April 2007
Stationary activity centers
These all-in-one, molded-plastic play stations resemble walkers—but without the wheels, and that makes them a safer alternative to traditional wheeled walkers. Most activity centers have
a circular frame with a rotating seat recessed in the center, and a surrounding tray with attached toys. They can be used
as soon as a baby begins to sit up independently (some starting at about 4 months and most by 6 months).
A stationary activity center keeps your baby relatively safe in one spot while you do other things, such as make dinner—and maybe even eat some of it, too. Most stationary activity centers adjust to three heights. Your baby will outgrow it when he's 30 to 32 inches tall or weighs 30 pounds; that's the maximum height and weight recommendation for most activity centers. You'll get the most use from this designated play space when your baby is between 6 and 16 months old. Children outgrow them when they become fairly confident toddlers.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Do your in-store research. The better stationary activity centers have a sturdy frame; no accessible sharp edges or hardware underneath or on top; comfortable, soft fabric edging on the sides and legs of the seat cushions; and well-designed, well-secured toys for little hands. The seat should swivel smoothly without any hitches, and there should be no gaps in the rim between the edge of the swivel mechanism and the tray. Such gaps could capture small fingers. If the activity center's bottom is a saucer, its flip-down braces, which prevent it from rocking, should be sturdy.
Look for an activity center that folds if you want the option of taking it with you when you travel or if you need the extra room. At least four we know of do, all these models from Evenflo: the Exersaucer SmartSteps Active Learning Center, the Exersaucer Mega Active Learning Center, the Exersaucer Ultra 2-in-1 Active Learning Center, and the Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center. Practice collapsing display models in the store, if possible, to make sure the folding mechanism works well.
More isn't always better. Most activity centers offer activities that attract a baby's attention and promote her developing motor skills, including electronic toys, lights, sounds, songs, and a rotating seat. The most fully loaded we found, the Rockin' Jitter Buggy by Safety 1st, has a radio with three stations, a dial-and-chat electronic toy cell phone, 2-speed shifter (mock gear shift), honking horn, flashing blinker, jiggle start ignition, and springy seat.
One with fewer gadgets and toys, the Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone has only eight toys, plus mirror, lights, and sounds. Still, depending on the baby, that may be enough to keep her busy.
You'll pay more for a high-octane model, but more isn't always better. Although many babies enjoy a wide range of options, some find all that motion, sound, and light too stimulating. So go with an activity center with fewer bells and whistles—in other words, at the lower end of the price spectrum—if you suspect that your baby doesn't have a multitasking temperament, or if you'd rather use the activity center with some of your own toys, or primarily for eating.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
The major brands, in alphabetical order, are: Bright Starts (www.brightstarts.com), Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), Graco (sold under the Baby Einstein license, www.gracobaby.com), Kolcraft (some models also sold under the Sesame Beginnings brand, www.kolcraft.com), and Safety 1st (www.safety1st.com). Models come with a solid flat base or a rocking one; some become a walk-behind walker, although we don't recommend these because a baby could easily push one down the stairs. Prices range from about $40 to $100.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Stationary activity centers with a solid, flat base are the most stable. Examine attached toys for size.
Although most babies enjoy being in these play spaces, some don't. If you can, have your baby test-drive a unit in the store or during play dates at other parents' homes to get a sense of how he fares. If you decide to buy one, look for an activity center with a thick, solid frame, no accessible sharp edges or sharp hardware underneath or on top, and comfortable, soft fabric edging on the sides and legs of the seat cushions. Also, the flip-down stabilizers, which may be available to prevent the saucer from rocking, should be sturdy. You shouldn't get the feeling that they could release during use.
Some activity centers come with lots of bells and whistles—and lots of parts. We counted 15 on one brand. You'll need a screwdriver and a good half an hour to assemble. Read the instructions beforehand and keep them for future reference. From time to time, check your baby's activity center for loose screws, worn parts, and torn material or stitching, and replace or repair as needed. You can usually order replacement parts from the manufacturer. Stop using a stationary activity center if it's damaged or broken.
A stationary activity center keeps your baby relatively safe in one spot while you do other things, such as make dinner—and maybe even eat some of it, too. Most stationary activity centers adjust to three heights. Your baby will outgrow it when he's 30 to 32 inches tall or weighs 30 pounds; that's the maximum height and weight recommendation for most activity centers. You'll get the most use from this designated play space when your baby is between 6 and 16 months old. Children outgrow them when they become fairly confident toddlers.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Do your in-store research. The better stationary activity centers have a sturdy frame; no accessible sharp edges or hardware underneath or on top; comfortable, soft fabric edging on the sides and legs of the seat cushions; and well-designed, well-secured toys for little hands. The seat should swivel smoothly without any hitches, and there should be no gaps in the rim between the edge of the swivel mechanism and the tray. Such gaps could capture small fingers. If the activity center's bottom is a saucer, its flip-down braces, which prevent it from rocking, should be sturdy.
Look for an activity center that folds if you want the option of taking it with you when you travel or if you need the extra room. At least four we know of do, all these models from Evenflo: the Exersaucer SmartSteps Active Learning Center, the Exersaucer Mega Active Learning Center, the Exersaucer Ultra 2-in-1 Active Learning Center, and the Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center. Practice collapsing display models in the store, if possible, to make sure the folding mechanism works well.
More isn't always better. Most activity centers offer activities that attract a baby's attention and promote her developing motor skills, including electronic toys, lights, sounds, songs, and a rotating seat. The most fully loaded we found, the Rockin' Jitter Buggy by Safety 1st, has a radio with three stations, a dial-and-chat electronic toy cell phone, 2-speed shifter (mock gear shift), honking horn, flashing blinker, jiggle start ignition, and springy seat.
One with fewer gadgets and toys, the Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone has only eight toys, plus mirror, lights, and sounds. Still, depending on the baby, that may be enough to keep her busy.
You'll pay more for a high-octane model, but more isn't always better. Although many babies enjoy a wide range of options, some find all that motion, sound, and light too stimulating. So go with an activity center with fewer bells and whistles—in other words, at the lower end of the price spectrum—if you suspect that your baby doesn't have a multitasking temperament, or if you'd rather use the activity center with some of your own toys, or primarily for eating.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
The major brands, in alphabetical order, are: Bright Starts (www.brightstarts.com), Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), Graco (sold under the Baby Einstein license, www.gracobaby.com), Kolcraft (some models also sold under the Sesame Beginnings brand, www.kolcraft.com), and Safety 1st (www.safety1st.com). Models come with a solid flat base or a rocking one; some become a walk-behind walker, although we don't recommend these because a baby could easily push one down the stairs. Prices range from about $40 to $100.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Stationary activity centers with a solid, flat base are the most stable. Examine attached toys for size.
Although most babies enjoy being in these play spaces, some don't. If you can, have your baby test-drive a unit in the store or during play dates at other parents' homes to get a sense of how he fares. If you decide to buy one, look for an activity center with a thick, solid frame, no accessible sharp edges or sharp hardware underneath or on top, and comfortable, soft fabric edging on the sides and legs of the seat cushions. Also, the flip-down stabilizers, which may be available to prevent the saucer from rocking, should be sturdy. You shouldn't get the feeling that they could release during use.
Some activity centers come with lots of bells and whistles—and lots of parts. We counted 15 on one brand. You'll need a screwdriver and a good half an hour to assemble. Read the instructions beforehand and keep them for future reference. From time to time, check your baby's activity center for loose screws, worn parts, and torn material or stitching, and replace or repair as needed. You can usually order replacement parts from the manufacturer. Stop using a stationary activity center if it's damaged or broken.
| CERTIFICATION Four brands of activity centers bear the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification seal that they meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards: Dorel Juvenile Group (Safety 1st), Fisher-Price, Graco (Baby Einstein), and Kolcraft. Although JPMA certification can be an indication of a safer stationary activity center, in our tests, stationary activity centers that weren't JPMA-certified, such as the Evenflo Exersaucer SmartSteps Active Learning Center, scored Excellent for safety. |
