Best Baby Playpen Reviews
Now that we know what to look for when shopping for our new playpen, here are some great products I found with a short review on each one of them
Do you have a small child that recently figured out that they can get around? Whether they’re a roller, a crawler, or they can do a little walking, your job of parenting just got more difficult. So what can you do to try and make watching the little one a little easier? Well, it’s like they say, you can’t stop them, you can only hope to contain them. You need a best playpen.
A baby playpen is a small portable enclosure in which a baby or small child can play safely. There are literally hundreds of playpens for sale on the internet today. They come in different shapes, sizes, colors, heights, and varying toys and activities to keep your child entertained. Searching through all of the available playpens is enough to get your head spinning. Fortunately, I’ve done a huge amount of research on baby playpens to help parents figure out which one is the best choice for them.
How to Choose the Best Playpen
So how do you choose which is the best playpen for you and your child? There are six major items to consider when you are shopping for your new playpen:
When you begin to look at playpens to purchase, keep these considerations in mind, and add any others that you think are important:
Size
This is a highly important item to consider when looking at playpens. Figure out where you plan on setting it up in your home. Take careful measurements. Your new playpen is of no use to you if it doesn’t fit inside your home. At the same time, consider where you are going to set it up outside. Some of us are more limited for space outside rather than in. The main point here is to make sure it fits where you want to use it. Playpens come in various sizes, and average around five to six feet in diameter.
Panels
Most playpens consist of a number of panels or sections that snap together to form a shape. Shapes can be square, hexagon, rectangle, octagon, or round. Figure out how many panels come with the playpen, and imagine yourself moving them in or out of the house, or loading them up in your car for use elsewhere, like the park. Figure out the size of each panel and consider if they will fit where you need them to, like the trunk of your car. While you consider panels, you should also check and see if you can order extras in case you want to expand your playpen in the future.
Material
This is an important feature for all parents. Figure out if the material used to make your playpen is safe for your child as well as durable. No parent wants their child touching or chewing on materials that are dangerous to their health. Keep in mind that certified materials may cost more money, but your baby’s health is priceless. Most playpens are made from plastics because they are light, strong, and extremely durable. User reviews can help you figure out materials if you have any questions.
Access
Picture yourself either putting your baby in or taking your baby out of the playpen. Many playpens have gates or a panel that swings open to allow you to enter and exit the playpen. This will allow you to lower and lift your child most easily. Make sure any gates have safety latches to prevent any unwanted escapes. Many parents fail to consider this item, and their back ends up paying for it later.
Price
Every buying decision you make involves price to some degree. The price of the playpen is a quick and easy way to narrow down your choices. My suggestion here is to settle on a dollar amount before you start shopping, and stick to it. Going a little over or a little under is fine. Don’t go crazy! Most of us believe that you get what you pay for, and for the most part, that’s true. However, internet pricing can sometimes be the exception to the rule. If there is any doubt in your mind, you can quickly search for the regular retail price of the playpen.
The Extras
This is the part I like to refer to as the bells and whistles, because when it comes to playpens, it is. There are a multitude of distractions available on playpens these days. Buttons, flashing lights, sounds, toys, and mirrors can all be found on playpen panels. It’s nice to get some cool gizmos with your playpen, but it’s not necessary. Remember that we can rarely predict which objects and activities will capture the baby’s attention. You can always put your own toys in. If you’re price shopping, keep in mind that the extras cost extra.
Final Verdict
That’s it for my list of ten of the best playpens available on the internet today. While all of them have pros and cons, I have picked out my favorite. The winner is the North States Superyard Ultimate Play Yard.
I like the fact that it has a good size right out of the box and that you can easily enlarge it. I also like that you can quickly set it up or tear it down by folding or unfolding it. The handy carrying strap is a nice feature for transportation, and the sides are a bit taller than most. Finally, I like that it has skid-resistant pads on the bottom, and it’s made here in the U.S.A.
All of the best playpen for babies included in this list are quality items, but the North States Superyard is the clear winner. Remember to measure for size, count the panels, make sure the material is safe, and that you have in and out access. Combine all these features with your price range to figure out which playpen is the best one for you and your child. Good luck and happy playpen shopping!