The 8 Best Baby Gyms

The Best Baby Gyms

Tummy Time Pillow: No | Washable Mat: Yes

We consider the Lovevery Play Gym a winner in baby gyms. Designed by child development experts, this gym provides a full year of stage-appropriate activities. The mat uses eco-friendly and baby-safe materials, such as 100% organic cotton, sustainably sourced wood, water-based and non-toxic finishes, and learning cards printed with soy ink. The mat has five development zones (learning to focus, making sounds, exploring how things feel, hiding and finding, and colors). You can control what you want your baby to experience by unfolding any zone or folding them up to help prevent overstimulation. The gym comes with lots of accessories, including a few removable toys, such as a high-contrast Montessori ball, a wooden batting ring, a teether with a silicone ring, a set of image cards (black and white pictures, faces, daily objects, and a mirror). Once your baby crawls, the gym transforms into a tent, making a game of hide-and-seek or imaginary play quite exciting. The gym's mat is large and offers exceptional padding; it attaches to the wooden legs, preventing it from moving and shifting. Testers report, “I love that the system is easy to set up and take down, and the mat is machine washable, which is a lifesaver.”

Although we think the play gym is nearly perfect, it has a few drawbacks. It is costly, but we believe the gym is worth the investment, given its quality and versatility. Our primary tester remarked, “I wish this option were cheaper because it limits who can benefit from it.” If budget is a concern, we really like the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes that has entertaining accessories and a lower price. Also, the gym does not fold, so there's potential that it may become a permanent object in your living room if you don't plan on dismantling it after each use. Our favorite folding gym is the Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play with a quick fold for smaller spaces. We think there are many reasons to love this all-in-one baby gym, and we believe it is worth every penny. We highly recommend it to friends and family.

Tummy Time Pillow: Yes | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

The Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play quickly became a tester favorite. We appreciate the gym's color palette and patterns are cheerful, inviting, and less overstimulating than other gyms in our review. It is quick to set up and easy to dismantle or fold when not in use. The gym has multiple sensory-stimulating toys, including five hanging toys. It also has a textured plush watermelon wedge to make tummy time more comfortable. The mat incorporates various textures for your baby to experience. The sides fold and snap in place to keep toys from rolling away. Testers say, “I love how big the mat is, and it has more padding than most of the options I've tried.” Remove the poles and use the mat for play once your child reaches the sitting and crawling stages. One of the arches converts to a growth chart to measure your little sprout.

After washing, the mat must lie flat to dry. Besides that drawback, there are no major flaws with this option. We appreciate this gym's quality, various textures, and overall convenience. One parent said, “The variety is what I like best.” If you feel the same and enjoy the garden theme, we think you'll also fall in love with it. If you want something that puts eco-health front and center, the Lovevery Play Gym has given considerable thought to baby-safe materials. If your budget is tighter and you want something with lots of engaging features, the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes kept babies entertained in our tests.

Tummy Time Pillow: Yes | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

If your baby loves contrasting colors, the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes may be a fit. The gym's mat and arches have plenty of contrasting colors and patterns for your baby to explore. The gym has multi-sensory toys, including a crinkle toy, a rattle, a mirror, flashcards, a book, and a tummy time pillow. A GearLab tester remarked, “I'm glad the piano is removable because sometimes I don't want the extra noise, and I'm hoping to calm my baby.” The piano connects to the mat to keep it from moving out of place.

The mat's size and minimal padding didn't impress us compared to other contenders in our review. Therefore, we suggest using this gym on carpeted flooring or a rug for added padding, not hardwood flooring. One tester said, “I think it is a huge miss that the mat lacks padding, I'd feel better putting my baby on a softer surface.” If your budget allows and you want a larger playmat, the Lovevery Play Gym has one of the largest play areas in the lineup. Also, the manufacturer recommends air drying the Baby Einstein. Despite these drawbacks, this multi-sensory stimulating gym with a kick-activated piano is at a reasonable price point.

Tummy Time Pillow: Yes | Machine Washable Mat: No

The Infantino Tropical Twist and Fold has a unique and easy-to-use fold system that allows you to “Twist, Fold, & GO!”. The arches click in place to set up the gym, then push down on the circular component. To collapse, twist the knob, and the legs release for easy storage. Easy-peasy! Plus, it stays in one piece, so worry less about keeping track of multiple parts. We think the mat's leaf-shaped design and colors are attractive, and the gym offers loads of sensory stimulation for your baby. The dangling toys use colorful textured fabrics for your baby to feel, and some make sounds, like the monkey, which plays “You Are My Sunshine” and spins. A GearLab tester says, “I appreciate that the detachable mirror is movable, with multiple locations to put it, making it great for tummy time, encouraging head-turning, and keeping my baby entertained.”

The Infantino's padding is disappointing and is not machine washable; it is surface clean only. Considering the amount of spit and drool babies produce, this drawback is not ideal. One tester said, “My baby drools a lot, making this mat pretty gross quickly.” If you like a folding mat for travel or limited floor space, our favorite folding option is the Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play. If you can overlook Infantino's flaws and value the gym's easy-to-use folding system, then we think this gym may be a tropical vacation for babies.

Tummy Time Pillow: No | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

In need of a large mat? Meet the Tiny Love Super Mat. This super-sized mat provides wide-open space for tummy time, rolling, playing, and more. We appreciate that it is large enough for parents and babies to use the mat together, and its plush surface is noteworthy. It is easy to fold, take on the go, and launder. Instead, it offers colorful graphics and sensory features on the mat for a tot to explore, including a baby-friendly mirror and a carrot teether. Although simple, we think this mat is entertaining and offers a fantastic amount of cushion.

The only drawback is that it is line-dry only. However, with advanced planning for overnight cleanup, we think this drawback is minor. If you hope for something that can be machine-washed and dried, the Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play is a potential contender to look at. Our tester said, “Babies are messy, it's awesome you can wash and dry it in the machine.” If you seek a large and thick mat for multiples, play dates, or space to play, this mat will get the job done.

Tummy Time Pillow: No | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

Have a little one who likes lights, colors, and action? The Fisher-Price Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym may be a fit. This eye-catching product offers fun and colorful graphics of rainforest friends, including a zebra, lion, snail, monkey, and a plush giraffe that can tie to an arch. The Toucan is motion-activated and removable. This gym is quick to fold up and easy to store. The mat is machine washable and can be tumble-dried on low heat. This mat has a few interactive features. One tester says, “I love the crinkly leaf and tactical ribbons.”

Unfortunately, the mat does not offer much padding, as our tester remarked, “I wish it had thicker padding for comfort. I definitely wouldn't put it on a hard floor.” But, if you can overlook this shortcoming, we recommend this gym for little ones who like action and a good dose of entertainment. If you want a different theme for entertainment, the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes is another alternative with lots going on, including a little kicking piano.

Tummy Time Pillow: No | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

Rock n' roll with the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano & Maracas. The removable light-up piano with “Smart Stages” technology offers three levels for your baby to explore sounds, tunes, and phrases, along with a piano level where your baby can activate sounds by kicking or pressing the piano keys. Our tester said, “I love the kicking piano feature as my baby uses their legs a lot.” The rainbow-like arch can connect in two different places on the frame, and it has dangling toys for babies to reach and bat, plus a detachable mirror for self-discovery. The mat attaches to the piano and legs, is machine washable, and tumble dry safe.

The rectangular mat is narrow and thin compared to other products in our lineup. One tester noted, “I wish the mat was bigger; it feels limiting as my baby grows.” But if you can overlook this flaw, we think this product may be a match for a noise-loving baby. Another piano option we also liked is the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes.

Tummy Time Pillow: No | Machine Washable Mat: Yes

Combining natural materials with dreamy shapes and soothing colors, the wooden B. toys Starry Sky Baby Gym lets your little one explore the world above. It has three detachable toys to stimulate your little one's senses, like a cloud-inspired mirror for self-discovery, silicone beads, and plush stars. The cozy quilted mat offers sufficient cushion, and it is machine washable. One parent tester said, “I like that the mat is cushioned, making it more comfortable than the hard floor.” The gym is easy to assemble and disassemble.

Although the mat is cozy, it is smaller than other contenders in our review. Since the legs interlock, the gym does not fold, so if you fancy the ability to stash the gym quickly, you may want to look elsewhere. However, one tester reports, “I don't plan on folding it or putting it away until my baby outgrows it.” The toys can only dangle above your baby, and we prefer contenders with placement versatility. The Lovevery Play Gym is also made with wood and other thoughtful materials and could be a contender if your budget allows. Apart from these factors, this gym may appeal to someone who seeks simplicity.

How We Tested

Each baby gym in our review offers a variety of visuals, sounds, and textures for your baby to explore while they are awake, active, and ready to play. We purchased each gym for hands-on, side-by-side testing in our lab and in real homes with babies. With some help from adorable little testers, we tested each product to see which gyms were real standouts in metrics we consider essential. The gyms were tested for quality, ease of use, and cleaning, as well as interaction value for how well they kept tiny testers engaged.

Why Trust GearLab

The BabyGearLab team has been extensively testing baby products over the past decade. Leading our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor, Nanny, and Newborn Care Specialist with over 14 years of experience. Between Molly's expertise and knowledge of child development, she is truly a pro at identifying beloved products and making recommendations.

Analysis and Test Results

Baby gyms are excellent for entertaining little ones and making tummy time more enjoyable. Tummy time is a critical component of early development for muscle development, head and neck control, and to help prevent plagiocephaly. We tested these products for quality, ease of use, cleaning, and interaction value.

Benefits of a Play Gym

Babies are born eager to learn and explore the world around them, and within a short time, they experience rapid development. A baby gym is much more than a safe space for your little one to lie and play. It can stimulate their senses and support their growth and development, especially parent-child interaction.

According to the American Optometric Association, newborns focus on objects 8 to 10 inches from their face and prefer high-contrast or bright colors. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym is a powerful punch of bright colors. The Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes uses more contrasting colors, like white and black, among other colors, and the same is true for the Lovevery Play Gym.

As your baby's vision improves and their eyes begin to work together, they'll start tracking objects, especially those that make noise (a crinkle, squeak, or music), encouraging babies to reach. As babies begin to bat and grab toys, they also start to develop fine motor skills. We appreciate baby gyms with arches that offer several loops, providing multiple locations to hang dangling toys to keep babies interested, discovering, and reaching - all within their vision limits. Most of the products in our review provide multiple loops, except the B. toys Starry Sky Baby Gym, Lovevery Play Gym, and the Tiny Love Super Matare the only contenders with no arches.

Most of the competition offers textured material on toys or mats, encouraging babies to feel, explore, and play for tactile stimulation. We think the Infantino Tropical Twist and Fold, Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play, and Lovevery Play Gym stand out, offering various touchable textures.

Additionally, gyms can be helpful when it comes to tummy time, an essential exercise in child development that holds tons of benefits. Not only does it help muscle development (back and neck muscles), but it also helps improve motor skills. However, not all babies enjoy tummy time, and a gym can keep babies distracted through music, lights, or a baby-friendly mirror. Also, some products include a tummy time pillow to help your baby feel more comfortable.

Nevertheless, we encourage caregivers to learn about infant development and milestones, especially during the birth to 3 months and 4 to 6 months time frame to get the most out of any gym's features.

Mat Size and Padding

One glance at the competition shows that not every mat is created equal. Not only do mats vary in size and shape, but also in their padding. The Tiny Love Super Mat is the queen of size and comfort compared to others. The Lovevery Play Gym follows close behind, with ample space for play and adequate padding.

A few options in our lineup fail to offer adequate size and padding, hurting their ranking, including the B. toys Starry Sky Baby Gym. This option is plush, but the circular mat is small and limiting, and we believe babies will outgrow this mat sooner than other contenders. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym and the Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin' Tunes offer smaller rectangular play mats that lack padding.

Ease of Assembly, Disassembly, and Folding

Each product requires less than 10 minutes to assemble, but we are fans of convenience and prefer products that are super easy to set up and take down. We think the Skip Hop Farmstand Grow & Play is a superstar for this metric. On the flip side, the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas required installing screws (included), which takes some time to complete. However, once set up, it is ready to go.

Also, unless you don't mind leaving your baby's play gym as permanent furniture, you will appreciate having a product that is easy to fold and stash that stays in one piece. Gyms with fabric arches are typically easier to fold and stash, including the Infantino Tropical Twist and Fold, which features a unique folding system. However, the B. toys Starry Sky Baby Gym and Lovevery Play Gym dismantle into multiple pieces, which isn't a deal-breaker but requires keeping parts together.

Washable Mat

Let's face it, messes happen. Babies often drool and spit up. Plus, no matter how often you clean your home, the floor will collect dust and hair. So, be kind to your sanity and select a machine-washable mat. All of the products in our review permit some laundering, except the Infantino Tropical Twist and Fold, which is spot-clean only.

Conclusion

Baby gyms are important tools for baby entertainment and skill development. It provides a baby-friendly space for your little one to play and learn about the world. Babies need to move and play for developmental reasons, and a baby gym can encourage your little one to exercise muscles and stimulate the development and brain connections they'll use for the rest of their lives. Our lineup of fun baby gyms can be instrumental in kicking off playtime and be a great addition to your little one's daily activities.