10 Best Playpens in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pediatrician

Dr. Joanna Pamela Cuayo-Estanislao is a pediatrician and child health specialist based in Metro Manila. Doc Joey is passionate about health education and empowering families to become informed advocates of their children's health and wellness. She uses social media to educate and raise awareness about important issues and topics in the field of pediatrics and child care.

To know more about her practice, like and follow her on her Instagram and Facebook page!

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particle order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Make sure you have enough space in your room.
2. Pick playpens that can accommodate your child even if they start to grow.
3. Check the materials used.
4. Look for playpens with safety features.
5. Foldable or wheeled playpens make for easy storage and mobility.
6. Make playtime fun with toys and mini slides.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Since most playpens are bigger than cribs, check if you have enough space in your room where you can place your playpen. To give you an idea, full-size rectangular playpens usually reach 70 inches in terms of length and 30 inches in width while other smaller playpens are about the size of a small crib, around 40-inches long and 30-inches wide.

Aside from its dimensions, also consider the shape of your playpen and how it fits in the room. Four-sided playpens can be put around the corner of the room while circular ones can be placed at the middle. Traditional playpens are square or rectangular in shape but with new playful designs, they can now come in all sizes including circle and octagon.

As babies grow a lot during those months, it is important to pick playpens that can accommodate them even if they grow bigger or taller. After all, playpens are used by children around 4 months old, up to the time they can walk. By buying a playpen that can last for a long time, you can save both money and effort from buying a completely new one every couple of years.

Also, since some toddlers grow faster than others, consider your baby's size. Try to gauge if they have enough room inside the playpen or if the space is too restricted and uncomfortable. After all, the comfort of your kid is important in picking out a playpen.

Playpens vary in their materials but wood and plastic are the ones you would usually find. The each have their own pros and cons as will be tackled below, so read and weigh those carefully before deciding on what material to go with.

Because of their heavy and sturdy quality, wooden playpens are extremely durable. They can support your child’s increasing weight and are unlikely to break or snap that easily. In fact, with proper care and use, wooden playpens can last even after years of use.

The only downside of wood as a material is that it is vulnerable to water damage, fire, decay, and termites that could ruin its sturdy quality. However, if you can manage to place your wooden playpen in places without those risks, then there is really nothing to worry about.

The advantage of plastic and mesh playpens is that they are more lightweight and breathable compared to wooden playpens. Also, because of their light material, plastic playpens are easier to carry or move around the house. However, this also means that they are less durable and more likely to snap or break, making them an impractical choice for long-term use.

Aside from that, playpens made out of plastic can also contain harmful substances. Common chemical substances found in plastic products such as Lead, Bisphenol A (BPA), and Phthalates can be harmful when exposed to your child. If you plan to purchase a playpen made out of plastic, check if it is BPA-free to make sure that it is safe for your child.

Another thing to consider aside from comfort is the safety features of your child's playpen. These can include safety locks and padded rails that keep your child safe, as well as attachable mosquito nets and rocking bars that protect your child against insect bites and rock your baby for a good night's sleep.

Playpen gates are convenient for getting toddlers in and out of the playpen. Instead of bending your back and reaching for your toddler inside the playpen, you could simply open a door or gate, and the toddler can get inside or outside the playpen without you having to carry them every single time.

However, it is not unusual for kids no figure out how to open safety gates on their own. To prevent this from happening, pick kid-friendly safety gate locks to keep your kid secure. This means that the locks should be easy enough for you to open but difficult enough for your child to reach and eventually unlock.

Since playpens are spacious, it is common for toddlers to get extra frisky while in them. This may lead to them falling and getting bumps or other injuries unless there is sufficient padding. When purchasing a playpen, pick ones that include a firm mattress and padded rails so that your child can comfortably sleep and safely play inside their playpen. 

Ideally, your playpen’s foam or mattress should be firm, not hard, and be around 1-inch thick, soft enough to provide comfort while being firm enough to prevent them from sinking in. On the other hand, the padded top rails should be soft and durable to avoid bumps and because teething toddlers tend to sink their teeth in playpen rails.

Being a parent can sometimes make you too busy to take your playpen apart and assemble it again every time you move it. Thankfully, there are also playpens that cater to this problem, such as foldable and wheeled playpens that allow you to pack and move your playpen quicker and more conveniently.

If you travel a lot with your family, whether for work or for vacation, foldable playpens are a fitting option that you should consider. Because of their foldability, you can make them compact enough to fit inside your car without taking up too much space.

Aside from that, portable playpens are also perfect for outdoor use as they can be easily folded and carried without much effort. Although they might be pricier, the convenience they offer can make a huge difference, especially for parents who travel a lot with their families.

Meanwhile, wheeled playpen cribs are perfect for busy parents who want to keep an eye on their child while being in different parts of the house. Because of its wheels, you can easily transport the playpen crib without having to carry it around. This saves a lot of time and effort, especially if you own a particularly heavy playpen.

Additionally, ensure that your wheeled playpen has wheel brakes that would keep the playpen steady and stable even if your child is moving around in it. As mentioned earlier, toddlers start to get frisky in playpens, so in order to prevent any accidents, safety features such as wheel brakes are extremely helpful.

Other playpens include linkable toys that children can play with while they're in the playpen. These can be rotating musical toys that are attached above cribs or teethers that cater to teething toddlers. Toys can add more fun to your child's playtime, but make sure that they are BPA-free and aren't choking hazards.

Aside from toys, playpens can also come with mini slides. With these, you can have a mini playground at home for your child without having to risk going outside, especially during this pandemic. The advantage of mini slides is that children can use them whenever they want; just make sure that you keep a careful eye on them while they're on it.

Keeping your baby safe and comfortable does not end after buying a playpen. Here are some tips and reminders from Mom.com, a website about motherhood, that you can follow when taking care of your baby while in a playpen.

Many playpens, especially the foldable mesh ones, have sides that can fold down. If you want to leave your child for a short while, make sure that the sides are locked and not folded down as children may get entrapped in the mesh and suffocate. Never leave the sides lowered or if you want to, make sure someone is looking after your toddler.

Playpen cribs are only safe until a certain age. Once your child learns how to stand up and walk, they are bound to explore and the limited space of playpens might lead to accidents. If you want to give more room to play in but still want keep your toddler form wandering off, then playfences are a great alternative to playpen cribs.

Instead of buying a new playpen, some parents resort to used ones from secondhand stores or from friends and relatives. Although they can save you money, make sure it's still in good condition so as to not comprise your child's safety and comfort. 

To do this, check if the playpen still has the original mattress and that there are no tears or holes longer than 1/4 inches on the mesh sides. In general, it would be good to check the label for JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certification, which means the playpen meets the Consumer Products Safety Commission's (CPSC) standards. You can also do this online by checking the model of the playpen for any recalls or warnings.

If you still have questions on your mind, allow Doc Joey to enlighten you with her answers to some of the web's most asked questions.

A playpen can be helpful when your child has begun to crawl at about six months or seven months. However, if you plan to get a playpen for your child, it's a good idea to get one before your baby's moving around too much, so they can get used to it. You can keep a few favorite toys or books in the playpen so that your child associates it with some of her best-loved things. 

However, be careful not to put anything in the playpen that your baby could use to help themselves out (boxes, bigger toys). Babies can be amazing escape artists! It's also best not to dangle toys with ribbons from the side of the playpen, especially once your baby starts learning how to grab things. Your baby could use them to tip over the playpen, or they could get tangled up in the string.

If you would like a mattress inside your baby's playpen, it's best to get a playpen that has its own firm, 1-inch thick mat. Keep other beddings, blankets, mats, and pillows out of the playpen. It's also best not to replace the mattress or padding in the playpen (except with the same one that the playpen originally came with), as it might not fit the playpen well and leave spots in the playpen area where your baby can get into accidents. Be sure to check all padded parts regularly for tears. You can use thick or heavy-duty fabric tape to cover or repair any minor tears.

• Your child can unlock their playpen
• Your child has figured out how to climb out of their playpen
• Your child's height has reached 34 inches (86 centimeters)
• Your child has reached a weight of 30 pounds (14 kilograms)

Some experts believe that playpens can restrict children, and in the past, playpens have been overused as "babysitters" for children. However, the design of your house or your circumstances at home may mean you occasionally need somewhere safe to place your baby for a short period of time. 

In these situations, a playpen can be really useful. However, remember that playpens are definitely no substitute for adult supervision—never leave a child unattended in a playpen, no matter how secure the playpen is.

After reading everything, you might realize that picking out baby gear is much harder than it sounds. As new parents, it is understandable that you want to pick out great products as you want only what's best for your child. Aside from playpens here are other baby essentials that you might find interesting.

Taking care of a baby is no easy task. You have to keep an eye on your child while tending to the other responsibilities as well. Thankfully, there are baby furniture such as playpens that can help new parents keep their children safe while they're momentarily away. With our buying guide and Top 10 list, we hope that we helped you decide what playpen to purchase for your baby or toddler. 

Author: Katrina Balingit

Reviewed By: Pediatrician Dr. Joanna Pamela Cuayo-Estanislao

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Curious to know how we chose the products on our list? Our buying guide was carefully crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, so we used it as a basis for choosing and rating. For the top 3 product recommendations, we also looked at reviews from Lazada in addition to the buying guide.

*Please note that we did not test the products and were not paid by any of the brands to include their product on the list.

Ratings and Reviews

For each product on the top 3, we looked at and referenced more than 100 reviews, as well as product ratings on EC sites like Lazada.

Make Sure You Have Enough Space in Your Room

The size of the playpen to get will depend on the size of the room you will put it in, so we decided not to include this as part of our ratings.

Pick Playpens That Can Accommodate Your Child Even if They Start to Grow

Children grow up very quickly, and because of this, it will be helpful to parents and also to the kids if the playpen also expands as their bodies develop and grow. For this reason, we gave products that have these features a higher rating.

Check the Materials Used

The material plays an important part in the stability and durability of the playpen. However, they all have their own pros and cons, and the choice will ultimately fall on the parents' and the kids' needs and preferences, so we opted not to include it in our rating.

Look for Playpens With Safety Features

The safety of the kids as they play in their playpens is of utmost priority, so we gave higher ratings to playpens with safety features such as those mentioned in the section.

Foldable or Wheeled Playpens Make for Easy Storage and Mobility

Foldable and wheeled playpens make the parents' lives easier, so we gave higher ratings if the products had these features. 

Make Playtime Fun With Toys and Mini Slides

Fun toys and slides are a plus and not a requirement, so we only gave extra points to products with this feature but did not deduct points from products that don't have it.