Baby activity gyms with interactive elements are worth considering. Not only are these toys and gadgets fun for your tiny one to use, but they also help them learn about cause and effect. The toys will help them stay busy while increasing their understanding of the world around them and their place in it. Choose a play gym that is appropriate for your baby’s current age and activity level but will also continue to be enjoyable as your little one develops. For a plaything to contribute to your baby’s development, it must engage and entertain them now and be flexible enough to continue interesting and challenging them as they learn and grow. Aesthetic: You have to like the look of it as much as your child, as you could be staring at it in your living room for quite a few years, especially if you are planning on having more, so ensure that it appeals to you as much as your baby. IKEA's KLAPPA Play Mat for children is soft, interactive and under-the-sea themed. The Swedish homeware brand has truly outdone itself with this padded play mat that looks good enough to sleep on – no wonder parents love it and it holds a five-star rating from reviewers. Quite a few baby play mats and activity gyms are obsolete by the time your baby is six months old. However, some play mats and activity gyms have great longevity and can go up to two years of age. The Bright Starts 5-in-1 Activity Play Gym, or Large Melbourne MOD Play Mat are built to last up to and beyond your baby's toddler years. Are baby play gyms or mats necessary?

Bright Starts, 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym and

Size: L86.4cm x W86.4cm x H112cm | Material: Polyester | Batteries required: N/A | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor and language skills What we love Playing with your baby is a wonderful way to teach them about the world while bonding. Point out interesting parts of the play gym. Say the names of objects and describe them, such as, “Look at the yellow sun. The sun keeps us warm and helps things grow.” Although your little one might not understand everything you say, doing so helps their brain develop. It also teaches about important subjects such as social skills, vocabulary and body language.Pampers Parents liked the bright colors, detachable toys, and the price. They also found this baby gym was very easy to set up and dismantle. Size: H106cm x W45cm x D115cm | Material: Plastic | Batteries required: No | Suitable for: 0 - 12 months | Skills: Best for motor skills and cognition What we love The toys hang from soft “wooden” poles, and you can set the height of the toys as your baby grows using the added loops. A play mat is a padded surface that can be a nice spot for your little one to spend some playtime or supervised tummy time each day, while a baby activity mat or gym can be great for your baby’s development with lots of simple toys that encourage your baby to explore and learn.

Bright Starts 5-in-1 Review (Brutally Honest) - Toddler Review Bright Starts 5-in-1 Review (Brutally Honest) - Toddler Review

Whether it is a baby play gym, activity centre or luxury floor covering, a play mat is a multi-use baby toy that's perfect for your child's development and offers hours of fun. Here's our guide to the best play mats and activity gyms for babies in 2023. The Play Gym by Lovevery comes with five Montessori-inspired development zones to help your little one learn and explore. Keep in mind that the sides are not meant to be used as a play yard that keeps your baby in safely; rather they are to be used to make a ball pit for your little one to play in. All you have to do is add the included balls and your baby has her very own ball pit! And for this purpose the height of the sides may be perfect.

8. Best play mat for newborns: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n' Play Piano Gym

We think you should buy this bright starts 5-in-1, but don’t just take our word for it. There are some incredible positives to buying one of these that you might not have thought about. All baby mats, gyms and activity centres serve the same purpose. They offer an opportunity for your baby to explore the world around them in a safe, soft and stimulating environment. They also provide visual and sensory stimulation and are ideal for tummy time. Here are the skills your baby can develop, depending on the play mat or gym you opt for: This baby gym has been invaluable for us. Babies love it. I’ve since noticed that a lot of friends/family have the same one."(Vetted by Mumsnet user sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch) Size: H113cm x W52cm x D76cm | Material: Plastic | Batteries required: Yes (3x AAA) | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for gross motor skills What we love Pampers Parents liked that it is easy to transport, clean, and disassemble. However, one downside Pampers Parents noted was that it could be a bit easier to store, and that the durability of this baby gym could have been better.

Bright Starts™ Play Gyms – Kids2 Inc Bright Starts™ Play Gyms – Kids2 Inc

Pampers Parents loved how the Baby Einstein 5-in-1 Journey of Discovery Activity Gym could be customized to the baby’s needs with its interactive and removable toys. Other Pampers Parents loved the bright colors and music options, as well as the size of this baby gym. Includes 7 tropically cool take-along toys: elephant Musical toy, Unicorn crinkle toy, mirror, flash cards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle Like the others on our list, this activity center comes with the option for tummy time, lay and play, or sit and discover, plus it comes with a large peek-a-boo mirror to entertain your baby. Price. Baby gyms and mats come at many different price points, so choose one that you find is good value for money and fits your budget. Pampers Parents loved that this baby mat was soft and cute, with lots of textures that their little ones could touch and play with. They also found it easy to clean.Interesting attachments. Some Pampers Parents said they looked for interesting hanging attachments, like ones that make a noise or have different textures. Go for something that is visually stimulating from underneath — not just from the side — as that is where very young babies will spend the most time looking at the toys. Size: H48.3 x W96.5 x D96.5cm | Material: Polyester, PP, mirrored PETG board, PU foam, fibre glass rod, EVA | Batteries required: Non-replaceable coin batteries (included) | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor skills What we love The gym comes with a baby-safe mirror, rattles, plush toys, and a pillow. But, that’s not all! It also plays 20 minutes of what the manufacturer calls “global-themed” music — just remember you’ll need some batteries for this feature. The Play gym has an X-shaped toy bar that includes over 12 activities including an elephant that lights up, beads on a slider, teethers, a mirror, and brilliant sensory fabrics. If we had to point out some of the bits we thoughts might be thought about as negative it would be that the toys are quite spaced out so for babies that cant move it could be difficult for them to grab and play.

Bright Starts Elephant Multi-Use Ball Play Activity Gym Bright Starts Elephant Multi-Use Ball Play Activity Gym

Sensory Toys will help in the development of your baby and help them learn new sounds, textures, and sights. The 48-inch jumbo mat and play gym has adjustable walls that keep boisterous babies safe during play time and tummy time (do see our guide to the best tummy time toys approved by parents if your little one needs some encouragement with this). It also features an easy carry storage case for portability and comes with seven take-along toys that include an elephant music player, crinkle toy, mirror, flashcards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle. The elephant even plays 20+ minutes of merry melodies. Highlights: Comes with a lifetime lost parts promise, so if you lose any piece of this baby gym, Lovevery will replace it. The play mat itself is machine washable. When buying any type of plaything for your baby, consider safety above all else. Purchasing new items from a reputable brand and well-known retailer offers protection, as secondhand or off-brand toys could include unsafe pieces, be damaged, have missing parts or even have been subject to safety recalls.

Size: L114cm x W114cm | Material: Cotton | Batteries required: None | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor skills What we love Keep in mind, you’ll need batteries for the music and lights, and some Pampers Parents said the ray came off the mat too easily when pulled. Overall, though, Pampers Parents found that their little ones loved the light show and jingles.