In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Babies need opportunities to play and learn, and adding some entertainment products to your baby's routine can boost the fun. As soon as little ones can sit on their own and have trunk and neck control, you can incorporate fun new products and spaces to keep little ones engaged, learning, distracted, or safely entertained while you have a hands-free movement to use the bathroom, whip up a sandwich or simply sit. Activity centers or jumpers for baby are a perfect way for energetic little ones looking to move but not ready to stand.
We tested 10 of the most popular baby jumpers to find the best and most entertaining jumpers and activity centers for babies. We tested each jumper over several months with real babies and in our lab for daily ease of use, assembly time, quality, and entertainment value.
Our favorite baby jumper is the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo. This activity center has a swivel seat with loads of different entertainment toys around the edges. The design allows for jumping and helps little ones gain strength in their legs, trunks, and more.
If the Rainforest is out of your budget, our favorite wallet-friendly choice is the Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper. This reasonably priced jumper has fewer bells and whistles, but it is easy to set up, is perfect for smaller spaces, and can easily be taken on travel.
From baby gyms that keep your baby busy to calming baby swings, even top-ranked baby bouncers, we've tested all the things for keeping little ones busy, distracted, or soothed.
Editor's Note: This jumper review was updated on January 16, 2025, to add new products.
Lots of activities, rotating seat, easy to get baby in and out
Lots of activities in three language. Four height adjustments that are very easy to adjust. Some activities can be removed and held in hand. Easy spin and good bounce
Easy to put together. Converts from jumper to toddler table. Nice colors and well-made activities, including one that babies can use with their feet
Easy to put the baby in, has a snack tray, affordable
Nice jumper with lots of activity options, and smoothest 360 spin of all the jumpers tested. Comes in a variety of color options to fit aesthetic of home
Affordable baby jumper with three height adjustments, a cute cooking theme and a handy snack tray
Lots of activities that were easy to put on and take off. Exersaucer pad an interesting concept for baby development
Easy to put baby inside, fun colors, easy assembly
Fun bounce, free-standing frame, sturdy design
Cons
Average bounce, difficult to clean, large
Lightweight but awkward to move due to shape, takes up a lot of space. Ugly colors
Not as many activities as some other jumpers. Doesn't actually jump
Needs a doorway, average quality, difficult to assemble
Large footprint, limited movement, non-rotating seat
Height adjustment was a bit trickier than we would like
Awkward shape that is annoying to put together, seems to take up more space than the footprint suggests, and doesn't have as many activities as other jumpers
Most activities sound based = potentially annoying. Very difficult to put together, needs actual tools. Large and heavy to move around. Plastic toys have sharp edges from manufacturing
Low quality, less entertaining, needs a doorway
No additional entertainment, large footprint, longer assembly time
Bottom Line
Super exciting jumper with lots to see and do, but takes up a considerable amount of space in your home
A quality jumper with lots of activities and features that work well
A well-made jumper that you won't have to get rid of after baby grows out of it, since it converts into a toddler activity table
A great open seat doorway jumper that is easy to use, but bulkier and lower quality than some others
This easy-to-use and easy-to-store seat keeps the baby entertained, but does not offer much bounce
A really nice jumper that has lots of activities, comes in a variety of color options, and has a 360 seat that spins well
A middle-of-the-road jumper that is affordable and has a cute cooking theme, but also might not last as long as some of its counterparts and feels like it takes up more space than it needs to
A jumper with lots of bells and whistles (literally) but not necessarily worth the price
A basic open design seat with fun patterned fabric, but needs a doorway and doesn't offer much for entertainment
A simple free-standing jumper that offers a fun bouncing experience, but not much entertainment otherwise
Min: Child must be able to hold their head up unassisted.
Max: 25 lbs / 32" (must not be able to climb out)
Style
Stand
Cleaning
Machine wash, tumble dry low heat
Portable
No
Assembly Time
9:22 min:sec
The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo is a vibrant stand-alone jumper that folds for storage or portability. This jumper has a padded, colorful frog seat and 360 rotation to keep little ones entertained. It comes with a variety of toys placed at different angles. It is height adjustable and comes with sounds and music for more stimulation. The seat is removable and is good to go in the washing machine and dryer for limited downtime. Little testers loved all the interactive entertainment, and parents liked the free-standing design that doesn't require a particular doorway and can sit anywhere. Our tester commented, “I love that this is one of the few jumpers that can fold up so I can put it away when not in use.” If you don't need your jumper to fold up, we found the Baby Einstein Ocean Discovery Jumper to be comparable in ease of use and entertainment value.
This jumper has a lot of parts to assemble, and it took us almost 10 minutes during testing to put it together. It isn't difficult, and everything fits together well, but it is something to consider. Our tester remarked, “I would say give yourself some time while your baby is napping to build this because it requires dedicated attention.” Also, it takes up a lot of space and might not be the best choice for smaller spaces with limited floor space. A more straightforward doorway hanger like the Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper with toys hanging on it might be better for small spaces, assuming you have a suitable doorway. Despite these minor hiccups, we think parents and babies will love The Rainforest Jumperoo, which has something for every baby who loves entertainment.
Impressive Baby Jumper
Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Activity Jumper
Min: Child must be able to hold their head up unassisted.
Max: 25 lbs
Style
Stand
Cleaning
Machine washable
Portable
No
Assembly Time
8:12 min:sec
Speaking of the Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Activity Jumper, we loved it. This jumper/activity center comes in bright, baby-friendly colors and has a plethora of activities to keep them entertained. We loved that there was a combination of sound and non-sound activities, that it came in three languages, and that some of the activities could actually be removed so that baby could hold them in their hands. “I found the different languages to be quite cute and am curious to see if my baby starts counting in French,” said one tester. The Ocean Discovery Jumper also had a really nice bounce, and the seat swivels 360 degrees. In addition, it was very easy to adjust between the four height levels.
This jumper took a bit longer to put together than some other models, but we could look past this, considering its other features. One tester said, “I love how many features it has.” With an assembly time in our tests of over 8 minutes, it wasn't the longest, but give yourself the time to do it undistracted. Although lightweight, this jumper does, unfortunately, have a rather large footprint and is a bit awkward to move because of its shape, so it might not be best for small spaces. If you are looking for a similar jumper at the same price point but with a slightly smaller footprint and slightly easier to put together, the Fisher-Price Jumperoo Activity Center is a great option. Overall, we found the issues with the Ocean Discovery Jumper to be relatively minor and more than made up for with other positive qualities.
Min: Child must be able to hold their head up unassisted.
Max: 25 lbs
Style
Doorway
Cleaning
Machine wash cold, drip dry
Portable
Yes
Assembly Time
5:43 min:sec
The Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper doorway hanging jumper is suitable for babies who can hold up their heads unassisted. It attaches to door frames with appropriate trim and includes a toy tray and removable interactive toys. This bouncer has a soft, somewhat padded seat, and putting your baby in and taking him out is easy. Little testers enjoyed the firm ring support to lean against when getting tired, and parents liked how easy it is to use and clean. The Graco is height adjustable and has a “no mark” clamp with a hidden safety cord. The seat pad is machine washable, and the whole thing is reasonably transportable. Our tester said, “I love that I can see my baby jump while I'm cooking, but there's nothing tripping me on the floor.”
This product requires a good doorway with sturdy trim to keep it safely in place. One tester reminded, “Not everyone will have the right kind of doorway, so it is important to check your space.” This design could be hard to come by where you want or need it, leaving you unable to utilize it like you want to. If you need an option for travel with no doorway, we previously tested the KidCo GoPod and really liked it. While not a true jumper or activity center, it is a travel-friendly sitting station with attachments for toy fun. If you want something with more entertainment but it doesn't need to be travel-ready, something like the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo might be a good fit, depending on your budget and goals. However, we like the simplicity of the Bumper Jumper and feel that the open seating area, toy tray, and engaging toys give it a bump in entertainment value for little ones who want more than just jumping.
Min: Child must be able to hold their head up unassisted.
Max: 25 lbs
Style
Stand
Cleaning
Machine washable
Portable
No
Assembly Time
3:54 min:sec
The Skip Hop Activity Center got our top pick for versatility because it is one of the only jumpers tested that you won't find yourself needing to donate or give away after the short window of time that a jumper is useful for a baby. This jumper converts to a toddler activity table, so once the baby is standing or walking, simply switch it over, and voila, you have a table that your baby can pull on to stand up, walk around, and use for many more months to come. “I hate wasting things,” said our tester;“ So, I love that I can keep using this after my baby starts walking.” It also has a small footprint, so it would be ideal for those with less space. In addition, we appreciated how incredibly easy it was to put together, the muted but still baby-friendly colors, the activity toys that felt quality and baby-friendly, and the smooth spin of the 360 chairs. Lastly, this jumper has a piano that can be attached to the foot tray and a window in the activity top so baby can step on the piano and see their foot, creating the sound through the window. We found this to be a clever addition.
If you are looking for a jumper in the truest sense of the word, this jumper probably isn't for you. It has a balance pad for the baby to stand and move on, but it's not an actual jumper. Our tester said, “While not what most people think of as a jumper, I think it does have the movement that can still engage little ones.” If you need space-saving but want your baby to be actually jumping, check out the Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper. The Skip Hop also has fewer activity options than some other jumpers, which may be a deterrent for some. If you don't mind these drawbacks, this activity center is a great option with a small footprint that will grow with your baby.
The Jolly Jumper and Stand is a throwback to the early days of jumping products. This basic hanging product has ample bounce thanks to a center spring and a supporting harness with a somewhat stiff seating area to better support the baby's spine. Little ones enjoy the swaying bouncing motion, which helps babies develop coordination and increased balance and rhythm. Our tiny tester's mom said, “My baby enjoyed the action of this baby jumper, and I liked the sturdy stand, so I didn't have to worry about if my doorway is right to not.” Its smaller size makes it a shoo-in for smaller homes, as the simple stand is easy to take down and store in small spaces.
This jumper is an old-school product with a wide stand. The stand takes up a significant amount of space when in use. However, as a tester says, “The stand does fold, and the whole contraption can easily fit behind a door.” A doorway option like the Jolly Jumper Icon works with a clip in a standard doorway frame. Also, there is no place to hang toys or other entertainment for a baby to engage in besides hanging, bouncing, and looking at the world. While this might be more than enough for some little ones, others may need more stimulation. If you have the space, a more engaging choice is the Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Activity Jumper, which has 360 degrees worth of fun with bright colors and fun sounds. Overall, we love the simplicity of this foldable choice and think many parents will find it infinitely useful for the right situations.
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How We Test Baby Jumpers
Our baby jumper testing was a good time for all, but especially our tiny testers. We researched and purchased the most popular and well-regarded options on the market with consideration to style, quality, ease of use, ease of cleaning, and versatility. Before making our purchases, we considered more than 20 potential contenders before purchasing more than 15, including the 10 in this review in our lab and in real homes with eager little ones.
Why Trust GearLab
Senior Review Analyst Bob Wofford led this review. Bob is the father of 7 and has been testing baby gear for over seven years. Bob researched and selected the jumping products in this review with an eye for portability, fun, and ease of use. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor, also added test result analysis and an updated write-up. Wendy has been a member of the BabyGearLab team since 2014 and is a mother of 2. Katie Brown joins the team with our recent update. Katie is a mother of one and uses her various life experiences to test and assess a wide range of products within GearLab. With the help of our little testers, we evaluated each jumper in this review for ease of installation/setup, entertainment value, quality, portability, and more.
Analysis and Test Results
We purchased and tested the most impressive contenders for this baby jumper and activity center review. We focus on ease of use, portability, quality, and fun.
Safety First
Always read the user manual of any baby gear and discuss your jumping plans with your pediatrician to ensure your baby is developmentally ready for the action involved with this kind of product. Use of a jumping product before your little one has adequate muscle development and head and neck control could lead to serious injuries.
What's the Best Value?
Most jumpers have a short window of usability in your child's life. Generally, a jumper is most useful in the few months between when your baby first sits up and when they start toddling around on two feet. With this in mind, the price difference can significantly affect your final decision. A cheaper option may be more attractive for families only planning to use the jumper for one child. Our favorite affordable option is the Graco Doorway Bumper. It is one of the least expensive options we tested but still offers more features and better usability than other products. If you don't want a doorway jumper, the Bright Start Activity Jumper is just $20 more and, although not an award winner, was a quality jumper option. If, however, you want an option that will last past this short window of time in your baby's life, we found the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center to be a great choice that will change into a toddler activity table and at $100, still isn't going to break the bank. If you want a jumper that will last through multiple kids or have an active baby with a lot of energy to expel, a product with more entertainment features and better durability may be worth the higher price tag.
Baby Jumper Ease of Use
We assess the day-to-day functionality of baby jumpers based on how much effort it takes to get your baby in and out of the seat, how easily you can move a product from room to room, and if you can take it along for short trips, and outings. We also time the assembly for each product and combine this information to reach the overall ease of use score.
Ease of Use
Product
Daily Use
Assembly
Evenflo Doorway Jumper
7.0
7.0
Skip Hop Activity
7.0
7.0
Fisher-Price Jumperoo Activity Center
5.2
6.0
Graco Bumper Jumper
6.4
4.0
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver
7.0
3.0
Baby Einstein Neptune\'s Ocean
6.0
3.0
Fisher-Price Rainforest
6.8
2.0
Bright Starts Activity Jumper
5.0
3.0
Evenflo ExerSaucer Jam Session
6.0
1.0
Jolly Jumper
3.8
3.0
While assembly only happens once, typically, some of the options are so involved that it felt worthy of consideration depending on your tolerance for that type of activity.
Assembly
Most of the tested products are easy to use once assembly is over, but getting them ready to use varies.
Each option requires some level of setup, taking between three and four minutes for the Evenflo ExerSaucer Doorway Jumper and the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center up to almost fifteen minutes for the Evenflo ExerSaucer Jam Session Jumper. However, setup is typically a one-time task unless you need to move it to a new home, so we suggest that it not be the driving factor in your product selection process.
Daily Use
The daily ease of use is far more critical in the long run and will impact how and when you opt to use your jumping entertainment center. If getting your baby ready to jump is time-consuming or challenging, you might not use your option and wish you'd made a different selection.
The most accessible options to use are those you can quickly put your baby into without planning or an involved process. Most of our stand-alone jumpers fit this criteria, as the seats are always open. All you need to do is pull baby legs gently through the holes, and you're ready to go.
All the Jolly Jumpers scored lower for ease of use. The free-standing versions had lower scores because they took more time and effort despite their simple look. Whether it has a stand or hangs in a doorway, the Jolly Jumper harness seat is more involved than an open seat to put your baby inside. The harness requires certain adjustments to secure your baby correctly into the harness for safe and supportive jumping fun. While it gets easier the more you do it, you will never be able to quickly put your child into the seat to grab your dinner from the oven before it burns. The Jolly Jumpers with a free-standing frame score the lowest because they take up a large amount of floor space, are not travel-ready, and are not as easy to move around the house.
Entertainment
Every baby is different, and your little one's personality or physical development might influence you to select one product over another.
The Jolly Jumpers all allow more freedom of movement as little ones can bounce, jump, twist, turn, and wiggle 360 degrees. If you have a mover and a shaker who loves the challenge of building skills, then these options hold great potential, especially for older babies. However, they do not have any enticing light or sound features, so some infants may lose interest more quickly.
Alternatively, if your little one is more subdued, then a stand-alone floor-style jumper might be more their speed. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
and the Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Activity Jumper earned high scores in the group.
Features
Style
Sounds
Lights
Toys
Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean
Stand
Bright Starts Activity Jumper
Stand
Evenflo ExerSaucer Jam Session
Stand
Evenflo Doorway Jumper
Doorway
✖
✖
✖
Fisher-Price Rainforest
Stand
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver
Stand
Fisher-Price Jumperoo Activity Center
Stand
Graco Bumper Jumper
Doorway
✖
✖
Jolly Jumper
Overhead Stand
✖
✖
✖
Skip Hop Activity
Stand
These ultra-stimulating jumpers have seats that rotate 360 degrees, toy and snack trays galore, and more bounce than most stand-alone options (although not as much as any of the Jolly Jumpers).
If your little one gets bored quickly, this is a good choice, with more features to engage multiple senses simultaneously. Conversely, the Evenflo ExerSaucer Jam Session Jumper, although host to a multitude of activities, was almost entirely sound-based, so some babies (and parents) may find it a bit OVERstimulating. We like the previously mentioned options, which include a mixture of sound and non-sound entertainment options.
Quality
Quality and durability can impact how long you get to use your bouncer or if it will be around for a second baby or resale. Most of the products we tested are durable enough, and we love that many manufacturers include easy-washing instructions to keep the jumpers in play. Most jumpers assemble easily, and we didn't experience any manufacturing defects or parts that didn't work.
Some products stand out from the rest. The Jolly Jumpers all earned high marks for quality. They have sturdy and reliable hardware and machine-washable fabric, and all components feel as though they will endure through every last bounce. We also appreciated the smooth, almost silicone feel of the Skip Hop Activity Center activities, which gave it a high-quality feel. The Fisher-Price Jumperoo Activity Center also had toys with a quality feel and no sharp edges, including some fabric options, which we appreciated. We also liked that it comes in a variety of colors to better match the aesthetic of your home if that is a concern of yours.
The lowest quality product we encountered is the Evenflo ExerSaucer Doorway Jumper. The fabric felt less durable, and the spring tended to bind in the fabric cover and didn't always move smoothly while the passenger was jumping. For the most part, when it comes to jumpers, it seems that you get what you pay for, and we found the price of each product was a relatively good indicator of the quality level, no matter how many parts the products came with or the overall design features. The one exception to this may be the Evenflo ExerSaucer Jam Session Jumper. Many negative reviews mentioned that the toys had sharp edges that were uncomfortable for babies' mouths. Although we didn't personally experience this, we did notice that the connection point in the manufacturing of the toys was a bit rough in places, so it is something worth noting when looking into your jumper.
Conclusion
Whether you have a tiny loft apartment with limited space or a sprawling suburban home, there is an entertaining jumper in our review that can meet your needs and budget. While the jumper world is wide and varied, choosing an excellent entertainer doesn't have to be a struggle. If you are looking for a novel way to entertain your little one or a safe place for them to hang out while you make dinner, this lineup has something for you, and we've tested each product, so you don't have to.
—Wendy Schmitz, Katie Brown, and BabyGearLab Review Team