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

Size: H41cm x W50cm x D81cm | Material: Plastic | Batteries required: Yes (2x AA) | Suitable for: 0 - 12 months| Skills: Best for motor and communication skills What we love Baby Einstein’s Neptune Discover Reef Play Activity Gym doesn’t compete against the larger, more expensive models for features, but it does beat them on portability. Small, compact and travel ready, you can remove the bar and fit it into your infant carrier for baby-centred entertainment on the go. Not going anywhere? The mat can be removed and used for tummy time, and the toys can be unclipped and stored in the nappy bag for when you really need it. Oh, and it is much, much cheaper than some alternatives too! We had the Fisher-Price one, very bright but baby loved it and it was still in use until just before nine months when crawling round the floor was more appealing."(Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Laaalaaaa) Our verdict A play gym can help a baby enjoy and look forward to time spent playing on the floor. There are infant activity gyms in dozens of styles and colors with all sorts of different toys and features, so choosing the best one for your child might seem challenging. Knowing what characteristics are the most educational and entertaining might make it easier to make the best selection. 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

Plus, when your baby is a little older and more active, we've also compiled a guide to the best baby walker to help them toddle along further than their play mat. 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. Playing with your baby is a wonderful way to teach them about the world while bonding. Point out interesting parts of the play gym. Say the names of objects and describe them, such as, “Look at the yellow sun. The sun keeps us warm and helps things grow.” Although your little one might not understand everything you say, doing so helps their brain develop. It also teaches about important subjects such as social skills, vocabulary and body language. Your needs: If you travel frequently, a portable activity gym or play mat is better than a large clunkier option. Ditto, if you have a small or limited space. If you’d like to add to it, Fisher-Price also offers low-cost, additional toys which you can clip onto the arches, which is a huge plus because it expands the lifespan of the gym. Although some reviewers noted that the price point was a little high for the limited size and features, this can be a great option for on-the-go or smaller homes or flats.

Dive into the world of fun and learning with our assortment of playmats and gyms. Featuring renowned brands like Fisher-Price and Chad Valley, our options with bright colours and sensory objects are sure to give hours of fun to your little one whilst supporting physical and cognitive development.

Size: L86.4cm x W86.4cm x H112cm | Material: Polyester | Batteries required: N/A | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor and language skills What we love All of our Swears By articles start with research via the Mumsnet forums. We know nothing beats a real recommendation from a parent, so we thoroughly scoured the forum threads in search of the activity gyms and mats parents and their babies love. Expert opinions The 48-inch jumbo mat and play gym has adjustable walls that keep boisterous babies safe during play time and tummy time (do see our guide to the best tummy time toys approved by parents if your little one needs some encouragement with this). It also features an easy carry storage case for portability and comes with seven take-along toys that include an elephant music player, crinkle toy, mirror, flashcards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle. The elephant even plays 20+ minutes of merry melodies.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 love

Fisher-Price products usually come highly rated by Mumsnet users and its Musical Rainforest Infant Activity Gym is no exception. Highly recommended by many parents, it's colourful and appealing to babies, and is comparatively cheaper than other brands.

Size: L114cm x W114cm | Material: Cotton | Batteries required: None | Suitable for: 0 months+ | Skills: Best for motor skills What we love