The best baby play gyms

A kick piano that lights up and plays more than 85 songs and sounds, under a high-contrast arch for newborn eyes, and it adapts through four stages as baby grows.

• 4 ways to play as baby grows
• Light-up kick piano, removable
• 85+ songs, sounds and phrases
• 10 linkable toys
• Machine-washable mat

What owners say: Well made, easy to put together and keeps babies entertained for ages. Owners love that it encourages kicking and adapts as babies grow.

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A closer look: In the early weeks, lie baby under the high-contrast arch; later the piano moves to where little feet can kick it, and eventually it comes off to be played sitting up. The ten linking toys clip closer or further away as reach improves, and the mat goes in the washing machine.

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A soft, cosy mat with a tummy-time pillow and hanging toys that unclip for the pram or cot, including an owl that makes sounds, a lion rattle, a mirror and a cloth book.

• Soft padded mat
• Tummy-time pillow
• 5 hanging toys incl. a cloth book
• Toys clip onto a pram or cot

What owners say: Good quality and value. Owners say newborns love it and it keeps them entertained for hours.

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A closer look: Stage the toys: the mirror and bold patterns first, then the rattles once baby starts batting at things. The toys unclip, so a couple can travel on the pram. Use the pillow under the chest for short tummy-time sessions, always while baby is awake and watched.

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Six detachable toys picked to work all five senses: a mirror, a cactus bell, a rattle, an elephant teether, crinkle pages and more.

• 6 detachable toys
• Mirror, rattle, teether and crinkle pages
• Soft mat
• Staged for senses and movement

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A closer look: The teether and crinkle pages come into their own at the grabbing-and-mouthing stage, so keep them in reserve for when the mirror and bell lose their novelty. Hang the bell where feet can reach it once baby starts kicking.

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Grows from lying-down play to tummy time and sitting up, and the kick piano becomes a toy in its own right.

• 4 ways to play
• Kick piano with 70+ sounds
• 7 detachable toys
• Tummy-time pillow
• Machine-washable mat

What owners say: Keeps babies entertained, grows with them through the stages, and the kick piano is a firm favourite.

Heads up: The mat itself is thin, so it’s best laid on a rug or carpet.

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A closer look: Batteries aren’t included, so pack three AAs with it or the piano will stay silent when it’s unwrapped. The piano comes off for take-along play and has a melody mode as well as free play, with phrases in English, Spanish, French and German. Unclip the toy bar, piano and legs before the mat goes in the washing machine.

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A cheerful zoo-themed gym with six toys and a moon pillow, which folds flat for storage or a trip to the grandparents’.

• 6 toys + moon pillow
• Snap-together frame
• Folds for storage and travel
• Zoo animal design

What owners say: Easy to assemble, with nice colours and cute safari animals. Good value.

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A closer look: The support bars snap together without tools and the whole gym folds flat, so it’s easy to take to Grandma’s or tuck behind the sofa. Rotate the toys every few days to keep things new, and give baby some time on their tummy as well as their back.

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