom mattress. When camping, we use the car to power the pump.
- Compact and Lightweight: Compared to the bulky pack and play, the Hiccapop bed is lightweight and takes up far less space in the car, which is a big deal when you’re already packing a lot for a family road trip.
- Durable and Reliable: We’ve been impressed by how well the Hiccapop bed has held up. It’s been through a fair amount of wear and tear during our travels already, and it’s still in great condition.
What We Don’t Like
- Too Big to Fly With: While the Hiccapop is compact and portable for car trips, it’s still too large to be considered a “carry-on” for flights. If you’re planning to fly, this may not be the ideal option unless you’re driving to your destination.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Have for Families on the Go
The Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed has been an absolute game changer for our family. It’s durable, easy to set up, and versatile enough to meet our needs whether we’re camping or staying in a hotel. While it’s not ideal for flying, it’s perfect for road trips, and we’ve loved how much easier it’s made our travels. If you’re looking for a flexible, space-saving alternative to the pack and play, we highly recommend giving the Hiccapop a try. It’s a simple solution that delivers big on comfort and convenience—making family adventures just a little bit easier.
The Numbers:
- Inflated Dimensions: 62″L x 39″W x 11″T
- Weight: 8 pounds
Let us know if you’ve tried the Hiccapop travel bed or have another travel solution that works well for your family! We’d love to hear about your experiences.
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