Best Playpen For Crawling

Are you looking for the best playpen for crawling?

Then let us help you find a playpen that you and your crawling baby will love with our guide to the best playpens for crawling babies!

How is it that your baby is a little angel when you’re watching them, and then the minute your back is turned, they’re in trouble?

Instead of playing with their numerous toys and soft animals, they’ve decided there’s nothing more fun than the lamp.

As much as we might want to, parents can’t watch over a baby every second of every day.

Sometimes we have to turn away to do some much-needed cleaning, prepare food, or just use the restroom! In these moments, the playpen comes to the rescue!

A playpen can provide a safe space for crawling babies to play and explore, while parents get on with their endless chore list! We’ve put together this guide to best playpens, to help you find the perfect choice for you. 

And if you love this guide on the best play pen for crawling, then make sure you check out these guides on when do babies start crawling, best rugs for babies to crawl on, and best baby walkers. Or even these best toys for crawling babies!

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List of 5 Best Playpens For Crawling

best playpen for crawling babies

1. YOBEST Baby Playpen

With ample space and breathable walls, the YOBEST baby playpen can be used to turn any space into a safe play area.

And thanks to the large interior space, when parents want to join in with play time, they can just climb right in!

The YOBEST playpen combines a covered floor with breathable mesh panels. Wherever you might be in the room, you can quickly check to see that your little one is playing happily.

The visible mesh sides also allow the baby to keep an eye on their parents, for a happier play time.

Sturdy and strong, the YOBEST playpen is constructed from alloy steel pipe, covered with 300D Oxford cloth. BPA free and easy to clean, this material is safe in the hands (and, let’s be honest, mouths) of curious babies.

When it’s time to clean, the cloth can be wiped down with a damp cloth and soap. External double zippers prevent the baby from escaping, as do the TPR suction cups at the base of the playpen.

While we appreciate the zippers for cleaning, they don’t act as a great opening for getting into the playpen. Parents with reduced mobility might struggle with the YOBEST. 

Although it looks simple, the YOBEST is packed with features to make an excellent playpen.

Pros

• 71x55x27 inch – The extra large design really does provide plenty of room.
• Mesh walls – Easier to keep an eye on playtime, and allows air to circulate.
• Covered corners – Avoid accidents with cushioned corners.

Cons

• Might be a little large for some homes.

2. Evenflo Versatile Play Space

The Evenflo Play Space uses a simple design to create a versatile playpen that will appeal to many parents.

This low-cost option is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, uses a hinge design for easy access, and assembly is no tools required!

Reversible legs make the Evenflo playpen good for both indoor and outdoor use. When heading outdoors, use the stake end to secure the playpen in the ground.

When playtime moves indoors, switch with the non-scratch floor pads.

The playpen itself is built from a series of panels, each resting on hinges. This allows every panel to be used as a door, for quick access in and out of the playpen. When your little one wants attention, you can respond easily!

The Evenflo playpen has an 18.5 square feet inner area, and is 28” tall. The lightweight design makes it easier to store the playpen, but it does mean older children might be able to break out.

But for smaller babies (and babies less inclined to escape!) the Evenflo play space is exceptional.

Pros

• 18.5 square feet – Plenty of interior room for exploring.
• Extendable – Extra panels can be added to increase the space.
• Price – A lower cost option that doesn’t leave out features.

Cons

• Lightweight – Older children might be able to tip the playpen.

3. Kidzone Interactive Baby Playpen

If you want a playpen that will actually encourage your child to start playing, you won’t find much better than the Kidzone Interactive Playpen.

Constructed of brightly colored panels decorated with interactive games, Kidzone have built a playpen for hands-on fun.

The Kidzone Interactive playpen is made of 8 plastic panels. These can be arranged in different configurations, allowing you to build a playpen that fits the space in your house.

Need the playpen to fit in a smaller corner? Leave a couple of panels out! It really is that adaptable. 

The playpen is incredibly easy to assemble, and can be put together in just a few minutes. Designed to be the perfect height for allowing babies to stand, this playpen is suitable for kids from 6 months to 3 years.

A lockable gate makes it easier for parents to join play time, while keeping babies safely inside.

For children that have a tendency to spend their time in the playpen complaining, and not playing, the Kidzone Interactive play yard is perfect. The colorful designs and characters will encourage them to get hands-on, and really enjoy the space. 

Pros

• Interactive design – Encourage kids to play with interactive panels and fun colors.
• Adaptable build – Adjust the panels to better suit the space in your home.
• Anti-skid suction – Keep the playpen firmly anchored.

Cons

• Gaps in the gate can potentially catch limbs.

4. Regalo My Play Extra Large Portable Play Yard

For families who like to spend time outdoors, but understand how difficult that can be with a baby, the Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard is ideal.

The covered base and lightweight design makes it perfect for allowing your little one to explore new terrains safely.

The Regalo playpen is constructed using a tough nylon base and breathable mesh sides.

The materials are easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth and soap, removing germs from outdoor play. In the event of a major spill, the base can be removed and washed.

A sturdy nylon base makes the playpen fantastic for outdoor use. All parents know kids love to explore new places with their fingers and their mouths!

In the Regalo playpen, your little one can enjoy the outdoors, and you can relax knowing they’re safe. And because the design is lightweight and foldable, you really can take this playpen wherever you go.

For even better outdoor play, upgrade to the deluxe version. This includes a full coverage canopy, for safe outdoor play on sunny days! 

Pros

• Nylon base – Keep your little one away from the ground.
• Safety lock – Prevent escapes!
• Fold and go design – Set up and take down in minutes.

Cons

• No padding around the metal poles.

5. Gupamiga Baby Playpen Kids Activity Center

Bright and colorful, the Gupamiga Baby Playpen is an eye-catching design that will keep your child occupied while you get on with all those parent tasks that build up! 

The injection molded plastic fences are decorated in cheerful colors and activities, making this an interactive playpen.

If you have a child who complains when left alone to play, the interesting design of the Gupamiga playpen can cheer them up and keep them occupied.

Meanwhile, you can get to the cooking/cleaning/etc., with the anti-clip design keeping your little one safe.

Gupamiga has made the playpen from molded plastic, preventing burring for safe play.

It can be assembled quickly, and the wipe clean material is safe for indoor and outdoor use. Anti-slip feet prevent the playpen from moving around, even with rough play.

The playpen does have quite large gaps in the fencing design, which can potentially cause problems.

Some parents have found that their baby has gotten their arms or legs wedged in the gap when their back is turned. This isn’t a problem for all parents, but it is something to keep in mind.

Pros

• Colorful design – Kids will enjoy using the playpen.
• Molded plastic – A durable build that stays stronger for longer.
• Hollow design – Easy to keep an eye on your child as they p[lay and crawl.

Cons

• Limbs can potentially get stuck in the molded gaps.

Buyer’s Guide on Playpens for Babies To Crawl in

Affectionately known as baby jails, playpens can be a game changer for parents. A simple playpen provides a safe space for a baby to play, crawl, and nap, while parents can move around freely.

When the baby is in the playpen, parents can get on with those essential tasks that have a habit of building up, knowing their little one is secure. 

Once your baby has started crawling, a playpen becomes incredibly useful. It should provide the baby with enough room to explore, without letting them loose in the house.

But how do you find the right playpen for your crawling child? Take a look at this buyer’s guide to see what features to look for in a playpen. 

Space

Once your baby has started to crawl, they need space to be able to explore, and to test their new skill.

The playpen needs to have a large enough interior space to allow your child to get around, and not feel confined.

If they can’t move properly, then they’ll never be happy in the playpen. But keep in mind that if it’s too big and empty, your child might feel lost.

Most parents don’t have unlimited indoor space, so check the dimensions before purchasing, and remember to leave room for you to walk around the outside of the playpen!

Stability

Once your baby has started crawling, they’re just beginning to discover all the things their body can do!

Unfortunately, some of these new-found skills involve pushing and pulling! A playpen needs to be stable, so your little one can move around without the whole structure collapsing. 

Non-slip feet are a useful feature, and can prevent the playpen from moving with your child. Panel design playpens should have a locking system, to keep every panel in place.

And while lightweight designs aid portability, the pen shouldn’t be so light it collapses with any movement.

Portability

While you might be able to set up the playpen and leave it in place, most parents will find they need to move the play area occasionally.

A portable playpen ensures you can always have a safe play zone with you, wherever you go.

If you plan on packing the playpen away every evening, then portability should be a key consideration. Look for collapsible designs that can be folded and carried.

Height

A playpen needs to be high enough to ensure your little one can’t climb straight out. Height is often closely linked to age.

Younger children are unlikely to need particularly high walls, but as they age, this becomes an essential feature.

Check both the height of the walls, and the recommended age range, before making your purchase.

However, the walls shouldn’t be so high that you can’t easily look in on your little one. Wherever you stand in the room, it should be easy to see exactly what your child is up to in the playpen!

Safety Gate

The safety gate allows you, the parent, to access the playpen, while keeping the baby in. If the playpen comes with a gate, make sure it shuts properly, and locks from the outside.

Playpens for younger children, with smaller sides, might not include safety gates. While these can be useful, parents with reduced mobility should be careful when buying.

Indoor/Outdoor

Playpens can be used to ensure safe play both indoors and on the go. A playpen that’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use should be portable, easy to clean, and stable on uneven terrain.

Other useful features to look for include a strong base, which means your child doesn’t have to sit on the floor.

Stakes are also good, as they can anchor the playpen in place. Some outdoor playpens include covers, for safer play on sunny days.

Potential Expansion

Expansion is a feature that’s typically included with panel design playpens. These playpens are constructed of panels that are clipped together.

Extra panels can then be added, to expand the playpen when necessary. In some cases, these playpens can also be made smaller, to better fit different spaces.

Assembly

A playpen should be convenient and easy to use. Assembly shouldn’t be difficult, and will often require no special tools. A tricky to assemble playpen isn’t just frustrating — it also increases the risk of errors.

Look for a playpen that can be put up and down in just a few minutes. This will also increase portability, and prevent annoying rebuilds if the playpen does get knocked over.

Materials

The materials of the playpen should be durable, strong, and non-toxic. Playpens tend to come in two different designs: molded plastic, or mesh and frames. 

Molded plastic playpens must be non-toxic, and constructed without rough corners. They also need to be strong enough to withstand crawling, and support your baby as they stand and explore.

Mesh sides must be strong, and difficult to rip. As mesh playpens are typically built with metal pipes, and metal edges should be covered, or kept away from the baby.

The materials should also add ventilation to the playpen. Materials must be easy to clean, so any spills can be quickly wiped away. 

Look/Design

While the look of the playpen isn’t the most important thing, it can encourage your little one to enjoy the playpen more.

A brightly colored and decorated playpen can help engage children who are resistant to confinement. 

Price

Playpens typically range from $50 upwards. Consider your budget before you make a purchase, and also think about how long you plan on using the playpen for. 

FAQs on Playpens and Crawling

Final Thoughts on the Best play Pens for Crawling

When the baby is safe in the playpen, parents can get on with all those important tasks!

A good playpen offers both a comfortable place for a baby to play, and peace of mind for busy parents. The best playpens combine space with strength, and can potentially be used until your little one is 24 months old. 

We hope this guide has been helpful in helping you choose the right playpen for you and your baby.

And if you’re looking for more great baby guides, then check out these guides on when to switch to pull ups, how to set up a Graco pack and play, best pack and play mattresses, and can a baby sleep in a Pack n Play.