As baby grows, so does their desire to touch, feel and tinker. This is where baby activity play gyms come into their own as the perfect place for babies to explore a whole new world of sensory delights.
A baby activity gym is a special toy designed to occupy young babies’ attention, help sensory development and make playtime fun.
Whether it be interacting with moving parts, reaching up to hanging toys or kicking their legs to play a tune, using a play gym encourages their development and stimulates infants senses all while having a good slice of fun.
Tips for buying a baby activity gym
- Is it tummy time friendly?
- Can it be packed away and stored easily?
- Is it machine washable?
- Does it have removable toys or the ability to add more / different toys?
- Are there sensory stimulating components?
- Do the hanging components encourage baby to turn their heads? Not just stare straight up.
- Does it come with a kick plate?
Got a tip we should add? Let us know contact us.
OUR PICK OF THE CROP
19 baby activity gyms in Australia
To help you find a stimulating play gym for your baby, we consulted our huge Facebook community of Australian mums and listed their most popular choices below.
In no particular order, here are 19 of our favourite baby activity gyms for 2023.
Skip Hop
Skip Hop Celestial Dreams Activity Gym ($199)
With high-contrast colours for visual stimulation and no less than 17 activities, this Skip Hop activity gym is a galaxy of exploration. Five cuddly nocturnal friends engage bub along with music, sound, a mirror and different textures. How cute is the padded crescent moon for tummy time?
Done by Deer
Done by Deer Activity Gym ($199.95)
An activity gym that can literally go anywhere and everywhere. Move the weighted feet further apart to lower the arch so it’s closer to your child. Or bring the feet closer together to make the toys hang higher. It’s a simple design done really well, with lots of bits and bobs (like a mirror and discovery textile patch) for baby to play with too.
Liewood
Liewood Ernie Wooden Playgym ($189)
Pure and simple, those who appreciate a clean aesthetic will love this beechwood play bar. Helping to improve bub’s fine and gross motor control, hand-eye coordination and spatiality, it comes in a beautiful box meaning it’s perfect for gifting.
MIOPLAY
MIOPLAY Play Bar ($199)
A stunning baby gym that blends seamlessly into the rest of the home. Designed by an award-winning team of Australian designers, this beautiful activity gym supports the key milestones of babies development from birth up to their first birthday. The timber frame and silicone toys are also a cinch to clean. Win-win.
PlanToys
PlanToys Pastel Play Gym ($81)
For minimalists at heart, the Plan Toys play gym is a sweet and sustainable addition to the nursery. Made with spray-free rubber wood and organic pigments, the gym features two suspended toys and four legs to prevent rocking and to optimise bub’s safety.
Lilliputiens
Lilliputiens Activity Arch ($245)
Made from organic cotton, choose from either the delightful forest or jungle design. Featuring contrasting colours and many surprises to stimulate bub’s senses, these activity stations are machine-washable and environmentally friendly.
River and Wood
River and Wood Rattan Play Gym Set (from $150)
Ethically handmade by skilled artisans in Indonesia, the River and Wood activity gym adds a touch of boho chic to any space. Included are three gorgeous hanging accessories of your choice, and after bub has grown, the gym lives on as a too-cute rack for dolls clothes.
Hess-Spielzeug
Hess-Spielzeug Baby Play Equipment ($133.40)
Scandi-inspired in two beautiful colourways, the Hess-Spielzeug gym can be assembled in three different heights as bub grows and develops. Made from FSC certified beech wood, it features the cutest rattle, wooden rings and swing.
&me
&me Baby Gym ($189.95)
Consciously designed and made in The Netherlands to last generations, this is a fabulous choice for any contemporary home. The baby gym frame is made from coated steel and FSC wood, and partners beautifully with the wooden balls and cotton rope accessories.
Ingenuity
Ingenuity Cozy Spot Reversible Gym ($129)
With a reversible super-soft duvet mat, natural wood toy bar, tummy time pillow and whimsical activity toys, the Cozy Spot gym blends beautifully with your decor. The whole mat transforms into a self-storage bag with handles – giving you your living room back!
Raja Homewares
Raja Homewares Aussie Adventures Playgym with five toys ($250)
Activity gyms come in all shapes and sizes but the Aussie Adventures may just be the sweetest. The contemporary take on rattan and crochet (just look at those cute Aussie critters!) make our hearts skip a beat. And when playtime is over, simply remove the toys and the play bar transforms into a mini clothes rail for tiny threads.
Bella Buttercup
Bella Buttercup Mini Bar Baby Gym ($255)
Oozing calm, Scandinavian style, this super sleek play bar is a real statement piece that you’ll be happy to have on display. Included are eight toys designed to amuse and educate that can be customised at different levels for bub (thanks to the handy velcro straps).
Jiggle & Giggle
Jiggle & Giggle Dinosaurs Wooden Activity Gym ($99.95)
Featuring colourful hanging dinosaur rattles that pop against a neutral frame, the Jiggle & Giggle Activity Gym will bring a dose of Happy any nursery. What’s more, the plush toys can come with you on pram adventures as they’re detachable. Too cute.
My Little Giggles
My Little Play Bar Package ($229.95)
This paired-back play bar has a unique interlocking frame that makes assembly and packing away a breeze. Perfect for travel, the Scandinavian-inspired play bar comes with three toys of your choice to match the decor of bubs nursery. We love!
IKEA
IKEA LEKA Baby Gym ($59)
A simple baby gym that keeps baby interested and occupied with its bright contrasting colours. The wooden base and plastic toys are easy to keep clean and the streamlined design allows parents to take this baby gym with them when travelling with baby in tow.
Clover & Lola
Clover & Lola Activity Mat ($239)
A snuggle place for little cuddlepots, Clover and Lola mats are cushioned with quality wadding for baby’s comfort. Simply place hanging toys in the fabric loops above and once bub can sit unassisted, remove the poles and create an open space for them to play.
Tiny Love
Tiny Love Gymini Farm Kick & Play Activity Gym ($103)
In a cheery farm theme, the Tiny Love Gymini is equipped with a baby-activated musical kick panel that puts little leg actions to good use. With adjustable arches for different play modes, watch them develop as they experience sight, sound and texture galore.
Wild Indiana
Wild Indiana Luxe Beechwood Play Gym ($149)
Crafted, sanded and painted by hand, this A-frame style play gym gives baby somewhere safe to play while encouraging their development. The space-saving design means the activity gym can fold away flat when not in use or stored out of reach until it’s time to play again.
Baby Activity Gyms: Your Questions Answered
With so many on the market buying a play gym for your baby can be tricky. So to help you out we’ve answered some of the common questions mums ask when it comes to baby activity gyms in Australia.
At what age can a baby start using a play gym?
Although most gyms can be used from newborn age, a baby will get the most out of it starting from around three months old. At this stage of development, they are learning about hand-eye coordination, so they’ll love grasping and pulling at the hanging toys and other objects.
Are activity gyms safe?
Activity gyms are safe for babies as long as the recommended age for use is appropriate for your baby’s age – so always check the packaging when purchasing. It’s important to supervise bub at all times and have it placed on a smooth flat spot on the ground, never on an elevated surface.
Is it easy to keep a baby gym clean?
It varies from product to product, but most baby gyms are easy to keep clean. If you opt for a structure that’s made of wood or plastic it can simply be wiped down. It’s also a good idea to look for covers and toys that can be removed for washing on a gentle cycle with a safe baby laundry detergent.
Know an activity gym we should add to our list? Contact us and let us know, we’ve been curating Australia’s best baby products into helpful lists for over 15 years and we’re always happy to support new brands and businesses.
Read next …
If you’re after more helpful products for bub, you’re in the right spot. From blankets to cloth nappies, our lists include Australia’s most coveted brands and stores.
Read this: How to make a baby sensory hoop
Ask other mums
Looking for a play gym for babies and still not sure if any of these are right for you? Join the huge Grapeviner community in one of our private Facebook Baby Groups and ask thousands of other mums with babies the same age as yours which ones they recommend. Join today!
We want you to know
At Mum’s Grapevine, we’re a team of passionate mums (with 19 kids!) and over 15 years of experience researching and writing about all things baby and parenting. Our reviews of recommended products, like the ones in this post, may include paid inclusions, but we promise to only feature products that we truly believe in and have used or seen ourselves. We want to ensure that you, our readers have access to the latest and greatest products in the parenting world, and we’re committed to maintaining our high standards of quality and honesty. See our Disclosure Policy.
Thank you for trusting us to be your go-to source for all things baby-related.
