If you have a child, you know how much they like to play. Their curious minds compel them to seek out new toys and adventures. Shopping for toys can be difficult because it’s hard to know how many you need or what to buy. What if we told you there was a better way?
Baby activity tables are a great way to get all of your child’s toys in one place. They can come with songs, sounds, lights, and even jumpers for small children. Activity tables are an easy way to stay organized, entertain your child, and keep your home clean.
If a baby activity table has been on your mind, or if this is the first time you’ve heard of them, read on. We’re going to take you through the ten best baby activity tables and give you some shopping tips along the way.
- Factors to Consider in Baby Activity Tables
- Top 10 Best Baby Activity Tables 2023
- 1. Best Premium Activity Table: Skip Hop Baby Activity Table
- 2. Best Outdoor Activity Table: Summer Pop'n Jump Portable
- 3. Best Budget Activity Table: Battat Wooden Activity Cube
- 4. Best Musical Activity Table: Baby Einstein Discovering Music
- 5. Best Reliable Activity Table: Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center
- 6. Best Role-Playing Activity Table: LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center
- 7. Best Activity Table For Two Children: Baby Einstein Curiosity Table
- 8. Best Activity Table For Removable Toys: Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer
- 9. Best Bilingual VTech Magic Star Learning Table
- 10. Best Overall Activity Table: Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go
- Everything You Need To Know About Activity Tables
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Factors to Consider in Baby Activity Tables
Age
The first thing to look for is the age recommendation. Baby activity tables function in similar ways, but different age groups benefit from different activities. For example, while a toddler can begin learn the alphabet, babies or infants are more interested in exciting toys.
If you have a younger child, under a year old, make sure the table includes a walker or jumper. The jumper can help your child stand and interact with the table, especially if they can’t on their own. So, when you’re choosing an activity table for your child, make sure it’s age-appropriate, or you’ll be the only one interacting with it.
Theme
Baby activity tables come with a lot of different themes. The theme a table has tells you what type of toys it comes with. For example, a musical table will include toys like instruments, melodies, and plenty of sounds. There are also themes for safaris, farms, animals, and more. The theme isn’t an essential feature, but if you know your child is scared of animals, you should shy away from animal-themed products.
Themes can also be mixed. You’ll come across a few products that blend a lot of different toys or activities. Mixed themes aren’t always better than single-theme tables, but they offer variety. When you shop for themes, it’s about understanding the preferences of you and your child, which we cover later in our full guide.
The Different Types of Activity Tables
Many products fit the description of an activity table. As you’re shopping, you’ll come across activity centers, tables, cubes, and hybrids. Taking time to familiarize yourself with each type can help you make the right decision. We know that most products say what they are in the name, but product titles can be misleading. Don’t worry; we have you covered.
Activity Tables
Activity tables are designed for toddlers and don’t include walkers or jumpers. All of the toys are present on the table, but whether or not they’re attached to the table depends on the product. Activity tables can also come in any of the themes that we focused on earlier.
Activity Centers
Activity centers are designed for babies and infants. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but typically have a jumper located in the middle. Most of the toys on activity centers are attached to the table to prevent them being a choking hazard.
Activity Cubes
Activity cubes are different than activity tables and activity centers. They feature five different sides, with each one being filled with unique toys and puzzles. We include activity cubes in this guide because some cubes stand as tall as activity tables and provide a compact option.
Hybrids
Hybrid products are a blend of activity tables and activity centers. These products can be used for both babies and toddlers because the jumper can be removed. Hybrid products also tend to include removable legs so you can use them as a floor toy, and sometimes they can be double-sided. These products are the most diverse, portable, and age-inclusive, but they’re more costly.
The Number of Activities
When you’re shopping for a baby activity table, it’s all about the activities. Some tables have more activities than others, and sometimes it can be about quality, not quantity. For example, a table that relies on sounds and music generally has fewer activities than tables that don’t have sounds. This is neither good nor bad, and more about preference. If you have a child that gets bored quickly, though, make sure you look at tables with a lot of different avenues for play.
You should also pay close attention to whether or not an activity table comes with battery-powered features. Battery-powered features are things like sounds, music, and lights. Powered activity tables can be an excellent choice for children that are visual learners; just be sure to keep some AA batteries handy. Most battery-powered products require two or three batteries.
Price
The price of some baby activity tables might surprise you. For what they are, they can seem expensive. While this is true for some products, you can still find plenty of bargain activity tables that provide more than enough value. So, after doing the research, we’ve grouped each product into one of three categories:
- $: Under $40
- $$: Around $60
- $$$: Over $100
Now you have a general overview, let’s find the perfect play area for your little one to develop their cognitive and motor abilities – all the while having a great time. If you want a more in-depth dive into what to look for when shopping, check out our full guide below.
Top 10 Best Baby Activity Tables 2023
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$$
- Ages: 4 months+
- Theme: Mixed
- Type: Activity Table
- Activities: 25+
The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table is a great product for helping children develop. While it’s loaded with toys that are purely for fun, it also promotes learning and coordination.
There is a chair at the center to provide stability, and it does a full 360° rotation to keep your child engaged. The table comes with four interactive activities. It has peekaboo clouds, swaying starts, rattle beads and a wobble lamp. It also has twenty other static toys. The interactive toys can move around the table while the others remain securely in place to prevent choking.
The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table was also developed with the help of a pediatrician to make sure the product is both safe and efficient. While many activity tables focus on the toys, this table can be flipped over and used as a traditional baby table.
Standing at 30″ tall, it can be used for arts and crafts as your child gets older. Another feature that this table includes is the transparent window that lets your child see their feet, which makes this table a whole-body experience.
What Sets it Apart
What sets this product apart is the ability to use it as a traditional baby table. When flipped over, you can remove many of the toys from the table’s surface, even the jumper. This innovative design provides the table with longevity, enabling you to use it for over a year. With that feature, it’s hard to find a table that offers more value, making it our premium choice.
Things to Consider
While the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table can double as an activity table and regular table, that doesn’t make it perfect. For example, the jumper is not sturdy. If a child is over twenty-five pounds when you introduce the product, there is a chance that they can break the walker and hurt themselves. While this problem goes away when you use it as a regular table, it’s worth noting.
If you need a more stable walker, you should consider a product like the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table. It doesn’t have the same number of activities, or the ability to flip over, but it offers more stability.
Who It’s For
The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table is a great fit for most parents. If you need a table for a young child and don’t want to make another purchase in the future, this activity table is your best choice. The flip-over feature provides you all of the longevity you need and eliminates the need for an upgrade down the line. You’ll get the most value out of this product if your child is between 6-12 months.
Pros
- Can be used as a traditional baby table
- Includes twenty-five activities, with four being movable
- Includes a clear window for your child to see and learn about their feet
Cons
- Twenty-five-pound weight limit for the walker
2. Best Outdoor Activity Table: Summer Pop'n Jump Portable
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 6 months+
- Theme: Outdoors
- Type: Activity Center
- Activities: 4
The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is an outdoor activity table that’s great for travel. It features a pop-up design that allows it to be set up within three seconds – toys and all. The toys it comes with are also fun for children to play with. It has a rattle, mirror book, teether, and spinner ball. There is also a jumper at the center of the table for your child to stand in.
The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center also comes with a canopy for those hot summer days. It keeps your child cool and also features UPF resistance, keeping harmful sun rays away from your child’s sensitive skin. For cleaning, the entire product can be placed in the washing machine, and it’s dryer safe.
What Sets it Apart
The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is one of the few high-quality outdoor activity tables you can find. It can set up quickly and provides safety from the sun. While outdoor use is excellent by itself, this product is also portable. It can be folded down, which makes it easy to store in the trunk of your car or take with you on vacation.
Things to Consider
The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is a great outdoor activity, but that’s where its usefulness comes to an end. You can use it indoors, but it’s outclassed by most activity tables in that area. It only comes with four toys, and the jumper lacks mobility and rotation capabilities.
If you need an indoor activity table that’s in a similar price and age range, consider the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table instead. It features a jumper at the center and comes with plenty of fun indoor activities.
Who It’s For
The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is for parents that need an outdoor or portable activity table. It’s great for vacations, backyard events, and even the beach. We recommend using this product as a secondary activity table solely for outdoor use.
Pros
- Pops up in about three seconds
- UPF resistant canopy
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- Foldable and portable design
Cons
- Only includes four activities
- Not a good option for indoor use
3. Best Budget Activity Table: Battat Wooden Activity Cube
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 12 months+
- Theme: Farm
- Type: Activity Cube
- Activities: 5
The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is an excellent table for babies and toddlers. Standing at 18″ tall, even smaller babies can reach the toys located on top of the cube.
The cube also has activities located on the sides, including farm-themed puzzles and spinners. While each side of the cube as a unique activity, the top includes a zig-zag bead structure, like the ones you find in doctor’s offices.
The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is also compact and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Instead of cramming activities into the top of the table, every action has a specific location. This activity table is also made out of wood instead of plastic, which makes it safer and more durable.
What Sets it Apart
The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is unique because of the cube design. Your child can choose to sit or stand when they’re playing, reducing the chances of them becoming fatigued after a short period of play. Each portion of the cube has a unique activity, so as your child moves around the cube, they’ll want to interact with them all.
Battat is also a reputable company that’s been creating high-quality children’s toys since 1897. It’s common to see companies that have been around for 50+ years, but if a company has been around for over 100 years, there is a good chance they’re doing something right.
Things to Consider
The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is not for everyone. While it includes a lot of fun activities, the cube design can be a turn off. It functions like a table, but it doesn’t stand as tall as one. 18″ is suitable for babies but it’s short for toddlers.
If you’re not a fan of the cube design, you should consider a more traditional table like the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table.
Who it’s For
The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is for parents that like the cube design. It offers a classic and minimalist look with the hardwood finish, making it an excellent choice for parents that have that theme in their home. Keep in mind, it’s best suited for older children, but even if your child is less than one year old, they can enjoy it. If you don’t like how big some tables can get, go for the cube.
Pros
- Five farm-themed activities
- Puzzles for critical thinking
- Classical hardwood design
- Durable
Cons
- Heavy
- Shorter than most activity tables
4. Best Musical Activity Table: Baby Einstein Discovering Music
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Ages: 6-36 months
- Theme: Musical
- Type: Activity Table
- Activities: 4
The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table can give your child an ear for music. This table is all about musical discovery and features a handful of activities that introduce your child to music. There is a music book in the center, which includes instructions for your child to follow. These instructions teach them about melodies and other combinations of sounds.
The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table also features musical instruments that help your child learn colors. They all light up, and there is a strummable guitar, tappable drum, piano keys, and a rotating French horn. These instruments can be used with the music book, or your child can learn to create their own masterpieces.
What Sets it Apart
The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is unique because of the musical combinations it includes. There are a lot of tables that include music, but this table allows your child to make their own combinations. This is great for learning because it promotes critical thinking. Another great feature is that you can order it in French, English, or Spanish.
Things to Consider
The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is excellent for musical discovery, but it lacks variety. The only toys are musical ones, so if your child isn’t a music fan yet, you won’t find the table useful. For this reason, we recommend this table for older children, even though the product suggests six months+.
If you prefer a table that provides both music and traditional toys, consider the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center instead. It comes with a safari theme, animal toys, and music.
Who It’s For
The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is for music lovers. If you live in a musical household or notice that your child loves sounds, this is the best table around. While it’s great for teaching kids, with the included music book, parents can get involved too. If you’re looking for a musical experience that you and your child can share, this product is the perfect choice.
Pros
- Comes with instructions and a music book for your child to follow
- Includes four musical instruments with unique sounds
- Lights up
- French, Spanish, and English options
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Only comes with musical toys
5. Best Reliable Activity Table: Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 4-36 months
- Theme: Safari
- Type: Hybrid
- Activities: 6
The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is a safari adventure that’s suitable for children of all ages. There is a jumper at the center for babies with 360° rotation and plenty of animal toys to interact with. There is an alligator that functions as a keyboard, and it plays up to 20 minutes of music, and the rest of the animal-themed toys get your child in-tune with nature.
The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is also a 2-in-1 product, which means you can remove the jumper in the center when your child gets older. It’s also easy to clean. Fisher-Price knows that messes can happen, so the jumper is made with padding that’s machine washable and dryer safe.
What Sets it Apart
The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is unique because it features a portable toy that plays music. The alligator is portable, which means your child can listen to music wherever they are. Not only does this keep your child entertained on the go, but it gets them excited to return home to the rest of the table.
Things to Consider
The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is good, but it won’t blow your mind. It doesn’t include a lot of activities and requires more batteries than similar activity tables in its price range. Overall, it’s average at best.
If you’re looking for a product that has that wow factor, consider an activity table like the Baby Einstein Curiosity Table. It features interactive activities for both parents and children.
Who It’s For
The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is for parents that need a reliable activity table. Fisher-Price has been around for a long time, and the company has developed a reputation for creating safe, durable, and fun baby products. Their products are highly rated. While it won’t make your jaw drop, it’s reliable enough to last years.
Pros
- 20 minutes of music
- Portable toys
- Machine washable jumper
- Can be used for babies and toddlers
- 100% BPA-free polyester
Cons
- Not a lot of activities
- Requires three AA batteries
6. Best Role-Playing Activity Table: LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Ages: 6 months+
- Theme: Office
- Type: Activity Table
- Activities: 27
The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is great for curious children that love role-playing. The table resembles an office space. It includes a globe, laptop, phone, and plenty of interactive touchpoints. Each touchpoint features a unique sound that can teach your child greetings, colors, sounds, and more. Plus, it offers both Spanish and English translations.
The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center can also be used as a floor toy. The table legs are detachable, which makes it useful for children that can’t stand yet. When you remove the braces, it also makes it easier to store the product.
What Sets it Apart
The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is unique because of all the sounds it comes with. It’s common for activity tables to feature a dozen different sounds, but this table takes it to the next level. There are 180 sounds total, in both Spanish and English, to keep your child entertained. These sounds include melodies, nursery rhymes, phrases, and sounds.
Things to Consider
The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center comes with a lot of sounds, but the activities aren’t always appealing. Office spaces aren’t generally thought of as fun, so depending on your child, their level of interest will vary. If you find that your child loves to roleplay, go for it. Otherwise, a product like the VTech Magic Star Learning Table is a better choice.
Who it’s For
The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is for children that love to roleplay. If you notice that your child is always interested in your desk, phone, or laptop, this is an activity table you should consider. It promotes role-playing and inspires your child to read like an adult.
Pros
- 180 sounds in both Spanish and English
- Encourages role-playing
- Includes 27 activities
- Inspires creative thinking
Cons
- Not a good fit for every child
- Some of the toys feel cheap
7. Best Activity Table For Two Children: Baby Einstein Curiosity Table
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 12 months+
- Theme: Mixed
- Activity Table: Activity Table
- Activities: 20+
The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table has a lot of unique features and activities. Many activity tables tend to focus on essential toys and buttons, but this table comes packed with lights, gears, and a mess-free paint plot.
There is also a whiteboard for children to draw on and enough activities to entertain two children at once. The gears can be removed and examined, and the lights function as a puzzle to encourage your child to learn through trial-and-error.
The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table incorporates music and sounds through activated buttons. Sounds are in both English and Spanish so that you can familiarize your child with both languages. You can also pull up a chair and use the whiteboard to create your own activities for your child to interact with. This helps promote bonding. For younger children, the legs can be removed, turning it into a floor toy.
What Sets it Apart
Children tend to get bored quickly, especially when they’re playing with the same toys for a couple of months. Baby Einstein’s solution to this dilemma was making this table double-sided. Once your child starts to show signs of disinterest on one side, simply flip the table over to grab their attention.
Things to Consider
The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table is well-rounded, but it can come off as overwhelming. Babies might have a hard time interacting with it, mainly because it doesn’t include a jumper, meaning it has to be used as a floor toy with young children.
Sure, it can work for infants, but it’s designed for older children. If you need an activity table for children under a year old, consider a product like the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table instead.
Who it’s For
The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table is for parents that want to join the fun and parents of multiple children. The mess-free paint plot and whiteboard make it great for cooperative play. Keep in mind; you don’t always have to join in the fun either. It works perfectly fine for one child. On the other hand, if you have two children, this table is the best option.
Pros
- 80 sounds in English and Spanish
- Gears and lights that promote critical thinking
- Great for parents and multiple children to play with
- Double-sided
- Removable legs
Cons
- Only suitable for older children
- Overwhelming at times
8. Best Activity Table For Removable Toys: Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 6 months through 5 years
- Theme: Animal
- Type: Hybrid
- Activities: 6
The Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer 360 Seat & Baby Activity Table is an excellent product for curious babies. It comes with six interactive toys that your child can mess around with, and it also includes music and lights.
At the center of the table, there is a jumper that rotates 360 degrees, so your child can move around the table on their own. This promotes motor skills and encourages your child to make their first steps. The jumper can also be adjusted to accommodate three different heights.
It can also be transformed into a toddler activity table. It can be turned over to remove the jumper and includes animal cars that roll around the surface. The surface of the table also consists of a fun animal-themed track, and the toys are portable.
What Sets it Apart
The Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer 360 Seat & Baby Activity Table is unique because it comes with portable animal-theme cars. These are toys that can move freely along the table, and the track teaches your child motor skills and shows them how wheels work. When you combine this with the fun animal theme, it’s hard to find a similar activity table.
Things to Consider
The Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer 360 Seat & Baby Activity Table comes with a limited amount of toys. The toys it comes with are unique, sure, but they’re not going to keep your child entertained forever. The sounds are also average at best and don’t include a lot of variation, even in Spanish and English.
If you need a more diverse table but like the animal theme, consider a product like the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center. It includes a similar animal theme and 2-in-1 design, but it offers more music and toys.
Who It’s For
The Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer 360 Seat & Baby Activity Table is for parents that need a basic, portable, and easy to use activity table. The legs fold down for storage, along with the toys on top, and it performs as advertised. While it’s a basic table, it’s easy to work with. We just wish it was more affordable for what it offers.
Pros
- Features sounds, music, lights, and animal-theme cars
- Three adjustable jumper heights
- Can be flipped over and used as a toddler table
- Easy to store
- Portable toys
Cons
- Only comes with six toys
- High price for what you get
9. Best Bilingual VTech Magic Star Learning Table
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Ages: 9-12 months
- Theme: Mixed
- Type: Activity Table
- Activities: 6
The VTech Magic Star Learning Table comes with six activities that encourage learning for children around a year old. The learning activities are not too complicated, and are suitably pitched for curious toddlers.
You’ll find a steering wheel that helps with motor skills, a telephone for coordination, colors for color distinction, and nursery rhymes. Most of the toys feature sounds that your child can activate with the touch of a button, and it comes with two AA batteries to get you started.
While many activity tables focus on being tables, this product is more than that. Some toddlers simply prefer sitting down, which is why Vtech created a product with removable legs. Once your toddler becomes fatigued from playing, simply remove the table legs so that they can continue their adventure on the floor.
What Sets it Apart
The VTech Magic Star Learning Table is unique because it offers two languages and can be used on the floor. If you have a Spanish speaking child, or like the idea of teaching your child a second language, you can have the colors and nursery rhymes played in Spanish too.
The removable table legs are also another feature you don’t see used enough. The ability to lower the table to the floor makes it great for younger children, so even if your child isn’t in the 9-12 month range, you can still find plenty of value in this product. The removable legs also make storage a breeze.
Things to Consider
The VTech Magic Star Learning Table is a great product, but Vtech products don’t always last long. Fear not, the table shouldn’t break or collapse and cause injuries; however, the sound system can wear out over time. While older children can use it, it doesn’t always last long. The buttons have been known to play the wrong sounds or not play sounds at all.
If you like the sounds that it comes with but need more reliability, the LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is a great alternative. It makes use of similar features, like the fake phone, and it tends to last longer.
Who It’s For
The VTech Magic Star Learning Table is for parents that need a solid budget activity table. It performs well and helps your child learn, but it lacks durability. If you need a table for a child that’s in the 9-12 month range, this product is ideal, but you should consider upgrading once they get older.
Pros
- Promotes motor skills
- Comes in Spanish and English
- Features nursery rhymes and other sounds
- Teaches children about colors
- Can be used as a floor toy
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Known to play sounds on its own
10. Best Overall Activity Table: Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Ages: 6 months+
- Theme: Mixed
- Type: Hybrid
- Activities: 15
The Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table comes with a lot of activities to keep your child entertained. There are fifteen activities in total, each one offering unique stimulation.
Watch as your child moves around the table with Bright Start’s award-winning walker/jumper. When they become a toddler, simply remove the walker to let the fun go on. The jumper can rotate around the table in a full circle, and it can also be used as a floor toy.
The activities on the table vary, giving your child a unique experience each time they’re ready to play. With so much diversity, it’s bound to keep them entertained for hours on end. While the product is recommended for children around six months in age, you’ll find that this table continues to offer fun activities even as your child gets older.
What Sets it Apart
The Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table makes use of a unique detachable walker/jumper that’s patented by Bright Starts. The walker/jumper provides support that prevents your child from losing balance and teaches them how to take their first steps. It can get stuck occasionally, but it’s infrequent.
The activities are spread around the table, so your child will be tempted to move around the table to interact with each toy. This helps babies with balance and gives them the confidence to walk. The walker/jumper can also be adjusted to accommodate your child’s height in three different settings, making it great for children between 4-12 months.
Things to Consider
While the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table works for older children, you’ll find that the toys are too basic for most toddlers. We recommend using this product until your child is around one. After that, they’ll probably start to lose interest.
If you need a product that’s suitable for toddlers, consider a product like the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table instead. It also features a jumper at the center, but it can be flipped over for older children.
Who It’s For
The Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table is for parents that have young children who are overflowing with energy. If your child hasn’t taken their first steps yet, you can use this product to help give them confidence and encourage them. The detachable jumper/walker also makes it suitable for children of any age younger than three years.
Pros
- 15 activities for your child to interact with
- Detachable walker/jumper
- Three different height settings for the jumper/walker
- Suitable for children between 4 months and three years
- Can be used as a floor toy
Cons
- The jumper/walker can get stuck
- There are a lot of detachable parts that can be overwhelming and ruin the product if you misplace them
Everything You Need To Know About Activity Tables
Shopping for baby and toddler activity tables is not easy. There is a lot of variation with each one, and you have to determine whether or not you want music or sounds. It’s also challenging to determine which table your child will like, so make sure you look over the toys that each one comes with carefully.
The good news is that shopping for these products is easy when you have the ten best baby activity tables in front of you. So, to help you narrow down your options, we’re going to take you through everything you need to know about baby activity tables.
Start by Getting to Know Your Child
A lot of the time, we shop for products based on their ratings, reviews, and customer feedback. This is sensible, but sometimes it’s more complex than that.
You need to get an idea for what your child is interested in because each baby has their own personality. So, to start, consider the toys they already have, which they get pleasure out of, and their favorite television shows.
For Animal Lovers
If you notice that your child loves animals, on television or at home, it’s a good idea to look into an animal theme activity table. These activity tables are designed to lure your child in with fun and exciting animals from around the world. Some activity tables even include audio to help your child learn about the different sounds animals can make.
If your child loves nature and its inhabitants, consider a product that’s filled with animal fun. A great choice is the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center because it has a safari theme. It can also be used as both an activity center and an activity table, so you’re good to go regardless of your child’s age.
For Musical Geniuses
If your child loves a good sing-along, nursery rhyme, or even some of your music, an activity table that’s centered around music is a great choice. There are plenty of products that incorporate music into learning, making it easier for your child to stay engaged.
If you want to channel your child’s inner-musician, a great place to start is the Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table. It includes a handful of musical instruments for your child to interact with and gives your child the tools to create music of their own.
For Office Tots
Some children like to mirror their parents and learn about the world through observations. These are kids that you’ll find hanging around the home office trying to play with your phone, laptop, and anything else they can find. If this sounds like your little one, an office-theme activity table is a great choice.
An excellent choice for little role-players is the LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center. It comes with a fake phone, laptop, and plenty of buttons to interact with. It also features plenty of sounds to teach your child about greetings from around the world.
For Those All-Over-The-Place Rugrats
Not all children fixate on one activity. These children can be challenging to shop for because it’s harder to determine which baby activity table will work for them. When you’re faced with this situation, there is only one solution—a lot of different activities.
For children that are curious about everything, consider an activity table that has a lot of activities. It’s also a good idea to choose a product that speaks to your child’s creativity, like the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table. It can be folded for older children and comes with over twenty fun activities.
Shopping Based On Age
Activity tables are not always age-inclusive. Each product comes with an age recommendation, but we’ve found that they’re not always accurate. So, we’re going to go over a few different age ranges and the best product for each one.
4-6 Months
Babies can be a hassle to shop for. If they aren’t walking yet, they can start as early as tomorrow or as late as next month. When you’re shopping for babies in the 4-6 month range, you’re going to need a versatile table that can do a lot of different things—also, the more activities, the better.
An excellent product for this age range is the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table. It can give your child the confidence they need to begin walking with its innovative walker/jumper. Plus, it can be used as a floor toy for children that can’t stand by themselves or don’t like jumpers.
6-9 Months
Children in the 6-9 month range can be a handful. If you have a child in this age range finding the perfect baby activity table can be tricky. The good news is that there are a few hybrid products here to help.
A great place to start is the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table. It comes with a jumper that can support up to twenty-five pounds, plenty of activities, and when your child can comfortably stand on their own, you can turn it into an activity table.
Nine Months+
When your child reaches the 9-month milestone, they’re going to start walking soon. On average, when a child is between 9-12 months, they’re about to take their first little steps. While this is an exciting time, it can also be a stressful one. Jumpers become obsolete, and you’ll need a table that can keep up with your child’s growing curiosity.
When your child reaches this point, if you don’t have a table already, you’ll want to look for an activity table that doesn’t have a jumper. A great product to consider is the Baby Einstein Curiosity Table. It comes with plenty of activities to keep a growing child engaged and comes with a creative whiteboard and mess-free paint set.
All Ages
Many activity tables can become obsolete once your child gets older. If you want to make sure that a product will last a long time, consider a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 activity table. These tables can be used as floor toys, activity centers, and activity tables.
If you need an activity table for all ages, consider a product like the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center. It can be used in many different ways, and it’s reliable enough to last you years.
Sound Versus No Sound: Which Is Better?
One of the most important decisions to make is whether or not you want sounds or music. So, we’re going to take you through the benefits of both activity tables.
Sound-Based Activity Tables
Sound-based activity tables can come with a lot of different features. They can include music, nursery rhymes, and even multiple languages. There is also evidence that sound-based activity tables make it easier for your child to learn and do a better job keeping children engaged. Still, sound or no sound is about preference.
If you like the idea of an activity table that comes with a lot of fun sounds, consider a product like the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center. It works for all ages, including under three years, and includes plenty of activities and sounds.
Traditional Activity Tables
While traditional activity tables lack fun sounds, it doesn’t mean they’re bad products. While sound-based tables can promote learning, they’re less durable and can malfunction. This makes traditional activity tables a safe bet, and in most cases, they include more activities to keep your child entertained.
If you like the idea of a traditional activity table with plenty of toys, the Battat Wooden Activity Cube is a great choice. It comes in a compact cube shape with five different unique toys and puzzles.
Need an Outdoor Activity Table?
The fun doesn’t have to stop because you want to go outside. When the weather gets nice, it’s beneficial for children of all ages to get vitamin D from the sun. While infants have skin that’s 30% more sensitive than adults, there are safe outdoor activity tables you can rely on.
When you’re shopping for an outdoor activity table, there are a few features you need to look for. Portable activity tables should be easy to clean, not made out of plastic, and include a UPF resistant canopy. Out of all those features, the UPF resistance is the most important.
Our favorite outdoor activity table is the Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center It features a UPF resistant canopy, pops up in three seconds, and comes with plenty of outdoor-themed activities.
Are You Shopping for Two?
If you have two children, you don’t always need to get two different activity tables. If your children need a jumper, you can let them rotate, but it can be beneficial to let older children play together. If your children are around nine months old, you might want to introduce an activity table they can both engage with.
Two children can use many activity tables at once, but our favorite choice is the Baby Einstein Curiosity Table. It has plenty of activities that are fun for the whole family and limitless creative potential.
FAQ
When Should I Introduce an Activity Table?
An activity table can be introduced whenever you feel your child is ready. If you want to get one sooner rather than later, you can introduce one that comes with a jumper at four months. For activity tables without jumpers, you should wait until at least nine months.
When Is a Child Too Old for an Activity Table?
Children outgrow toys at their own pace. It’s hard to give a specific age where activity tables become obsolete, but there is an estimate. Once your child is between three and five years old, it might be too late for an activity table. If your child is already using one, they might outgrow it at this point.
Does an Activity Table Need Sound?
Activity tables don’t need sounds or music. It’s about your preferences. We always recommend looking into an activity table that’s loaded with fun sounds for your child to interact with, but soundless tables can be just as useful.
What’s the Difference Between an Activity Table and Activity Center?
Activity tables and activity centers are similar products. They both include toys on their surface and resemble tables. The main difference is that activity tables have jumpers in the center for your child to sit in, and activity tables don’t have jumpers.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a baby activity table is a big commitment. It’s not a simple product because they come with a lot of different features, sounds, and even music. The most important part of the shopping experience is making sure that it fits your child’s needs. Some products work well for some children, while others won’t work at all.
To find the best baby activity table, make sure you consider your child’s interests. If they love animals, choose a table that includes a lot of animal toys, and if they like music, go the musical route. The good news is that you have more than one try. If you find that your child isn’t interested in one table, feel free to try your luck with another! The more activities, the better, right?