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Good, better, best: Playards your baby will love

Lauren Barth
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Baby wants to play and roam and explore and get into all sorts of mischief. Meanwhile, you just want to sip your coffee in peace and quiet — pretty please.

If you need a designated place to keep your oh-so-curious cutie safely housed while you get stuff done (or, you know, just chill out for a hot second), it may be time to get yourself and your mini a playard. These veritable baby jails (we say that with affection, of course) give your mini mover and shaker ample open space to enjoy within the confines of four walls. Playards vary in price and features. Some are simple, others have built-in toys, and many come with outdoor canopies and extra accessories. Want to shop the options? Here are our picks for the best playards.

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Good: Baby Delight Go With Me Eclipse Portable Playard with Canopy

  • Good for indoor and outdoor use
  • Has a UPF50+ canopy
  • Includes a carry bag

This pop-up portable option is great at home, on the go, and everywhere in between. Use it indoors or take it outside, and enjoy fun in the (shaded) sun. The canopy has UPF50+ and covers the entire play area. It can easily be folded and compactly fits into an included carry bag, so you can quickly break it down and move on. Set up, it measures in at 50 x 50 x 28 inches.

Better: HyperEden Indoor & Outdoor Baby Playpen

  • Good for indoor and outdoor use
  • Features anti-collision foam around poles and edges
  • Features a large space

Safe and spacious, this playpen measures in at 71 x 59 x 26 inches and features breathable mesh walls and anti-collision foam around hard poles and edges. It has a convenient zipper opening and can be used indoors or outdoors, as the bottom is waterproof. No bells and whistles on this straightforward option; just lots of room for your adventurous bunny to hop around and play.

Best: Uanlauo Foldable Baby Playpen and Safety Playard

  • Cute design
  • Option to purchase more panels for expansion
  • Features built-in toys

If you care about aesthetics, you will be happy to know that this option looks cuter than many others — even if it is placed smack in the middle of your living room. Measuring 27 x 11 x 12 inches, the playpen features 14 panels, but it can be expanded with the purchase of separate pieces to create an even bigger play space. The panels buckle and fold when you want to put it away, but it also accordions back out for easy reassembly. The plastic gate is incredibly durable and free of BPA and other harsh chemicals. Best of all, Baby will love playing with the built-in toys and accessories.

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Baby gets to play, you get to work or clean, stare at the walls or take a nap on the couch (you do you). Whether you want a spacious option that is easy to collapse and move around the house, or a sturdier one that lives in a specific spot, we have got you covered. Our picks for the best playards will help you narrow down the options — and, more importantly, help you lock that little one up — if only for a short while!

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