Baby play gyms combine fun with sensory development through toys and features that crinkle, light up and more. Shop activity gyms and play mats that are soft, colourful and loaded with things to see, feel and explore.
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Top Baby Play Gyms For 2024
Baby play gyms are guaranteed playtime fun for your little one. For solo enjoyment with baby toys or interactive times with Mum and Dad. At Metro Baby we have done the research that will help you choose the top play gyms for your little one in 2024.
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Keep your baby entertained for hours
Play gyms make amazing educational toys that provide hours of fun while helping to improve your baby’s senses, motor skills and intellectual development. They’re decorated with hanging toys like rattles and plush toys that dangle above little ones and encourage them to reach, grasp, squeeze and chew with some also lighting up and playing tunes for more enjoyment.
Delight bubs with our range of activity gyms, play mats and baby toys by trusted brands like Done By Deer and Skip Hop. Choose your own beautiful baby gifts or share the love with friends and family with a Metro Baby gift card that puts the choice in their hands.
Soft sensory baby play mats
A baby activity play mat provides a soft place for bubs to lie, play, roll, crawl and explore. Discover quilted sensory mats at Metro Baby with crinkly textures and rattles, reversible mats with adorable koalas and cute critters plus textured mats featuring farms, animals and cityscapes for non-stop adventures every day. Use them on their own or combine them with a baby gym for ultimate enjoyment and sensory development.
Large or small - there is one to fit your space
Whether it’s a large activity center in the playpen or a cute baby gym for the corner, find a style and size that fits neatly into your home and lifestyle. Shop extra large rectangular mats, round gyms with mat, freestanding gyms that store easily away and activity blankets to match rockers, prams and more in the nursery and beyond.The perfect toy for tummy time
Baby gyms are a hugely popular early childcare toy for a good reason. They encourage your little one to spend less time lying on their back and more on their tummy to help strengthen their back, neck, arms and stomach while developing higher gross motor skills like crawling and rolling, hand skills, visual skills and feeding skills.
Features such as colour, light, music and texture enhance the senses and make tummy time even more beneficial. You can even hang silicone teether toys from the gym that your baby can chew on when teething to ease soreness while having fun during play time.
Play gyms make beautiful baby shower gifts that are guaranteed to get loads of use!
Detachable washable musical play gyms
Skip Hop musical baby gyms put on a real show for little ones with sweet tunes, twinkling lights and a rainbow of colour to delight and entertain them. The Vibrant Village Smart Lights Activity Gym and Silver Lining Cloud Activity Gym play upbeat tunes that babies will love and feature bright toys to engage and play with plus moving lights that let them follow along.
Features to look out for
Encourage endless hours of play for your newborn by choosing a baby gym with:
- Highly contrasting colours. Whether it’s black and white or multi-coloured, this will engage baby’s senses more and provide visual stimulation
- A rich variety of toys, from plush to ones that crinkle, rattle, play music and light up
- Removable toys that let you add more and remove others
- Adjustable arches to raise or lower the toys
- Detachable mat that’s machine-washable for an easy clean
- Baby-safe materials, such as BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free parts
Washable and easy to clean
Take the hassle out of keeping your baby gym clean by choosing one with machine-washable parts. We have play mats, tummy pillows and soft toys you can pop into the washing machine for a quick clean while others can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove stains.
Tips for buying a baby activity gym
Baby activity gyms provide a wealth of entertainment to babies and offer loads of developmental benefits that make them an essential item from birth to around 12 months. Here are some tips for buying your first baby gym:
- Look for a gym that offers various positions and heights to hang toys from that encourage babies to turn their head to play with them
- Additional loops will let you hang more toys
- Make sure the gym is made from non-toxic materials that are safe for babies
- Look for a portable baby gym that’s easy to clean
Portable and easy to store
Foldable arches, reversible mats and removable toys mean you can set up your activity centre where and how you want it. Pop it in the playroom, the nursery, the living room or wherever else you are and add or remove toys as needed. Adjust the height of the bars to bring toys closer or further away. When baby is done playing, simply store it in a cupboard or place in a corner out of the way until next time.
Designs and colours to suit all decor
Complete your nursery or play area with baby gyms and mats in soft neutrals that are easy to match to your current decor. Find gentle Nordic hues like blue, powder, sand and grey to complement a sophisticated Scandinavian style or go bold with a vibrant Skip Hop play gym in multicolour with a dog-shaped tummy time pillow for extra cuteness.
Match the colour of your baby gym and mat to your other baby essentials, from car seats to high chairs and strollers for a smart and stylish look at home and out-and-about.
Our top picks
We’ve rounded up the trendiest baby gyms and baby mats that every parent has on their wishlist. Discover:
- Nevada Teepee by Nobodinoz
- Dream Upon A Cloud by Mamas & Papas
- Activity Mat by Done By Deer in various colours
- Activity Gym by Done By Deer in various colours
- Treetop Friends Activity Gym by Skip Hop
Brands we know and trust
We stock the most trusted baby brands in Australia that Australian parents know and love. From BPA-free teether toys to deluxe seat organisers, swaddles, soothers, bouncers and so much more, find your favourite brands at Metro Baby and enjoy free delivery over $99. We have:
Buying your baby gym at Metro Bab
Shop online and discover the latest baby collections from the comfort of your couch with free delivery when you spend over $99 in Australia. You can also visit our store in Richmond and let our friendly team help you pick out the perfect products for your baby!
FAQ’s:
What is the purpose of a baby gym?
A play gym for babies is typically a wooden or soft arch that stretches over the baby’s head and encourages them to reach upwards and build their muscles and sensory development. The arches are hung with toys, including plush toys and activity toys that squeak, crackle and more, with plenty of colours, textures and sounds to keep little ones entertained for hours.
You can find freestanding baby gyms or ones that come with a play mat to provide a soft place for babies to lie, roll and crawl. Baby gyms:
- Stimulate the senses
- Teach babies cause and effect
- Develop visual perception
- Encourage movement, grasping and reaching
- Promote hand-eye coordination
- Build self-awareness
What is the most common type of baby gym?
The most common type of baby gym includes 2 soft arches that intersect with a padded mat underneath. The arches are decorated with removable toys and you can add more of your own for further stimulation. You can find these adorable baby gyms and mats by Skip Hop, Mamas & Papas and Lilliputiens plus separate sensory play mats by assorted brands.
