Best Play Yards and Pack and Plays of 2025

There are a few things that the best play yards have in common. All can be used until a child is 35 inches tall (which is typically around age 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); all come with a carrying case; and all are acceptable to use indoors or outdoors.

As you’ll read, the BabyBjörn and the Guava Lotus are easier to set up and dismantle than the Graco, though our survey participants discovered that assembling and taking down each play yard became easier with time. But folks noted that this task is a two-handed, not one-handed, affair, so you’ll need to stash your baby in another safe spot whenever you set up or take down one of these play yards.

Pros: This sleek, durable play yard is the lightest model we evaluated, compact when folded, and an excellent travel companion. 

Cons: Setup and takedown may take some getting used to.

The BabyBjörn earned the highest marks in our study. Unlike play yards that are elevated, the BabyBjörn sits flat on the ground—a plus for when your kid gets bigger because it means there’s no upper weight limit. (The downside of this particular feature is that it may be difficult for some parents, especially those on the petite side or with a tender C-section scar, to place or retrieve their child from the play yard.) Obviously, however, your child will grow too tall for the actual space of this and all play yards. BabyBjörn recommends using it only until your child turns 3 or until he or she reaches the height of 35 inches (890 mm) or can climb out (as is the case with all play yards in our study), a skill some children master earlier than others. 

Setup and takedown are easy—once you’ve done it a few times. Having instructions on the bottom of the play yard is a handy plus. “It is the easiest thing ever, and I trust that anyone can do it because the instructions are on the bottom,” said one parent. Setup is a total of three steps: unfold, place the mattress, and secure. Takedown was somewhat more complicated for some users (it involves pressing each of the legs inward), and one parent mentioned that it took her a couple of tries to get the hang of it. In fact, many parents brought up the time it took to get used to setting up and dismantling the play yards.

That said, parents appreciated the ease with which they were able to use and travel with this play yard. “It’s lightweight and very compact. I can easily take it to another caretaker’s home and travel with it,” said one. “I wanted something that was easy to carry and travel with.” While this play yard lacks the helpful backpack straps that the Guava Lotus has, there is a carrying handle when you’ve packed it away into its case, so you can hold it like a suitcase. 

This is also the lightest play yard we evaluated, weighing in at 13 pounds. It has a flat profile, so it may be easier to fit in a tight space. The cot fabric and mattress cover are also machine washable, so if your baby has an accident, it’s simple to pop it in the laundry. (But only the mattress cover is safe to dry, according to the company.) Depending on where you purchase this play yard, it may or may not come with a sheet.

Dimensions: 6 x 24 x 19 inches (collapsed), 32 x 44 x 25 inches (open)
Weight: 13 lbs.
Weight limit: Up to 35 lbs.
Height limit: 35 inches
Side opening: No

Pros: The compact fold and backpack straps make it especially useful for traveling.

Cons: Collapsing it may take some getting used to, and some clever toddlers eventually figure out how to open the side zipper.

Like the BabyBjörn, this play yard by Guava is easy to set up and has instruction tags on it to further simplify the process. At 15 pounds, it’s pretty light (though slightly heavier than the BabyBjörn Travel Crib) and comes with a backpack-style carrying case that Guava calls “airport-friendly.” (The Lotus in backpack form measures 24 x 12 x 8 inches, pushing it 2 inches over the 22-inch length limit imposed by most airlines for carry-ons.) Several parents voiced their appreciation of the backpack-style carrying case: “The backpack straps on the carrier have been a lifesaver,” one parent said.

The Lotus features a lockable zippered door on one side, which can make for easier access from the floor. “I do love the zippered side, so if my son is a bit fussy, I can lay down right next to him and have even used it to nurse him,” said a parent. There’s a small side effect to this mode of exit, however. “Our toddler is smart enough to open the zipper himself, no fault of the company,” said another user. The company says it does not have a weight limit, since the mattress is supported by the floor, though it has the same height limit as the BabyBjörn.

Users found this play yard easy to set up, though some mentioned that taking it apart took more practice. The Lotus is machine washable, making for easy cleanup in case of the (inevitable) mess. The company recommends against machine drying. The play yard is compact for storage, too. Although the Lotus, as with all the play yards users reviewed, doesn’t come with a bassinet, you can buy an additional bassinet conversion kit.

Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 8 inches (collapsed), ‎45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches (open)
Weight: 15 lbs.
Weight limit: None
Height limit: 35 inches
Side opening: Yes

Pros: This play yard is affordable and sturdy. You also have the option to choose one with extra attachments like a changer.

Cons: It’s heavier than the other best play yards, and setup and takedown are significantly more frustrating.

The Graco Pack ‘n Play is a budget play yard that, while not without its flaws, is a perfectly acceptable purchase for anyone looking to save a little money. It’s the heaviest play yard we evaluated, weighing nearly 19 pounds, but it’s also the only one with wheels, which mitigates at least some of the difficulties involved with transporting a heavier play yard around.

Multiple parents appreciated that the Graco has wheels, and most didn’t have issues moving it, either inside or outside the home. “The wheels are very useful because [they help] move the play yard around without having to actually carry the whole thing around,” said one parent. “You don’t have to drag it on the floor, which can cause scratches.” Others, however, were frustrated with the product’s weight: “I don’t move it,” said a parent. “Only for travel, but it is super-heavy, which I hate.”

Some users said the Graco Pack ‘n Play was difficult to assemble and dismantle; one parent reported having such a problem with setup initially that she thought about getting a different one. This play yard, unlike the BabyBjörn and the Guava, is elevated above the ground, so it has a weight limit of 30 pounds (and a height limit of 35 inches, like the others). On the other hand, the elevated base may make it easier for some caregivers to reach down into the Graco and place or retrieve a child. 

Graco sells a few different versions of their pack and play; the one we evaluated here is the most basic version, but you can also buy a Graco Pack ‘n Play with a changer attachment or a removable, full-size bassinet. Some parents really like these accessories, which can be particularly helpful if you’re using the Graco Pack ‘n Play as an alternative to a crib or somewhere you won’t move pack it away very often (such as at Grandma’s house).

Like the BabyBjörn, you can carry the Graco Pack ‘n Play like a suitcase once it’s collapsed, thanks to a carrying strap. It also has a snap-on pouch for storage. Graco recommends using household soap or detergent and warm water to wash the play yard, and to avoid submerging it in water. The mattress pad can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Dimensions: 27.99 x 10.31 x 10.31 inches (collapsed), 39.5 x 28.25 x 29 inches (open)
Weight: 19 lbs.
Weight limit:
Height limit: 35 inches
Side opening: No

For this article, we recruited 21 parents and learned about their experiences using the BabyBjörn Travel Crib, the Guava Lotus, and the Graco Pack ‘n Play. All had either bought their own play yards new or received one as a gift. They evaluated their play yards based on setup and dismantling, use and transport, and cleaning. We also asked questions such as:

• How confident do you feel using this play yard?
• Did you need to learn a lot about the play yard before use?
• Is the play yard intuitive to use?

A play yard doesn’t have to be much more than, essentially, a pad of foam surrounded by mesh, but some offer additional assets. Certain features can come at a cost, though, in terms of portability. (There are a few exceptions, such as a traveling case, which is a feature that obviously would make the play yard more portable.) 

A more involved play yard may suit your family better if you plan to use it heavily at home. Something more streamlined and lightweight might be more suitable for a family that loves to travel or considers aesthetics a top priority. When shopping for a play yard, pay attention to an item’s weight, because if you plan to use it for traveling, you’ll probably want something light. You may want to consider a play yard that comes with a carrying bag for the same reason.

Bassinets: Sometimes referred to as infant inserts, a bassinet provides a place for a newborn to sleep in the play yard. It’s removable and typically attaches to the top rail of the play yard, making it easier to reach your baby, especially for parents recovering from a difficult delivery or for other caregivers with limited mobility. These bassinets are safe sleep spaces that must adhere to the CPSC’s requirements. Once your baby reaches a certain weight or size indicated by the manufacturer, you’ll need to ditch the bassinet and place him or her to sleep in the general play yard space. You should also remove the bassinet when your baby is in the main play yard space.

Changing tables: These are usually included in some play yards and are an elevated, padded spot to change your baby’s diaper. Changing tables might be a desirable feature for parents or caregivers with large or multistory homes who don’t want to trek all the way to the nursery every time it’s time to swap out a diaper. Changing tables should be removed when the baby is in the play space.

Mobiles and toy bars: These provide your baby with something to look at or play with when they’re in the play yard. Consult your play yard manual carefully for safety instructions, because some mobiles or toy bars aren’t safe for babies once they can push up onto their hands and knees. These toys can potentially entangle your baby, or the baby could use them to pull themselves out of the play yard entirely.

Canopies or sun shades: These keep babies protected from the sun when you’re using a play yard as an outdoor play space. Some have ultraviolet (UV) light filters. UV filters on fabric are labeled as “UPF” and have numbers that indicate how much radiation can get through the fabric and damage the skin. The higher the number, the better the protection from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF of at least 30. Something to keep in mind is that protection diminishes if the fabric gets wet, so if you have kids playing in the sprinklers, keep a close eye on the baby in the play yard. You should also remove these attachments from your play yard before bringing it inside to use as a sleep space for your baby.

Wheels: They can make it easier to move a play yard from room to room. Make sure the wheels lock easily so your play yard doesn’t roll around on its own.

Parents buy play yards because they want a contained play space for their baby, a  sleep space that’s also portable, or a multitasking product that can do both.

“Play yards are amazing, especially when you are traveling or visiting friends and family,” says Ilan Shapiro, MD, chief health correspondent and medical affairs officer at AltaMed Health Services and a fellow for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It can be a nice way to have a dedicated space devoted to your child.”

When it comes to play, play yards can be a safe environment to place your infant while you do something else nearby. For example, you might put your (awake, alert) baby in his or her play yard with a few small toys or books while you fold laundry, cook dinner, or help older kids in the same room. 

For sleep, a play yard can be an ideal travel crib. Most models, including the three best play yards on this list, have a compact fold and carrying case that enable them to easily fit in the trunk of your car or be checked on an airplane. 

But play yards can also function as your primary crib. This can be helpful for families who don’t want to buy tons of baby gear, such as because they want to save money (babies are expensive!) or have limited space. Play yards can also be useful for room-sharing with your infant (which the AAP recommends doing for at least the first 6 months to reduce SIDS risk), since they can fit in your bedroom more easily than a full-size crib.

Play yards are fun and convenient, but used improperly they can also be dangerous. Paying attention to a few key factors can help keep your baby safe.

Make sure the mattress fits. Perhaps most important: The mattress or pad should fit in the play yard perfectly. “Because the sides are meshed, if the baby gets their face or an arm in that gap between the mattress and the side, they can get entrapped,” says Nancy Cowles, the executive director of Kids in Danger, a nonprofit dedicated to children’s product safety. “The mesh will push out enough to hold the baby against the mattress.”

Only use the mattress that came with your play yard. According to the CPSC, parents and caregivers should only use the mattress that comes with the play yard. While the mattress may seem thin and uncomfortable to you, it’s fine for a baby. “The federal safety standard is for a 1.5-inch thick mattress. Consumers should never purchase a 2-inch or 3-inch mattress for the play yard,” says Joyce Davis, the president of Keeping Babies Safe, a nonprofit that advocates for safer infant sleep products. “These mattresses are a known suffocation hazard.” If you need to buy a new mattress for your play yard—say, your baby has a truly catastrophic blowout—buy the exact same one that the play yard had before.

Watch for rips in the play yard mesh. In rare cases, a play yard’s mesh can tear or develop holes. To prevent your baby from getting a body part stuck in the hole—or using said hole to climb out of the play yard—alert the manufacturer and get a replacement. “I wouldn’t recommend patching it, because whatever you’re using to patch it with could cause a different problem if it came loose,” Cowles says. “If it’s not an older play yard, I would recommend calling the company, because the mesh should not tear.”

Remove any toys before your baby falls asleep. You can place toys in a play yard—it is a play yard, after all—but you should do so only during the day, when your baby is awake and supervised. “Toys should not be left in the play yard when the child is sleeping, but when awake, age-appropriate toys that do not pose any safety risks are fine to use while supervised,” says Michelle Barry, founder and president of the nonprofit Safe Infant Sleep.

A portable play yard can be a safe space for babies to sleep, according to the AAP. This can be handy for parents, especially those trying to cut back on the amount of baby gear they have to purchase, because it means play yards can do double duty as both a play and sleep environment. 

When used for sleeping, “bare is best,” meaning the play yard should not have toys, blankets, pillows, or anything else besides the baby, their sleep sack, and perhaps a pacifier if desired.

Some play yards come with extra attachments like a toy bar, changer, or canopy. You should make sure to remove these and any other accessories before using the play yard for sleep.

A play yard, or pack and play, is a mattress surrounded by collapsible mesh walls. These products are designed to do double duty as both a play and sleep space. Compared to a bassinet, play yards are larger, deeper, and have higher weight and height requirements, so you can use them through the toddler years. And while a crib is obviously a big, stationary fixture in your bedroom or baby’s nursery, play yards are a little smaller and can be easily packed up, so you can move them from room to room—or take them with you on a trip.

The term travel crib technically falls under the CPSC’s non-full-size baby cribs designation, which includes smaller cribs that are designed to be folded or collapsed and don’t have mesh sides. But to make things confusing, many parents and experts alike use the term “travel crib” interchangeably with play yards. And the vast majority of products marketed as travel cribs these days are, in fact, mesh-enclosed pack and plays. All three of the best play yards on this list can be safely used as travel cribs.

A bassinet or cradle is the smallest approved sleep space for babies. These products might have freestanding legs, a frame or stand, a wheeled base, or a rocking base, and they also have lower sides (this is a helpful feature during the early parenting days, since deeper cribs can be harder to lean into to lift out a newborn, especially if you’re recovering from a C-section). But because bassinets are smaller and shallower, they have significantly lower weight and height limits—most models can only be used until your baby is around 3 months old. Some play yards, such as the Graco Pack ‘n Play and Guava Lotus, offer the option to purchase an additional bassinet attachment that can be used for newborns. 

A crib is the largest sleep space for a baby. You probably know a crib when you see one: This is a big piece of furniture that’s intended to be used in your home (and stay there). While some cribs do have wheels, they’re not designed to be portable like play yards are, and you certainly can’t bring one with you on a trip. Cribs are larger and deeper than bassinets, and most can be used for years, not months. Some innovative models even convert to a toddler and eventually regular bed, so your baby could theoretically use his or her crib throughout childhood. 

Eventually, your baby will outgrow the play yard. You should stop using it once your child is 35 inches tall or can climb out, according to the CPSC. Check your product manual for specifics, though, because some play yards may have additional recommendations. For example, elevated play yards sometimes include a weight limit.