7 Compact, Affordable, and Sturdy Baby Playpens

When our little ones are staying with us in our home office, maybe it’s time to get them a baby playpen to contain the mess.

Baby playpens serve two purposes: it contains our baby while assuring us that nothing will hurt them so long as they’re inside. Some baby playpens usually look like fences that we fold up and hook onto the wall while others are actual square or rectangular playpens that keep them inside. Here are some options we found that are worth investing in.

1. Joie Kubbie Playpen

Double-purposing as a playpen and a crib, the Joie Kubbie Playpen offers a padded area for the baby to play around while mom’s working in the office. And if they tire themselves out from playing too much, they can sleep in the crib while waiting for us to take them to bed.

2. Nooboo Fold N Play Mat

We love baby playpens that are travel-friendly, especially for the on-the-go mom and baby duo. The Nooboo Fold N Play Mat is a flexible play mat that can easily transform into a playpen for our baby wherever they are. Especially if we’re having a staycation with our baby in a hotel, the Nooboo Fold N Play Mat can transform into a walled pen, a foam mat, or even a mattress for sleeping!

3. Kodomo Playhouse Folding Playpen 2 in 1

If we’re looking for a playpen that grows with our baby, the Kodomo Playhouse Folding Playpen has a 2-in-1 feature that addresses that. Kodomo (子供) is the Japanese word for “child” which is the inspiration behind the multi-sensory playpen. The Kodomo Playhouse Folding Playpen also has multiple parts that even allow moms and dads to build a small house for us to spend time and monitor our baby’s playtime in.

4. Jax Mesh Mini Play Fence

For families that stay in small living spaces, they might prefer something softer and more flexible for storage reasons. The Jax Mesh Mini Play Fence serves that purpose, with it offering a plug-and-play kind of ease in assembling. Because of the mesh and flexibility of plastic, the playpen can accommodate babies that are at least 6 months and above.

5. Chicco Lullaby Portable Playard

Although a little pricy, this baby playpen is for the long run and is multi-purpose. When parents want to contain all the baby-related things in one area, Chicco’s got the answer with the Chicco Lullaby Portable Playard. The playpen set includes a bassinet for the baby when they want to sleep and even a changing table that can handle up to 25 pounds. But the best part about the playard is that it’s portable! With a press of a button, the playpen folds up and comes with its own carry bag, which we can store it in to bring around.

6. Graco® Pack ‘n Play® Travel Dome™ LX Playard, Maison

What’s cute about the Graco® Pack ‘n Play® Travel Dome™ LX Playard, Maison is that it comes with its own travel dome which is perfect to temper the amount of sun that our babies get. Each of the pieces of the Graco baby playpen can also stand on its own, adjusting to the needs of a working or travelling mom. As one of the classic brands for babies, the Graco® Pack ‘n Play® Travel Dome™ LX Playard, Maison even offers a bag for a portable bassinet — allowing the baby to get that much-needed shut-eye when they’re tired out and outside. To grab this specific piece, we can place an order on the Graco website or Amazon!

7. Playgro Convert Me Teepee Ball Activity Gym

The Playgro Convert Me Teepee Ball Activity Gym can serve as a playpen that can keep our babies entertained while we’re working at home. Its bright colors are eye-catching and attention-holding, along with the many toys that our babies can amuse themselves with. The teepee can also convert into other playpen forms like a tunnel, a ball pit, and a play mat, too!

A baby playpen is essential for a work-at-home mom!

A baby playpen keeps our little ones busy while we’re working from home. It also keeps our babies within arm’s reach, allowing us to soothe and respond to their needs immediately. The little mobiles and toys that come along with it also reduces our reliance on screen time as a digital yaya and can distract our babies from their discomfort for a short period of time if we need it to. But the best part is, these baby playpens also contain storage space to keep all the baby-related items in one area in case we get hit with Mom Brain!

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