Not only do babies need stimulation to learn about and adapt to their environment, they also want it—your curious kiddo is keen on exploring the world around them. Parental interaction plays a huge role on that front, but we all know you can’t be their only source of entertainment. (Dirty laundry and dishes are piling up, plus you’re running on very, very little sleep!) And while play mats provide ample distraction for infants, as your child gets older, it’s time to up the ante with something a bit more engaging. Once they’re more mobile and ready to sit or stand upright (starting around 6 months), you can invest in one of the best baby activity centers. But before you start shopping, we’ll fill you in on the different types of baby activity centers and share our top picks that keep both safety and entertainment in mind.

In this article:

Types of baby activity centers
Best baby activity centers

Types of Baby Activity Centers

First things first: What is a baby activity center? In short, it’s a play station equipped with attached toys that expose children to new textures, sounds and other sensory stimuli. What sets it apart from an activity gym or play mat is that you seat your child inside it or let them walk around it, rather than having them play lying down. The best baby activity centers have another important feature: They’re stationary. Skip the wheeled, walker-style versions, which the American Academy of Pediatrics deems dangerous—the risks of baby falling down the stairs, reaching up and pulling heavy objects down from loftier heights or going so fast they lose control are much too great. There are three main categories of baby activity centers that meet the general description above:

• Baby activity tables: Chances are you’ve probably seen one of these at your pediatrician’s office. These standing, stationary structures don’t have seats, so they’re actually best for toddlers. They’re shaped like a small table and have various toys attached all over their surface, so children can walk around them and play from every angle. (FYI, standard kids’ tables are often labeled as “activity tables” too, since your child can do, well, activities on them, but those aren’t what we’re talking about here.)

• Baby activity saucers and jumpers: Unlike with baby activity tables, children get placed inside these baby activity centers. With saucers—called exersaucers by some brands—baby can spin around to explore all the attached toys. And with jumpers, baby can play with attached toys while also bouncing up and down. You might also get results for doorway jumpers when you search online using these buzzwords; though the physicality of these products is similar (providing opportunities for exercise and core muscle development), doorway jumpers usually don’t have many “extras,” like sensory toys, attached to them.

• Baby activity chairs: Most baby activity chairs don’t accommodate swiveling or jumping, but instead allow baby to sit in a comfortable and supportive upright position. They’re ultra-stimulating thanks to the mesmerizing baubles that are attached, and like baby saucers and activity jumpers, they have harnesses to keep children safe while at play.

Best Baby Activity Centers

Ready to shop for the best baby activity center? Peruse the plentiful options below—we’ve found the perfect picks for any need, style or space. Add one to your registry or buy it on the spot. Trust us, you’ll so appreciate being able to free up your hands every now and then.

Best Baby Activity Tables

These hands-on play stations (which are different from a simple set of tables and chairs) are ideal for active children. Shop these baby activity tables.

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Best Activity Jumpers and Saucers

Got a kid who’s always moving and grooving but not quite ready to do it on their own? These baby saucers and activity jumpers will let them bounce and pivot with ease—all from the comfort of a safe, contained space.

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Best Baby Activity Chairs

Keep things simple (and stylish) with our favorite baby activity chairs. You little one can still have oodles of fun facing forward in one, easy-to-keep-an-eye-on position.

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Plus, more from The Bump:

8 Best Baby Jumpers of 2022

9 Best Baby Bouncers to Buy You Some ‘Me Time’

25 Best Newborn & Baby Toys That Help With Development and Learning

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