NYC mom-approved playpens that keep kids safe and parents sane

Kids’ safety and parents’ sanity often go hand in hand.The best playpens are key to that equation.Not to mention — they’re major time-savers.

Since becoming a mother, I’ve accumulated a host of knowledge on all things baby, but there is one thing that’s become even more evident since my babbling newborn turned into a fully-fledged toddler — as a parent, it can be hard to get anything done around the house without a playpen.Perhaps you need to eat some food or take a shower.Maybe the house needs to be cleaned, the dog fed or plants watered.

All of these seemingly simple actions become exceptionally more difficult when your little one starts crawling and walking, which is why it’s nice to have one of the best playpens for babies around. After all, there was once a time when you could place your baby in a bouncer and call it a day — or at least until they started crying.But now that your little shadow is following you everywhere and getting into mischief, you may need to opt for something with a little more structure.Playpens come in all shapes and sizes, from octagonal mesh contraptions to Montessori-style wooden rectangles.

To help make shopping a bit easier, we’ve asked parents around New York City to share their favorite baby playpens, and they aren’t your typical white picket fence-like contraptions.Instead, they are comfortable, safe, and perfect for you and your baby.Keep reading to discover the best baby and toddler playpens, and be sure to browse our additional roundups for more expert-based guidance on the best travel cribs, strollers, and clothing brands for kids.June update: All items were updated to the current prices.

Evenflo Play Space was given the title of Best playpen on Amazon.Pros:Cons:If you know you want something easy to move around, the Joypony is a phenomenal option.This lightweight (and budget-friendly) playpen is easy to assemble with its user-friendly instructions and video.

Parents love the sturdy construction an...