Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table
If you have a child, you know how much they like to play. Their curious minds compel them to seek out new toys and adventures. Shopping for toys can be difficult because it’s hard to know how many you need or what to buy. What if we told you there was a better way? Baby activity tables are a great way to get all of your child’s toys in one place. They can come with songs, sounds, lights, and even jumpers for small children. Activity tables are an easy way to stay organized, entertain your child, and keep your home clean. If a baby activity table has been on your mind, or if this is the first time you’ve heard of them, read on. We’re going to take you through the ten best baby activity tables (#toc_top-10-best-baby-activity-tables-2020) and give you some shopping tips along the way. The first thing to look for is the age recommendation. Baby activity tables function in similar ways, but different age groups benefit from different activities. For example, while a toddler can begin learn the alphabet, babies or infants are more interested in exciting toys. If you have a younger child, under a year old, make sure the table includes a walker or jumper. The jumper can help your child stand and interact with the table, especially if they can’t on their own. So, when you’re choosing an activity table for your child, make sure it’s age-appropriate, or you’ll be the only one interacting with it. Baby activity tables come with a lot of different themes. The theme a table has tells you what type of toys it comes with. For example, a musical table will include toys like instruments, melodies, and plenty of sounds. There are also themes for safaris, farms, animals, and more. The theme isn’t an essential feature, but if you know your child is scared of animals, you should shy away from animal-themed products. Themes can also be mixed. You’ll come across a few products that blend a lot of different toys or activities. Mixed themes aren’t always better than single-theme tables, but they offer variety. When you shop for themes, it’s about understanding the preferences of you and your child (#toc_start-by-getting-to-know-your-child) , which we cover later in our full guide. Many products fit the description of an activity table. As you’re shopping, you’ll come across activity centers, tables, cubes, and hybrids. Taking time to familiarize yourself with each type can help you make the right decision. We know that most products say what they are in the name, but product titles can be misleading. Don’t worry; we have you covered. Activity tables are designed for toddlers and don’t include walkers or jumpers. All of the toys are present on the table, but whether or not they’re attached to the table depends on the product. Activity tables can also come in any of the themes that we focused on earlier. Activity centers are designed for babies and infants. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but typically have a jumper located in the middle. Most of the toys on activity centers are attached to the table to prevent them being a choking hazard. Activity cubes are different than activity tables and activity centers. They feature five different sides, with each one being filled with unique toys and puzzles. We include activity cubes in this guide because some cubes stand as tall as activity tables and provide a compact option. Hybrid products are a blend of activity tables and activity centers. These products can be used for both babies and toddlers because the jumper can be removed. Hybrid products also tend to include removable legs so you can use them as a floor toy, and sometimes they can be double-sided. These products are the most diverse, portable, and age-inclusive, but they’re more costly. When you’re shopping for a baby activity table, it’s all about the activities. Some tables have more activities than others, and sometimes it can be about quality, not quantity. For example, a table that relies on sounds and music generally has fewer activities than tables that don’t have sounds. This is neither good nor bad, and more about preference. If you have a child that gets bored quickly, though, make sure you look at tables with a lot of different avenues for play. You should also pay close attention to whether or not an activity table comes with battery-powered features. Battery-powered features are things like sounds, music, and lights. Powered activity tables can be an excellent choice for children that are visual learners; just be sure to keep some AA batteries handy. Most battery-powered products require two or three batteries. The price of some baby activity tables might surprise you. For what they are, they can seem expensive. While this is true for some products, you can still find plenty of bargain activity tables that provide more than enough value. So, after doing the research, we’ve grouped each product into one of three categories: Now you have a general overview, let’s find the perfect play area for your little one to develop their cognitive and motor abilities – all the while having a great time. If you want a more in-depth dive into what to look for when shopping, check out our full guide below. (#toc_everything-you-need-to-know-about-activity-tables) Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table is a great product for helping children develop. While it’s loaded with toys that are purely for fun, it also promotes learning and coordination. There is a chair at the center to provide stability, and it does a full 360° rotation to keep your child engaged. The table comes with four interactive activities. It has peekaboo clouds, swaying starts, rattle beads and a wobble lamp. It also has twenty other static toys. The interactive toys can move around the table while the others remain securely in place to prevent choking. The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table was also developed with the help of a pediatrician to make sure the product is both safe and efficient. While many activity tables focus on the toys, this table can be flipped over and used as a traditional baby table. Standing at 30″ tall, it can be used for arts and crafts as your child gets older. Another feature that this table includes is the transparent window that lets your child see their feet, which makes this table a whole-body experience. What Sets it Apart What sets this product apart is the ability to use it as a traditional baby table. When flipped over, you can remove many of the toys from the table’s surface, even the jumper. This innovative design provides the table with longevity, enabling you to use it for over a year. With that feature, it’s hard to find a table that offers more value, making it our premium choice. Things to Consider While the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table can double as an activity table and regular table, that doesn’t make it perfect. For example, the jumper is not sturdy. If a child is over twenty-five pounds when you introduce the product, there is a chance that they can break the walker and hurt themselves. While this problem goes away when you use it as a regular table, it’s worth noting. If you need a more stable walker, you should consider a product like the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table (#product1) . It doesn’t have the same number of activities, or the ability to flip over, but it offers more stability. Who It’s For The Skip Hop Baby Activity Table is a great fit for most parents. If you need a table for a young child and don’t want to make another purchase in the future, this activity table is your best choice. The flip-over feature provides you all of the longevity you need and eliminates the need for an upgrade down the line. You’ll get the most value out of this product if your child is between 6-12 months. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is an outdoor activity table that’s great for travel. It features a pop-up design that allows it to be set up within three seconds – toys and all. The toys it comes with are also fun for children to play with. It has a rattle, mirror book, teether, and spinner ball. There is also a jumper at the center of the table for your child to stand in. The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center also comes with a canopy for those hot summer days. It keeps your child cool and also features UPF resistance, keeping harmful sun rays away from your child’s sensitive skin. For cleaning, the entire product can be placed in the washing machine, and it’s dryer safe. What Sets it Apart The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is one of the few high-quality outdoor activity tables you can find. It can set up quickly and provides safety from the sun. While outdoor use is excellent by itself, this product is also portable. It can be folded down, which makes it easy to store in the trunk of your car or take with you on vacation. Things to Consider The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is a great outdoor activity, but that’s where its usefulness comes to an end. You can use it indoors, but it’s outclassed by most activity tables in that area. It only comes with four toys, and the jumper lacks mobility and rotation capabilities. If you need an indoor activity table that’s in a similar price and age range, consider the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table (#product2) instead. It features a jumper at the center and comes with plenty of fun indoor activities. Who It’s For The Summer Pop’n Jump Portable Activity Center is for parents that need an outdoor or portable activity table. It’s great for vacations, backyard events, and even the beach. We recommend using this product as a secondary activity table solely for outdoor use. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is an excellent table for babies and toddlers. Standing at 18″ tall, even smaller babies can reach the toys located on top of the cube. The cube also has activities located on the sides, including farm-themed puzzles and spinners. While each side of the cube as a unique activity, the top includes a zig-zag bead structure, like the ones you find in doctor’s offices. The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is also compact and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Instead of cramming activities into the top of the table, every action has a specific location. This activity table is also made out of wood instead of plastic, which makes it safer and more durable. What Sets it Apart The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is unique because of the cube design. Your child can choose to sit or stand when they’re playing, reducing the chances of them becoming fatigued after a short period of play. Each portion of the cube has a unique activity, so as your child moves around the cube, they’ll want to interact with them all. Battat is also a reputable company that’s been creating high-quality children’s toys since 1897. It’s common to see companies that have been around for 50+ years, but if a company has been around for over 100 years, there is a good chance they’re doing something right. Things to Consider The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is not for everyone. While it includes a lot of fun activities, the cube design can be a turn off. It functions like a table, but it doesn’t stand as tall as one. 18″ is suitable for babies but it’s short for toddlers. If you’re not a fan of the cube design, you should consider a more traditional table like the Skip Hop Baby Activity Table (#product2) . Who it’s For The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is for parents that like the cube design. It offers a classic and minimalist look with the hardwood finish, making it an excellent choice for parents that have that theme in their home. Keep in mind, it’s best suited for older children, but even if your child is less than one year old, they can enjoy it. If you don’t like how big some tables can get, go for the cube. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table can give your child an ear for music. This table is all about musical discovery and features a handful of activities that introduce your child to music. There is a music book in the center, which includes instructions for your child to follow. These instructions teach them about melodies and other combinations of sounds. The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table also features musical instruments that help your child learn colors. They all light up, and there is a strummable guitar, tappable drum, piano keys, and a rotating French horn. These instruments can be used with the music book, or your child can learn to create their own masterpieces. What Sets it Apart The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is unique because of the musical combinations it includes. There are a lot of tables that include music, but this table allows your child to make their own combinations. This is great for learning because it promotes critical thinking. Another great feature is that you can order it in French, English, or Spanish. Things to Consider The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is excellent for musical discovery, but it lacks variety. The only toys are musical ones, so if your child isn’t a music fan yet, you won’t find the table useful. For this reason, we recommend this table for older children, even though the product suggests six months+. If you prefer a table that provides both music and traditional toys, consider the Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center (#product6) instead. It comes with a safari theme, animal toys, and music. Who It’s For The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table is for music lovers. If you live in a musical household or notice that your child loves sounds, this is the best table around. While it’s great for teaching kids, with the included music book, parents can get involved too. If you’re looking for a musical experience that you and your child can share, this product is the perfect choice. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is a safari adventure that’s suitable for children of all ages. There is a jumper at the center for babies with 360° rotation and plenty of animal toys to interact with. There is an alligator that functions as a keyboard, and it plays up to 20 minutes of music, and the rest of the animal-themed toys get your child in-tune with nature. The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is also a 2-in-1 product, which means you can remove the jumper in the center when your child gets older. It’s also easy to clean. Fisher-Price knows that messes can happen, so the jumper is made with padding that’s machine washable and dryer safe. What Sets it Apart The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is unique because it features a portable toy that plays music. The alligator is portable, which means your child can listen to music wherever they are. Not only does this keep your child entertained on the go, but it gets them excited to return home to the rest of the table. Things to Consider The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is good, but it won’t blow your mind. It doesn’t include a lot of activities and requires more batteries than similar activity tables in its price range. Overall, it’s average at best. If you’re looking for a product that has that wow factor, consider an activity table like the Baby Einstein Curiosity Table (#product8) . It features interactive activities for both parents and children. Who It’s For The Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center is for parents that need a reliable activity table. Fisher-Price has been around for a long time, and the company has developed a reputation for creating safe, durable, and fun baby products. Their products are highly rated. While it won’t make your jaw drop, it’s reliable enough to last years. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is great for curious children that love role-playing. The table resembles an office space. It includes a globe, laptop, phone, and plenty of interactive touchpoints. Each touchpoint features a unique sound that can teach your child greetings, colors, sounds, and more. Plus, it offers both Spanish and English translations. The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center can also be used as a floor toy. The table legs are detachable, which makes it useful for children that can’t stand yet. When you remove the braces, it also makes it easier to store the product. What Sets it Apart The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is unique because of all the sounds it comes with. It’s common for activity tables to feature a dozen different sounds, but this table takes it to the next level. There are 180 sounds total, in both Spanish and English, to keep your child entertained. These sounds include melodies, nursery rhymes, phrases, and sounds. Things to Consider The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center comes with a lot of sounds, but the activities aren’t always appealing. Office spaces aren’t generally thought of as fun, so depending on your child, their level of interest will vary. If you find that your child loves to roleplay, go for it. Otherwise, a product like the VTech Magic Star Learning Table (#product10) is a better choice. Who it’s For The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center is for children that love to roleplay. If you notice that your child is always interested in your desk, phone, or laptop, this is an activity table you should consider. It promotes role-playing and inspires your child to read like an adult. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table has a lot of unique features and activities. Many activity tables tend to focus on essential toys and buttons, but this table comes packed with lights, gears, and a mess-free paint plot. There is also a whiteboard for children to draw on and enough activities to entertain two children at once. The gears can be removed and examined, and the lights function as a puzzle to encourage your child to learn through trial-and-error. The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table incorporates music and sounds through activated buttons. Sounds are in both English and Spanish so that you can familiarize your child with both languages. You can also pull up a chair and use the whiteboard to create your own activities for your child to interact with. This helps promote bonding. For younger children, the legs can be removed, turning it into a floor toy. What Sets it Apart Children tend to get bored quickly, especially when they’re playing with the same toys for a couple of months. Baby Einstein’s solution to this dilemma was making this table double-sided. Once your child starts to show signs of disinterest on one side, simply flip the table over to grab their attention. Things to Consider The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table is well-rounded, but it can come off as overwhelming. Babies might have a hard time interacting with it, mainly because it doesn’t include a jumper, meaning it has to be used as a floor toy with young children. Sure, it can work for infants, but it’s designed for older children. If you need an activity table for children under a year old, consider a product like the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Table (#product1) instead. Who it’s For The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table is for parents that want to join the fun and parents of multiple children. The mess-free paint plot and whiteboard make it great for cooperative play. Keep in mind; you don’t always have to join in the fun either. It works perfectly fine for one child. On the other hand, if you have two children, this table is the best option. Editor’s Rating: Quick Facts The Infantino 2-in-1 Sit, Spin & Stand Entertainer 360 Seat & Baby Activity Table is an excellent product for curious babies. It comes with six interactive toys that your child can mess around with, and it also includes music and lights.