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With so many activity gym options to choose from, how do you know which to choose? Parents can easily be swallowed up by cuteness. But cute does not always mean functional or safe. Based on research and experience I have compiled a list of the best activity gyms for babies, including my top choice: Treetop Friends by Skip Hop.
Don’t forget to create your Amazon or Buy Buy Baby registry so you can add your favorite baby jumper!
First things first: Basic Questions
If you are a first time parent or just entering the early childhood field, you might have some questions about activity gyms. Get answers to those questions below!
What is an activity gym?
An activity gym is a small structure that developmental toys are hung from for use by infants. General use is from 0-6 months, though some grow-with-me options can work until at least 36 months.
What are the benefits of an activity gym for babies?
Activity gyms for babies are likely one of the first toys they will utilize. Depending on the type of activity gym, there are several benefits for infants who use them. With the simplest gyms, babies work on reaching and grasping skills. Hand/eye coordination and visual stimulation are also skills developed while using an activity gym. When gyms come with a mat, they provide a safe place for babies to practice rolling over and have tummy time. Mats and hanging toys can also provide various types of sensory experiences.
Do I really NEED an activity gym?
The short answer is no. Many of the things gyms have to offer can be purchased separately and benefited skills can be promoted by very involved and attentive parents. However, most parents appreciate an item that can assist in baby’s development.
At what age can baby start using an activity gym?
Babies can start using most gyms from the day you bring them home. While they likely won’t be doing any rolling or much reaching, they can start to focus their vision by looking at the hanging toys. Activity gyms can create an opportunity for bonding as parents shake or move the toys and interact with baby.
Important things to look for in activity gyms for babies
Before getting into the list of the best activity gyms for for babies, it might be helpful to know what criteria I use to rate them. This section is also helpful in case you come across a gym, not on the list.
Safety
First and foremost, always look at how safe the gym is. All activity gyms have some sort of bar or arch hanging toys over a baby. It is important that they are sturdy and have good connections to the mat if applicable. This is an area I scrutinize because an activity gym I had for my first child had three flimsy foam bars that sagged and collapsed when toys were added. My husband and I ended up rigging it with a wire hanger and zip ties. Talk about safety issues!
In addition to having a sturdy structure, there should be no area where an infant could become stuck and potentially suffocate. Supervision is always required while baby is playing with toys, but parents do sometimes look or step away for a moment. It is important that play equipment has your back to prevent accidents.
Hanging toys and any item that is attached to the mat should be free of choking hazards and secure. Periodically check these items and repair or remove affected toys before play.
Quality
Making sure toys and other items are secure is also an important mark of quality. Toys should be sturdy enough to be pulled, munched, and cleaned. The mat should not be thin material that won’t hold up to play and several washings.
Variety
Much like adults, babies need an assortment of things to keep them engaged. Hanging toys should all have a different feature and not just be a stuffed hanger. Mats that have several textures, colors, even sounds will be of interest to babies during tummy time.
Developmentally Appropriate
The main purpose of an activity gym is to provide a safe place for baby to learn and work toward meeting those precious milestones. When looking for the perfect activity gym keep the following developmental skills in mind.
- Gross motor skills – room to roll, reach, stretch, and kick
- Fine motor skills – things to grasp and manipulate
- Physical development – building neck and core strength during tummy time
- Auditory development – various music and/or sounds such as rattling, squeaking, jingling, or crinkling
- Visual development – different colors and patterns throughout; an assortment of items to look at; tracking swinging or moving toys
- Hand/eye coordination – reaching for toys and making contact
- Cause and effect – batting or kicking and hearing or seeing movement or sound in return
- Self-awareness and social skills – mirror play
- Problem solving skills – space to figure out how to roll, reach, and move forward
The Best Activity Gyms for Babies
There really are an overwhelming amount of activity gyms for babies. What one parent or caregiver is looking for might not be the same as another. For that reason, I have broken this list down into 5 best categories: overall, wooden, basic, grow-with-me, and value. You will also find Other Options within some categories and why they were not chosen as the best.
Best Overall Activity Gym for Babies
Treetop Friends by Skip Hop
This activity gym wins best overall because it is sturdy and includes so many ways to engage baby. Not only does it come with 5 adorable hanging toys, but it also has a variety of textures and activities built into the mat. Crinkly leaves, squeakers, and a removable a mirror are only a few of the surprises that baby can explore with the Treetop Friends Activity Gym by Skip Hop.
Pros
- Sturdy, tension arches attached with plastic hooks covered by fabric
- 5 hanging toys featuring different experiences while reaching and grasping
- Built in mat activities to encourage exploration during tummy time
- Various, soft textures throughout the microfiber mat and toys for sensory development
- 13 loops to keep the gym interesting as developmental level changes
- Removable mat mirror for machine washing
- Tummy Time pillow included
- Neutral, but still sweetly colored to blend in with home décor
Cons
- Price is on the higher side, but I do feel it is worth it
- Mat becomes obsolete once baby begins to crawl.
Buying Options
Best Wooden Activity Gym for Babies
Cozy Spot by Ingenuity
Like a lot of parents, I gravitate toward wooden toys when possible. They tend to last longer and are ecofriendly. The Cozy Spot by Ingenuity provides a padded spot for baby to play, which is great for houses with hard floors. The wooden frame provides 9 spots for the included 5 toys to hang and folds for storage.
Pros
- Sturdy wooden constructions attaches to mat to prevent slippage
- Reversible padded duvet is comfy for baby on hard floors
- 5 hanging toys with varying textures and experiences
- Frame and mat fold up with carrying handles for storage and transport
- Mat is machine washable and features 2 neutral designs to match décor
Cons
- Users have reported difficulty attaching toys through the provided holes
- Limited use
Buying Options
Other Options
The Play Gym by Lovevery
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Pricey
- Takes up a lot of space
- Only includes 3 hanging toys that can be difficult to reach
Best Basic Activity Gym for Babies
Magical Tales Black & White Gymni by Tiny Love
Sometimes parents just want an item that simply gets the job done without all the extras. Magical Tales in Black & White by Tiny Love does just that. The basic colors are perfect for visual stimulation straight from birth. This activity gym comes with 5 hanging toys including a mobile, plus a fold out, take along book. Although this is great as a basic gym, it can also be used in additional ways when and if parents are comfortable.
Pros
- Simple, contrasting colors for visual stimulation
- 5 hanging toys including a mobile and mirror, plus a fold out book
- Adjustable arches for tummy time and sitting play
- Built in mat activities
- Includes a 36-page developmental book – perfect for new parents
Cons
- Limited use
- Material feels thin
Buying Options
Other Options
Safari Blast by Bright Starts
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Musical monkey toy stops working quickly and has no way of replacing batteries
- 4 uninteresting hanging toys tend not to keep baby interested
Reversible Milestone Activity Gym by Sassy
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Typos on milestone mat
- Loose material and thin mat
- Many purchasers complain of receiving used quality activity gyms
Best Grow-with-me Activity Gym
Playtime Teepee Gym by Infantino
Unlike most activity gyms that lose their functionality after babies become mobile, grow-with-me style gyms can be used into toddlerhood. The Playtime Teepee Gym by Infantino is my top pick because it will still be a fun piece to use at least until age three! One feature that sets it apart from other activity gyms is that it is a tent from the beginning. This is great when you want to take baby out on a nice sunny day. Not only will it provide shade, but while playing on their back, they won’t have the sun glaring into their eyes.
Pros
- Includes mobile mirror with 4 hanging toys to attach
- Mirror can be removed and used for tummy time
- Tent style provides shade for outdoor play with gym
- Three flaps open to create tunnel for crawling through
- Fourth side has window
- Can be used for pretend play, reading nook, and more as baby grows
Cons
- Mat is a bit lackluster for tummy time
Buying Options
Other Options
4-in-1 Kickin Tunes by Baby Einstein
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Only the piano toy grows with baby so you are still left with a gym collecting dust
- Gym is on the smaller side, not leaving much room for rollovers
4-in-1 Jumbo Ball Pit by Infantino
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Baby can become entangled in the mesh sides when collapsed
5-in-1 Your Way Ball Pit by Bright Starts
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Does not hold up with machine washing
- Complaints of falling arches
- Small ball pit area
5-in-1 Epic Developmental Learning Gym by Infantino
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Complaints of arches collapsing
- Not much for engaging older infants and toddlers despite being rated up to 36 months
Best Value Activity Gym for Babies
Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym by Fisher Price
When you want the most bang for your buck, look no further than the Rainforest Deluxe Gym by Fisher Price. This gym comes with 4 re-positional hanging toys, a take along toucan, a colorful mobile, built in mat activities, and lights and sounds to keep baby occupied for hours. The mat is spacious and machine washable for any baby leaks. Moreover, the price is mid-range, but perfect for all it includes.
Pros
- Plenty of toys and activities to keep baby entertained
- Removable toucan that lights up and plays music – Plus it has replaceable batteries
- Easy to disassemble for machine washing
- Lots of things for baby to look at in every direction
- Under $60 retail
Cons
- Toucan is heavy and placed above baby – use caution
- Could possibly be overstimulating for some
Buying Options
Other Options
Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym by Fisher Price
Why it didn’t make the cut
- Small size making rollovers difficult
*However this activity gym is still a great value as a grow-with-me option
Activity Gyms to Avoid
A couple of the activity gyms I came across on the market are not recommended. Skip Hop’s Up for Adventure and Carter’s My Arctic Friends have pillowed edges making the mat a nest shape. While this seems cozy when baby plays on their back, once baby starts making attempts to roll over, the mat needs to stop being used. Babies can become stuck where the pillow seam meets the mat and suffocate. For the safety reasons and very short functionality window, I suggest to avoid them.
