Best Activity Centers for Babies of 2021
Babies around six to 12 months are super curious, constantly wanting to explore and engage with the world around them.
Activity centers are the perfect outlet for all of that developing curiosity. They provide babies with a safe, secure space to explore textures, movements, sights and sounds and to practice important fine motor skills like the pincer grasp, reaching, grabbing and shaking. They can also keep your little one occupied long enough for you to take a shower or make a phone call—a big bonus!
Around six months old is a good time to upgrade your baby from a playmat or play gym on the floor to a seated activity center. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to pay attention to how much activity center time your little one is getting. While they’re perfectly safe, the fabric seat does put stress on your baby’s hip joints and can cause hip dysplasia (the malformation of the hip socket) after extended use. Let your baby have a blast in their activity center but try to keep it to twice a day for about 10 to 15 minutes each time.
Grows with Your Baby
Both parents and babies love this modern activity center that converts to a play station and eventually a toddler table. Little ones can’t get enough of the swiveling, swaying objects and the electronic keyboard that lights up and plays songs when they hit it with their hands or feet. The foot platform is height adjustable so your baby’s toes are always able to touch and push off (think: a bit of bouncing action). Parents appreciate the activity center’s bright-but-not-too-bright colors and that it can be used for the long haul.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | 4 months to 4 years (for the table) |
| Dimensions | 31” x 31” x 18.5” |
| Includes | 6 detachable toys and activities |
Travel Ready
Similar to the Skip Hop activity center, the PortaPlay grabs your baby’s attention with toys that flip, squeak and spin. It can also be used as an activity table for when your baby starts cruising or as a play table for bigger kids. The standout feature here is its small size and fast-fold legs, though, making it just right to tote to grandma’s or fold flat to stow away.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | As an activity center: ages 5 to 12 months. As a play table: up to 5 years |
| Dimensions | 26.8” x 26.8” x 18.1” |
| Includes | 6 detachable toys and activities |
Bouncing Fun
This popular Fisher-Price activity center surrounds baby with lots of stimulating toys. (Don’t worry, the seat rotates 360 degrees so your little one won’t get frustrated.) What makes it different from other activity centers is it’s also a jumper that rewards your child’s every bounce with music and lights. Consider it baby’s best workout!
Looking for a similar jumper that’s easier to store? Check out the Skip Hop Explore and More Jumpscape Foldaway.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 4-9 months; Max weight: 25 lbs |
| Dimensions | 33” x 33” x 34” |
| Includes | A bat-at butterfly and toucan, giraffe with spinner-bead neck, froggy teether, lion slider and more |
A Way to Play for Every Stage
Another multi-functional toy, this one works as a stationary activity center, jumper, push-along toy and walker all in one, growing with your baby to match whatever developmental stage they’re in. The stretchy seat rotates 360 degrees and there are six interactive toys to explore. The wheels can be locked for stationary play and then unlocked when your little one is on the go.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Can be used once a child can sit up fully unassisted |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 28.5” x 24.5” |
| Includes | 6 interactive toys |
Affordable Pick
This activity center from Evenflo is packed with stimulating activities for your baby and won’t break the bank. There are lots of bright, engaging colors, 12 toys and activities and three adjustable height options. The seat pad is easy to remove and machine washable as is the dishwasher-safe snack tray.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | For babies up to 30” tall or until the child is walking |
| Dimensions | 9” x 28.75” x 31” |
| Includes | 12 interactive toys and activities |
For All Stages of Play
While most multi-stage activity centers cover sitting to standing, this one goes one step further: tummy time! The bottom mat detaches from the table to give your baby a comfy place to practice their tummy time while they’re still too small for the full table, and several toys also detach from the table to keep baby entertained (because no one likes to lay on their tummy with nothing to do). Once baby is big enough for the table, they’ll be captivated by the 360-degree spin and full standing table option.
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