A good playpen will provide you with precious minutes to get things all while keeping baby occupied. Whether you need to clean up a mess or just want to encourage some independent play time, playpens often serve as a multi functional must have.

The heavy-duty plastic walls are filled with interactive elements to keep little ones engaged, while cut-out window sections ensure you can always keen keep an eye on your baby as they enjoy themselves in their indoor play yard. Pros The colourful theme and aquatic elements will definitely impress enquiring minds, while the robust build means you can fill it with toys and plastic balls. The safety gate also ensures little ones will not get free of their playpen when you are not in the immediate vicinity. Pros When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10. Why you should trust us Playtime is all around with six additional toys: bead chaser, safari-themed crinkle toy, baby-safe mirror, flash cards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle. So cute! The spacious dimensions also provide plenty of space for soft toys, activities and other items. You can combine this with a playpen mat, or place it on soft surfaces inside or outside the home. The BPA-free material also makes this a safe option. ProsWhilst it’s relatively small in size, the Mokee playpen is both stylish and sustainable, with no metal or unsightly plastic. Made from sustainably sourced beech wood, it not only looks sleek, but is easy to fold away flat and store when not in use. The wipe-down base is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and will keep bottoms dry even when the grass is damp. Indoors, you may want to place a mat or rug underneath for additional padding as the base material is relatively thin. Toddlers will want to be entertained so an activity playpen is ideal. Babies learning to stand will want to be able to hold on to the sides, so fabric playpens may not be the most suitable option. What age do you stop using playpens?

Probably the most versatile, playpens with metal frames are usually adjustable to the shape and size of your room, with some even offering the ability to use as a fire guard or room divider. They tend to be more expensive, but often come with fold-down benefits which make them ideal for travel or for bringing out as and when required. Pop-up playpens If you're planning to use this playpen to entertain your toddler whilst you tend to your newborn, it’s also worth noting that it doesn’t have a door. For that reason, you’ll need to be able to physically lift your child – something to bear in mind if you’ve had a c-section.Sturdy Steel Frame & Soft Fabric: Crafted with a durable steel frame and soft fabric with mesh sides, the All Stars JOY Playpen provides a secure and comfortable play space for your child. Overall, the BabyDan Deluxe Playpen is the best playpen to buy as it’s safe, attractive to look at, comfortable for your baby and incredibly flexible too. Whilst it’s not cheap, the ability to adjust and reposition the sides to suit your environment certainly makes it worth the investment. It can even be used as a room divider with additional wall fixings. How we chose our recommendations Recommendations from real parents For younger babies, the jumbo playmat lays flat for tummy time (psst, we even added in a tummy time prop pillow). Today's playpens are made to be safe, ensuring nothing but fun and comfort for your child, and peace of mind for parents. With so many available options on the market, there's no reason why you wouldn't be able to find the best playpen to suit your needs. What age is a playpen suitable for?

Dimensions: 54.72 L x 27.17 W x 29.92 H (inches) | Age: Birth to 24 months | Material: Alloy steel and cotton | Foldable: Yes | Assembly required: Minimal What we like This square-shaped baby playpen from award-winning brand Venture is not only spacious and designed to British Safety Standards, but comes with cushioned jigsaw play mat and a bag of brightly coloured balls too.Suitable From Birth - A play pen babies and toddlers can enjoy! Our baby play pen offers a safe space for rolling, crawling practice and those precious first steps and beyond. We don’t live in a big house, so it’s great that you can take the panels out to make it smaller if need be" - recommended by Mumsnet user Pixiefringe

There are several types of playpen to consider. If you are looking for an area a very young child can play in, a large crib or travel cot may be an ideal option. However, these should be large enough that your child can move around within. They should also include interactive elements, such as colourful mobiles, handlers and integrated soft toys. Dimensions: 139 x 118 x 75cm | Age: Birth to 3 years | Material: Polyester | Foldable: Yes | Assembly required: No What we like Some experts feel that playpens can be restrictive, however, the design of your house, or your circumstances at home, means that they are a healthy and practical solution for many, who occasionally need somewhere safe to place their baby for a short period of time. In these situations, a playpen can be really useful. There is no worry of little digits becoming trapped between dividers, while the safety gate will also ensure that little ones remain firmly in place when left to play. This playpen also comes with enough padded tiles to cover the entire interior, along with plenty of plastic balls and a carry bag for storage. ProsAre you still too busy taking care of your baby to have time for housework and rest? This baby playpen can free your hands and give your children space to explore independently. The mesh sides of the Costway Baby Playpen ensure complete visibility, allowing you to see your baby at all times even if you haven’t opted to climb inside yourself. Millhouse Foldable Plastic Baby Playpen with Activity Panel and Playmats / 9 Play Mats Included / Suitable age range: 6 months and above The game panel can not only stimulate children's imagination but also exercise their cognitive ability and motor skills. Gated playpens - Gated playpens keep your little ones safe and secure while you get on with other things around your home. It can also give your crawling baby or toddler a little freedom to come and go safely.