Give Em One Of Our 12 Best Activity Centers, Check the label for JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certification. It is also highly versatile since it can be set up in many different shapes and sizes. It has a lightweight design that makes packing it up and transporting it really easy. It opens and closes in seconds and is great for use both at home or for travel thanks to its light weight. Out of all of the other playpens on this list, you will notice that the Evenflo is the only one that you can expand. Plus, it has wheels, so you can move it around the room without folding it up. Are you looking for a playpen that might go with your home decor? Stay Grounded With These Nonslip Yoga Mats, 7 Best Wi-Fi Hotspots for Fast, Reliable Internet, Back-to-School Outfits for the Fashionable Teen, 7 All-in-One Desktop Computers for Home Offices, 11 Adorable Baby Dolls for Your Little One, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Sometimes its hip to be square, and thats just one of the many features reviewers love about this sizable buy thats almost fifty percent larger than most playpens. Theres also a basketball hoop that can add a bit of fun. Although, that one is also a great choice if youre looking to splurge. It's a basic option that's incredibly affordable and durable for the price. The colors are so pretty, and it is useable both indoors and outdoors. Pamo Babe Portable Crib Baby Playpen with Mattress and Carry Bag (Black), Baby Playpen, 79 x 63 Inches Extra Large Playpen with 50 PCS Ocean Balls, Indoor & Outdoor Kids Activity Center, Infant Safety Gates with Breathable Mesh,Sturdy Play Yard for Babies and Toddlers, Baby Trend Lil Snooze Deluxe 2 Nursery Center, Twinkle Twinkle Moon, Lotus Travel Crib - Backpack Portable, Lightweight, Easy to Pack Play-Yard with Comfortable Mattress - Certified Baby Safe, Baby Trend Lil Snooze Deluxe 2 Nursery Center, Daisy Dots, Large Baby Playpen (79x63x26inch), Packable Play Pens for Babies and Toddlers, Baby Play Yards with Ocean Balls, Kids Indoor & Outdoor Activity Center, Baby Fence with Breathable Mesh, Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Reversible Seat & Changer LX, Basin, ADOVEL Baby Bassinet Bedside Crib, Pack and Play with Mattress, Diaper Changer and Playards from Newborn to Toddles, Small Baby Playpen, 50*50inch Playpens for Babies, Playpen for Toddlers,Kids Safety Play Center Yard with gate, Sturdy Safety Baby Fence Play Area for Babies, Toddler, Infants, hiccapop PlayPod Portable Playpen Canopy [Dome Shade Only] | Reflective Dome with 3 Side Panels Provides Full Sun Protection at Any Time of The Day | Designed Exclusively for The hiccapop 53 Playpen, Delta Children LX Deluxe Portable Baby Play Yard With Removable Bassinet and Changing Table, Eclipse, Baby Playpen Set(Grey 7559), playpen for Babies and Toddlers, Portable Extra Large Baby Fence Area with Anti-Slip Base, Safety Play Center Yard Home Indoor & Outdoor with Play Mat, UANLAUO Playpen with Mat, 59x59inch Baby Playpen for Babies and Toddlers, Extra Large Baby Playpen with Mat,Baby Fence,Play Yard for Baby, Baby Trend E Nursery Center, to Rising Star, Joovy Room-Playard, Portable-Playard, Playpen, Black, HyperEden Baby Playpen, Playpen for Babies and Toddlers, Extra Safe with Anti-Collision Foam Playpens for Babies, Indoor & Outdoor Playard for Kids Activity Center with Gate, Large Anti-Fall Playpen. It'll fit in practically anywhere. The purpose of a playpen is to give your child more freedom without sacrificing their safety, explains Dr. Johnson. It may not offer as much space as the Fortella with only 18.5 square feet, but it is a much more affordable option and more ideal for smaller play areas. Its also on the pricier side, but since it takes the place of so many separate items of baby gear, we think its actually a pretty great deal. However, once they're sitting up, rolling over, and (gasp!) Not only does it provide a safe environment for your baby to play in, but it is also so much more. Something unique that you will notice about the design of the GrowthPic Playpen is that the panels lean inward at a slight angle. If you need to move it from room to room in your house or even outside, it will be a breeze. This indoor and outdoor baby playpen comes in at #2 because of some of its unique capabilities. You can get a lot of use out of it, and it is great if you have multiple kids in your household that like to run around and play. Its pricey, and there arent a ton of add-ons other than the bassinet. It has a smaller footprint than most, but it's every bit as useful and sturdy as larger playpens. Chicco is definitely a brand name that many moms trust. Playpens are a great way to give your child more freedom, without sacrificing their safety. I absolutely loved ours so much that I bought two. Push down the center of this simple-to-assemble set and you have yourself a ready-made space. Ahh, if only life could be as simple as setting up this travel crib and play area that pops up in a flash. Add all your favorite baby products to ONE registry with Babylist. After doing a lot of research, I found that the best baby playpen around right now is the Fortella Cloud Castle Foldable Playpen. However, you can still customize it to fit your space, use it indoors or outdoors, and it is more affordable than the Fortella. Its no surprise that Graco, a long time leader in the playard space, knocks it out of the park with the ultra-versatile Day2Dream Pack n Play. Shield sensitive skin under the detachable canopy that offers SPF 50 protection and keep things breezy thanks to the mesh side panels that prevent overheating. What makes something easy to move around? What other features does this baby play yard offer? Ideal for newborns up to toddlers weighing 30 pounds, the Lullaby Primo is compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble for ultimate portability. It's only 8 pounds, and all the materials that come into contact with your baby are OEKO-TEX Standard. As its name implies, setting up and breaking down this sleek, minimalist playard is really, well, a breeze. And theres an organic crib sheet included too. When your child grows out of using one, you can repurpose a playpen and turn it into toy storage. If your budget is a little tight, you should consider the Evenflo Versatile Play Space. She continues, First things first: safety. Make sure to choose something that will be easy for you to assemble and fold up when needed. It also has a one-handed fold and super-compact bag. Playpens are actually fairly simple devices, without a ton of range. This model comes with a portable bassinet that you can take with you wherever you go, and its newborn-approved. This is because of all of the extra features that it has. The side panels include soft, breathable mesh, so that your child will be able to see you while also staying safe. The Plus also comes with a removable side-by-side bassinet and changing station. It's a solid option that comes with a bassinet basket for newborns, a changing pad, and a bassinet insert for infants who aren't yet able to sit up. Having used this play yard through two kids and knowing it lived through two more, I can attest that this is an absolute beast in the durability department. The crib mattress is pretty great too, featuring both memory foam and a bouncy base. If you are in the market for something that is easy, streamlined, and way better than plopping your baby on the floor then youre in luck with this pack n play that comes in a variety of fun patterns. Theyre one of the most useful baby items out there. Its hexagon shape makes it easy to fit in most size spaces. It also has a really handy wipe holder on the side. (Not too much, though, dont worryyou can clip the zipper closed so they cant escape!). Your toddler will feel like the king or queen of their castle with this decorative playpen by Costzon. Let's be real: Your baby is most likely going to be licking this play yard. Theres a one-handed folding system and an adjustable mat that can be placed at either a bassinet or a playard level. Besides, fueling their imagination and encouraging exercise is so incredibly healthy for our children. It is a nice added safety feature for worried parents. Having the extra diaper station in our house was a game-changer. Theyre a safe spot for your baby to hang out in when youre busy doing other things or simply need a quick break. The Fortella Cloud Castle is easy to assemble (no tools required). However, playards have a few distinct advantages, and many parents choose to add one to their registries. One second to unfold, three seconds to fold. Playards provide babies with a safe space where they can move around. Handles. For those times when youre out and about or headed to Grandmas a portable play pen for the kids gives you peace of mind (and for overnight stays, it can even double as a foldable crib). Once your child reaches 35 inches tall or can climb out, consider your playards tour of duty done. Did I mention it's made partially from recycled materials and that it's under $150? Its also on the heavier side at about 25 pounds when the bassinet is in use. The Day2Dream is heavy, weighing in at almost 40 pounds. BEST OVERALL: Fortella Cloud Castle Foldable Playpen, #1: Fortella Cloud Castle Foldable Playpen (Best Overall), #2: Evenflo Versatile Play Space (Best Value), #3: Baby Care Fun Zone Playpen (Best for Large Areas), #4: Babyseater Portable Playard Playpen (Best for Travel), #5: Graco Pack n Play Playard Reversible Seat and Changer LX (Best Playard), #6: GrowthPic Baby Playpen (Best Low Cost), Graco Pack n Play Playard Reversible Seat and Changer LX, The Best Baby Swaddles and Swaddle Blankets in 2021 (Our Experience), The Best Pack n Play You Can Get in 2022 Parenting Pods Top Playard List, 14 Ways Attachment Theory Can Help You Become a Better Parent, 5 Foods That Are Affecting Your Childs Mood, Pictures Explain: Why You MUST Keep Your Child Rear-Facing As Long As Possible, Beyond Depression: Anxiety, Psychosis and Other Mental Disorders of Pregnancy and Postpartum, Travel Systems / Car Seat Stroller Combos. Theyre definitely not the cheapest investment, but arguably one of the best values. See the best ones. Know for their beloved one-handed fold line of strollers. The last thing you want is your baby or your small toddler running around in the baby playpen and then getting hurt. Quick quiz: youre home alone with your baby and you need to shower, get ready for work orgaspeat a warm meal in peace. This comes with eight panels, but you dont have to use them all, meaning that you have more control over the size of the pen. They will be safe and secure, and you wont have to worry about any injuries. Whether you are looking for something like the Graco Play yard, which includes a few extra purposes, or the Babyseater Play yard which is ideal for travel, you really cant go wrong. What do you do with your little one? The 4Moms Breeze is extremely high-quality engineering and high-end fabrics and design without the high-end price tag. When your baby is teeny tiny, keeping them occupied in a swing or a bouncer is about as much as you need. It is the largest in this group and is perfect if you have space and an appropriate budget. This is why you will see no weight limits when you are shopping for a playpen. And it fits in a bag that's way smaller than a set of golf clubs. He can pull up on this playpen and lean against it and it does not move. Great for outdoor use, beach, camping etc. Playpens come in a variety of different materials including plastic, wood, mesh, and steel. Well, theyre good for parents ha-ha! It gives you the option to change it to fit the space. (The feeling wont last long, but at least youll always have your memories.). And to make things even more confusing, we werent sure about the spelling: Is it play yard and play pen or playard and playpen? Yes. This ultra-light playard folds up into a backpack, making it easy to tote around when youre traveling so you can also hold your little one, a diaper bag and whatever else you need. Indoor/Outdoor Versatility: Exclusive reversible legs have outdoor stakes for lawn stability and anti-movement/non-scratch floor pads for any interior floor surfaces. Inside the playpen, the toddler thankfully has to put its constant effort to injure itself on hold. We kept ours in the living room, and it worked perfectly for quick emergency diaper changes, instead of bringing our little one back into the bedroom to be changed on the table. Before you take the leap and purchase a baby playpen for your little one, there are certain features that it should have. But this year, between the launch of the dynamic Fox stroller and the Stardust play yard, I've completely changed my mind. Dont want tiny heads to get trapped., Railing padding on top is a nice feature to prevent your baby from bumps., A 1-inch firm mattress or pad at the bottom of the playpen should provide support and comfort., If locking side rails are a feature to allow you to lower one side rail, check that the lock is out of reach of the child. Youll just have to trust us on this one. Playards sit either directly on the floor or slightly above it and have mesh sides for breathability and visibility. This way you can open it up for play time and then get your space back when its not in use. And yes, the bottom can be raised to bassinet height. Youll want to purchase a foam pad to make this pen even cozier. If you like to go on trips or spend a lot of time outside of your home, then this play yard would be a great choice for you. Sometimes you dont need all the bells and whistles to have a good time out and about and thats the beauty of this affordable buy. It covers over 25 square feet and stands tall at 24.4. There are edge-to-edge mesh windows for maximum visibility and a simple, modern design that parents love. Not everyone has unlimited space, so having a baby playpen that collapses for easy storage is a great feature to have. Standard playpens do not. This large playpen covers the most space out of all of the other playpens that we mention, at over 30 square feet. Unlike traditional playards with mattress-like bottoms, this one doesnt offer any padding and is made from nylon, making it more of a play space rather than a sleep space. While you can certainly use this playard indoors, it really shines for outdoor and on-the-go use. Lets go over some of the significant features that this baby playpen has to offer. Its an investment, for sure, but its one that will last you for years, so youll get your moneys worth. When you need to create a makeshift play yard for a toddler in an odd-shaped room, this eight-panel gate does the trick. RSVPing for two (or more)? Here are some other notable features of this play yard. It has 34.4 square feet of enclosed space, yet the eight panels consist of a thin, lightweight plastic thats easy to fold up and carry with you anywhere. It weighs in at just about 13 pounds, a solid 10 pounds lighter than most competitors, and is compact and easy to carry when its broken down. Give Em One Of Our 12 Best Activity Centers. Taking along a playard can help. You wont ever have to worry about their play yard not being clean and sanitized. That all makes sense, right? This is the priciest playard on our list. The lock is definitely parent (and grandparent) approved, with one Amazon customer stating that My grandson is just starting to walk and stand unassisted, so he leans on furniture. A good play yard will generally start at around $100, and go upwards from there up to about $400. Check for holes or tears on the sides. There are no wheels on the base legs, but since this playard is pretty light we dont think thats too big of a deal. 2022 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. You can change the shape of this play yard to a hexagon or rectangle to fit your space, or you can use it as a room divider or barrier, just secure it to a wall with the included mounts. We've been able to set this up outside, at family gatherings, at the beach, at a campsite, and really can be used anywhere. On-the-go or at home, these picks will give your little one a safe place to rest and play. You will notice a lot of important things you should have on your list. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team. If dark green isnt your jam, there are other colors available. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Good news: youll never have to if you own the Breeze Plus. The playard can be converted into a bassinet, but this requires an additional kit. What makes this the best overall? All of the choices on our list meet or exceed CPSC guidelines for best practices regarding play yards. If you want to keep the spend under $60, pick the GrowthPic Baby Playpen. Its the second most expensive behind our #3 pick. But it's well worth the effort for the amount of space that you get. Keep in mind what you prefer when looking at these, especially if its going to be indoors, outdoors, or both. Material Plastic, wood, mesh, steel all can make for great playpens. Call it what you want: A baby play yard or a toddler playpen (or vice versa but more on that later) is essential for those times when you simply need two free hands. I have no idea why Century was the first play yard to include an activity wall, I'm just glad that they did. According to Dr. Chelsea Johnson, Associate Lead of Pediatrics at K Health, A playpen is a more basic version of a playard that just allows your little one to have a secure play space and sleep. It also does not have an option for bassinet height. When you install this properly, youll finally feel like youre outsmarting the toddler. This would be a great choice for both indoor and outdoor use. Another reason to purchase this play yard is the lining. Well made. Parenting Pod is a registered trademark of Young Enterprises. The Nuna Sena Aire accounts for that, and has ensured that this model is Greenguard Gold-certified, which means that it meets rigorous guidelines that limit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as other potentially dangerous chemicals. Copyright 2017-2022 All rights reserved. Here are some more features that are worth mentioning. The panels of this large playpen are extra big and sturdy. The bassinet bed has a mattress to keep your little one comfy, and the travel cot can be used for kids up to three years old. Take a look at this list that we put together to further help you with your decision. We kept one at Grandmas house and one at home. Check regularly for breaks and tears in the mesh., Wooden playpen slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Youll need just one hand to push down on the center to open it up. These genius items are an easy, safe place for your little on to hang out, relax and play, all while you can see them. Whats also great is there is a pad at the bottom, and you can add a sheet if you want. It is made this way to make sure your child is safe without sacrificing any space. And thats not the only standout feature. Each play yard on this list has been chosen for its versatility, durability, and performance. Parenting Pod has been certified as a trustworthy parenting and mental health resource. This makes the baby playpen very versatile as it allows you to control its size. The standout feature here is breathability; the sides, floor and even the mattress are made of mesh so, as the name implies, air can circulate freely throughout the entire playard. One of the first play yards to fold with one hand, the 4Moms Breeze should definitely be on your radar. crawling, you really need a great play yard also known as a playpen. More panels mean it can cover more space. So a baby playpen was a total lifesaver for us, because it eased some of the stress and anxiety that I felt once they started exploring and becoming more curious. This play yard has so much to offer you and your child with all of its extra capabilities that it feels like a splurge. Finally, a portable play yard that multitasks almost as much as you, Mama! You can fill it with balls (which are not included) to make your own home ball pit, or even pretend its a secret cave to enhance your childs imagination. Take a look at some of the other great features of the Evenflo Versatile Play Space. They can also do double duty as: Most playards can be used from the newborn stage up until about three years old. If you are looking for the best value, pick the Evenflo Versatile Play Space. Added bonus: If who are we kidding? Carry on reading for more information on these playpens and to discover other options for specific needs. The crib mattress is the standard size and incredibly comfortable. Parents are also quite fond of this product, stating this was our third attempt at a pack n play and it stuck! Fold up for storage or travel. Coming in at the lowest price point compared to all of the other top picks, this playpen is the best for a tight budget. Also, play yards typically have an integrated floor while a playpen doesnt. Spacious: Over 18.5 square feet and 28" tall provides a safe space for the child to play. I compared that to my personal experience with my own children and then compiled this list of 6 playpens that are useful for different types of lifestyles. While it is a one-handed fold, it has fewer points of connection, making it a bit rockier than others. Whether youre visiting family or going outside in the back yard, it takes almost no effort to relocate. You havent hit peak parenting frustration until youve wrestled with a playard setup at 9 p.m. as your baby wails beside you. The coolest thing about this playpen is the fact that the bottom is waterproof and can be hosed off. It has less space than the Fortella, its panels are not as colorful, and it doesnt include a whiteboard and sensory toys. It also has a mesh-weave mattress and 360-degree airflow, thanks to the completely mesh enclosure aka this play yard is extremely breathable and safe. (Although, many good budget versions do exist.) So you can put your mind at ease knowing that they wont get stuck or be able to get traction to climb over the panels. These are the things that set this apart from our #2 pick. Choosing the best playpen for your child can seem like a difficult task. Its simple really. The activity wall and whiteboard that are included help to harness your childs creativity and motor development. It opens in seconds, and the crib sheet is the same size as the Bjrn. You can always have it where it needs to be.