There are a lot of options when it comes to picking the best baby activity table. In this post, we will discuss the best activity tables on the market today based on features and my personal experience. Click here to jump directly to the list!
As a two-time parent, I can absolutely tell you that an activity table is a great outlet for your little one’s developing curiosity and sense of adventure.
With an activity table, your baby will get to explore textures, sounds, sights, and movements in a safe and secure space while also developing their fine motor skills.
Plus, if you have been looking for a way to keep your little one entertained long enough for you to get a few things done around the house, this is it!
We’ve had a couple of different activity tables over the years for both of my kids and there were some features I liked and didn’t like about all of them.
Because they are available in many different sizes and materials, and they come with a wide variety of features, choosing a great baby activity table for your little one can be quite tough.
To help you out, this guide is going to outline some of the best ones you can buy right now!
What do babies use activity tables for?
So first, let’s discuss why you might invest in a baby activity table in the first place.
Activity tables are a must-have item for young kids who are just starting to figure out how the world works. They offer lots of opportunities for your child to learn as she plays.
They are also educational toys that boost your baby’s cognitive development in the following ways:
- They boost your baby’s fine motor skills. Manipulating all the bits and bobs on the activity table will also help improve their hand-eye coordination while strengthening the muscles in her hands.
- Playing with the activity table also stimulates your baby’s senses, allowing her to learn new things faster. The various activities will teach her how different things work, and the more they plays, the more confident they’ll become in her skills.
- Activity tables also help teach babies about cause and effect. They’ll get curious and explore all the various knobs, spinners, and buttons, picking up basic skills in the process.
- They are also a great source of entertainment for babies. They’ll get to enjoy endless hours of fun on the activity table!
- Musical appreciation. Activity tables that come with music also take things to the next level by encouraging your little one to start appreciating music from an early age!
- Building strength. They are a great way to get your baby to stand and move around, strengthening her legs, core, and arms while also supporting the development of her gross motor skills. All around, they are great for physical development!
So there are overall many pros to activity tables and essentially no cons in my opinion.
We have found that the ones that don’t make sound have more longevity for my little ones but we did get many months of use out of our musical tables as well before passing them on.
What should you consider before buying an activity table for your baby?
Activity tables are a hit with kids because they are designed to keep even the most distracted baby occupied.
The best baby activity table might look different for each one of us. So remember to keep these core features in mind when deciding!
I also really love the ones that are designed to grow with your child, coming with a wide range of activities that your little one will be constantly discovering on her own the more she plays with the table.
That said, before buying an activity table for your kiddo, there are a few important things that you’ll need to consider:
How long will they use it?
When your baby is about 6 months old, she’s ready to upgrade from a playmat on the floor to an activity table.
Typically, they should enjoy using it for several months, at least until they’re ready to walk.
This is where activity tables with removable legs shine: because they double as activity centers and play tables, older babies will still be able to enjoy using them well into toddlerhood, giving you more value for money in the long run!
Pro tip: A tip I learned from a physical therapist is to take two legs off of the table and prop it up so that your baby can be in essentially “baby cobra” and build up core strength during tummy time!
What are they interested in?
Next, you need to ensure that the activity table is entertaining for your child. It should be able to keep them busy or else it’s not worth it.
Because babies at this age are still finding out things about the world and themselves, consider getting a table that has a wide range of activities to give them options and grab their attention.
Lights, music, buttons, languages, illustrations, sliding blocks, and more will engage your child’s curiosity and imagination. The more activities the table offers, the better!
But they don’t have to need batteries to be engaging! Keep that in mind.
Is the table age-appropriate?
Before buying an activity table, ensure you are getting something that is age appropriate for your little one.
This will guarantee that your baby is playing at the safest level for their age.
Most activity tables are designed for ages 6 months and up. However, confirm the manufacturer’s recommendations first.
What are the sound features it comes with?
This is yet another important thing to consider. An activity table may have all the features you want, but if it produces a lot of obnoxious noise, it will quickly drive you crazy.
Simply having a volume control feature can be life-changing! If this is not an option, consider going for an activity table that produces music and sounds that are not too irritating.
How versatile is it?
You want an activity table that allows your kiddo to get the most use out of it.
For example, an activity table that has detachable legs will allow your baby to interact with it right from the time she can’t walk yet to when she starts pulling herself up on furniture and walking.
What materials is it made of?
The two most common materials that activity tables for babies are made of are wood and plastic.
Plastic models are cheaper and often come with battery-powered activities that are not available on wood models.
However, you should to ensure that the type of plastic used is BPA-free, phthalate-free, baby-safe, and non-toxic because your baby will likely be putting some of the parts in her mouth.
Wooden models are more expensive, but you know you are getting a non-toxic material.
On the downside, they come with fewer features, such as no language sound effects or anything that would require batteries.
On the plus side, you’ll be getting lots of value for money because wooden models can last for many years, unlike plastic ones.
Price
Of course we also need to keep in mind the price of these tables. While most of them have longevity, there are still some great more affordable options that will tick all of your boxes.
The price listed on here was accurate at the time of publishing. I’ve linked multiple store options to comparing pricing to make it easier for you to take advantage of sales and deals.
This post may contain affiliate links.
10 Best Baby Activity Table Options
Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Activity Center – Best Overall | TOP PICK
Price: $87.99
Material: Wood
Does it need batteries: No
Best for: 12 months to 5 years
Why you’ll love it: Made entirely using wood with a non-toxic water-based finish
The Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Activity Center stands out because it is made using wood and coated with a non-toxic water-based finish.
This makes it a great choice for any mom or dad who wants to stay away from plastic.
It has a whimsical design that looks like a playground. Because of this, it is loaded with activities for your little one, including 20 gliders on seven different tracks!
Your baby will love all the twisting, twiddling, spinning, and moving parts, which means you can count on her enjoying endless hours of engagement with this activity table.
It’s great for use through the preschool years as well as for little tikes. The one we have is very similar to this and my kids love it!
VTech Magic Star Learning Table – Best Budget Pick
Price: $19.99
Material: Plastic
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 6 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: A fun educational activity table with removable legs that features two languages
The VTech Magic Star Learning Table is both fun and educational, making it a great choice for any budding learner! It comes with 6 activities in English and Spanish – great for language development!
It also has removable legs, which means you can easily convert it into an activity center for floor play.
Your little one will also enjoy the fun steering wheel and the toy phone for pretend play.
It is also preloaded with nursery rhymes and lots of other melodies and sounds, so there will be no shortage of entertainment as your little one interacts with it!
If you have been looking for a super fun activity table that will grow with your little one, the VTech Magic Star Learning Table is exactly what you need!
It also comes in two different colors and has over 7,500 positive ratings on Amazon.
Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table Magic Touch – Best For Music
Price: $89.99
Material: Wood, Plastic
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 6 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: A great way to introduce music concepts to your child
We love the Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table Magic Touch because it is designed for open-ended play that will also teach your baby basic music concepts.
The activity table comes with Magic Touch technology that encourages your child to experiment with diverse musical experiences. All she has to do is tap on the wooden surface!
A musical learning table is a great feature for the early years!
This activity table comes with 22 instrument options in 3 play modes:
- Learn mode teaches your child instrument names and colors.
- Silly mode is open-ended with different sound effects and different activities.
- Freestyle mode encourages her to explore her music-making skills.
You’ll also love the removable feet that it comes with which allows the table to grow with your child.
It is also designed to allow multiple kids to interact with it at the same time, making it a great choice if you are a parent of multiples!
Bright Starts Having a -Ball Get Rollin’ Activity Table – Affordable
Price: $28.30
Material: Plastic
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 6 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: Affordable yet highly functional
If you have been looking for an affordable yet interesting activity table for your kiddo, the Bright Starts Having a -Ball Get Rollin’ Activity Table might be just what you need.
It is loaded with fun activities that your little one will enjoy. Plus, it also comes with 4 different languages (English, French, Spanish, German), which makes it a great choice if having an educational component is important to you.
With over 60 songs, a Tucan piano, and even a book that toggles it from play mode to learning mode, it is easy to see why so many moms and dads love this table. The piano keys are a fun way for kids to enjoy this musical table!
It can also grow with your child, making it a worthwhile investment that will serve you for many years.
Baby Einstein Around We Grow 4-in-1 Walk Around Discovery Activity Center Table – Most Options For Use
Price: $102.36
Material: Plastic, Polyester
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 6 months to 4 years
Why you’ll love it: Unique design with an adjustable seat off to one side and 360-degree table exploration, supporting your little one’s first steps.
You’ll love the Baby Einstein Around We Grow 4-in-1 Walk Around Discovery Activity Center Table because of its unique design.
It features a 3-position height adjustable seat that’s located off to one side.
This seat can travel 360 degrees around the table, allowing your little one to explore everything that the table has to offer from all sides.
Because of its design, it will encourage your little one to take her first steps.
It also comes with 15 unique toys, including a twirling caterpillar tower and a musical keyboard.
Every part is modular and removable, which means you can also convert it into an art table for floor play.
In this way, this activity table will grow with your child and serve you for years.
Baby Einstein Curiosity Table Activity Station Table – Best For Art and Science
Price: $50
Material: Plastic
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 12 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: Two-sided art and science modes that will engage your child for hours!
We love the Baby Einstein Curiosity Table Activity Station Table because it is designed to draw out your little one’s natural curiosity.
It features removable spinning gears, flashing lights, and color-discovery circuits. At its core, it is a 2-sided art and science table that will help nurture your child’s passion for learning.
Coming with lots of activities to spark your baby’s creativity, it has removable legs for different play modes.
It also has 65 melodies and sounds, which means your kiddo will have no shortage of entertainment as she plays with this table.
It has removable legs that also allow it to sit directly on the floor.
ORIBEL PortaPlay Baby Activity Center – Best Travel Friendly/Portable
Price: $129
Material: Plastic
Does it need batteries: Yes
Best for: 6 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: Compact design for easy storage and travel-ready design
The ORIBEL PortaPlay Baby Activity Center stands out because of its unique compact design.
It comes with legs that fold inwards, which is great for storage or if you want to travel with it. The entire surface is spayed with toys that spin, flip, and squeak, so your little one’s attention will be grabbed non-stop.
The legs are adjustable to 4 different positions and the seat swivels through 360 degrees. It also grows with your child, transforming from an activity center to an activity table to a play table when your little one is in her toddler years.
Melissa & Doug First Play Children’s Jungle Wooden Activity Table for Toddlers – Best Wooden Budget Pick
Price: $43.60
Material: Wood
Does it need batteries: NO
Best for: 12 months to 5 years
Why you’ll love it: Simple, stylish, and extremely durable
The Melissa & Doug First Play Children’s Jungle Wooden Activity Table for Toddlers made it to this list because it is designed to help your little one develop multiple skills as she interacts with it.
Coming with 8 different hands-on activities, it will help your baby build essential developmental skills like hand-eye coordination and gross and fine motor skills and fine motor development.
This sturdy wooden activity table will also ensure safety and stability and last a very long time.
Your little one will love the bright colors, whimsical designs, and bold patterns. It comes with no lights and sounds but it’s super affordable, which makes it a great choice for anyone who’s working with a tight budget!
Clementoni 17300 Baby Park Activity Table – Best For Small Babies
Price: $30.23
Material: Plastic
Does it need batteries: YES
Best for: 6 months to 3 years
Why you’ll love it: Fun design with activities that run throughout the table even to the legs!
The Clementoni 17300 Baby Park Activity Table is a gorgeously interactive electronic activity table with a theme park design.
It is packed with many interesting activities, including shapes, lights, sounds, cogs, characters, and buttons. It also has a fun route that balls can go through right from the top to the bottom at the table’s feet, a feature that your little one will absolutely love!
Playing with this activity table will stimulate your child’s manual skills, visual perception, and cause-and-effect recognition. It is also super simple to assemble, and set up, something that every parent will be thankful for!
Gemileo Wooden Activity Cube – Best Cube Activity Table (TOP PICK)
Price: $69.91
Material: Wood
Does it need batteries: NO
Best for: 12 months to 5 years
Why you’ll love it: Unique wooden cube design that will engage your child for hours and last for several years
The Gemileo Wooden Activity Cube is a 6-in-1 toy set that includes 5 games, a bead maze, a clock for learning time, an animal matching game, a number board for learning numbers, shape blocks, and a fun interactive toy.
This one is really one of the best baby activity centers for so many reasons. It focuses heavily on your baby’s cognitive skills and engaging your baby’s attention in different ways to improve their development.
All these features make it an amazing learning toy that will help your little one improve her hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor movements, tracking ability, and early cognition skills.
It’s an all-in-one type of product that has the ability to replace various toys. And because it is mobile, it’s easy to move to different areas of your home.
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this beautifully made wooden activity table and how easy it is to assemble.
Your baby will also enjoy pushing it, pulling it, and playing on it with her friends! All the materials used are 100% wooden and completely baby safe!
Final Thoughts on Baby Activity Tables
An activity table is a must-have entertainment item for your little one once she starts becoming curious and craving more exciting toys.
Good activity tables are interactive and feature lots of buttons, toys, and knobs that your baby can discover and explore on her own. In this way, activity tables encourage learning and independent play.
With so many activity table models to choose from, finding the perfect one can be difficult. Hopefully, with the tips, tricks, and recommendations offered in this guide, finding the right one for your kiddo will be a little easier. Good luck!
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About the Author
Nicole Booz is the founder of GenTwenty and GenThirty. She is an entrepreneur, author of The Kidult Handbook, and most importantly, Mama to two beautiful little boys. She loves reading, organizing her home, and living a simple, less toxic lifestyle. You've seen her in The New York Times, TIME, Insider, Inside Edition, New York Post, NextAdvisor, Forbes, Yahoo, HuffPost, and U.S. News & World Report.
Website: www.genthirty.com