In summary
We tested the 10 highest-rated baby activity centers with our own toddlers. Some of our recommended gyms include the affordable Fisher-Price Grow and Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym and the highly attractive Loveberry Play Gym. Be sure to adhere to the recommended age, height, and weight ranges listed on the product label.
One of the many things I failed to consider when preparing to become a parent was how important it was to have a safe place for my baby to sleep. Baby bouncers were helpful in the beginning, but as my son became more active and curious, we needed a new solution. So I chose Baby Activity Center. The best baby activity centers are designed to keep your little one entertained and safe, either on a pad with toys hanging above, or in a supported sitting or standing position with toys within reach.
According to Lauren Crosby, M.D., a pediatrician at FAAP and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “baby activity centers provide beneficial and fun stimulation for babies” and serve as “a safe place for parents to leave their children when they need something to do, as long as parents keep an eye on their children.”
Therefore, holding your baby is the most magical feeling you can experience in this life, but sometimes you need a break and your child needs more stimulation than your breast can provide. To find the perfect activity center, we asked parents and babies to test the 10 highest-rated options. They rated them based on ease of use and cleaning, safety, comfort, and value. These are baby activity centers that entertained little ones while resting their arms.
Other baby activity centers we tried and loved
How we tested our baby activity center
To choose the best baby activity center, we tested 10 leading models on our own young children (ages 1 to 22 months). During our first month-long testing period, our little ones enjoyed 270 hours worth of activity center play. Parents then rated the products using the following criteria:
- Ease of use: Our testers noted the length and ease of assembly, because who has time to assemble a complex new toy? We also evaluated the ease of loading and unloading babies from the activity center and the ease of storage.
- Safety: We prioritized features that would make the activity center safer and more age-appropriate. These include product stability on different floor surfaces, component strength, and the presence of features such as rounded edges and padded high-contact zones.
- comfortable: In an activity center, it is essential to accommodate individuals across different stages. Testers noted each product’s seat size, movement, padding, and adjustable components to accommodate babies of different sizes.
- cleaning: Babies are notorious for spitting and making messes. To save parents effort, we prioritized wipeable surfaces, stain-resistant and washable materials, and removable elements to facilitate thorough cleaning.
Factors to consider when buying a baby activity center
- Safety: Observe all age, weight, and height restriction recommendations listed on the product. Also, make sure to place it in a safe place that has enough space and no risk of your baby falling out.
- Skill development: Consider what skills your baby activity center is designed to develop. Some focus on a few skills, while others have lots of different playthings that cover a wide range of activities with perhaps shallow impact.
- benchmark: Double-check that the age range, weight, and toy configuration match your child’s developmental stage and needs.
- Practicality: Ease of use, cleaning, and storage have a big impact on how much an activity center is used.
- aesthetics: Most people tend to place their baby activity center in a multipurpose space such as the living room. Think about how it stands out (or doesn’t stand out).
- value: In addition to price, consider how many months you will be able to use the activity center, how engaging your child will find it, and how sturdy the activity center actually is.
When can my baby use the activity center?
Many of the products on this list can be used on infants, but some are intended for children over 4 months of age. Check your baby activity center’s recommended age range, height, and weight limits and make sure you don’t deviate from the guidelines. We also recommend that you always consult your pediatrician before making any major parenting decisions. “Every baby is different, so we always recommend consulting your pediatrician for individualized recommendations based on your child’s needs and development,” Orbán says.
How to use the Activity Center safely
- Avoid walkers: Dr. Crosby advises against using ambulatory activity centers, which are often sold as walkers. “Pediatricians do not recommend walkers because they have their own risks, such as falling down the stairs, falling over, or reaching dangerous objects or situations. Also, walkers do not help your baby walk faster than they naturally would; in fact, they may slow them down.”
- Read the label: It’s also important to check the recommended age range and height and weight restrictions for a particular activity center to make sure it meets your family’s needs. These are clearly marked on the product packaging.
- Make sure it’s in the right place: Once you bring your activity center home, it’s important to set it up for success. Dr. Crosby advises placing it on a flat surface to prevent tipping and away from hazardous objects such as pools, ovens, and cords. And whatever you do, “don’t move the baby inside.” It seems like common sense, but all baby activity centers should be used with parental supervision.
- Keep your play time short and sweet: Another thing all of our experts mentioned is the importance of not letting your baby use the baby activity center for too long. “We recommend no more than 30 minutes at a time,” Burton says. Orbán added that parents “need to think of activity centers as short play breaks rather than long-term hangouts.” Dr Crosbie urged parents not to let their babies sleep in activity centers as they are not safe places to sleep.
- Keep your baby moving: Our experts recommend that your baby enjoys a variety of positions instead of staying in the same position for too long. “Devices that hold babies upright may place them in positions for which they are not fully prepared, which can affect how they learn to move and explore on their own,” Orbán continued. “Spending too much time in the same position, whether lying on your back or standing upright, can limit your chances of developing important motor skills.”
- Enjoy toys with your child: And while you may want to use some of your baby’s time in the activity center to do other things (in the same room), Orbán says parents “are your baby’s favorite toy. Talking, singing, and playing with them on the floor are some of the best ways to support early development.”
our experts
In writing this article, we consulted a pediatrician and two pediatric physical therapists, with a particular focus on their expertise in safety and physical development.
- Hannah Burton, PT, DPT, PCS, Pediatric Physical Therapist Specializing in Adaptive Equipment at Hospital for Special Surgery
- Lauren Crosby, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician, AAP Spokesperson
- Erin Orbán, PT, DPT, PCS, Pediatric Physical Therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athletes Center
who are we
Cameron LeBlanc is parents. He specializes in journalistic writing about fatherhood. He has two young children and can’t remember a time when he didn’t have a baby activity center in his living room.
