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Expert Reviewed By - When you have a newborn, it can feel like the list of must-have baby gear never ends. And while you might not initially think of a pack and play as a parenting essential… I would argue otherwise. From providing a safe sleeping and play space, pack n plays (also known as portable cribs) are versatile items that will make a busy parent’s life a whole lot easier for years to come.
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Our Top Pick
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Best Budget
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Best For Travelling
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Additional bassinet, storage and changing unit included
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Comes with it's own carry bag
- Unique push-button fold technique
- Grows with your child
- America's No.1 Playard Brand
- Easy to assemble and collapse
- Lightweight
- Comes in a wide variety of colours
- Award-winning
- Very affordable and reliable
- Incredibly lightweight
- One motion assembly
- Comes with a carry case
- 0-3 years compatibility
- Machine washable
Best Pack And Play – Graco Travel Dome Playard
Perfect for families with a young baby, this pack n play comes with a removable bassinet and diaper changing station as well as a spacious and airy playard for your little one to play in as they grow! Designed with style, longevity and baby safety in mind, Graco has created the perfect playroom companion for busy parents.
Graco has many years of experience when it comes to producing great baby gear and this Pack N Play Playard is no exception.
Its signature easy-assembly portable playard comes with a removable domed newborn bassinet (featuring a UV50 canopy for safe use in the sun), a diaper-changing table with built-in storage pockets, and its own carry bag to pack everything into.
These extra features do add weight and as a result, this pack and play is the heaviest of our 3 options… So at 33lbs (15kg) it may not be suitable for families who do a lot of travelling and road trips.
However, this pack n play has also been designed with 2 front wheels to make moving it around incredibly efficient and the unique push-button fold also makes Graco’s playard one of the quickest and easiest on the market to pack away.
Cleverly designed with mesh sides to be used as a safe sleep and play space for years to come, this pack and play is a wonderful option for any family at a great price.
Best Budget Pack And Play – Dream On Me Nest Playard
Choosing the perfect pack and play can be overwhelming... But if you're looking for a safe, well-designed, lightweight and wallet-friendly option that does exactly what it says it will... You cannot go wrong with this portable playard from Dream On Me. Perfect for travelling, visiting friends and general around-the-house use, this playpen will last for years to come.
If you are on a budget or looking for a simple award-winning pack and play item then the Dream On Me Nest Playard is your perfect solution.
Made with mesh sides and a quick-pack design, this pack n play meets all the CPSC and ASTM safety standards and is the perfect space for newborns up to 18 month old toddlers to relax in.
The mattress is made of baby-safe polyester foam and its four airy mesh sides allow easy ventilation and allow 360° visibility for you and your child.
The playard also comes in a wide variety of colours so it won’t stand out in your home (unless you want it to!) and it’s compact design weighs a very reasonable 16.8lbs (7.6kg).
Best Pack And Play For Travel – BabyBjörn Travel Crib
Do you travel a lot? Spend weekends away? Visit Granny and Grandad often? Then this pack and play from BabyBjörn is your ideal travelling companion. Super lightweight, easy to assemble (only one movement required!) and designed to be used from newborn to 3 years, this playpen will remain loyal to your little one for all of your future adventures!
By far the lightest of our 3 options (13lbs/6kg), the BabyBjörn Travel Crib is the perfect companion for young families on the go.
Designed to be set up in one swift movement and easily foldable into a carry bag, travelling with children has never been so easy.
The airy mesh fabric gives you reassuring supervision over your baby and the included soft mattress means your little one will always have somewhere comfy and safe to rest when away from home.
It’s worth mentioning that this pack and play does not have an upper weight limit. Baby Björn state that it’s suitable from newborn to approximately 3 years (or until your toddler can climb out). Meaning this pack and play will stand the test of time for many family trips to come!
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Why Should You Use A Pack And Play?
Pack and plays are an excellent addition to your little one’s kit list as they are versatile and super handy both at home and away.
- They are a safe place for your child to play when you are busy. A pack n play can be used as a playpen to ensure you always have somewhere safe to put your little one when you are busy, in need of a shower, or even a 5-minute break.
- They encourage independent play.Encouraging your little one to play independently is important and a pack and play is the perfect safe place for them to spend time playing alone for a short period of time.
- They can be taken to grandma’s or a friend’s for sleepovers or daytime naps. Teaching your little one to sleep in different locations can be very liberating for you as a parent. Your pack and play will be a familiar portable sleep space for your little one to feel at home for both nap and bedtime.
- They are perfect for travelling or days out.The joy of pack n plays is that they are portable and easy to travel with. You can take them wherever you go(hotel, beach, camping etc)with peace of mind that you have a safe place for your little one to play and sleep in.
REMEMBER: A pack n play is a tool to help parents keep their children safe for short periods of time during the day or to put their child down to sleep. Please do not leave your child unattended for extended periods of time. To learn more, read this post from Valerie Plowman about age-appropriate independent play times.
What To Look For When Choosing The Best Pack And Play?
With so many pack n play options on the market, it can be a little daunting to decide which one to pick… So, here is my list of things that you should consider when choosing the best pack and play for your family:
- Safety. Undoubtedly your first consideration is always safety. Ensure that any pack and play you buy complies with the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). And if you plan to use your pack n play as a place for your little one to sleep… ensure it meets safe sleep guidelines for babies under 1 year of age, has breathable sides, and that the mattress fits well.
- Is it easy to assemble and collapse? The best pack and play for you should be easy to assemble but also take a close look at how easy it is to collapse. Some pack n plays are designed with a one-handed set up too.
- It is easy to pack away? Most pack and plays come with carry bags so ensure that they are easy to pack into the bag and that the bag itself is easy to carry and stow away.
- How heavy is it? Pack n plays are designed to be used on the move so they need to be lightweight and not too bulky. If you are planning on doing a lot of travelling having a lightweight pack and play is even more important.
- Easy to clean? Little ones are messy and there is always a chance of accidents so check if it’s machine washable or how easy your pack and play is to clean for when the inevitable happens.
- Is it comfortable for your child? As well as wanting your little one to be safe… you want them to be comfy too so having a good mattress and sleep space that is the right size for them is especially important if you intend your pack and play to be a portable infant sleep space.
- How adaptable is it? Decide what you want your pack n play to be used for and choose accordingly. Some are mainly designed for sleep… others for play and some for both. Some pack and play options also come with a portable bassinet and changing station which are great if you have a small baby to care for.
NOTE: Pack and plays manufactured prior to 2013 may not comply with current sleep safety standards, so be careful when buying second-hand items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pack And Plays
Looking for more information about pack and plays? Find answers to the most common questions here.
How To Set Up A Pack And Play?
Every pack and play will come with instructions on how to set it up properly. Please ensure you read these carefully to ensure your child is being left in a secure and safe space.
REMEMBER: As with cribs and portable bassinets, pack n plays should be set up away from windows, curtain cords, cables, radiators or places where your little one can reach up and pull things down.
How To Clean A Pack N Play?
Pack and plays are best cleaned with warm soapy water. Do not use bleach them and ensure the mattress is completely dry before putting any sort of sheet on for sleeping.
How To Fold Up A Pack N Play?
Every pack and play will come with instructions on how to fold it up and pack it away. Most have a button to initiate the folding, but some only require a bit of clever wiggling.
Are Pack And Plays OK For Long-Term Use?
Yes. As long as your pack and play complies with sleeping safety standards for children under 1 year of age then it is completely safe for your baby to sleep in a pack n play every night. Most are also safe for children up to the age of 3 (or 30lbs) to sleep in too.
REMEMBER: You should not leave your little one unattended for long periods of time in a pack n play.
Is It OK For Baby To Sleep In Pack N Play?
Yes. Providing your pack and play complies with current sleeping safety standards, it is perfectly safe for your baby or toddler to sleep in there.
How Long Can Baby Sleep In Pack N Play?
Newborns to toddlers of 3 years of age (or up to 30lbs) can sleep safely in most pack n plays all night long.
Are Pack N Plays Worth It?
Yes. Pack n plays are definitely worth it. They provide a safe place to encourage independent play and give you the peace of mind that your little one is safe when you are busy. In addition, they provide a safe place for play and sleep when travelling, on days out or visiting family and friends!
|
Our Top Pick
|
Best Budget
|
Best For Travelling
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
- Additional bassinet, storage and changing unit included
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Comes with it's own carry bag
- Unique push-button fold technique
- Grows with your child
- America's No.1 Playard Brand
- Easy to assemble and collapse
- Lightweight
- Comes in a wide variety of colours
- Award-winning
- Very affordable and reliable
- Incredibly lightweight
- One motion assembly
- Comes with a carry case
- 0-3 years compatibility
- Machine washable
Need More Parenting Help?
- Download our FREE Perfect Sleep Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use and proven formula designed for parents of 0-5 year olds to master the art of consistently undisturbed and restful sleep without the yelling, nagging or exhausting long-winded evenings.
- Check out our Parenting Toolbox. You’ll get access to expertly-chosen products that you can guarantee are the best for your little one and your wallet.
- Ready to create the calm, peaceful evenings you deserve? Then checkout our most popular course - The Bedtime Battles Masterclass
A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
Laura Williams "This is a life saver! I'm so glad I downloaded your bedtime & nap cheat sheet. My little one actually asked me to put him to bed last night! Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
Click Here For The FREE Cheat Sheet
