8.01.2009

Skip Hop Outer Space Play Mat vs. Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Environment Play Gym




- cute space theme
- mat easily detaches from hanging play-gym portion to be washed.
- each hanging toy does something different (one is a music box that plays twinkle twinkle, one's a rattle, one crinkles, etc)
- easily folds up to be stored or taken on trips
- hanging toys can be moved around and lowered closer to the mat when baby is sitting up. 
- Skip Hop makes a series of other space themed toys that "go" with the mat. 
- no batteries needed.

Cons:
- pretty expensive for such a simple item. There are no super "bells and whistles" that make it really worth 80 dollars. 
- tummy time pillow was never used.
- While I find the colors to be appealing, they're not your standard bring colors and black and whites that generally attract young infant's attention. 

Recommend: If it were on sale or you had a coupon I would without a doubt recommend this item. I personally love it and Jude can lay on his mat for an extended period of time entertaining himself. When I'm laying along side of him, he can enjoy it even longer as I make noises with all the hanging toys. There are many other play mat options though for much less, so do some shopping around before you pay full price. 

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Price: $69.99

Pros:
-holds up well in the washer
-comes with an abundance of toys
-very interactive
-bright colors
-educational
-all toys can be moved around on mat, and can also be connected elsewhere for baby's entertainment
-comes with a mirrored toy that my son (and most babies?!) loved
-comes with a wonderful music box with lights and fun features
-music box can be detached and used elsewhere

Cons:
-music box is quite heavy
-we've had to change the batteries two or three times already (son is 8 months)
-the whale toy that is supposed to be use to help baby with tummy time and sitting up slides out from under baby. It's basically a waste
-batteries not included (3 AA)
-expensive

Recommend: I'd definitely recommend this item to someone who has a coupon! This play gym is among the most expensive play gyms on the market right now, but I think it's great. It's the only one I've ever used so I can't tell ya if the cheaper gyms are just as good.

3 comments:

  1. Hello. I'm interested to know the way you've made the bars on the play mat able to stay up ,and also how they detach from the play mat it's self ,im doing a project at school on child's toys and my chosen product to make is a babies gym ,I'd be really grateful if you could help me out and provide this info for me .Thanks :)

    Shee.

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  2. Shee,

    I didn't make mine, I purchased it, but I can tell you a little about how it seems to be made.

    The cross bars are a lightweight foamy type of material. When detached they are straight and I'd say about 3.5-4' long? there are two bars that are connected by a piece of fabric. when I go to attached them you twist them to make an "x" so that they hold each other up.

    they are attached to the fabric by buckles/snaps on the under side of the mat.

    Hope that helps and good luck! Sounds like a fun project.

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  3. Yes thankyou :) i just need all the info i can get ,thankyou very much ^0^ i recently went to the market and a woman was selling things like this and told me the bars were made from sort of hard spondge or foam ,but since you say they 'twist' i wonder if there is different ways to making them :S oh well ,wish me luck! ha ,and yes im sure it will be fun once i get around to all the proper design specs ,thankyou very much for your help.

    Shee

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