With a 360cm circumference when used in the traditional hexagonal set-up, it can also be converted into a stair gate, half gate, fire guard or room divider (using wall fixings) to adapt to your space as required. Not yet fully crawling but getting more mobile by the day, I was keen to see if this playpen would be handy during independent playtime when I needed to get things done around the house or simply go to the loo undisturbed. Our verdict on the Venture All Stars Duo Baby Playpen Lovingly known by the brand as a ‘Park-A-Kid,’ the BabyDan Deluxe Playpen is a versatile and practical metal playpen suitable for babies from birth to 24 months. While the playpen has been designed with holes in the panels, some of which allow the panels to be lifted easily for storage, these are too big for fingers to get caught in but too small for curious babies to escape from. The tops of the panels, which are around 25 inches in height, are rounded for extra safety and the hinges are well protected. For practicality, it’s designed with a simple fold-and-go design and is simple to set up and dismantle within seconds, even one-handed. If you also want to transport it, it comes with a carry case with an arm strap.

Durrant adds that no matter what age your child is, they should never be left unsupervised in a playpen. Not only does a baby playpen give you a place to park your baby momentarily when your hands are full, but they also have endless benefits for your child's development. 'Used correctly, playpens make lovely spaces for babies to safely practise their new skills during play,' explains parenting expert and author of 100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play, Georgina Durrant.Playpens are a good idea as they provide your child with a safe place to play independently, especially if they are crawling or cruising. While you’re busy, your child can be occupied with soft toys and books, and a playpen is a great way for them to explore and learn new skills without getting hurt. The types of baby playpens Wooden playpens For those new to the world of parenting who are worried that playpens aren’t conducive to proper learning and reaching those all-important baby milestones, we’re here to reassure you. Whilst one-on-one playtime with your baby is extremely important, the best playpens allow babies and toddlers to have some independent playtime, which is also a crucial part of their development. Simply place some sensory toys inside and watch them explore and learn about their environment. I feel like if I have any issues down the line support is available, have already recommended to a local creche owner who is looking to refit. Dimensions: 54.72 L x 27.17 W x 29.92 H (inches) | Age: Birth to 24 months | Material: Alloy steel and cotton | Foldable: Yes | Assembly required: Minimal What we like Without question, baby playpens need to keep your little one safe. However, they also need to be easy to set up and easy to maintain. The Regalo My Portable Play Yard Indoor and Outdoor Playpen is water-resistant for both indoor and outdoor use and is super easy to clean. All you need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth to keep it looking its best. You can even remove the bottom and netting for a deep clean when required.

Next day delivery- impressive. A bit stiff to put up the foldable playpen but we’re hoping that gets easier with use. Seems sturdier than we expected so glad we bought it. The pen also has a reversible playmat inside to keep your babies comfortable and entertained thanks to the large colourful designs. Other highlights include four pulling rings, ideal when they're learning to stand up, and a zipper gate that can only be opened from the outside should you decide to let your little ones roam free... Baby Playpen - Pop Up Compact Play Pen - 360 Degree Viewing - Fitted Floor Mat - Foldable & Portable Parent tester, Laura, says, "For babies, the Venture All Stars Duo is very appealing. My daughter loves the activity panel and can regularly be found spinning the shaker balls while practising standing up." Dimensions: How much space do you have for a playpen? Some playpens are extremely large and spacious whilst others have a smaller footprint. Consider whether the size is fixed or if the playpen offers some choice depending on the positioning or removal of panels. A larger-sized playpen is great if you want to get inside too, whilst a smaller playpen is ideal if you are limited on space.Dimensions: H72 x W360 (circumference) | Age suitability: Birth to 24 months | Material: Metal | Foldable: No | Assembly required: Yes (no tools required) What we like Graco travel cot with top layer so newborn baby lies higher nearer top of bassinet and mother doesn’t have to bed in low to lift This clever playpen is customisable, so you can configure it into any shape you like: square, rectangle, triangle or circle. The plastic sides are foldable and compact, slotting together easily. When play time is over, fold them up and store away to keep your space tidy. The mesh sides of the Costway Baby Playpen ensure complete visibility, allowing you to see your baby at all times even if you haven’t opted to climb inside yourself.

The Venture All Stars Duo is a large, plastic playpen that comes in three colours: grey, turquoise and pink. Its panels have levers that slot together, which means that it can be customised to suit your space. Due to the size of my living room, I have used all but two of the included panels to get the perfect fit. It can be transformed into a variety of shapes to fit your space, and will suit most interior schemes. All that's left to do is add a padded foam mat and a few toys to make it the perfect playpen for baby! I use a Summer Infant Pop N Play for DD. We have a dog so it is used just as much to keep DD's toys safe as to keep her safe. It folds up fairly small and we have also discovered we can loosely fold it with all the toys/play blanket inside and store it neatly in the corner. It also has a waterproof base, so good for the garden” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user Eryri1981

I bought a really big playpen from Costway. Definitely worth it” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user seaborgium Folding up and down in seconds, the Koo-di Foldable Playpen is ideal for travel, coming in a portable carry bag that allows you to create a safe space for your baby wherever you go. The water-resistant padded base is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. When in use, the mechanisms are completely inaccessible to your child, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for your baby, whilst providing plenty of space for them to play. Yes! It’s made of plastic, so the panels are easy to wipe down with a cloth, although I’ve found it hasn’t actually attracted much dirt since first use other than some dust on top of the panels. It doesn’t come cheap and is fixed in size, but for overall aesthetic, safety and comfort, we feel it’s a worthy investment. While the playpen is roomy enough for my baby to move about in comfortably, I do think it has a relatively short shelf life overall, particularly for larger, more active toddlers.