A video showing a father in California building the ultimate bed for his son has gone viral.

Educational video-maker Eric Strong said he decided to make the bed to encourage his son to move out of his old toddler bed.

"He only agreed to it on the condition that in exchange he receives the most awesome bed ever," he said.

Strong set about creating what is known as an 'Ikea hack' where people use furniture from the Swedish-founded furniture shop to make their own customised creations.

He used two Ikea bed frames, a storage structure and a shelving unit for the build.

It included a pulley system, ball run, slide and secret room with lighting.

It also featured an escape hatch in case his son gets stuck.

The video, which was filmed in Palo Alto in West California back in August last year, has only gone viral now. It has been viewed more than 2.8 million times.

Strong said it took him nearly three months to make the bed, working early in the morning and late at night.

His son loves his new bed which was part of a birthday present, Strong said.