5 Best Baby Activity Centers, Tested by Infants and Toddlers

Parents in The Bump community have been big fans of this baby activity center from Skip Hop for years, so we weren’t surprised when it also earned top marks from our product tester, Kayla. The mom of two used the multi-stage design with her 10-month-old and her 3-year-old, who both thoroughly enjoyed playing with the center. It offers three stages: A seated, swiveling activity center, an interactive infant play table and a toddler table. Kayla’s 10-month-old was immediately captivated by the bright colors and engaging toys when using it as a seated center. “She loved the rotating seat, and I could tell from her giggles and movements that she really enjoyed it. The high-contrast toys caught her attention, and I noticed her eyes following the patterns closely,” Kayla told us. Meanwhile, her 3-year-old appreciated that he could use the table as a play surface or for reading. Kayla rated this center a 10 out of 10 across categories like play and entertainment, versatility and skill-building. “The center is well-designed and age-appropriate for both my baby and toddler, offering plenty of opportunities to explore and grow at different stages. It’s a versatile tool for skill-building, especially in the early years,” she praised.

Better yet, Kayla told us that converting the activity center from one stage to another was simple. “Transitioning between these modes was straightforward and didn’t require too much effort, which I appreciated. […] The activity center adapts well to different developmental stages, allowing it to grow with my children, which makes it a great investment.” Even though it was lightweight enough to move when needed, Kayla was impressed by how high-quality and durable the center felt. According to the mom of two, “I believe this activity center could last for years, potentially even being passed down to another child due to its solid build!”

Baby activity centers are big playthings, so design is an important feature to consider as well; after all, it’ll probably be set up in your living space for a while. Luckily, the Skip Hop Silver Lining Cloud Activity Center earned top marks in this category as well. Kayla appreciated the charming yet modern aesthetic. “Its soft color palette and cloud theme add a playful yet aesthetic touch, making it visually appealing without being overly bright or distracting,” she shared. “I believe other parents would also appreciate its versatility and attractive look, as it balances fun and style beautifully.”

Age rating: 4+ months | Dimensions: 31" (L) x 31" (W) x 18.5" (H) | Weight: 16 lbs. | Weight limit: 25 lbs.

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If you live in an apartment or are looking for a space-saving design, a baby activity chair may be the perfect match for your family. This plush option from Wonder & Wise has the smallest footprint of any activity center on our list. And while it may look simple at first glance, the chair’s interactive tray is full of fun for little ones. “I put my 8-month-old in the chair, and she was really intrigued by all the moving parts. Whatever she didn’t get right away my 2-year-old made sure she found—like the squeaker or the peekaboo toy in the little pouch,” our product tester Laurie told us. The mom of two said that her youngest was particularly engaged by the built-in, textured toys that can be crinkled and squeaked. To help baby sit up properly when using the chair, there’s also a harness so you can strap your little one in as they play.

While this baby activity chair is intended for infants, Laurie told us her toddler was also a big fan of it. “When my 8-month-old was done, my 2-year-old hopped right into the chair and played around with all the little moving parts. If they aren’t playing with the toys on the chair they are using their own toys to play with on the chair, like dolly tea time,” Laurie shared. From infancy to toddlerhood, this chair can be easily adapted to meet your child’s changing needs. For example, the toy tray can be detached and played with elsewhere, and the harness can be removed so that your tot can use seat as a mini armchair.

Laurie liked the minimalist style and shape, and the neutral aesthetic makes it a great option for siblings. While it comes at a high price point, the mom of two would recommend it to other parents. “It keeps baby busy and gives [my kids] a nice spot to sit and do things like play or read,” she told us. An added bonus: If you purchase this activity chair from Maisonette, you can take 10 percent off your total by using code BUMP10 at checkout.

Age rating: 5+ months | Dimensions: 21" (L) x 16" (W) x 17" (H) | Weight: 2 lbs. | Weight limit: N/A

Have a bouncing baby on your hands? Then you can’t go wrong with a baby activity jumper, like this option from Skip Hop. It features a 360-degree rotating seat that will allow baby to turn and bounce to their heart’s content. Plus, the interactive design has more than 20 infant-appropriate developmental activities for your little one to discover, like a spinning moon-shaped rattle, bird clackers and a jumping lamb. As a result, you can count on it to keep them entertained while you have some hands-free time. Our product tester Maizie and her 8-month-old were both happy with this jumper from the get-go. “My child absolutely loved the activity center. She played for about 20 minutes, so I was able to get some work done around the house while knowing she was secure and safe,” Maizie told us.

Even though this activity jumper is the largest option on our list, putting it away when needed won’t be an issue. “I love that it easily folds down so it is easy to store. It’s very sturdy,” says Maizie. And when it’s set up in your living space, it won’t be an eyesore. While the neon-colored toys will capture your little one’s attention, the majority of the design is white and gray. As a result, Maizie told us it seamlessly fit in with her home’s style. To top it all off, Maizie was thoroughly impressed by the baby jumper’s durability. “It’ll last for years, and several different babies will be able to get great use out of it,” she praised.

Age rating: 4+ months | Dimensions: 34.7" (L) x 33.5" (W) x 28.8" (H) | Weight: 16 lbs. | Weight limit: N/A

Infant activity centers aren’t usually the most portable toys, but this option from Summer Infant is definitely an exception. Families who are often out and about or on trips will appreciate that this play center has been created with travel in mind. Our product tester Sasha brought it with her on a weekend getaway and was impressed with it from start to finish. “We knew we were going to be spending a lot of time outside on the deck, so we were so happy to bring this activity center with us because it was easy to assemble and the perfect size to pack,” she told us. The setup took less than a minute, thanks to the intuitive pop-and-fold design. (Sasha raved that it was “honestly, probably one of the easiest baby toy assemblies I have ever done!”) Plus, it was just as simple to fold into its carry bag and store in the car.

Throughout the weekend, the baby activity center kept Sasha’s 8-month-old entertained and smiling. It comes with several built-in playthings, including a crinkly, textured book, several rattles and a ball that spins. According to Sasha, this was “just the right amount of toys” to keep her little one engaged. “Our oldest daughter also had fun playing with her little sister, showing her how the ball could spin and giving her the teething toys! The high-contrast colors were fun for her,” Sasha said. The seat even bounces, which Sasha’s youngest was a big fan of. “Every time I went to put her in the seat, she would start kicking her legs. As soon as she was in, she immediately started playing with all the toys and laughing/cooing,” she shared.

To keep up with your child’s changing needs, this activity center offers three adjustable height levels, so they can continue to bounce and play comfortably. Sasha was impressed by the fabric on the bottom of the activity center, which kept her daughter’s feet off the ground. She pointed out that this feature would come in handy in numerous settings, whether you’re at the beach, in a park or in any other public outdoor space. Other elements that stood out to Sasha during testing included the handy sun canopy, the easy-to-clean material and the small footprint, which made it ideal for outdoor activities. The final verdict? “This activity center didn't take up much space in the car—so that alone is worth the price! I would recommend this product to other moms,” says Sasha.

Age rating: 6 to 12 months | Dimensions: 26" (L) x 28" (W) x 20" (H) | Weight: 3.2 oz. | Weight limit: 25 lbs.

The main difference between infant activity centers and toddler activity tables is that the latter doesn’t have a seat for your little one to sit in. Instead, it’s similar to a standard toddler table, but it features an array of built-in toys and activities—just like this option from Wonder & Wise. At just over 21" tall, the Awesome Activity Table is the ideal height for toddlers, so they can easily explore all of the elements this center has to offer. Our product tester Jennell told us that it’s the perfect size for her almost 2-year-old to stand or kneel beside when playing. The mom of two appreciated that it has a small footprint, but it’s still packed with playthings to keep her kiddos entertained. Her youngest was excited to play with it as soon as she saw it. “It has a little race car track that goes around and many other little areas and fun things for my toddler,” Jennell shared.

In addition to a race car track, this toddler activity table is complete with stacking toys, spinning gears, wooden puzzles and a bead maze, among other playthings. Jennell was impressed by how many different areas it had to offer and how they all captured her toddler’s attention. In particular, Jennell told us her 22-month-old has gotten better at problem-solving and shape-sorting, thanks to all of the different puzzles. Plus, the mom of two said her youngest “gets so happy when she figures something out and claps her hands”—how cute!

Crafted from rubberwood and cherrywood and finished with non-toxic water-based paint, this toddler activity table is certainly high-quality. “This activity center feels very well-made,” Jennell commented, saying that she thinks the sturdy, wooden design can definitely be passed down to another child. Another element that impressed Jennell during testing was the center storage pocket. Simply lift up the middle of the table to find the cotton pouch, and your kiddo can put away all their playthings in no time. The bottom line: Jennell thinks this play center is definitely worth its price tag. “I would rather have this one toy vs. a bunch of random toys […] this activity center widens my daughter's mind; she’s learning and having fun,” Jennell says. Better yet, if you’re planning to buy this table from Maisonette, you can take 10 percent off by using code BUMP10 at checkout.

Age rating: 18+ months | Dimensions: 21.5" (L) x 21.5" (W) x 23.5" (H) | Weight: 15.4 lbs. | Weight limit: N/A