March 2008
Kiddie cubbies
Play yards that are safe and easy to use
Traveling with a baby can be complicated, but a portable play yard can make it a lot easier. With mesh sides and a mattress,
it provides a convenient place for your little one to play or nap, and it folds up for easy transport to Grandma's house.
A play yard is most helpful if it's truly easy to use, so we put them to the test-setting each one up and putting it away
again over… and over… and over-to find the best and safest one for you and your tot.
simple but solid
Cosco Funsport
Price: $40
Why we like it: You can't beat the price for a very good, basic play yard with an excellent safety score. But it lacks extras like a bassinet and changing table.
Where to get it: Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, online
fully loaded
Baby Trend Nursery Center
Price: $130
Why we like it: This model aced our safety test, and has lots of extras, including an attachable bassinet and a flip-over changing station.
Where to get it: Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, online
Recall alert!
A play yard is supposed to keep your child contained safely, but a 10-month-old boy was recently strangled to death on the safety restraint strap of a play yard's changing station. As a result, almost half a million Kolcraft, Carter's, and Jeep play yards are being recalled. For the list of recalled models, and for instructions if you own one, go to www.cpsc.gov.
This article first appeared in the March 2008 issue of ShopSmart magazine.
simple but solid
Cosco Funsport
Price: $40
Why we like it: You can't beat the price for a very good, basic play yard with an excellent safety score. But it lacks extras like a bassinet and changing table.
Where to get it: Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, online
fully loaded
Baby Trend Nursery Center
Price: $130
Why we like it: This model aced our safety test, and has lots of extras, including an attachable bassinet and a flip-over changing station.
Where to get it: Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, online
Recall alert!
A play yard is supposed to keep your child contained safely, but a 10-month-old boy was recently strangled to death on the safety restraint strap of a play yard's changing station. As a result, almost half a million Kolcraft, Carter's, and Jeep play yards are being recalled. For the list of recalled models, and for instructions if you own one, go to www.cpsc.gov.
This article first appeared in the March 2008 issue of ShopSmart magazine.
