Best Baby Play Gyms of 2020
These activity gyms will keep your baby entertained and engaged
A baby play gym is a must have item and a registry favorite. The play gym – also known as a baby activity gym or baby play mat – is great for early development. If offers sensory activities, promotes motor skills and is a great place for baby’s tummy time practice. Parents love seeing the early interactions on the mats where babies are kicking, reaching out and “talking” to their toys.
Which Activity Gym Should I Buy?
There are so many options out there and no one gym is the right or wrong gym. No matter which gym you choose, your baby will love having something to play and interact with. Here are key considerations when picking your play gym.
- Budget – Select a mat that works within your budget – again, there is no right or wrong mat
- Style aesthetic – The activity gym will likely be a fixture in your family room for a few months so pick one that you like the look of
- Features – Nearly all mats have hanging toys and mirrors. If you are looking specifically for lights music (or one without lights and music!) or textures on the mat, focus on those key features.
Typical Age Use: Babies between 2 months to 6 months old typically enjoy playing on activity mats the most.
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1. The Lovevery Play Gym – $$$
The Lovevery playmat is an engaging and functional playmat that is also high quality and looks great. Of all play gyms, which has the most activities and will be used the longest, as it is designed to last through baby’s first year since the activities that can be changed based on baby’s developmental stage.
We really do love that you can switch out the accessories as baby grows or needs something new to interact with. Activities include a Montessori ball, teether, interchangeable cards (black and white contrast, mirror, faces, objects), and 5 development zones where babies can feel different textures, hide and fine objects, make sounds and more. The gym also comes with a very helpful play guide that suggests activities based on baby’s age.
Product Dimensions (inches): 50″w x 47″l x 24″h with mat zones open and 38″w x 43″l x 24″h with mat zones closed.
2. Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym – $$
Skip Hop makes adorable play gyms in great designs (and neutral-ish colors) with activities that babies love. The Treetop Friends play mat engages baby with cute detachable toys and multi-sensory features including crinkle leaves, various textures, a baby safe mirror on the mat, and a tummy time pillow. This soft, high quality mat was loved by my kids and survived many, many times through the washing machine with my reflux babies.
Product Dimensions (inches) : 36″ (diameter) x 19″ (height)
Another Skip Hop favorite is the Silver Lining Cloud Baby Play Mat, which has similar features but a different theme. I personally chose the Treetop Friends because I liked the cute animal toys, but choose the style that you like best!
Product Dimensions (inches) : 36″ (diameter) x 19″ (height)
Interactive Playmat Options
We have chosen 3 great interactive playmats that both have music and lights. The price points are similar and both get great reviews by parents.
3. Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym
The Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n play Piano Gym includes the arch with hanging toys as well as a light up piano that keeps baby engaged. Young ones love kicking the piano for music, and as baby sits you can remove the piano for additional play. Babies (and moms) love this music activity gym.
Product Dimensions (inches): 36″ x 27″ x 19″
4. Fisher Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym – $$
This top selling colorful playmat is loved by moms and babies alike and a great choice if looking for a mat with music and lights. In addition to 10 hanging toys and activities, it features with music, color-changing lights on the toucan’s beak and nature sounds that respond to baby’s movement. The mat also features a crinkle leaf for sensory development.
Product Dimensions (inches): 30″ x 32″ x 27″
5. Tiny Love Into the Forest Gymini Deluxe Play Mat – $$
This playmat has adorable hanging animals, a teether, mirror, sound and sensory activities on the mat, and an electronic bird toy that lights up and plays 20 different tunes. The most unique feature of this playmat is the adjustable arches that can be rearranged to allow you to move toys lower or to create more open space depending on baby’s age and stage of development.
Product Dimensions (inches): 34″ x 34″ x 31″
6. Fisher Price On-The-Go Baby Dome – $$
While not a traditional playmat, the Fisher-Price dome is a great choice if you are looking for something for travel or for outdoor use. The dome folds flat with convenient handles when on the go. The portable playmat come with 2 hanging toys and can also be used as a bassinet. Many parents find it ideal for outdoor use since it has a canopy for sun protection and insect-protective netting.
