Do You Need a Playpen for Your Baby?

It’s no secret that parents need a good number of items to get through the first year of their baby’s life. With so much to add to the baby registry, it’s a good thing that there are nine months to get everything from diapers and wipes to a changing table and stroller. Some big-ticket necessities, like a crib, car seat, and high chair, are non-negotiable, but there may be a few other large items that you aren’t sure if you actually need them or not. A playpen is something that’s certainly helpful, but if you’re on the fence about whether it counts as a necessity, here are a few things to consider:

What is a playpen?

A playpen is a small enclosure that has high sides but is open at the top. Although playpens can also be made from plastic or metal, the Toki playpen is crafted from natural pine wood and polished into a smooth, splinter-free surface that’s safe for little ones to bite and pull. The playpen is a safe space where parents can place their babies without worrying about them getting into harm’s way.

Since the Toki playpen is designed to perfectly fit a mega size Toki mat, the two products can be paired to create a soft, comfortable spot where babies can play and practice motor milestones, such as rolling, crawling, and standing, without hurting themselves.

What’s the difference between a playpen and a pack ‘n play?

Playpens, playards, pack ‘n plays. It’s easy to assume that they’re all different words for the same thing, since playards and pack ‘n plays are more or less interchangeable terms. However, a playpen differs from the other two in that it’s far more spacious and functions as a gated area that can be set up on any solid, level surface. A pack ‘n play is meant to be both a play area and a travel crib, but doesn’t have much room for mobility, such as rolling or crawling.

What are the benefits of a playpen?

• Having a safe, contained space. If you need a few minutes to cook or just free up your arms, a playpen is a worry-free place where your baby can play nearby. Even if your house is baby-proofed, there are still many ways that your little one can get hurt. A playpen acts as safe bounds to prevent them from accessing dangerous areas while your back is turned, and it also allows you to finish simple tasks without distraction.

• Keeping your living room organized. Since a playpen is an enclosed area, you can use it to contain all of your little one’s toys and keep the rest of the living space tidy. That means no tripping over a stray rattle or spending time at the end of the night cleaning up!

• Promoting floor play. A playpen is a perfect place to create a floor play setup with colorful toys and plenty of room for your baby to move. When paired with a mega size Toki mat, the space is soft and comfortable for practicing motor skills. 

• It encourages independent play. Babies as young as 6 months old can benefit from short periods of solitary play. Using a playpen as a designated space for independent play can help your baby get used to it faster and give them the tools they need to explore and problem solve. The playpen can also serve as a tangible reminder for you to resist the urge to guide your child’s play and let them take the lead.

When do babies outgrow the playpen?

Although there’s no set age to stop using a playpen, many children outgrow it by their second birthday. You’ll know it’s time to stop using yours once your little one learns how to climb out on their own. Even after your last child outgrows their playpen, it can still be repurposed in many other ways! Families have utilized playpens as a protective gate around a Christmas tree to deter little hands from pulling off ornaments, or even as an enclosure for smaller pets to use when needed.