Best pack and play with bassinet and changing table

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A good play yard will serve you and your child well for years. It's a safe, easily portable place for your baby or toddler to sleep and play when you're home or traveling. Baby play yards can be bare-bones or fancy, with mobiles, lights and music, vibration, and built-in storage for baby supplies. The best baby play yards are versatile, sturdy, and easy to fold. There are a couple types of play yards including:

• A play pen intended to keep kids safe for brief periods of times indoors or outdoors
• A Pack n’ Play style play yard that’s a combo crib and play pen
• Travel cribs meant to provide a safe and portable sleeping space
• Play yard for outdoor play, like a baby beach tent
• Sometimes play yards can incorporate two or more of these intended uses

You may end up using a play yard in different ways during the different stages in your child’s life. In the newborn months, a play yard with a removable changing table and bassinet is helpful to have in your bedroom or living room. And once your little one becomes mobile, you'll appreciate a safe place to park her while you make dinner, get ready for work, or take a phone call. Families who travel (even if it’s just to Grandma and Grandpa’s) will appreciate having a play yard for on-the-go naps or overnight sleep through the toddler years.

Figuring out how you'll use your play yard will help you narrow your search. If you're short on space, a play yard that is a bassinet, changing table, and play area in one may be your best bet. If your family travels a lot, choose a play yard that's lightweight and folds up compactly. Having a familiar sleeping spot at a hotel or at Grandma's will help your little one feel comfortable. Also, a play yard is great for containing an adventurous toddler at the beach or while visiting a relative whose house isn't childproofed. The outdoor options are excellent for shielding baby from the sun at the cottage, on vacation or in your own backyard. Here’s a few features to keep in mind while you’re making your choice:

• A bassinet, which might be portable
• A bouncer or other resting space, which again might be portable
• A place to change babies
• A mattress or padded floor for sleep
• Space for storage
• Music or vibrations
• Compact fold for travel or storage
• Included or integrated travel bag
• Removable sheets for easy washing
• Size of the play yard, especially if you have limited space

How we chose the best baby play yards

When you consider a play yard, there are a few things you should be looking for including: 

• Size: Is something small and compact what you need? Or do you have twins and need something that fits two children? Perhaps something large enough for one to play in?
• Purpose: Make sure you're buying the type you want: travel, full-size, outdoor, etc.
• Price: Play yards can be expensive. They range from $49 to almost $300.
• Ease of use: if it’s tricky to set up, that’s not ideal for travellers. But it might be okay if you’re planning on setting it up in your living room until your child outgrows it.
• Durability: How long do you anticipate needing to use it? Read the reviews to see if it falls apart easily or is built to last.
• Looks: You have to live with it! There’s no shame in purchasing something you love to look at.

The play yards we chose have the best combination of these attributes compared to competitors, as well as being widely available and competitively priced. Here are our favorites. 

• Setting up a play or nap area just about anywhere is easy-breezy with this sleek, modern-looking play yard. The Breeze Plus opens or closes in seconds with a simple push or pull. It comes with a convenient travel bag, so you can grab it and go. (It's attractive enough that you won't mind if it's permanently set up in your living room, though.) It includes a removable bassinet and changer, too.

  Heads up

  Bassinet and play yard sheets, and the diaper storage caddy, are sold separately.

  Parents say

  "I know it's expensive but it's a great investment. Three years later and we still use it as a travel crib!"

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 43 x 30 x 29 inches
  • Weight: 23 pounds
  • Maximum weight 30 pounds

• This is a feature-packed play yard that your child can use from infancy through toddlerhood. The changing station allows for quick diaper changes, and the portable bassinet (also called a "travel dome") folds compactly and has a carry bag so you can bring it wherever you go. Remove the portable bassinet and changing pad to reveal a full-size bassinet, or a sleep and play space for children weighing up to 30 pounds. Like all Graco Pack 'n Plays, this one folds easily with the push of a button. It has a built-in storage organizer for baby essentials, too. 

  You can find this play yard in a DLX/Deluxe version as well as a standard one; we recommend this LX model because the canopy on the travel dome is UPF 50, a handy feature. We don't think the extra visor on the canopy on the DLX model is worth paying extra for, though. 

  Heads up

  Some parents say the initial set up is cumbersome, with lots of little pieces to keep track of.

  Parents say

  "I used the bassinet part of this Pack 'n Play for many months. It was perfect because we didn't have much space, and having the changing table was so helpful."

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 28.5 x 27 x 37 inches
  • Maximum weight for raised and infant bassinets: 15 pounds; maximum weight for changer: 25 pounds

• This large six-panel panel play yard is portable and lightweight with a simple fold-and-go design. It’s suitable for indoors or outdoor usage, so it’s an excellent option for families who love outdoor living, are on the go, or are looking for a larger safe space for their child to play in at home. If you need a cover for outdoors fun, Regalo sells a clip-on canopy for about $35.

  Heads up

  There’s no mattress, only a nylon bottom so it’s not a great option for sleep.

  Parents say

  "We have the Regalo extra-large play yard and it folds up in a carrying bag. We drove, but took it with us on vacation (not for sleeping, but just to have to corral the little one), and it worked well."

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 27 inches
  • Recommended for ages 6-24 months
  • Maximum weight 75 pounds

• Get out and enjoy the great outdoors with the Summer Pop ‘n Play Portable Playard. Whether you’re at the cottage, cabin, beach, camping or in your own backyard, this play yard keeps your child safe and contained. It collapses like an umbrella stroller into a compact package with no hassle, the mesh sides give you a clear view of your baby, and the included travel bag makes this play yard easier to lug down the beach. With 14 square feet of playing space, this is one of the largest play yards on this list, too, so it can work for siblings, play dates, and kids who simply like to spread out. 

  If you find you need or want a canopy for this play yard, Summer offers a similar "ultimate deluxe" covered play yard for about $50 more. 

  Heads up

  This one is not a great option if you’re looking for an overnight play yard. The bottom is just a thin piece of waterproof fabric.

  Parents say

  "Best purchase ever. It goes everywhere with us. It literally stays packed up in the car."

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 26 inches
  • Weight: 12 pounds
  • Recommended for ages 6-24 months
  • Maximum height 35 inches 

• The Joovy Room² ("room squared") is the largest indoor-only play yard on our list, with 10 square feet of space. It manages to be basic yet attractive, with a clean, modern design. If you have twins, you can buy the additional Twin Nursery Center, which includes two bassinets and changing tables. The Room2 is travel friendly, with a compact fold and carrying case included. The mattress is cushy and comes with one cotton fitted sheet.

  Heads up

  Because of its large size, if you want extra sheets, you'll have to order ones specifically for the Joovy Room2. Also, some parents say that sometimes the mattress doesn't lie flat and causes a lump to form down the middle.

  Parents say

  "I have the Joovy Room2 and my little one loves it! He hated other play yards because of how cramped he was. I highly recommend!"

  Specs

  • Dimensions: (unfolded) 39.75 x 39.75 x 31 inches; (folded) 10 x 9.5 x 37 inches
  • Weight: 29.6 pounds
  • Recommended for babies from birth to 35 inches tall
  • Twin nursery center bassinet maximum weight 15 pounds for each baby; changing table maximum weight 25 pounds

• Baby Trend makes several play yards that have the features of more expensive brands for less money. The Lil Snooze features a removable bassinet, full-size bassinet, and flip-away changing table, plus plenty of storage for baby supplies. It has wheels for easy portability, an easy folding mechanism, and comes with a tote bag for travel or storage.

  Heads up

  The pad in the bassinet isn't machine washable, and some parents say it's difficult to clean if your baby spits up or has a diaper blowout.

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 28 x 35.4 x 41.3 inches
  • Main play yard recommended for newborns to children 30 pounds or 35 inches, whichever comes first
  • Maximum weight and height bassinet: 15 pounds, 25 inches, and up to 3 months; changing table: 15 pounds, 25 inches, and up to 3 months; napper: up to 12 pounds and 3 months

• For parents who want just want to keep their child corralled to a safe area no matter where they are, the Evenflo Versatile Play Space is the indoor/outdoor solution with a cool marquee feature: the “legs” on each panel conceal within them either spiky stakes to secure the pen to the ground, or non-scratch pads so it can rest on even hardwood floors without marring them. This pen is spacious with over 18.5 square feet of space, and the 28-inch tall frame makes it a secure fortress even for older or taller babies. In between uses, the panels fold up flat and can store in a closet or under a bed. If you need an even larger play space, Evenflo sells a two-panel extension for the Versatile Play Space. 

  Heads up

  This is a play pen vs. a pack ‘n play and is not a sleep solution.

  Parents say

  "We have one and we love it. It gives her a little bit more space then Pack ‘n Play and it’s pretty easy to move and set up. You can make it bigger or smaller if you need to."

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 34.5 x 27.75 x 7.5 inches
  • Weight: 16.88 pounds
  • Recommended for ages 6-24 months

• A superyard is like a play yard, but supersized. The North States Superyard features an easy-access door that you can open one-handed, and a total of eight panels that enclose a space almost seven feet across when they’re all connected up. Or, if you need a pen that’s smaller, you can remove panels until you get a size that makes sense for your space. 

  Heads up

  Some parents said the gate was a bit difficult to work and it’s easier to lift your child in/out of the play yard than it was to fiddle with the gate.

  Specs

  • Dimensions: 78 x 78 x 26 inches (for 8-panel setup)
  • Recommended for ages 6-24 months
     

• If you’re looking for safety and portability at an affordable price, the Dream On Me Nest is an excellent option. It’s a simple design that folds and unfolds easily, and stores in an included tote bag, handy if you only need a play yard for occasional use. Unlike play yards that come only in neutral grays and browns, this yard comes in six colorways including mint green, pink, and rich blue. 

  Heads up

  Some parents said the mattress isn’t that comfortable, so it may not be a great option for everyday sleeping.

  Specs

  • Dimensions (unfolded): 40 x 28 x 24 inches; folded (with pad in bag): 7 x 7.5 x 28 inches
  • Weight: 16.85 pounds
  • Recommended for newborns to children under 36 inches in height
     

• A good play yard will serve you and your child well for years. It's a safe, easily portable place for your baby or toddler to sleep and play when you're home or traveling. Baby play yards can be bare-bones or fancy, with mobiles, lights and music, vibration, and built-in storage for baby supplies. The best baby play yards are versatile, sturdy, and easy to fold.

  In the newborn months, a play yard with a removable changing table and bassinet is helpful to have in your bedroom or living room. And once your little one becomes mobile, you'll appreciate a safe place to park her while you make dinner, get ready for work, or take a phone call.

  You may be wondering whether older babies can sleep in a play yard at night instead of a crib. It's perfectly safe and fine for short stints, but you'll probably want a crib for ongoing use. Play yard mattresses aren't as supportive and comfy as crib mattresses, and play yards are usually only safe for children weighing up to 30 pounds.

  Figuring out how you'll use your play yard will help you narrow your search. If you're short on space, a play yard that is a bassinet, changing table, and play area in one may be your best bet. If your family travels a lot, choose a play yard that's lightweight and folds up compactly. Having a familiar sleeping spot at a hotel or at Grandma's will help your little one feel comfortable. Also, a play yard is great for containing an adventurous toddler at the beach or while visiting a relative whose house isn't childproofed.

• Here are some features to consider when choosing a play yard:

  Removable bassinet and diaper changer: These can be very useful, especially if you don't want to buy a separate changing table and bassinet, if you'd like a second sleeping and changing area in your home, or if you plan to travel with your newborn.

  Bonus features: Extras include a mobile, vibrating movement, a nightlight, a built-in sound machine, and a detachable bouncy seat.

  Wheels: If you're likely to move your play yard from room to room or around a room, look for one with lockable wheels.

  Easy folding mechanism: Choose a play yard that's easy to put up and take down, and that folds compactly, especially if you'll take it on the go. (A carrying bag is helpful, too!)

  Storage pockets, bags, or shelves: Some play yards have built-in storage for wipes, diapers, blankets, and extra clothes.

  Safety seal: Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) certification seal on the product's packaging. It ensures that the play yard was independently tested for quality and safety.

• The AAP says that play yards are safe for sleep if parents follow safe sleep guidelines, which include:

  • Infants should sleep on their back in their own safe sleep space
  • Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet
  • Avoid having your child sleep in a propped position, like in a swing or car seat (unless riding in the car with the car set properly installed)
  • Avoid putting your child to sleep on a soft surface, like a couch or armchair
  • Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of your child’s sleep space
  • Breastfeed, if possible
  • Avoid secondhand smoke exposure

  You'll also want to pay attention to these safety matters: 

  • If you're using a secondhand play yard, do a quick search of product recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and also double-check that all the parts are in good shape.
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for assembly. Never put your baby in a play yard until it's completely assembled and locked. Then test that the rails and floor are locked in position by giving it a few firm shakes.
  • Follow the manufacturer's recommended weight and age limits for the play yard and (if included) the play yard's bassinet and changing table.
  • When putting your child to sleep in a play yard, use the same safe-sleeping guidelines you would in any situation. Put your baby to sleep on her back, and don't put loose blankets, pillows, or other soft bedding in the play yard. If you use a sheet, make sure it's made for a play yard mattress and is tight-fitting.

Kelly Bailey is a busy Momma to three under-3 girls, including a set of twins.

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