Did you know that there are many alternatives to baby walkers? The Skip Hop Baby Activity Center (which also my sister’s daughter has) is was my favorite pick! An interactive play center, I loved the “whole body” approach to play design. Not only does it have toys but also a 360-degree rotating seating function. And, it converts as baby grows.
When looking at options to meet your baby’s exercising and playing needs, the alternatives to a baby walker can be overwhelming. With so many alternatives to choose from, today I will be writing about which one is right for you. Read on to find out more about my top five picks.
- My Top Picks
- Baby Walker Alternatives to Consider
- Best Overall – Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
- Best for Active Babies – Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo
- Best for Travel – Summer Pop n Jump Portable Activity Center
- Best for Use Anywhere – Regalo My Play Deluxe Portable Playard
- Best for Learning to Walk – VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
- FAQ
- Conclusion
My Top Picks
- Best Overall – Skip Hop Baby Interactive Activity Center
- Best for Active Babies – Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo
- Best for Travel – Summer Pop n Jump Portable Activity Center
- Best for Use Anywhere – Regalo My Play Deluxe Portable Playard
- Best for Learning to Walk – VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
Baby Walker Alternatives to Consider
Every parent knows about the baby walker. As parents, we have spent hours researching the best option for our baby’s playing and exercising needs. But, have you considered other products such as a jumper or a portable play yard to keep your baby stimulated?
What’s the Problem with Baby Walkers?
Safety is key for me as a parent and I know it’s the same for every responsible parent. While baby walkers have many advantages, if they have not been designed properly there could be risks in using them.
As a father, I was shocked to find that up to 30 – 50% of babies placed in a baby walker end up with some injury. Once your baby is in a walker with wheels, he or she becomes mobile fast! Which means they can grab dangerous objects or fall downstairs when you are not watching. Another problem often associated with baby walkers is the slowing down of the baby’s independent walking progress. A baby can quickly learn to pull him or herself up and stand while relying on the baby walker to support them. In other words, they do not learn to do all of this without support.
The Different Baby Walker Alternatives
While baby walkers can be a way to keep your little ones busy, there are alternatives that deserve your consideration. I have explored the different options that are available on the market.
- Baby Activity Centers: A baby activity center has been designed to keep your baby stimulated for hours. They offer a range of toys, rotational seating functions so your baby can get different views and some designs allow for conversion as the baby grows older.
- Play yard: A portable play yard that can be used either indoors or outdoors is a wonderful alternative, giving your baby the opportunity to learn to stand and walk on their own.
- Jumpers: A jumper is a versatile option and can be used at home, in the park or when you are visiting the parents.
- Sit and Stand Walkers or Push Walkers: If your aim is to help your baby when they start to walk, then a sit and stand learning walker is the perfect alternative to baby walkers.
Which Alternative is Right for You?
Now that you know what alternatives there are to baby walkers, you need to consider which one is right for you.
The age of your baby will determine which alternative is right for them.
Buying a learning walker when your baby is only six months old would not be the right choice to make! The reason why the baby activity center was my top pick was that it can be used for babies from 4 months old. Saving money is something we all try to do.
If you are working on a tight budget, the type of product you choose may be determined by what you can afford. However, as a parent, we are aware of the importance of safety whenever using a baby product. By doing some research, you will find the best alternative while sticking to your budget.
Space in your home needs to be considered. A portable play yard may be too big for your lounge or you don’t have an outdoor area, so choosing a portable activity center may be a better alternative. These are compact and can fit in most spaces in your home. If your baby likes a lot of movement and stimulation than an infant jumper is a product to consider.
Best Overall – Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
Captivating your baby from head-to-toe, the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center provides for a “whole body” approach to play. Designed by a pediatrician, the activity center includes movable toys, a 360-degree rotational seating function and allows for conversion from bouncer to a sturdy table as the baby grows. is best suited for babies from four months to toddler age.
Who It’s For
It is best suited for babies from four months to toddler age group.
Why You Should Consider It
An exciting feature of this product is the Discovery Window. As a parent, you have watched your baby play with his or her feet with absolute fascination. The Discovery Window feature allows the baby to see their feet while they are playing. It’s so clever because it teaches your baby the cause and effect coordination. I also love this product for it’s easy conversion from a bouncer to a sturdy table, giving the toddler a place for coloring and playing. Its innovative toy attachment clip system allows you to move the toys anyway around the activity center, providing more flexibility all round.
Product Information
- Weight: 15lbs
- Dimension: 31 x 31 x 18.5″
- Batteries: AAA batteries required
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Minimum weight consideration: 16 pounds
- Maximum weight consideration: 28 pounds
Pros
- Has up to 25 developmental activities
- Provides a head-to-toe experience
- Easy conversion as baby grows
Cons
- On the expensive side
Best for Active Babies – Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo
The Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo not only sounds exciting but its features are exciting! If your baby loves the sound of music then this product will keep them moving to the beat for hours. Flashing lights and other sounds rewards every move your baby makes.
Who It’s For
It’s a fantastic product for the baby who can hold their head up unassisted but is not climbing or walking yet.
Why You Should Consider It
As a father, I love watching my daughter having fun. This product not only offers exciting sounds, lights and music but has other features that will make me buy it. It provides safety and comfort while ensuring stimulating interactive play with its fun toys. If space is a consideration, then this product is easy to move and store away when not in use. It also offers 3 adjustable height options, an important feature for your growing baby.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 32 x 37 x 32″
- Weight: 18lbs
- Ages: Use only for a child who is able to hold head up unassisted and who is not able to climb or walk
- Batteries: 3 AA batteries required
Pros
- Safety and comfort
- Stimulating and interactive play
- Easy to assemble and use
Cons
- Can overstimulate the child
- Toys only operate with batteries
- More expensive than other similar products
Best for Travel – Summer Pop n Jump Portable Activity Center
A portable activity center that will keep your baby entertained for hours. It includes toys as well as a spinner ball, a rattle, a teether, and a mirror book. A feature that stands out on the Summer Pop n Jump Portable Activity Center is its compact fold design. Using its innovative pop and fold design, you can pack it away quickly. A bag with a shoulder strap makes it easy to move wherever you go.
Who It’s For
It’s best suited for babies from 6 months to 12 months old.
Why You Should Consider It
If portability and storage space a priority for you, then this product ticks all the boxes. It is lightweight and easy to fold up. A safety feature of this product is the UV canopy, ensuring your baby is protected from harmful sun rays while using this product outside. I know how messy baby’s play can get. The seat is easy to remove from the frame and is machine-washable.
Product Information
- Weight: 3.2lbs
- Dimension: 9.4 x 9.7 x 31.3″
- Material type: Polyester
- Batteries required: No
Pros
- Compact and easy to store away
- Stimulating toys
- Can be taken anywhere
Cons
- A small variety of toys
- No sounds or lights
- Does not offer rotational features
Best for Use Anywhere – Regalo My Play Deluxe Portable Playard
If you are looking for an alternative that allows you to use it indoors or outdoors, then the Regalo My Play Deluxe Extra Large Portable Play Yard Indoor and Outdoor is your pick. Some of its other best features include its portability, toughness, and durability. It’s easy to clean and has safety features that will put your mind at ease when your baby is using this product.
Who It’s For
It is perfect for children from 6 months to 24 months (and its great for pets too!)
Why You Should Consider It
The best deal about this product is that it can be used anywhere. It is easy to put up and take down. If you enjoyed being outdoors then this portable playard will keep your children safe, keeping your mind at ease that they won’t come to any danger. If you have two young children, the portable play yard can accommodate them both. Its safety features are what caught my eye if I was going to buy this product. It is sturdy and has an all-steel frame, reinforced stitching, and for extra safety, a double locking system.
Product Information
- Weight: 0.64 oz
- Dimension: 62 x 1 x 64 inches
- Material type: Steel
- Batteries required: No
Pros
- Portable and can be used indoors or outdoors
- Tough and durable
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Does not come with any toys or other stimulating devices
- Not suitable for small spaces
- Will need a larger storage space
Best for Learning to Walk – VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
The Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is ideal for your baby coming out of their crawling stage. It has an interactive removable play panel which includes 5 piano keys to play music. It features rollers, light-up buttons and shape sorters for motor skill development. What stands out for me as a parent are the 70 sing-along songs, sound effects and fun phrases. So, while my baby starts to learn to walk, she can also have fun while doing it.
Who It’s For
This product is ideal for toddlers 9 months to 3 years old.
Why You Should Consider It
As an alternative to baby walkers, the Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is perfect for those toddlers learning to walk independently. While sitting, your baby can play with the interactive activity panel. It’s also a wonderful way for your baby to get creative with their music skills. Role-play fun is enhanced by the pretend telephone feature. It’s colorful, durable while being strong enough for your toddler to stand up and walk along with it.
Product Information
- Dimension: 16.5 x 14.2 x 18.1″
- Weight: 5lbs
- Manufacturer recommended age: 9 months – 3 years
- Batteries: 2 AA batteries required
Pros
- Portable
- Interactive removable play panel
- Encourages motor skills development
Cons
- Needs batteries to operate the sounds
- Does not fold up
- The walker does not have a brake
FAQ
When should I stop using a play yard?
There’s no set in stone answer to this question but generally speaking, once your child has hit the 35 inches mark or reached the 30-pound weight they’re considered “too big” for a play yard. Of course, refer to the owners manual or the manufacturer’s website for an answer pertaining to the specific model you own or plan on buying.
When can a baby start using an activity center?
The general consensus is that 6 months is the perfect age for a little one to start using an activity center. If you notice your baby is outgrowing his or her play mat or floor play gym then you’ll know it’s time to upgrade to an activity center.
Are push walkers good for babies?
Absolutely! Unlike traditional baby walkers, push walkers or sit and stand walkers encourage your baby to learn how to walk on his or her own and are great for the development of your little one.
What age can a baby use a jumper?
Again, the best place to find the answer to this question will be in the user guide for the specific jumper you’re interested in. But generally speaking, it’s considered perfectly safe to put your child in a jumper at the age of four months.
Conclusion
With so many alternatives to baby walkers being available on the market, researching the options has helped me to make the right choice for my baby and also for my sister’s baby.
By reading my product reviews, all your questions can be answered without having to spend hours on the internet. To find the best option taking into consideration features such as safety, comfort, portability and ease of use are key points I need to know as a father. Each product reviewed here had its own unique qualities.
While the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center with its “whole body” approach to play, movable toys, 360-degree rotational seating and easy conversion as baby grows ticked all the boxes for me, which alternative would you use for your baby?
Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API