Finn + Emma Baby Gyms (boy version). Montage courtesy of growingyourbaby.com.
Baby gyms are definitely very valuable tools in helping babies get a head start in their development – both mentally and physically – and there is no small selection from which to choose.
There are a lot of different styles of baby gyms, but they all have some basic functions, which include:
- Stimulating the senses through combinations of colors, music, and squeaking noises.
- Developing hand-eye coordination while grasping for things.
- Developing fine motor skills when grabbing things.
- Building body muscles when pulling themselves up to grab at something.
- Developing lessons in cause and effect (to a baby’s mind, “When I do this, this happens), like when they squeeze a toy and it squeaks.
- Stimulating learning social interaction between babies and parents – teaching babies about colors, shapes, sounds, and names of things.
Baby gyms are not meant to be babysitters though, and parental supervision is always necessary. Toys can break and become hazards.
At eHow.com, they made a point that’s obvious, but worth repeating, which is that, “It’s important that the product be used on floors only, and never high areas such as tables or beds.” Another reminder is to never place these toys near stairs or other potentially dangerous areas.
Play gyms are to be enjoyed and used for developmental growth, but when selecting a location for them, always play worst-case-scenario in your mind.
Safety considerations kept in mind, there are a lot of great options for baby gyms. Let’s look at some of my favorites.
Finn + Emma’s Wooden Baby Play Gym
Finn + Emma Baby Gyms (girl version). Photo by finnandemma.com.
This is a great classic looking play gym that can be selected with toys for either girls or boys. The frames are made from 100 percent birch wood, finished with a dark non-toxic stain. The wood stains are free of lead, nickel, phthalates, mercury, formaldehyde, and ultra-low VOCs.
Each play gym has two wooden toys and two hand-knit organic cotton rattles. The organic cotton rattles are 100 percent G.O.T.S. certified and contain 100 percent wool filling. The rattles inside are phthalate-free
The girls’ version has two flowers made from all natural untreated Indian hardwood, and an organic knit cat rattle and mouse rattle.
The boys’ version has two non-toxic scooters made from all natural untreated Indian hardwood, and an organic knit bear rattle and dog rattle.
All of the play gym toys are interchangeable, and can be used away from the gym in places like the car, the stroller, or the high chair.
All of the toys and materials are made in Fair Trade work environments. In addition, all of the inks and dyes are OEKO TEX Standard 100 certified. They contain no formaldehyde, PVC, or phthalates, and no heavy metals are used in their manufacturing.
The sizes of these play gyms aren’t specified, but they should be good for any baby from about two months old until they outgrown them.
Wooden Baby Gym and Learn to Stand Frame by Hess-Spielzeug
Wooden Baby Gym and Learn to Stand Frame. Montage courtesy of naturalbabytoys.com.
A big reason this gym is great is because of its dual function. Your baby can use it from about three months old to when your baby first start to pull up to start walking.
As a new born, this is a great gym because it has a lot of dangling toys for your baby to reach up and grab, providing a lot of visual as well as hand-eye coordination.
As your baby gets older, the gym as a lot of physical stability, which makes it safe for your baby to start trying to pull up. The gym is about 14 inches high and about 29 inches in diameter.
The play gym, made in Germany, has six wooden hanging toys that slide around the frame.
“We only use local wood such as beech and maple handle, and always with these environmentally friendly materials under environmentally friendly conditions,” said the company.
All of the finishes are non-toxic, water, and saliva resistant. The toys all meet European EN 71 safety standards.
Wooden Baby Gym with Insects and Flowers by Heimess
Baby Gym w/Insects & Flowers by Heimess. Photo by Amazon.
This baby gym is great because it has a lot of real life sensory stimulation. It has flowers, ladybugs, loops, and bells.
The toy has a lot of great colors to stimulate the eyes, and an opportunity to later make association between the toy and real things in nature, developing abstract/symbolic thinking – a precursor to reading.
The bells are also great because they giving the opportunity for stretching, grabbing, and creating sound.
In dimensions, the paly gym is about 21 inches wide and 21 inches tall, with an adjustable height. The materials are made of native woods, nickel-free metal pieces, and formaldehyde-free glue.
Heimess products are tested by independent institutes for resilience, chemical residues, and general safety, with the company saying, “Babies can place our toys in their mouths without parents having to worry.”
Reader comments and input are always welcomed!