Playard Buying Guides

Known as playpens in the last generation, playards   are a convenient way to give your baby room to play safely, without giving him or her full reign of the house. You'll feel safe while your baby plays or sleeps in this easy-to-carry and comfortable item. Most playards are easy to collapse and set up making them ideal to bring on trips as a replacement for a crib.  Playards also come in handy when visiting friends who don't have baby-proofed houses. They come in various shapes, colors and styles -- you'll definitely find one that suits your needs! For more detailed useful information on this and other baby items check out Baby Center's "essentials" page .

Safety

As always, safety comes first.  Do your research to make sure you are buying the right piece of equipment for your child.  If you're planning on buying a playard online, check out specific models in stores first. That way, you'll know that you're getting exactly what you want. Here's what to check for:

• Sturdiness -- Give the playard a shake to get a sense for how strong it is. It should feel well-constructed. Listen for loose parts and strange rattling noises.
• Mesh Sides   -- The sides should be made of tightly woven mesh to avoid small fingers or clothing getting caught.
• Wheel locks -- Prevent the playards from shifting when the baby begins to become more active and energetic.
• All-Around Safety
• Make sure there aren't any sharp edges or corners with wires poking through the cloth.
• Always keep an eye on your baby. Even in an environment as safe as a playard, there can always be unseen choking or suffocation hazards.
• Avoid placing too many objects that can be stacked in the playard. Your baby will all too soon figure out how to climb out!
• Steer clear of loose bedding, hanging strings, or anything else that could be a suffocation hazard to your little one.

What to Look For

With all the buying options available, how do you know where to start? Go through this checklist to make sure all the essential features are covered.

• Roominess -- Your child should have plenty of room to play or sleep without feeling cramped.
• Lightweight -- This is a must for easy transportation. Under 15 pounds is ideal.
• Easy to Maintain -- This means a quick and easy clean. As mentioned before, mesh sides are best. A mattress pad with removable, washable sheets will also make cleaning easier.
• Portability -- For mobility, your playard should be foldable and lightweight, with attached wheels .  Many playards come with storage bags and shoulder straps for ease of carrying.
• Weight Limits -- To make the most of your playard, find one that will support larger weights. You don't want to have to buy a new one as your baby grows.
• Comfort -- If you are intending to let your baby nap in the playard, read up on reviews about mattress comfort.

Indoor vs. Outdoor
Indoor   Great for toting around the house while you occupy yourself with other activities. Does not have to be as all-in-one or rough-and-tumble as an outdoor playard.	Outdoor   Protect your child from the elements as well as other hazards with canopies   and a tarp bottom .  More likely to be expensive, given all it has to put up with.

Additional Features

• Storage pockets   Not a necessity, but it might be good to have if you bring a lot of toys with you for the playard.
• Attached Mobiles   Some also come with lights and music to further entertain and delight your baby.
• Detachable Changing Tables   For full-service playards, What more could you ask for?
• Umbrellas or Sunshades   -- Keep baby's skin protected when playing outdoors.

Bottom Line?

A good playard can cost you anywhere between $50 and $150.

Top Brands

• Graco Pack 'n Play  
• Evenflo  

Another item to consider:

Once your child outgrows the playard, you may want to consider a superyard . 

Pros:

• These gates allow you to designate a certain portion of a room towards play and exploration.
• Generally, these baby gates will provide children with a larger play area than a traditional playard.
• Good for older children or multiple children.
• Kid-safe hinges- prevent kids from pinching their little fingers

Cons:

• They are not designed for travel or for napping.
• Not ideal for small babies.

Related Products
Baby Swings When cradling is not enough, baby swings may be just what you need. The gentle back and forth motion of the swing relaxes baby and lulls him to sleep. Moreover, these swings give your arms a well deserved break.	Baby Walkers Once the crawling begins, everything becomes a target. All it takes is a split second for a child's curiousity to prove disasterous. For those times when you can't keep your eye on your baby every second, a baby walker can come in handy. Give babies the freedom to move around while being safely protected.	Toddler Clothing Keep these few tips in mind the next time you go shopping for your toddler and it will be smooth sailing: 1. know child's size and weight before making a purchase 2. Babies grow quickly! Buy clothes that are slightly bigger. For more tips, refer to our guide.	Infant Clothing Check out our guide for basic tips on how to shop wisely for your baby.	Baby Carriers For parents on the run, baby carriers are ideal! Not only are they hands free, but they also keep your baby safe and secure which is a comfort for both you and your baby.

Additional Links

• About.com -- Tips about your baby's playard.
• Baby Store -- More information on playards. Although pack-n-play is a particular brand name, I've now always heard them all referred to as pack-n-play's, no matter the brand, kind of like "kleenex."