Image from Pexels
Your baby’s playtime is as important as their sleep time. Did you know that a baby’s playtime helps in their intellectual, social, and problem-solving skills? To guarantee a safe playing place, you need to have the best baby playpen. A good baby playpen gives you peace of mind, knowing your baby is safe as he or she plays.
We have done our research and have come up with some of the best baby playpens in the market, also known as playards or play yards. If you are wondering why your baby should play in a playpen, we will give you reasons to purchase one. This information will guide you on how to spot a good playpen and what to look out for when considering the safety of the playpen.
Types of Baby Playpens
Image from Pixabay
There are different types of baby playpens designed to suit diverse tastes, preferences, and functions. As a parent, you are probably interested to know the materials that make up the playpen. Playpens can be metallic, wooden, or made of plastic.
Besides the material, playpens are differentiated by their design and functionalities. For example, some baby playpens have a gate or door, while others do not. If you don’t like leaning over when placing your baby in the playpen, you should go for one with a gate. If you are looking for the best baby playpen for outdoor play, there are several options in the market. Important features of an outdoor playpen are insect netting, ground stakes, and a sun shield.
You will also be delighted to know that some baby playpens are expandable. Has your baby grown and the space you have is no longer enough? Just expand the playpen using additional panels. Depending on what you love to see on your baby’s playpen, you can specify your requirements before going shopping. For example, you can go out looking for a metallic, expandable, outdoor playpen.
List of Best Baby Playpens
We have made it easy for you to shop for a good playpen by selecting the best baby playpens available in the market.
- Versatile Baby Play Space: The Evenflo Versatile Play Space is a Professionally Designed Spacious Play Center for Children Ages 6 to 24 Months. It Features Over 18.5 Square Feet of Space and is Quick and Easy to Set Up.
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: This Pack and Play Space is Exceptionally Versatile. the Exclusive Reversible Legs Have Outdoor Stakes for Lawn Stability and Anti-Movement, Non-Scratch Floor Pads for Interior Surfaces.
- Easy & Quick Assembly: The Evenflo Play Space for Infants is Quick and Easy to Assemble. It Requires No Additional Tools Thanks to Its Unique Hinge Design. It is Also Portable, Featuring a Foldable Molded Handle for Additional Safety.
- Plenty of Play Space: Children Will Love Playing in This Spacious Playpen. It Measures Over 18.5 Square Feet and is 28 Inches Tall, Giving Your Infants Plenty of Space to Crawl, Jump Around, and Keep Themselves Entertained.
- Trusted for Nearly 100 Years: Evenflo Has Been a Trusted Source of Well-Built Children Products for Almost 100 Years. the Real-Life Designs Used in Each of Our Products Have Been Engineered for Everyday Use.
Description
This is a versatile playpen that gives you and your baby options. The versatility comes in two ways—it is expandable and can be used both indoors and outdoors. You can adjust the size and space of the playpen by either adding or removing panels. Besides this versatility, the stakes add for secure grounding outside, making it the best baby playpen for the outdoors.
Pros
Cons
- Recommended for children unable to climb out, less than 30 pounds and up to 35 inches ; Frame with exposed metal edges
- Full size 36 inches x 36 inches playpen; Includes mattress and carrying bag
- Compact fold for easy storage and travel; Dimensions: 38.5 inches L x 38.5 inches W x 28 inches H
- Product weight: 28 pounds; Assembly required
- Meets or exceeds all ASTM and CPSC Standards and JPMA Certifications
Description
This playpen is square-shaped, taking little space compared to other playpens. The playpen is suitable for babies weighing less than 30 pounds and who are less than 35 inches in height. When not in use, just fold the playpen and store it.
Pros
Cons
- PERFECT FIT: The nylon bottom provides protection from rough surfaces. The My Play 6-panel measures 48 inches wide and 26 inches tall. Patented easy fit, one-time adjustment system.
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Designed with a simple fold and go deign. Easy to set up and take down within seconds. Includes a carry case with arm strap for travel, on the go or storage
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR: Water resistant for indoor and outdoor use.
- EASY CLEAN: Designed with a ventilating mesh walls and a nylon bottom for easy clean up. Simply hand wash and wipe down with a damp cloth and soap to keep it fresh and sanitary.
- SAFETY: Made with an all-steel frame and reinforced stitching. Includes safety-lock feature and meets all safety standard. Perfect for children 6-24 months. Great for PETS TOO! Note : Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for User Manual
Description
With a nylon bottom for protection from the floor and rough surfaces, this is one of the best baby playpens for your kids. In addition, the nylon makes the playpen water-resistant. The playpen is simple to fold.
Pros
Cons
- NEW NAME - SAME GREAT BRAND YOU TRUST: Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the Toddleroo by North States Superyard Classic is an excellent solution for creating a safe playpen for your child. Plus, the convenient Folding ABC Play Mat (sold separately) works great with this play yard. It provides extra comfort and sensory stimulation during tummy time or any time!
- SAFETY & CONVENIENCE: The Superyard Ultimate features an easy access door that opens easily with one hand. Just slide the latch back, lift the door up and out to open. Simply reverse this motion to close.
- VERSATILE & EXPANDABLE: This durable plastic six-panel ivory play yard creates up to 18.5 square feet of protected play space. Want to increase the size of the Superyard Ultimate? Just add a Two-Panel Extension (sold separately) to create up to 34.4 square feet of play space
- EASY TO USE: This play yard sets up and folds up quickly. Comes complete with carrying strap and non-slip pads. Fun for your child, peace of mind for you!
- BABY SAFE: Safe for babies ages 6-24 months. Proudly made in the USA.
Description
If you prefer plastic materials for your baby’s play area and space, this is the best baby playpen to have. The playpen is also designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
A unique feature of this product is the door that is easy to open. If you feel the 18.5 square feet created by six panels is not enough for your baby, you can increase the space to 34.4 square feet by adding two extension panels.
Pros
Cons
Description
This is one of the best baby playpens that is made of wood. It’s a sturdy playpen that makes it secure for your baby to play in.
Pros
Cons
- Toys
- Playards
Description
This is designed as a removable bassinet. It is easy to fold and ideal for travel. It is made of durable panels.
Pros
Cons
- Summer Infant Pop 'n Play Playard: Mesh sides for easy visibility
- Weather-resistant canvas floor Freestanding and portable for use inside or outdoors
- Playard is designed for use by a child unable to climb out; 6 months up to 2 years or 35" tall
- Playard is 48" wide and stands tall at 26" | Comes fully assembled and unfolds in seconds
- Lightweight (12 lbs) folding metal frame | Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 14.00 x 14.00 x 26.00 Inches
Description
This playpen has mesh sides and a weather-resistant canvas floor. These materials make it a light playpen that can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you are looking for a playpen that is easy to carry when traveling, this is the best baby playpen for you. However, this playpen is only suitable for babies that are unable to climb out.
Pros
Cons
- INDOOR/OUTDOOR USE – Whether playtime is indoors or out, keeping your little one in one place is essential! The Summer Pop ‘n Play Portable Play Yard provides 14 square feet of contained playing area, and the folding metal frame weighs only 12lbs.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE – The ultra-lightweight and compact play yard for baby and toddler is perfect for use at home inside or out, a day at the park or even a vacation at the beach.
- COMPACT FOLD – With a lightweight, innovative pop and fold design that sets up and comes down in seconds, plus an easy and compact fold, you can have a travel toddler and space saver baby playpen to bring with you on all your adventures.
- WATER RESISTANT FLOOR – Playpens for babies can easily become messy, but not the Pop ‘n Play! The water resistant canvas floor helps keep baby dry, even on damp grass.
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES – 14 square feet of playing area (48 inches wide, 26 inches tall), compact fold and travel bag with strap for easy portability included. For use for 6-24 months (up to 35” tall).
Description
This playpen is made from 22 percent polyester and 78 percent polyurethane. It is a suitable playpen for babies that weight up to 30 pounds. Once the child is able to climb, you should look for an alternative.
Pros
Cons
- 🏆MOM'S LIFESAVER: Keep baby safe in there play activity centre when mom/dad needs to cook, clean up, go to the bathroom, etc.
- 🏆STURDY HOLDING: Specially designed anti-slip rubber feet underneath of the yard so the parts don't go sliding around.And We added the Anti-stick arm design in the picture to make the baby playpen more stable
- 🏆COVERS A LARGE AREA: It is a great amount of play space for baby to learn walk and even laying with baby in it for play time. Total dimensions is 59x59x23.6inches.
- 🏆EASY TO ASSEMBLE: It is lightweight, easy to put together and take down, without 15 mins. Adding or removing extra panels is also very easy
- 🏆SAY NO TO ANIMAL PEN: Bright and colorful design make the fence look more lovely in order to attract children and energize their mood automatically.
Description
This is a colorful playpen that will add to the aesthetics of your baby’s play area. Additional features that make it a great option include the 14 panels, an interactive play panel, and one door panel. Furthermore, the panel has a security lock that minimizes the chances of your baby getting out of the playpen.
Adding to its security features are the strong and durable materials used to make the playpen. In addition, these materials are non-toxic. You can use this playpen both indoors and outdoors.
Pros
Cons
- ❤【STURDY FRAME】 The baby playpen is sturdy when pulling on the panels, doesn’t tip, and play yard takes quick a bit of effort to move the walls out, baby fence is sturdy to help your baby stand and perfectly tall. Baby playpen play yard baby fence.
- ❤【HIGHT QUANLITY】 Each baby fence panel bottom is outfitted with upgrade rubberized suction cups that play yard create a sturdy base designed to withstand sliding and baby playpen manipulation from your mobile child. The baby playpen does not have those vertical open spaces where they can trap their little arms and legs and get injured, twisted extremities Baby playpen play yard baby fence.
- ❤【DIFFERENT SHAPE】 You can adjust the 8 panel baby playpen design and make it into whatever shape you need. The baby Play yard’s one panel with activities on it to catch baby’s attention well. The baby fence has plenty of room for learning walk and even laying. There's lots of room for parents to join with their toddler and lots of room for toys. Baby fence baby playpen play yard.
- ❤【SAFETY FOR BABY]】 The baby playpen is crafted with high quality non-toxic commercial grade HDPE material widely utilized for every day products, teeth on the play yard edges, and it is safe. suction cups on the bottom stick to the floor well. the gate latch is difficult to open to keep the baby in the fence. Baby playpen play yard safety playpen.
- ❤【EASY TO ASSEMBLE】 The baby playpen is easy to assemble, transport and break down as needed; the play yard offer a mobile paradise for your baby that baby fence allows you to complete tasks while keeping an eye on them. play yard playpen baby fence.
Description
This is one of the best baby playpens when it comes to materials; it is made of strong durable materials that are nontoxic. In addition, the playpen has a dual locking system making it safe for your baby. The colors and stylish design makes this playpen pleasant to the eye. Importantly, this is a sturdy playpen and can be used as a room divider.
Pros
Cons
Reasons to Buy A Playpen for Your Baby
We have given you a list of the best baby playpens, and the choice is yours to choose among the ten. Here are some reasons why you should let your baby play in the best baby playpen:
Safety
Playpens offer your baby a safe playing area and space. The surrounding frames or mesh ensure that the baby does not get out of the playpen. Security can be enhanced by locking the door—for playpens that have doors and/or gates. Having your baby in a secure playpen gives you peace of mind, especially when you need time to do other chores.
Independence
Image from Pixabay
Having your baby playing in a playpen teaches them a sense of independence from an early age. Although you may love to play with your baby the whole day, that is almost impossible. Having the baby play alone with toys is a good learning experience for him or her.
Multi-Function
Some playpens come with additional features that make your life easier. For example, the playpen can also double up as a diaper changing area, a portable crib, and a bassinet. You can carry your portable playpen when traveling or visiting friends, protecting your baby from harmful items such as uncovered electrical outlets in your host’s house are outdoors.
What to Look for in A Playpen
If you are a new parent or have never bought a playpen before, you are probably wondering what you should look out for when buying one. Remember, the most important feature we want as parents is the safety of our children. This fundamental factor will inform your choice of the best baby playpen. Looking out for the following features will help you in getting the best baby playpen.
- Materials
- Versatility
- Size
- Ease of Use
You should go for a playpen that is easy to set up or assemble. If a playpen is adjustable, it should be easy to add and fix the extra panels. Some parents prefer foldable playpens that are easy to store.
How to Choose A Safe Playpen
In addition to the strong, durable, and nontoxic materials, there is more to a playpen’s safety than you may assume. Make sure the playpen has the required safety mark and complies with play yard standards. Check for JPMA certification. If the playpen has a bassinet attachment, bassinet requirements must also be met.
In addition to checking out if the playpen meets safety standards, look out for the following when choosing a safe playpen for your baby:
Besides the above features that you should consider when looking for a safe baby playpen, you should take several precautions when using the playpen. You should never leave your baby alone—unless when necessary. Secondly, do not leave large items that your baby can step on in the playpen. Your baby may use such items to climb out. Also, never leave the playpen near heaters or radiators.
How to Clean A Playpen
Most of the baby playpens reviewed are easy to clean. For playpens with side mesh and nylons, you can easily hand wash the materials. For the other playpens, wiping down the sides and floor with a damp cloth and soap is good enough to clean the playpen.
Final Verdict
Surreal Bear Infant & Baby Playpen is our top choice. This is because the playpen has all the desirable features a parent would want to have in a single play yard, making it the best baby playpen.
The playpen can be used both indoors and outdoors, has a door with a security lock, an interactive panel, and is made of strong materials. Add the color scheme of this playpen, and you have yourself a beautiful play area for your baby. The New Venture All Stars Baby Playpen spots similar features, making it a suitable alternative to Surreal Bear.
