Over the weekend friends with a new baby asked us for help finding an attractive baby gym. They had come close to buying one in the store, but chickened out at the thought of a plush fabric/plastic combo becoming an eyesore in their small apartment. Could we recommend a simple, wood baby gym, they asked?
Sure thing. Baby gyms are a great way to stimulate your baby's eyesight and motor skills and, if they really like it, start them down the path of entertaining themselves. The Europeans, not surprisingly, have a leg up on us in terms of the simplicity and attractiveness of baby gyms, but we found several good options available in the States.
Above is the new Activity Gym from Cariboo that can also be used as a mobile with the Cariboo bassinet. It comes in four wood finishes: espresso, mahogany, teak and white ($160).
The Cosina Baby Gym by German company Selecta ($78), also available in natural wood.
Also by Selecta, the Pontino Baby Gym ($98).
The Kaloo Activity Arch though slightly cheaper ($50) is currently out of stock. You can, however, sign up to be emailed when it is restocked.
If you're willing to pay for shipping from the UK, the Triangle Baby Gym (£45) is offered by Holtz Toys.
Holtz also offers the Dangle and Drape (£79) which folds up for easy storage or transport and can also be used as a play tent (included).
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Ha ha - I thought the same thing and spent over a hundred dollars on a Selecta Pontino wooden play gym. Sadly he much prefers the "eyesore" I borrowed from friends! My advice: take a big gulp and borrow the ugly stuff. You only have to look at it for a couple of months anyway.
I love that first one but as far as longevity goes, the last one is perfect. DD loved her floor gym and now she loves tents/forts/playhouses. Kill two birds with one stone.
The Europeans may have a leg up on the States in terms of the simplicity and attractiveness of baby gyms, but we don't have the Cariboo yet.
I'd love to buy it, but have yet to figure out how to get it in Europe, where I live... anyone have any leads on local retailers or reasonably-priced international shippers?
We had the Pontino and really loved it. I think the key is whether the items are the right distance from the face of the baby. Too far and they can't focus on it. I would second borrowing one, though.
We splurged on the Hess Baby Gym and Walker, sold by Holtz toys UK.. and LOVE IT! My 4-month old has been playing with it since month three. The great thing about the walker is that your child can lay inside, sit in/outside, and then stand with the toy and push it as he/she grows. It is a toy that grows with your child. Later, it is collapsible for storage.
From an adult's perspective it is not bad to look at either, and blends nicely into our apartment.
I highly recommend this toy! Well worth the money, and it lacks all of the overstimulating (ADD producing?) bells and whistles that I personally would rather do without :)
This post has been a great resource for me. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a wooden gym so I decided to make one. I spent about $25 and love how it turned out. I posted a tutorial on my blog if anyone else wants to make one.
part 1
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the IKEA baby gym for $25 does the trick. that's as much or cheaper than the "ugly" ones. but i agree, when it comes to baby stuff the more you can borrow, get for gifts or score at resale shops for cheap, the better. and if your kid likes the ugly thing, well...the kid likes the ugly thing. whatcha gonna do about it? things i previously thought were hideous seem like precious gems when they make my little girl smile.