Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Play Yard Recommendations?
Miss A 07:23 AM 04-04-2018
I have a new baby starting later this month, and the time has come for me to create a infant safety zone so my Toddlers don't have access to him when I am preparing meals, using the bathroom, etc.

I am looking for a play yard that I can use to block of a section of our play room to be just the baby's space. I want one that will be sturdy and hold up to a herd of toddlers and in the future, an independent baby. What do you have, what do you love, and what don't you reccomend?
Reply
Blackcat31 07:50 AM 04-04-2018
These are versatile and cute! Easy to take down, set up and use indoors and out!



Reply
hwichlaz 08:54 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
These are versatile and cute! Easy to take down, set up and use indoors and out!


I’ve had issues with toddlers pushing this one because it’s so light weight. But if you look on amazon there is one that is VERY similar that has pieces you use to lock it in place, so they’d have to be able to push the entire thing, not just one panel.
Reply
Blackcat31 09:20 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I’ve had issues with toddlers pushing this one because it’s so light weight. But if you look on amazon there is one that is VERY similar that has pieces you use to lock it in place, so they’d have to be able to push the entire thing, not just one panel.
I can totally see that as an issue... I always forget how rambunctious toddlers can be sometimes.
Reply
Cat Herder 09:51 AM 04-04-2018
I bought several of these. I can set up individual spaces or change my playroom configuration daily if needed. I can grab a stack and set up an area outdoors in minutes. https://smile.amazon.com/Regalo-192-...2860550&sr=8-4
Reply
Miss A 09:57 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I can totally see that as an issue... I always forget how rambunctious toddlers can be sometimes.
The stability issue was what I was worried about when purchasing one of those plastic types as well. Of my 5 spaces, 4 are boys and as we all know, boys play COMPLETELY different when in a pack, or at least mine do!
Reply
Miss A 09:59 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I bought several of these. I can set up individual spaces or change my playroom configuration daily if needed. I can grab a stack and set up an area outdoors in minutes. https://smile.amazon.com/Regalo-192-...2860550&sr=8-4
I have one of these that is being used as a gate to a super strange stairway configuration in my home. I love it, and in the 3 years I have had it it had held strong! I think this may be the answer to my problem, I don't know why I didn't think to buy a second one to use as a play yard!
Reply
daycarediva 10:02 AM 04-04-2018
https://smile.amazon.com/Summer-Infa...70_&dpSrc=srch

I have this one, I love it! It's pretty sturdy, and I like that it keeps them off of the ground. My 13 month old puts EVERYTHING in her mouth.
Reply
Ac114 10:24 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I bought several of these. I can set up individual spaces or change my playroom configuration daily if needed. I can grab a stack and set up an area outdoors in minutes. https://smile.amazon.com/Regalo-192-...2860550&sr=8-4
We have this one as well and love it! I use it to block off the kitchen and 2 hallways that lead to it. It’s super durable and the kids haven’t figured out how to open it yet 😂 I use it as a gate but I love that you can also use it as a play yard.
Reply
Baby Beluga 10:33 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
https://smile.amazon.com/Summer-Infa...70_&dpSrc=srch

I have this one, I love it! It's pretty sturdy, and I like that it keeps them off of the ground. My 13 month old puts EVERYTHING in her mouth.
I have this one for DS. I needed something to keep him safe from older children while we are outside. I too like that it has a bottom as he also puts everything in his mouth. DS would spend the entire outside play eating grass

It is SUPER easy to set up and take down.
Reply
Cat Herder 10:43 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Ac114:
kids haven’t figured out how to open it yet ��
When they do, cheap dollar store zip ties are a great solution, clip with nail clippers as needed. 100 for a couple bucks. I also use them to secure toy bins to the gates to make them even more convenient.
Reply
Miss A 10:45 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
https://smile.amazon.com/Summer-Infa...70_&dpSrc=srch

I have this one, I love it! It's pretty sturdy, and I like that it keeps them off of the ground. My 13 month old puts EVERYTHING in her mouth.
I have this one for outdoors, with the shade tent that clips on it. I love how easy it is to pop open and put away when we are finished. Plus, it was awesome to take on camping trips for our DS too.

In my current case, I am looking for something to create an entire baby area where the toddlers can't get to baby's swing and crib while they are in use, and the baby can play on the floor while I am preparing meals or using the restroom, etc. Almost like baby's own little wall-less room within our space.
Reply
Miss A 10:46 AM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
When they do, cheap dollar store zip ties are a great solution, clip with nail clippers as needed. 100 for a couple bucks. I also use them to secure toy bins to the gates to make them even more convenient.
The Zip Tie trick is genius! Definitely filing that away for when mine figure it out!
Reply
Rainbow 12:33 PM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
These are versatile and cute! Easy to take down, set up and use indoors and out!


I have this one and use a foam puzzle mat under it and velcro the play yard and mat together. It keeps the sides in place, even if kids try to push on them.
Reply
MrsJ 02:26 PM 04-04-2018
We let go of the one above because they were moving it too much. We used pack n play for naps but my recommendation with those would be to make sure all the parts will be okay w/licensing. My state no longer allows bassinets to be used but they will still let us use them on these if I'm next to babies.
I recently added a new square pack n play. It has a baby mirror, some things that stick out that they can pull on. Babies LOVE it. Not much bigger but just enough space for each baby to squirm around.
Reply
hwichlaz 02:36 PM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I bought several of these. I can set up individual spaces or change my playroom configuration daily if needed. I can grab a stack and set up an area outdoors in minutes. https://smile.amazon.com/Regalo-192-...2860550&sr=8-4
That’s what I have around my fireplace.
Reply
e.j. 02:57 PM 04-04-2018
I use something like this superyard: https://www.amazon.com/North-States-...eryard+classic

I have several and can join however many panels I want to make the play space larger.
Reply
hwichlaz 03:03 PM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by e.j.:
I use something like this superyard: https://www.amazon.com/North-States-...eryard+classic

I have several and can join however many panels I want to make the play space larger.
I use one of those outside, but I stake it to the ground. Do you find that they push it around inside?
Reply
e.j. 05:53 PM 04-04-2018
Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I use one of those outside, but I stake it to the ground. Do you find that they push it around inside?
I've only had 1 child in over 20 years who pushed it around. He was very big and very strong for his age. He used to walk around the room inside of it, dragging all the toys inside the pen along with him! I ended up tying it to a couple of table legs so he couldn't move it any more.

I use a few outside, too. I have one set circling a lilac bush and another circling a maple tree in the play area of the yard. I was afraid the kids would run into the bush and poke an eye out with a low branch or run headlong into the maple tree and knock themselves out cold. The gates have worked out really well so far.
Reply
Tags:play yard, play yard - toddlers, portable play yard
Reply Up