The most traditional style of playpen is wood framed and spacious, with plenty of space for your baby to crawl and explore. They normally require assembly and tend to be best for more long-term use, becoming a somewhat permanent feature in your room. Plastic playpens This is pretty self-explanatory and as long as it can be played in safely it constitutes a playpen.

Dreambaby ROYALE CONVERTA 3 IN 1 PLAY-PEN GATE - Gumtree Dreambaby ROYALE CONVERTA 3 IN 1 PLAY-PEN GATE - Gumtree

With a 360cm circumference when used in the traditional hexagonal set-up, it can also be converted into a stair gate, half gate, fire guard or room divider (using wall fixings) to adapt to your space as required. We don’t live in a big house, so it’s great that you can take the panels out to make it smaller if need be" - recommended by Mumsnet user Pixiefringe She used the Pop N Play to keep her baby and dog separate and felt confident leaving her daughter to play in it safely during the day. Dimensions: H63 cm x W72 cm x L103 cm | Age: Birth to 15kg (approx 3 years) | Material: Sustainably sourced beech wood | Foldable: Yes | Assembly required: Yes (tools required) What we like

How we chose our recommendations

Lightweight – Your baby playpen will be moved a lot, you’ll need to move it to clean, move it to get to things behind it, and what not so make sure it’s lightweight so it’s easy to move. Measuring a substantial 190cm x 150cm, it comes with not one, but two zip-down doors so your baby can crawl in and out without any lifting required. Strength – Some babies can be heavy, and strong, so getting a playpen that can support their weight is paramount. You want to avoid injury then invest in a stronger frame such as steel. Here are the best playpens for babies and toddlers, as recommended by parents. Best playpens at a glance

REPLACEMENT MOUNTING KIT FOR ROYALE CONVERTA PLAY-PEN - Dreambaby REPLACEMENT MOUNTING KIT FOR ROYALE CONVERTA PLAY-PEN - Dreambaby

Constructed from durable, sturdy metal, the play-pen is safe and secure to use, and will last a long time. The panels have secure corner attachments to connect one another, and the compact design allows for them to be stored away easily.The play-pen is portable, which makes it ideal for travelling and using in multiple areas around the home. For those new to the world of parenting who are worried that playpens aren’t conducive to proper learning and reaching those all-important baby milestones, we’re here to reassure you. Whilst one-on-one playtime with your baby is extremely important, the best playpens allow babies and toddlers to have some independent playtime, which is also a crucial part of their development. Simply place some sensory toys inside and watch them explore and learn about their environment. You need a playpen if you are struggling to get housework done whilst looking after your baby, they can be a great tool to aide you whilst you find your feet and get into a routine. How Long Can I use a Baby Playpen For?First up, it’s hard to not comment on the baby blue design of this playpen, making a really unique choice compared to other playpens on the market. It doesn’t come cheap and is fixed in size, but for overall aesthetic, safety and comfort, we feel it’s a worthy investment.