Multiple kids means multiple fun, but it also means multiplying your tasks. As a parent of a newborn, looking for the best activity gyms for twins or triplets can be a challenging task especially when you shop online.
An activity gym or a playmat is an essential item for your little ones to practice tummy time, to learn to wiggle their legs and arms, and to get some entertainment while you try to catch your breath.
In this guide, we will walk you through how to select playmats for multiple babies and give our recommendations of the best activity gyms for twins and triplets. Let’s get started!
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Benefits of Activity Gyms: Are Play Gyms Good for Babies?
Newborns spend most of their time sleeping. As their little body grows at rapid speeds, pediatricians recommend that parents should help babies practice tummy time and be encouraged to use their hands, legs, and eyes. An activity gym or playmat is used to facilitate such activities.
How to do tummy time with a newborn
How Long Can Babies Use Play Gyms Every Day?
Most pediatricians recommend that a newborn baby should start tummy time for up to 15 minutes a day from birth. By 3 months of age, your little ones should be able to have at least 30 minutes of tummy time on a daily basis.
If you only intend to use the activity gym for tummy times, then it’s appropriate to start with 15 minutes and increase it gradually.
If you also keep your little ones in the activity gym to introduce to them toys, read them stories, or talk to them, then you can use the play gym for a longer time.
When Should Babies Start and Stop Using An Activity Gym?
Most activity gyms are designed for infants and newborns. Therefore, you can let your twins use activity gyms right away if they are healthy.
There is no rule on when to stop using an activity gym. Most of the babies stop being interested in a playmat once they reach 6 to 9 months as they start to learn to sit and stand. By then they will like other toys such as push walkers or tricycles.
There are many activity gyms that can be used throughout the toddler age. They come with detachable toys such as keyboards and ball pits that can be a nice entertainment for toddlers.
Types of Activity Gyms for Twins and Triplets
In the Best Gyms for Babies, we have mentioned the most popular types of activity gyms. When it comes to spacious play gyms that can hold two or three babies, these are the most common and appropriate ones.
Guide To Selecting The Best Activity Gyms for Twins and Triplets
When you shop for a play mat for your twins or triplets, there are many factors to consider. To make sure you get one that is worthy of the money, delivers the benefits, and is safe, keep the following points in mind.
Best Activity Gyms for Twins and Triplets Reviewed
In this section, we will show you some of the best activity gyms for twins and triplets. All the gyms that we select are easy to set up, can use on the floor, and most importantly, have enough space and toys for multiple babies.
1. Best Overall: Play Gym by Lovevery
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This play gym by Lovevery is probably one of the biggest play gyms that you can find on the market today. The mat is made with five learning zones and measures 24″ x 38″ x 43″.
Because of the triangle design of the frame, you can place two to three babies in the gym and they each will have their own little space. Even if they want to roll over or sit up.
Unlike traditional gyms with arches, you can hang toys on each leg of the wood frame so that both babies have something to play with.
Additionally, each of the five sizes of the mat comes with fun elements made with different textures and attractive colors.
When your little ones are able to sit up or crawl, you can even transform this gym into a play tent.
Setting up is also a breeze. It takes only two minutes and doesn’t require any tool.
Who Is It Best For?
Play Gym by Lovevery is the best overall activity gym for parents with twins and triplets.
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 24″ x 38″ x 43″
- Weight: 7.6 lbs
- Portable: Yes
- Weight Limit: 25 lbs
2. Most Entertaining: Discovery Gym by Baby Einstein
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If you are looking for the best activity gyms with lots of entertainment features, we would recommend the Sensory Play Space by Baby Einstein.
This playmat comes with 18 sensational toys such as a baby book, activity cube, and teether.
Additionally, the toy bar has four sides so that you can hand toys on each side for all your babies to look at. Not only that, the toy bar can light up in different colors and play classical music. Studies show that babies exposed to classic music tend to be smarter.
Another thing you will love is that all four corners of the mat can tilt up. This helps make tummy time more fun because it encourages your child to interact with the toy in the corner.
An added bonus is that this gym comes with a prop-up pillow so that you can place it under your baby’s chest to make it easier for her to raise her head.
All in all, this is the most fun activity gym for multiple babies and can help enhance their auditoria skills, as well as physical abilities. It is also the largest gym that measures 50 inches on each side.
Who Is It Best For?
Discovery Gym by Baby Einstein is best for parents who want a large activity gym to keep their twins and triplets entertained and busy.
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 50″ x 50″ x 18″
- Weight: 0.7 lbs
- Portable: Yes
- Weight Limit: Not provided
3. Best Combo: 4-in-1 Jumbo Baby Activity Gym by Infantino
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If you don’t want the activity gym to sit in the garage and collect dust after six months, then a convertible or combo gym is the way to go. The 4-in-1 jumbo gym by Infantino is the best multi-purpose activity gym for twins and triplets.
The round playmat measures 32 inches in diameter. It also padded with extra cushions to make it soft and comfortable to lay on. It is also large enough to hold two toddlers comfortably.
When your babies reach 6 months and can sit up, you can zip up the mesh wall so that they can sit inside safely and interact with other toys or each other.
Even if your babies show no interest in the walled gym anymore, you can use this gym to store their toys and books.
This jumbo gym comes with many toys that can be attached to a stroller or car seat. For example, it comes with a mobile, a tummy time pillow with linkable toys, and a mirror.
Who Is It Best For?
4-in-1 Jumbo Baby Activity Gym by Infantino is for parents who want a versatile gym that can last two to three years.
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 24″ x 38″ x 43″
- Weight: 7.6 lbs
- Portable: Yes
- Weight Limit: 25 lbs
4. Best Budget: 5-in-1 Journey of Discovery by Baby Einstein
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What if you want a spacious activity gym that plays music, converts to a ball pit, and is inexpensive? Well, the 5-in-1 Journey of Discovery can deliver all your wishes.
This activity gym measures 47 x 40 inches, which is much larger than most other gyms. The only consideration is that you will need to take down the sides if your babies are tall.
For twins, you have the flexibility to fold only two sides up so that you can place one baby on each end while still have the walls on the sides.
The Journey of Discovery play mat can also be converted to a square ball pit, but it will be small to multiple babies to sit inside.
The price of this gym is also appealing. For a convertible gym that also plays music and is machine-washable, 40 dollars is a great bargain.
Who Is It Best For?
5-in-1 Journey of Discovery by Baby Einstein is for parents who are on a budget but want a convertible baby gym for their multiples
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 47″ x 40″ x 18″
- Weight:1.76 lbs
- Portable: Yes
- Weight Limit: Not provided
5. Best Luxury: Safari Dreams Music & Lights Gym by Fisher-Price
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Some parents prefer an activity gym that is not only functional but also comfortable and good-looking. If that’s you, we recommend Safari Dreams Music & Lights Gym.
This gym is not the biggest one in our selection. It only measures 40″ x 37″. But the size is decent for twins if you put them head to head.
This gym comes with many toys, including a detachable mobile that can take along on a stroller.
The arch can light up for 20 minutes or you can set it up so that it lights up when your baby touches it. It is a fun way for babies to learn cause and effect.
Another unique thing about this gym is that the prop-up pillow can play music as well as sending soothing vibrations during tummy time. It is almost like your little one’s personal massager.
The mat is not only padded with thick cushion but is also machine washable.
Who Is It Best For?
Safari Dreams Music & Lights Gym by Fisher-Price is for parents who are looking for a premium tummy time mat that lights up and plays music.
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 40″ x 37.4″ x 18.11″
- Weight: 4.41 lbs
- Portable: Yes
- Weight Limit: Not provided
6. Most Colorful: 4-in-1 Rounds of Fun Combo by Bright Starts
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Like many other combo activity gyms, the Rounds of Fun Activity Gym by Bright Starts can also convert between a flat mat and a ball pit.
The reason that we include it in our selection is because of its adorable colors and superb review by many happy parents.
There are many things to love about this play mat. The elephant toy on the top can light up to grab your babies’ attention and boost their vision. Besides that, this gym also comes with 35 plastic balls and a storage bag.
You can raise either three or all four sides of the mat once your babies can sit up with assistance. This can help train them to sit up independently.
The only complain we hear a lot is that the sides are quite bulky and this gym is not an item that you want to carry around frequently.
Who Is It Best For?
4-in-1 Rounds of Fun Combo by Bright Starts is for parents who search for a multi-functional gym with an eye-catchy design.
Production Specifications
- Dimension: 48″ x 48″ (mat)
- Weight: 2.84 lbs
- Portable: No
- Weight Limit: Not provided
FAQs About Baby Activity Gyms
When to start using a baby activity mat?
If your child is healthy, you can start using an activity mat right away. Most baby activity mats are designed for newborns and infants.
Conclusion
Looking for any baby gear for twins and triplets is a daunting task as you have many more factors to consider besides size. With all things considered, we recommend Play Gym by Lovevery. As one of the best activity gyms for twins and triplets, it is large, filled with fun toys, is safe and comfortable, and is easy to use for parents.
Cecilia Yeung is a successful entrepreneur and product researcher. She has a background in psychology and children’s education. As a working mother of two, she loves to write about children’s education and development.
