A baby gym is one of those items that I think is a bit of a baby essential, even if it just so you have somewhere to lay your baby for 5 minutes so you can make a cup of tea or answer the phone. We were recently sent the Fisher Price Newborn to Toddler Gym to try out with Eliza – and Max as it turned out!
The Fisher Price Newborn to Toddler gym has a decent sized mat for your baby to lie on, without it being so big it takes over your living room. There is plenty of space for Eliza to grow, and although it isn’t a padded surface she seems comfortable enough and will happily play for 10-20 minutes at a time. There are 3 hanging toys which play music and sounds when she hits or kicks them – this alone holds her attention well. There are also some flashing lights which are activated in the same way, and the toys are easy to remove and change about if you want to mix it up a bit. This is the ‘Lay and Play’ stage, suitable from newborn.
The large zebra and giraffe side panels contain a selection of small balls which can be rolled across the main bar and down into the bottom section. This is for the ‘Sit and Play’ and ‘Stand and Play’ stages, where an older baby can sit or stand to play with the balls, and see the toys from a different angle. You can set the music to a 20 minute continuous play mode or have it on baby activated to encourage wriggling and movement. The mat can be converted for seated play, and there are pockets to store the balls. For standing play, the mat can be removed completely.
Max is 2, and enjoys playing with this almost every day. It offers a longer term option than most play gyms, making it great value for money – it will easily provide a play space from newborn right through to toddler.
There isn’t much I would change about this play gym. It requires 3 AAA batteries, but this is pretty standard for baby toys, and we always have a supply. The mat itself could be a little more padded – we use it on a carpet or rug so it isn’t an issue, but I think it would be a bit too thin for use on a harder floor. The zebra and giraffe side panels have an arched base – I have been aware on a few occasions that Eliza’s head can fit underneath so I do keep a close eye – if she wriggled sideways she could potentially scratch her head on these. A solid, flat base might be better here. Other than that, we love it – and will certainly be making the most of all the various modes of play in the years to come.
So gorgeous! I love how bright it is and that it can be used when older too #triedtested
Aw bless her snoozing! Always makes me smile when babies fall asleep on their playmats. Such a shame it isn’t more padded though- we have laminate floor throughout downstairs so it would be a real negative for us x
Colette B recently posted…Tried & Tested Tuesday
This gym looks great, I love the bright colours and it’s useful for the older ones too x
Cathy Glynn recently posted…The Great British Bath Off with Rose & Co
I find that Fisher Price toys are great – they usually last and the kids like them. That looks much better than the play mat we got when Lily was a baby! #TriedTested
Erin – Yorkshire Tots recently posted…#YorkshireFamily – September 2015
This is fab… We had one of the ones with a flexible arch and it was forever falling over… this looks much more sturdy!
Claire recently posted…Kids in the Kitchen #01
It looks lovely and will definitely still be in use in a couple of years time by the look of it! 🙂 x
This looks amazing! My son would love this and it looks like it would really help me out when working from home – thanks for sharing x #TriedTested
Crummy Mummy recently posted…Preparing your child for starting ‘big’ school
Aww that is really lovely. I have found it hard to find a play mat and this looks like a good one even without the arch. You can’t beat Fisher Price 🙂
Farmers wife and mummy recently posted…Our Summer 2015 Bucket List-The Results
That looks a good play gym / mat. Better than the one we had where the arches kept pinging out #Triedtested
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! recently posted…Britmums Book Club review – Hippy Dinners by Abbie Ross
This is so cute, and yes I do agree it is such an essential item x
Sarah christie recently posted…Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, And How I Found My Paradise
Aww I love this and reminds me of the fisher price one we had but it was much bigger so literally took over as you said #triedtested
Kerri-Ann recently posted…Me and Mine {August}
Oh, this looks like such a nice play gym, love the fact that it can be used up into toddler age. The longer you can use toys the better imo 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
Wave to Mummy recently posted…Where are my keys? Beets BLU Key Finder Review
If we wouldn’t have a play mat already then this would be definitely on my list.
Janine recently posted…Chloe is 7 months old
This looks like so much fun! And something that will last through a few stages too which is good.
#TriedTested
Sian – The Mama Story recently posted…Splashing fun at the Diana Memorial Fountain
Ah I love these baby gyms, I think they’re brilliantly for stimulating baby’s brains. Mine used to fall asleep under though too!
Suzanne recently posted…Fly Little Bird
This mat and gym is so colourful and what a great investment if it lasts for a few years. Tin Box Baby is four months and I think she’s pretty much outgrown ours #triedtested
Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted…Our garden festival #biglittletentfestival15
Cute photo of the little one asleep.! We love Fisher Price stuff, pleased that the gym is another good addition to their range 🙂
The DADventurer (Dave) recently posted…4 Alternative ‘Toys’ For Your Baby To Play With
This looks great, I love the fact that it will last from baby to toddler – and it just looks so cute.
Jenni – Odd Socks and Lollipops recently posted…My Sunday Photo 6th September 2015