Suitable from birth, the Ball Gym Peppermint Trail includes detachable hanging toys and arches as your baby grows. Easily convert the raised sides to a floor play gym providing amazing value 2-in-1 play time. Aesthetic: You have to like the look of it as much as your child, as you could be staring at it in your living room for quite a few years, especially if you are planning on having more, so ensure that it appeals to you as much as your baby. Comfortable and padded to cradle your baby securely with detachable hanging toys to entertain your little one and improve their hand/eye coordination.

Red Kite Peppermint Trail Ball Play Gym | Baby Birds

Your baby can use an activity gym or play mat from day one, but it is best to wait until they’re at least two to three months old before you expect them to engage. How long should a baby use a play mat or activity gym for? The 48-inch jumbo mat and play gym has adjustable walls that keep boisterous babies safe during play time and tummy time (do see our guide to the best tummy time toys approved by parents if your little one needs some encouragement with this). It also features an easy carry storage case for portability and comes with seven take-along toys that include an elephant music player, crinkle toy, mirror, flashcards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle. The elephant even plays 20+ minutes of merry melodies. Features: More doesn’t always mean better. Look for activity gyms with a good balance of interactive features, with space to add to or change it up.

2. Best budget play mat: Red Kite Baby Peppermint Trail Play Gym

Size: L66.86cm x W91.5cm x H45.7cm | Material: Not specified | Batteries required: Yes (3x AA) | Suitable for: 0 months+| Skills: Best for communication, language and numeracy skills What we love

Play Time | Red Kite

Baby Einstein’s Neptune Discover Reef Play Activity Gym doesn’t compete against the larger, more expensive models for features, but it does beat them on portability. Small, compact and travel ready, you can remove the bar and fit it into your infant carrier for baby-centred entertainment on the go. Not going anywhere? The mat can be removed and used for tummy time, and the toys can be unclipped and stored in the nappy bag for when you really need it. Oh, and it is much, much cheaper than some alternatives too! Budget: It is important to know how much you can or are willing to spend. Ensure you balance this consideration against its quality and features, as the last thing you want is an activity gym or play mat that breaks within months of owning it. My son loved his Baby Einstein one. Spent up to 10 mins under there which was great for me. He loved the music box in the middle of the stanchions."(Brand recommended by Mumsnet user AlbusPercivalWulfricBrianSun) Our verdict Applicable postcodes: AB10-16, AB21-25, AB30-35, AB39, AB41-AB45, AL1-AL10, B, BA, BB, BD, BH, BL, BN, BR, BS, CA, CB, CF, CH, CM, CO, CR, CT, CV, CW, DA, DD, DE, DG, DH, DL, DN, DT, DY, E, EC, EH, EN, EX, FK1-16, FY, G, GL, GU, HA, HD, HG, HP, HR, HU, HX, IG, IP, KA1-9, KA11-12, KA16-26, KA29-30, KY, KT, L, LA, LD, LE, LL, LN, LS, LU, M, ME, MK, ML, N, NE, NN, NG, NP, NR, NW, OL, OX, PA1-19, PE, PH1-14, PL, PO1-22, PR, RG, RH, RM, S, SA, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, SN, SO, SP, SR, SS, ST, SW1, SW, SY, TA, TD, TF, TN, TQ, TR, TS, TW, UB, W, WA, WC, WD, WF, WN, WR, WS, WV, YO

7. Best baby-to-toddler play mat: Infantino Grow-With-Me Playtime Teepee Gym

Munchkin & Bear’s Large Melbourne MOD Play Mat is a simple but effective concept. It is a practical, one-piece, easy-to-clean, large-scale carpet that protects your baby and your flooring. Although it is expensive, industry experts highly rate it. In 2022 alone, it won the Gold award from Made For Mums, Baby Project and Mother&Baby. We love that it's an indestructible solution for anyone who doesn’t like all-singing, all-dancing baby activity gyms or has limited storage space.