Babies start becoming active from the age of 6 months. They are curious and have the means of moving around to satisfy that curiosity as they can crawl and stand with support.
When they start moving around and exploring, creating a safe environment for them to play in becomes necessary. Playards and playpens provide that environment. They are both enclosed spaces that restrict the baby to an area where they can play under the watchful eye of their caregivers.
Although they perform the same role, there is a difference between playards and playpens. Here is a guide on the key differences between a playard and a playpen.
What is a Playard?
A Playard is a piece of multifunctional baby furniture designed to provide a safe and enclosed area for babies to play and sleep. A playard is usually enclosed with mesh sides for visibility and ventilation. Caregivers can keep track of what the baby is doing in the playard and babies can be reassured of their caregiver’s presence.
Although they provide a controlled environment for babies to play safely, playards are versatile. They can be transformed into bassinets or bedside sleepers for short naps during the day or for sleeping at night.
Certified playards are safe for children. They have sturdy frames and are enclosed by breathable mesh sides to prevent the baby from wandering around the house and harming themselves. They also have a padded base to keep the baby comfortable as they play.
They are also perfect for traveling. When you visit places you are uncertain are baby-proofed, carry the playard. Additionally, you can pack them along for vacation trips.
Playards are generally easy to assemble and disassemble. Their foldable design makes them suitable for small spaces as they can be stored away to create space when they are not used.
What is a Playpen?
A playpen provides a safe space for babies or toddlers to play. They allow parents some free minutes to relax or do other chores.
Playpens are made from several materials including plastic, wood, and metal. Regardless of the source material, certified playpens are safe for babies. The sides are high and babies cannot climb over the top. Apart from safety, playpens offer convenience as some have zippered sides to allow babies to get in and out easily.
Playpens provide a large playing area and babies can learn how to sit, roll around, crawl, and stand. Independent playing is encouraged but playpens are large enough to hold adults. Therefore, a caregiver can play and bond with the baby inside the playpen.
Playpens are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. For added safety and parent’s peace of mind, manufacturers have designed ways of improving the stability of playpens and preventing them from tipping over or moving when babies are playing. Playpens encourage independence as babies can play for a few minutes without focusing on their caregivers.
Key Differences Between Playards and Playpens
| Feature | Playard | Playpen |
| Primary Purpose | Sleeping, playing, and changing. | Dedicated play area for toddlers. |
| Design & Structure | Comes with padded sides, and a mattress, and often includes attachments like bassinets or changing tables. In addition, Foldable design, and wheels for portability. | open structure, high mesh sides, zippered side panels, and suction cups on the bottom for improved stability. |
| Size & Space | Generally more compact and can be folded for portability. | Often larger and more spacious, ideal for active play. |
| Portability | Designed for easy travel, often includes wheels or carry bags. | Less portable; usually stationary with occasional foldable models. |
| Setup Complexity | May require assembly with multiple components (e.g., bassinet, changing table). | Easier setup, typically just unfold and secure. |
| Safety Features | Includes safety locks, padded sides, and compliance with multiple safety standards. | Sturdy frames with mesh or wooden bars, designed to prevent climbing or escaping. |
| Comfort | Often includes a mattress or soft padding for napping or sleeping. | Typically lacks soft surfaces, focusing on open play space; may require additional padding. |
| Cost | Typically more expensive due to added features like a bassinet, mobile, and changing station. | Generally more affordable, with fewer features and simpler construction. |
| Weight | Generally heavier due to additional components like bassinets and changing tables. | Lighter in weight, easier to move within a room. |
What Age Are Playards and Playpens Suitable For?
Playards and playpens are not essential baby furniture. Unlike Cribs, they are not supposed to be purchased before the baby is born. Parents can get playards when the babies are newborns as they can be used for sleeping. Parents should get playpens when their babies gain motor coordination skills.
Get a playpen when your baby starts shuffling around the house, crawling, standing with the help of furniture, or walking a few steps. Therefore, the suitable age for parents to get playpens is 6-7 months. This age is perfect as they have only gained mobility but are not used to moving around too much to find enclosed spaces restrictive.
Playards and playpens are designed to keep babies from wandering off but that does not last long. As they grow physically, their brains develop and they soon discover ways of getting out. They would climb out of the enclosure making the playard/playpen unnecessary.
Children typically stop using playpens between the ages of 2 to 3 years. They are becoming too tall and their motor skills are progressing. Playards can be used by newborns to 3-year-olds.
What is Right for You?
Consider Specific Needs
When choosing between a playard and a playpen, consider your needs. Are you looking for a product that your baby can play with or for a product that can be used for both playing and sleeping?
That important question can help you narrow down your options. A playpen is more suitable for playing as it is larger and has enhanced stability. It also allows you to hop in and play with the baby.
Playards are often multifunctional and can be converted into bassinets or bedside sleepers at night. If you have no crib, they are the perfect choice for you.
Consider Lifestyle
For the On-the-Go Family: On-the-go families should pick the playard over the playpen. Playards are more compact than playpens, they are also lighter and have foldable designs for portability. They are also easier to install. Therefore, caregivers can easily collapse them and fit them in their trunks when they need to travel at a moment’s notice.
For the Stay-at-Home Parent: Stay-at-home parents should pick the playpen over the playard. The playpen is bigger and provides more space for the baby to play. It also allows parents to play with the baby and bond. Additionally, playpens are more stable due to the suction cups at their supports. They remain stationary even when the baby moves around too much.
For the Minimalist: Playpens are the right choice for parents who decide based on budget and minimalism. The playpen is primarily designed for playing and has no additional features such as the ability to transform into a bassinet. Due to their simplicity and functionality, playpens are cheaper than playards.
Most playards are more expensive than playpens due to their design which allows them to transform into bassinets and bedside sleepers. Avoid the extra cost by choosing the playpen.
Consider the Age and Developmental Stage of the Child
Consider the age and developmental stage of the baby when choosing between a playard and a playpen.
Playards are suitable for children from infancy because they can be used for sleeping/resting. Playpens are the right choice for babies from 6 months when they start becoming active. Babies outgrow playards from 12 months due to their limited space.
Playpens provide more space and have higher sides. They can be used until babies start climbing over the sides which happens from 2-3 years.
Playards Recommendations
Multifunction Baby Playard with Changing table
This product is a multi-functional product that can be used as a place for your baby to sleep and play, and it also has a changing table attachment for changing your baby’s diaper it.
This product has a foldable design and can be collapsed and moved within the home or outdoors. It can also be assembled or disassembled within minutes. The playard is a perfect choice for families that are always on the move.
They can pack it and place it in the trunk of the family’s car for a visit to grandma or other relatives. It can also be carried when the family goes for a scenic picnic beside the lake, the baby can sleep in a familiar environment when they want to nap during the picnic.
This product is the picture of versatility, it is designed for indoor and outdoor use. The baby can also use it as a playing or sleeping space. The soft, padded base is comfortable for the baby to sleep on at night or nap during the day.
It has toys to keep the baby entertained and a storage area for additional toys. It also has a zippered side for easier baby entry and exit. The padded base is also easy to clean and can be cleaned regularly to make it comfortable for sleeping.
Portable Travel Baby Playard
This product is designed for traveling. It has a foldable design and can be collapsed for easy portability. Its design also makes it easy to store in the family van when heading on a family trip, visiting family during the holidays, or even for a short walk to the park.
It is multifunctional and can be used as a secure playing area or for napping. This makes it perfect for long trips as you do not have to make sleeping arrangements for the baby, they can still sleep in a familiar environment. The familiar environment helps them maintain an established sleeping routine.
The playard has a soft material on the surface making it comfortable for the baby to relax and rest or play under the watchful eye of the parents. It has a handle that can be used to lift or push it and wheels for easier movement. It also has a cover that protects the baby outdoors and a zippered side for accessing the playing area.
The playard is eco-friendly and has been certified by the FSC. It is also safe for sleeping as per the EN 1130 certification. The EN71 makes it safe for babies to play in.
Playpen Recommendations
Safe Foldable Playpen
It has a foldable design and can be collapsed, stored, or moved easily. That makes it a perfect choice for parents who live in smaller spaces or do not have a nursery. They can create space in the living room or anywhere in the house, install the playpen, and relax as the baby plays in a safe environment.
The playpen is too high for the baby to climb over and has a zippered side for easier baby entry and exit. It has mesh sides for visibility and ventilation. It comes with little balls for the baby to lay with and a bag for storage. Additionally, it has suction cups at the bottom of its supports to keep the playpen stationary when the baby is playing.
The playpen is designed for indoor use and provides parents with peace of mind as they can do chores or watch their favorite shows while monitoring the baby.
The playpen comes in grey and green but a retailer can order customized colors. It is certified and safe for your baby.
Large Square Playpen
The playpen is designed to provide a spacious and safe play space for toddlers and babies. It has a square shape and has children’s art on the sides to draw babies to it. The large play area facilitates various play activities for babies and toddlers. It also allows the usage of many types of toys and parent and child playing and bonding.
It has enhanced stability due to the suction cup design and cannot move let alone tip even when the baby is hyperstimulated. It has high sides up to 65 cm to keep the baby from climbing out and to be used for a long time.
It has a zippered door on one of the sides of the playpen to allow easier access for babies and toddlers. The playpen is made from non-toxic materials. It is safe for babies to chew on when they are teething.
It has a net pocket for keeping the toys used in the playpen. Parents can also store toys in the storage. This helps keep the nursery and in general, your home organized.
The playpen can be used within the house and outdoors. It still provides a safe and controlled playing space outdoors and parents can have peace of mind.
FAQ
Q: Are Playpens Safe?
A: Yes, playpens provide a safe environment for the baby to play in provided they have safety standard certifications.
Q: Are Playards Safe to Sleep in?
A: Yes, playards have a soft and comfortable surface for sleeping on. They also have the same certifications as cribs and bassinets designed for babies to sleep.
Q: Can I get a Customized Playard/Playpen?
A: Yes, some manufacturers have customization options for playards and playpens.
Q: How Can I Guarantee the Safety of Playards/Playpens?
A: Check for certifications. Ensure that the product you buy has certifications for safety and toy use.
Q: What Material is Used for Making Playards/Playpens?
A: Playards and playpens are mostly made from wood, plastic, and metal.
Conclusion
Parents looking to create a safe playing environment have two options. They can either pick a playard or a playpen. Parents can choose either of the two based on their specific needs, and the age and developmental stage of the baby. They should also check whether the playard or playpen has certified relevant safety and quality standards.
Clafbebe is a baby furniture manufacturer with many years of experience, specializing in the wholesale and export of various types of baby furniture (including playards and playpens) to various countries and regions. It has gained the support of many customers with its high-quality products and good reputation.
Contact us today for quality wholesale playards and playpens for your brand!
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