9 Play Gyms and Play Mats for Baby

Baby play mats and play gyms offer baby a fun time even before he or she is able to sit up or stand. For younger babies, play gyms encourage reaching, lifting the head and sitting up. Older babies can learn cause and effect, and even begin learning songs and words. Play mats and gyms make great baby gifts, too, for baby showers or for the holidays. These baby play gyms and play mats have plenty of fun toys and activities for baby to enjoy, in a range of prices and sizes for your convenience.

1. Tiny Love Activitot Developmental Gym
This play mat from Tiny Love features the familiar Gymini flexible gym bars, but now they can be rearranged to different locations around the circular mat to create a custom play gym for your baby. Seventeen different activities are available on this play mat, and the mat can be used for tummy time, while baby lays on his or her back, and also from a seated position. An included tummy time pillow helps baby explore the activities on the mat itself, and the included carrying bag also can be used as a laundry bag. The Activitot gym folds easily for travel and pops open quickly so baby can play anywhere.

2. Fisher Price Miracles & Milestones Gym with Mobile
The adorable panda play mat entices baby to play on this colorful activity center. The musical mobile with lights gives even the youngest baby something to look at and reach for. The toys on the top of the play gym can also be moved to the panda mat so that baby can enjoy them during tummy time.

3. Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Kick and Crawl Aquarium Play Mat
Part of Fisher Price's popular Ocean Wonders series, the Kick and Crawl Aquarium play mat and gym features soothing colors, a soft play mat and lots of exciting toys to keep baby entertained from birth through toddler years. Infants will love the mirror and dangling toys, while older babies can enjoy crawling through the aquarium tunnel and peeking out of the portal window. Music and other toy noises excite babies of all ages. At under $30, this play gym is a great value, too

4. Tiny Love Gymini Super Deluxe Lights and Music Zoo Activity Mat
Whether your baby is still laying down or has learned to sit, the Gymini Super Deluxe Lights and Sounds Zoo play gym and mat will entertain for hours. A mirror captures baby's silly faces, while four dangling animal toys crinkle, squeak and make other fun baby sounds. The visually stimulating mat plays classical

5. Galt Playnest and Gym
An inflatable fabric-covered ring is at the center of this play mat and gym, and it allows younger babies to sit up a bit to see and touch the included toys, allowing interaction and play earlier than some other play gyms. Farm scenes and animals in beautiful colors cover the playnest ring, giving baby plenty of things to look at, and the gym bars above have dangling birds, bees and a musical sun to encourage baby to reach for the sky.

6. Little Tikes 5-in-1 Adjustable Play Gym
The Little Tikes 5-in-1 Adjustable play mat and gym truly does grow with your baby. For infants, a traditional gym with toy bar features dangling toys to grab and kick. A play mat makes tummy time fun with lights and sounds. The seated activity center gives baby incentive to sit up to play, while the standing play center provides a sturdy hold for babies who are pulling up. Finally, the play gym turns into a toddler activity table. Not bad for a toy that can be purchased for less than $40!

7. Fisher Price Flutterbye Dreams Baby Gym
Adorable fluttering birds and a light-up birdhouse make this play gym irresistable to babies. Songs and lights encourage baby to seek out new activities and to return to favorite toys to see what happens next. The soft mat has its own set of activities to help baby enjoy tummy time even more.

8. LeapFrog LeapStart Learning Gym
Featuring more than 10 minutes of music from all over the world, the LeapStart Learning Gym offers baby more than just fun, but also an introduction to five languages. A mobile spins to entertain infants as they lay underneath. As baby progresses to grabbing and pushing button, and even sitting up, the rewards of playing with the toys are greater. The spinning globe and animal roller teach baby "hello," animal names, numbers and colors in several languages, and the mirror treats baby to music.

9. Fisher Price Baby Playzone Kick and Whirl Carnival
The standout feature of this play gym by Fisher Price is that it can be used by babies even after they learn to sit or stand. The musical ferris wheel encourages baby to reach up and be rewarded by songs, lights and tumbling balls. younger babies can simply gaze at or reach for the dangling toys on the play gym bar, or kick at the toys with their feet. This play gym features classic Fisher Price sturdiness and bright colors that babies of all ages will enjoy.