Bright Starts, 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym and Ball Pit with 40 Balls - Totally Tropical, Play Gym with 20+ Minutes of Lights and Music, 7 Detachable Activity Toys, Ages Newborn +

Product Information

Some Mumsnetters say that their babies loved this product right up until they could sit up unassisted, making it excellent value. It is a great option for a young family that doesn't want to compromise on style, plus you can add your own toys to it too to keep your baby entertained – our guide to the best toys for newborns has got plenty of ideal options for use on this mat.

They offer an opportunity for your baby to explore the world around them in a safe, soft and stimulating environment. The Bright Starts 5-in-1 Activity Play Gym, or Large Melbourne MOD Play Mat are built to last up to and beyond your baby's toddler years.

The Swedish homeware brand has truly outdone itself with this padded play mat that looks good enough to sleep on – no wonder parents love it and it holds a five-star rating from reviewers. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, a thick blanket or yoga mat with household objects like bangles, a wooden spoon and some stacking cups can do the trick, too!

Your needs: If you travel frequently, a portable activity gym or play mat is better than a large clunkier option.

However, some reviewers did note that when the sides are up it becomes a little small, so this feature is better suited to younger babies. Finally, when baby begins to sit unassisted, the walls transform this playmat into a ball pit, so the fun continues even into toddlerhood! If your baby is the one that doesn’t sleep when you’re trying to catch a coffee with your mums’ group, we think the 5-in-1 Ball Play Activity Gym from Bright Starts is perfect for you. There is no sign of plastic or tinkly theme songs that get stuck in your head, as the stimulating, interactive play is covertly disguised around the edges of the play mat. It has a shiny, play-safe mirror, crinkly sounds, moveable crabs arms and shiny whales to catch your child's attention.

Ensure you balance this consideration against its quality and features, as the last thing you want is an activity gym or play mat that breaks within months of owning it.

While this playtime only needs to last for three to five minutes for newborns, this amount should increase gradually until a little one spends about an hour per day enjoying time playing on their tummy. We love the five toys hanging from the arches: a metallic musical star with tactile ribbons, a sugar glider lovey, a rattle raccoon with star teether toy, a wolf with chime, and a snow owl with crinkle. Whether it is a baby play gym, activity centre or luxury floor covering, a play mat is a multi-use baby toy that's perfect for your child's development and offers hours of fun.