Baby Activity Play Gym – The Impeccable Choice In A Play Gym

You know what they say about exercise. And babies need it even more than moms and dads. Their minds and bodies thrive on new experiences. So what better than a daily workout?

Baby floor gyms (or activity gyms) are designed to give babies plenty of healthy physical and mental stimulation – a chance to try out their growing muscles and develop their cognitive abilities.

Baby gyms come in various shapes, styles, and sizes, but all have the same basic structure: a soft fabric play area with arches from which you can hang a collection of toys.

Toys

Ultimately, a baby’s activity gym is all about keeping baby entertained and stimulated, so it’s important to consider the accompanying toys. Floor gyms vary greatly on this.

Some are quite simple with perhaps a rattle, plush animal, and mirror while others come with all the bells and whistles: teethers, rattles, mirrors, plush animals, pillows, pull-up flaps, and motion-activated music and lights.

Some parents, not yet knowing what toys their child prefers, may appreciate the full range of toys some activity gyms come with; other parents may prefer to avoid over stimulating their child with unnecessary and noisy accessories.

Safety

As with any baby gear, safety should be a primary concern when shopping for baby gyms. Parents should make sure that the arches hanging over the play area are tall enough that dangling toys won’t bump baby in the head. All toys should be securely fastened, and mirrors should be unbreakable.

Travel

Before purchasing a floor gym, parents need to ask themselves how often they intend to travel with it. Some gyms, like the Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym (left), pop open with one motion and are designed to fold with a simple twist.

Others come in separate pieces that must be assembled and disassembled for travel.

Even parents who don’t intend to travel much with their activity gym may want to purchase one that can be easily put away when not in use.

Aesthetics

Let’s face it: visually appealing objects just as easily sway parents as their children. Baby gyms vary from simple black and white patterns to wild and colored patterns. Though baby’s stimulation is the ultimate goal, parents shouldn’t purchase an activity gym that is unappealing to them—with the number of floor gyms available on the market; there’s absolutely no need

Conclusion

Though similar in form and function, baby floor gyms vary greatly regarding accessories, safety, ease of travel, and aesthetics. Parents should carefully consider each factor before making their decision.