Below is a list of places to shop in your search for a bed for your kids:

Baby store

Baby Stores:  Many baby stores will carry junior bed for toddlers 2-4 or for people who want to buy cribs that become junior beds.  Other baby stores will sometimes carry items for toddlers and this is where you will find a greater variety of junior beds.  Check your favorite baby stores like Babies R’ Us, Albee Baby, and BabyAge.com.  Also check some kids stores that have baby items like Toys R’ Us or Pottery Barn Kids.  The thing to beware of is that baby stores will most likely mark up the beds.  Therefore, make sure you shop around.  If you find something you like, see if another store online carries the same item for a discount.

Furniture stores

Furniture Stores:   Furniture stores will oftentimes carry a large variety of kids items.  Check the larger furniture stores like Ikea , R.C. Wiley, and others in your area, but make sure to call ahead to see if they have kids furniture.   Some furniture stores won’t carry kids furniture since they focus more on furniture for the home.  However, larger furniture stores will usually have a kids area where you can see their junior beds.  Furniture stores are great since they specialize in furniture so the quality of their items will be pretty good.  Additionally, their salesmen can provide more details on the bed than a regular non-specialty store.  

Regular discount stores:  Discount stores like Walmart and Target will also carry a few junior beds.  Sometimes, if the store isn’t large enough, they will have them in their online stores.  Check both.  They won’t have a large variety, but the items they do have will carry a pretty good discount, especially compared to furniture stores or baby stores.  The only problem is that the clerks won’t know much about the kids furniture since these stores carry so many items.  Therefore, you will have to find out more information on your own.

Online Stores: You will find some pretty good deals online, but you will have to shop around.  There are many online kids furniture stores as well as other online baby stores that carry junior beds.  When buying through these stores, make sure you know their return policy and understand the full price of shipping.  Also, make sure you check that they are reputable.  Check that during their credit card verification process, they use security and the web page starts with https, check their privacy policy to make sure they do not sell their information, and check local parents forums to make sure other parents have purchased items from that store.   Otherwise, go through reputable online stores like Amazon.

Online classified ads

Craigslist and other classifieds: The other option to consider when junior bed shopping is to look for a previously owned bed.  Kids grow out of these beds so fast that some parents will want to resell them.  If you don’t want to spend too much money, check craigslist and other classified for parents who are selling their kids’ junior beds.  These are great places to find a deal.  Additionally, you can see the items in person before purchasing so you will know the quality beforehand.