Best Exersaucer Of 2020
There is a point in time when your newborn infant will begin crawling, bouncing, pulling up on furniture and gaining more independence because of their increasing mobility.
An exersaucer might just be the solution for your child to have some enjoyable but contained independence. We have found some of the best exersaucers for your baby to help you choose.
How to Choose the Best Exersaucer
There are many choices when it comes to finding an exersaucer for your baby, but there are a few things you should look for when choosing the best one.
Easy to clean- Consider whether the toys on the Exersaucer can be removed for cleaning. Keep the area where your baby sits cleanly by making sure the seat is machine washable. Also, make sure the toys and unit can be cleaned with ease.
Engaging toys and activities- Are the toys on the exersaucer going to maintain your baby’s interest? Keep in mind that there are exersaucers that have lights and sounds which might be too stimulating for some babies or parents. Additionally, some exersaucers have additional loops for you to add your baby’s favorite toys.
Made with high-quality materials- It is always nice when toys last, especially if you plan to use it with more than one child. Also, you can resell the item if it is made with high-quality materials. Consider the type of materials used to make the exersaucer and the attached toys.
Height adjustable as baby grows- Babies grow quickly, so a height adjustable Exersaucer will guarantee that your baby gets more use out of the toy. Not to mention, you want to make sure their feet are flat on the floor when they are in the Exersaucer, so they are not hurting their feet or posture.
Weight Limit- Consider the length of time you want your child to utilize an exersaucer. Some children will be able to use the toy for a good length of time, while others grow out of them quickly. Also, some of the seats have larger leg holes than others.
Storage- Unless you have unlimited space, consider how the exersaucer will be stored when not in use. Does it store flat? Are there a lot of pieces that could potentially get lost when the toy is not in use? Is it able to be moved easily from room to room?
Safety- Last but not least, be aware of safety concerns and how each specific exersaucer addresses them.
Babies seem to enjoy the bouncing, moving and grooving they can do while in an exersaucer, but you will want to keep the above items in mind when choosing the best one for your baby.
At What Age Can Your Baby Use an Exersaucer?
Although some infants can use an exersaucer as young as four months old, it is important to make certain your infant can sit independently.
Making sure your baby can sit without assistance could potentially decrease poor posture or incorrect positioning of the feet or legs. Some professionals have concerns about a development that are linked to walkers and bouncers.
There are alternative methods to modify the bouncer so your baby can use it safely within their developmental range. For very young babies, detach the toys if possible and put them on the floor.
Your baby can work on developing fine motor skills and begin exploring their environment. Older babies can pull up or walk around the exersaucer to play with the toys, which is a great way for them to practice balance and coordination.
Advantages of an Exersaucer
One of the greatest advantages of an exersaucer is the time it will allow the caregiver to have their hands free. Anyone with a baby knows how much little ones love being held, chased, or just getting into innocent mischief.
A baby needs constant supervision when they are mobile. An exersaucer allows the caregiver to place their baby in a safe space so household duties like dishes, laundry, sweeping, or mopping can be accomplished.
Not to mention, babies seem to love bouncing in the stationary exersaucer while playing with the attached toys, buttons, and lights. It is a win-win for the baby and the caregiver.
What are the Objections against Using an Exersaucer?
Pediatric therapists are not the strongest advocates of exersaucers, but they do prefer them to the alternative of a baby walker. There are a few reasons why some physical therapists discourage the use of these toys.
One reason is that a baby in an exersaucer is pushing off the floor with their feet and they don’t have to shift their weight to balance, which is a precursor to learning to walk.
Another problem is that a baby with weak trunk muscles might not be using the correct muscles for standing and walking. Furthermore, the exersaucer is limiting the use of all types of muscles that are used for walking and balancing.
Although there are objections, many parents believe the exersaucer to be a great toy to help their little one with fine motor skills as long as the exersaucer is used for limited amounts of time during the day.
Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center, Life in the Amazon
A play mat, exersaucer and activity table all in one toy allows for your child to play with the Evenflo Exersaucer from infancy into toddlerhood.
The play mat is for babies from 0-4 months; the activity center is for approximately four months to walking age, and the activity table can be used from walking age until 24 months.
Not to mention, the Amazon themed toys can easily be removed and used with other Evenflo products. One nice feature of the exersaucer is the ability to remove the adjustable seat so it can be washed.
The exersaucer itself is made from plastic so it can be wiped clean with mild soap and water and left to air dry. Another feature of this exersaucer is the ability to adjust the height to three positions and caregivers will probably appreciate that the exersaucer has a carry handle, which is helpful for traveling.
What We Liked
- checkThree stages of use so your child can play with it throughout multiple growing stages.
- checkThe plastic unit can be cleaned with mild soap and water while the seat pad is machine washable.
- checkThe toys are easily removable and can be used with other Evenflo toys.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleIf your child is teething, the paint might chip in certain areas.
- exclamation-triangleIt might take some time to set up the exersaucer because there are many parts.
- exclamation-triangleThere are a lot of toys, sounds, and lights so it might be over stimulating for some children.
Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
This exersaucer is made for children who can hold up their head without assistance but cannot walk or climb. When your baby jumps, there are lights and sounds that are activated, so your baby is learning about cause and effect.
An electronic toy at the front of the exersaucer is activated when your baby spins a drum, or it can be activated for four minutes of continuous play.
The overhead canopy with various soft toys makes a fun challenge for your baby to bat at the plush parrot, frog and canopy leaves.
The ability to rotate 360 degrees while in the seat allows your baby to move, spin and jump. Additionally, there are three positions for height adjustment as your baby grows.
What We Liked
- checkThe exersaucer is colorful, and helpful for your child to practice hand-eye coordination, especially with the toys on the canopy.
- checkThe seat is machine washable.
- checkSince it is lightweight, it can easily be moved and stored.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThis unit is pricier than some of the other exersaucers out there.
- exclamation-triangleThe leg holes might be on the smaller side for some children.
- exclamation-triangleDepending on the size of your child, his or her feet might not touch the ground.
Baby Einstein Activity Jumper Special Edition, Neighborhood Friends
Engaging colors and more than twelve activities surround your baby in this exersaucer. There are even some additional link loops to add your baby’s favorite toys.
The seat spins, so your baby has access to all of the surrounding toys. Another feature is the five adjustable height settings which allow the jumper to grow with your baby.
Language discovery in English, French, and Spanish are another included feature within the songs. Furthermore, the secure support seat has a good amount of height and padding for added comfort for your baby.
What We Liked
- checkThe seat spins so your baby can switch easily from toy to toy.
- checkThe height is easy to adjust, and there are five adjustment settings.
- checkTwo volume settings for the music and sounds give parents the option to control the volume.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleFolding the jumper is not an easy task.
- exclamation-triangleThe seat might be difficult for some children to spin.
- exclamation-triangleThere is only a slight bounce.
Skip Hop Explore and More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center, Multi
If you are looking for an exersaucer that will grow with your baby, then you might appreciate the Skip Hop Explore and More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center.
It starts out as an activity center that can be used with a four-month old that has control of their head. Then, it can convert into a clean, sturdy table for coloring and playing.
There are 25+ developmental activities, and the toy attachment system clips can be positioned anywhere for baby.
A unique feature of this exersaucer is the “window” that allows your baby to watch his feet when jumping or as they touch the piano keys, reinforcing cause and effect.
The 360-degree rotating seat allows baby to turn and play with the included toys or those that you can attach to the toy loops.
What We Liked
- checkTurns into a table when your baby has grown into a toddler.
- checkMore compact than some of the other exersaucers available.
- checkEasy to put together and move around.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThe seat does not offer a lot of padding.
- exclamation-triangleMight be difficult to clean the window portion of the toy.
- exclamation-triangleIt is more expensive than some of the other exersaucers.
Bright Starts Springin’ Safari Bounce-a-Bout Activity Center
A unique bounce pad keeps baby’s feet off of the floor while he works on developing gross motor skills through playing with the activity center.
Caregivers will most likely appreciate the machine-washable seat pad when things get messy.
Another nice feature of this exersaucer is the three adjustable height positions on the seat. Additionally, the exersaucer has a space-saving design, which could be helpful for smaller spaces.
What We Liked
- checkThe smaller size could make this a good choice for spaces.
- checkThe price is reasonable.
- checkThe toys are engaging, especially the crinkly mirror.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleIt could be somewhat difficult to assemble.
- exclamation-triangleThe seat is not very supportive and doesn’t have cushioning.
- exclamation-triangleThe unit itself is pretty short, so your baby could outgrow it sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
It can be a challenge to find the best exersaucer for your baby, especially if you have never purchased one before.
Even though some experts have expressed concerns about exersaucers, moderation is the key.
As long as they aren’t used for excessive amounts of time, they could be considered as useful for parents and babies.
When comparing the exersaucers as mentioned above, they all have their pros and cons, but the Skip Hop Explore and More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center, Multi stands out among the rest.
First of all, it has the longevity of use because it is designed for babies all the way into toddlerhood, which makes it unique among the other options. Since it converts to a play table, your child can continue to use this toy as he gets older.
Additionally, the exersaucer supports a “whole body” approach to learning, and your baby can watch his feet through the unique window as he steps on the toy piano.
Another distinctive feature that is not included on all exersaucers is the ability to attach your child’s favorite toys on the empty loops.