Bright Starts, 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym and Ball Pit with 40 Balls - Totally Tropical, Play Gym with 20+ Minutes of Lights and Music, 7 Detachable Activity Toys, Ages Newborn +

Product Information

Think of a baby gym as an entry-level workout for little adventurers on their first foray into the big wide world of independent exploration. It’s also a great way for little people to develop the muscles they need to lift their heads and, eventually, to sit up, crawl and walk. And last but by no means least, it's a safe space to pop your little one when you need a moment's peace. The benefits of using a baby gym 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. The Play Gym by Lovevery comes with five Montessori-inspired development zones to help your little one learn and explore. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that playtime should begin on the first day a newborn comes home from the hospital. The AAP states that babies should have two to three periods of tummy time spent playing with parents per day. While this playtime only needs to last for three to five minutes for newborns, this amount should increase gradually until a little one spends about an hour per day enjoying time playing on their tummy. Size: L66.86cm x W91.5cm x H45.7cm | Material: Not specified | Batteries required: Yes (3x AA) | Suitable for: 0 months+| Skills: Best for communication, language and numeracy skills What we love Although this was voted as the best play mat among Pampers Parents, they were divided about the quality of the product, with a few saying that they found the Skip Hop Camping Cubs Baby Play Mat to be of good quality, while others said they found that it fell apart easily.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: H68.58 x W2.03 x D55.88cm | Material: Not specified | Batteries required: Yes (2x AAA) | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for communication and language skills What we loveBaby 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. Your baby can use an activity gym or play mat from day one, but it is best to wait until they’re at least two to three months old before you expect them to engage. How long should a baby use a play mat or activity gym for?

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 This play mat doesn’t feature any additional toys or activities, but it does the job as a basic play mat, and you might love it for its size and choice of patterns. Your little one will still have somewhere comfy to sit, even if he outgrows being interested in the animal patterns on the one side. My son loved his Baby Einstein one. Spent up to 10 mins under there which was great for me. He loved the music box in the middle of the stanchions."(Brand recommended by Mumsnet user AlbusPercivalWulfricBrianSun) Our verdict The manufacturer claims that this gym provides a whole year of play, with age-appropriate activities to help promote brain and motor skill development. Another claim is that it’s easy to set up and take down.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. 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 With so many types of play mats on the market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the choice. Do you need a simple mat that serves as a comfy spot for your baby to play or enjoy tummy time? Or would you prefer an activity gym with lots of tactile toys, flashing lights, and even music?

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. Size: L114cm x W114cm | Material: Cotton | Batteries required: None | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor skills What we love Some Pampers Parents mentioned that they liked that it followed the Montessori methodology to help foster their baby’s cognitive development. They also liked that it was made from sustainable materials—like sustainably sourced wood—and praised the design. Play gyms that accommodate tummy time are desirable. For instance, a pillow that props up the baby can be beneficial until a little one builds the strength to hold themselves up on their own. Toys available at eye level and a mat with vividly colored graphics are advantageous, as well. The zones are designed to be revealed or concealed to prevent overstimulation and promote learning. And when it comes to learning, the manufacturer claims the key learning areas are: learning to focus, making sounds, how things feel, hiding and finding, and exploring colors.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.