Keeping your baby in once place is sometimes necessary for children's safety - and for parents to be able to get anything done - but it doesn't have to be boring. A fun playpen will give your child a safe space to play and provide you with peace of mind.
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A baby playpen is an enclosed play area that gives your baby a safe place to play, always under the watchful eye of an adult. The self-contained units are usually made from either wood, plastic or metal. Most baby playpens are lightweight so they can be easily carried around the house and stored.
Best baby playpens shortlist:
In a hurry? Shop from our top three baby playpen shortlist now:
As much as you might want to cuddle your new baby 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it's pretty much impossible. A playpen will not only make your life easier, it will also give your baby some sense of independence at an early age. To use, simply set up your chosen playpen on a flat floor surface, fill with toys, and watch them play while you do something else on your hefty to-do list.
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There's a huge range of playpens on the market to suit a wide variety of tastes – both yours and your child's – and budgets, and we've picked some of the best for you to choose from. Scroll down to see our top picks for the best baby playpens available.
Best baby playpen UK
1 of 6Babymoov Babyni Pop-Up 3-in-1
Best budget baby playpenThis playpen has a weather shield that protects from UV rays, wind and sand - perfect if you plan on spending lots of time outside. Plus, it comes with a mosquito net and over-the-shoulder carry bag. This option is only for when your baby is still small and not crawling, as a mobile baby could easily climb out and escape. It's easy to fold up and store, plus it comes with a couple of toys too. Pros:• Fun design• Good for the garden• Pops up instantlyCons:• Not the sturdiest option on this list• Tricky to get back in the bag
2 of 6Summer Infant Pop 'N Play Playpen
Best overall baby playpen It's portable and folds into a compact travel bag, meaning it's great for taking with you on holiday, or for playdates. It has a weather-resistant canvas floor, so it's great for using outdoors too. There is no door or gate opening so you will have to lift your baby in and out - bear this in mind if you've had a C-section and it's still tricky to lift your baby. Pros:• Arrives fully assembled• Compact design that folds away• Good sizeCons:• No soft protector for the floorTested by Sophie Knight, mum to Eli: "This is so easy to set up - it folds and collapses back up in just seconds. Much easier than having to build a playpen with screws and fixings - it's also great for taking on holiday or to visit family."
3 of 6KIDUKU® Baby Child Playpen
Best wooden baby playpenThis playpen blends easily with any décor scheme and has manageable panels, so you can change its shape, making it flexible for your room. It's very plain and natural by design, so you'll need to add some extra colour for your baby with toys inside. If you wanted to create an even bigger playpen space, you could buy a second one and attach it.Pros:• XXL size• The whole thing is foldable, including the door• Consists of eight panelsCons:• Not the most portable option on this list• Wouldn't recommend for a crawling child
4 of 6BabyDan Deluxe PlayPen Including Playmat
Best playpen with fixings for the wallThis trusted company has been in business since 1967. The playpen is simple and effective and can also be used as a room divider (with additional fixings for the walls). It also comes with a playmat for inside the pen, which is (handily) washable. Pros:• Includes BabyDen, playmat and instructions• Straightforward to assemble• SturdyCons:• On the heavy side• Mat could do with more padding
£137.86
5 of 6Uanlauo Foldable Baby Playpen
Best foldable baby playpenWith its colourful design, ability to change shape and fold away, this is exactly what parents need in a playpen. Simply click and fix the buckle in place, and your baby is safe to play. Pros:• Panels are sturdy• Easy to put together• Good value for moneyCons:• Locks aren't very tight, potential to be opened by older infants
6 of 6deAO Baby & Toddler Playpen
Best baby playpen and ball pitAvailable in either pink or blue, this playpen come ball pit will provide hours of fun for your baby. Not only does it come with 50 balls, but benefits also include anti-slip material.Pros:• It's really fun• Easy to put up• Zip opening for easy accessCons:• No floor padding• Some reports of material ripping
How to choose the best baby playpen for your baby
In order to find the best playpen for you and your baby, the first thing you need to think about is how much floor space you have. There’s no point buying something that doesn’t fit in your front room.
Next, look for something with a strong construction but that is lightweight with foldable features for easy storage, or wheels for easy transportation. There are so many different designs and shapes for baby playpens so you are sure to find something that's suitable for you.
Different types of baby playpens
Traditional wooden baby playpens: This type is usually more spacious and can easily match the house decor. They provide plenty of room for your baby to play safely.
Coloured plastic baby playpens: These are eye-catching and fun for baby but usually large and harder to move from room to room, so make sure you have enough space for it.
Metal structured and fabric-sided baby playpens: These are better for smaller spaces and very easy to keep clean. These tend to be incredibly durable which is great if you're planning to have more than one child.
Important: Avoid buying a used playpen if possible as over the years several popular baby playpens have been recalled. It's better to buy a new one to keep your baby completely safe or at least research the second-hand model you are buying to make sure that they are still deemed safe for use.
Important safety points for baby playpens
Here are some important things to note about playpen safety to avoid accidents and injury:
• Only buy a playpen with the BS EN 12227:1997, 1999, or 2010 safety mark.
• Never leave children alone and unsupervised in a playpen.
• Keep the playpen clean.
• Make sure there are no large items inside the playpen that your baby can step on and climb out.
• Never leave a playpen near an open fire or other heat sources.
• Don’t tie anything across the top of a playpen as this is a strangulation hazard.
• Never leave a playpen near doors or windows that can be opened.
• Keep playpens away from any dangling cords or cables.
• Make sure that the baby playpen is in good condition with no holes or broken pieces of wood or plastic - check regularly for wear and tear.
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Sophie Knight is the Editor for WhatsTheBest, and also writes for Yours.co.uk, Mother&Baby across parenting and lifestyle.
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