If you are just after the quick answer for the best baby exersaucer, then our personal recommendation is the Skip Hop Explore and More.
Every mom needs a break now and then, but leaving your baby alone on the floor can be risky. Depending on how mobile she is, she could easily roll or crawl her way to the stairs or other danger areas of your home.
My advice to you: invest in an exersaucer!
These stationary activity centers for babies not only act as a way to keep them occupied and in one place. They also provide valuable mental engagement and facilitate the development of motor skills through interactive play.
Or did you stop reading at Stationary? Sounds good right!
We have looked at the best baby exersaucers on the market so you can find the right activity center for your baby.
In this article we will review the following baby exersaucers:
- Skip Hop Explore and More
- Evenflo Triple Fun Learning Center
- Oribel Portaplay
- Baby Einsteins Activity Saucer
- Bright Starts Bounce-A-Bout Activity Center
What is an Exersaucer?
We have all seen them, but we may not realize what they are called: those round activity centers for babies that have the seat in the middle and toys surrounding them.
That is an exersaucer (exercise + saucer)!
Now, the term exersaucer is loosely used, as we will see. Not all the products listed will follow the typical “saucer” design.
There have been many advancements with this type of product over the years, resulting in some products that are more versatile and portable than the traditional exersaucer.
Best Baby Exersaucers of 2025
1. Skip Hop Explore and More
It does not adhere to the typical design, having legs and an adjustable platform rather than the typical saucer on the bottom. This means your baby’s feet will be off the ground, which could be a safety concern for some.
There are several interactive toys that help develop fine and gross motor skills of your little one, and is stimulating from head to toe.
Toys include an electronic piano, peek-a-boo owl, cloud with beads, and hedgehog bead chaser and spinner which encourage the development of hand-eye coordination.
The unique clip system allows toys to be positioned anywhere around your baby, which allows them to be adjusted according to your baby’s current abilities.
Features a peek-a-boo window that allows your baby to see her feet and play with the foot piano, and a dishwasher-safe suction cup bowl to be used as a snack tray.
The activity center can be converted into a play table two different ways: with toys for your shimmying, scooting baby; with a clean, flat surface suitable for playing and drawing into early childhood.
The seat cover can be removed for easy cleaning in the washing machine; toys can also be removed to be sanitized.
Pros:
- Unique clip system
- Legs can be removed for flat, easy storage.
- Broad range of engaging toys
- Converts into a play table
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Baby’s feet are off the ground
- Not as much bounce
- Higher price point
2. Evenflo Triple Fun Learning Center
The flexible design allows for the activity center to be transformed to match three stages of your baby’s motor development:
- Play mat only with toy arch for infancy. Great for tummy time!
- Regular exersaucer for baby activity
- Play table for toddlerhood.
The activity center comes in two fun designs (Life in the Amazon and World Explorer) and offers a vast array of toys for your little one to play with, such as bead chasers, dangling friends, and noise makers.
Some toys are detachable and can be played with separately. This can help keep some variety in your baby’s routine and probably save you some money too!!
Comes in two fun designs: Life in the Amazon and World Explorer.
The product is quite bulky though and even though it is collapsible for storage it will still take up a bit of space.
The activity table uses the same legs from the exersaucer, which makes the table a bit unstable for babies who may be holding on or using the table to pull themselves to standing.
Some babies may be overloaded and over-stimulated by the sheer number of toys that surround them at all 360 degrees. There are no plugs for empty holes if you want to remove a few toys to remedy this issue. But they will adjust quickly.
Pros:
- Adaptable design
- Detachable toys
- Two fun designs
- Seat cover is removeable and machine washable.
Cons:
- Bulky frame
- Less stable when used as an activity table
- May be overwhelming at first
3. Oribel Portaplay
Features 5 interactive toys that support cognitive and fine motor skill development, and a seat that bounces and spins 360 degrees.
Oribel has a line of products available that are companions to this play table, which allows your child to continue to enjoy it as she grows older.
Is a bit more on the pricey side considering that it comes with fewer toys than other activity centers. Your baby could get bored with it faster.
The stools/paper roll are sold separately.
May not be suitable for strong, mobile babies since baby’s feet are on the ground rather than a platform, allowing the table to be moved with too much jumping.
Pros:
- Folds up for easy storage
- Converts into a play table
- Seat bounces and spins 360 degrees
Cons:
- Fewer toys and features
- Less suitable for stronger babies
4. Baby Einsteins Activity Saucer
Comes equipped with 11+ features and learning activities, including piano, leaf teether, spinning animals, and other ocean friends to keep your baby entertained. It also features additional rings that can have baby’s other favorite toys attached for play time.
The noise-making features of this product can be played in English, Spanish, and French, and you are able to adjust the volume to suit so it doesn’t send you bonkers!
Includes adjustable height with 5 different levels to accommodate your growing baby.
Unfortunately, it does not fold up and can take up a lot of space when stored away.
Pros:
- Excellent value
- Multi height position
- Noise-making feature
Cons:
- Doesn’t fold up
5. Bright Starts Bounce-a-Bout Activity Center
This exersaucer from Bright Starts is a unique activity center due to the bouncy foot platform, instead of the bouncy seat. This makes it a bit closer to a stationary jumper. The bouncing pad keeps your baby’s feet engaged as well as the rest of her body, providing fun from head to toe.
While the bounce pad may be fun and good for the development of leg muscles, your baby may just find it less enjoyable than a bouncing seat.
Includes a lot of great jungle-themed interactive toys, like bead chasers, ball poppers, mirrors, and trees with crinkly leaves.
The design has adjustable height and is compact without being short on fun for your baby. Toys are featured at different heights (such as tall trees) to allow for baby’s engagement at all angles. But the design also does not fold up for storage.
Comes with extra rings attached to the tray and tall trees to allow your baby’s favorite toys to be within reach while she is enjoying her activity center.
It comes in two color schemes (for boys and girls) and lots of toys that are sure to keep your little one entertained.
Pros:
- Three height settings
- Compact in design
- Excellent value
- Toys are various heights
Cons:
- Baby may get bored with jumping pad
- Doesn’t fold up
How Are Exersaucers Beneficial?
For Baby
Babies love to explore and try out everything they can get their hands on. Their curiosity and experimentation helps them reach many developmental milestones as they grow by practicing their gross and fine motor skills.
Their curiosity can also get them into all kinds of trouble and dangerous situations.
Exersaucer activity centers give them a safe, stationary place to play where they can have a plethora of toys within their reach (we will go into more detail on this in a moment).
For Mom
Because of the exersaucers’ design (to remain in one place), mom can allow her baby to play with peace of mind.
You will not need to worry about your baby getting into something she should not or getting injured by furniture or other items around the house.
This also allows you to get some things done, like cleaning dishes or taking a shower, while your baby is entertained.
It can even be beneficial to place your baby in her exersaucer to get a few minutes of rest, even if it is just sitting on the couch and closing your eyes for a few minutes.
You can also achieve the same with a high-quality baby jumper, but you will not get the same benefits from the interactive toys.
Exersaucer vs. Baby Walker
Before you start looking into products, you need to consider the difference between an exersaucer and a baby walker.
They may seem similar in design, with the variety of toys and the exercise of baby’s legs, but there is a very big difference when it comes to your baby’s safety.
Baby walkers can cause many problems for you and your baby, from the minor to the severe.
As your baby is learning to propel herself and steer, she may end up trapped in a corner or against a piece of furniture, causing her to be frustrated and your furniture to be scratched.
Even more concerning are the dangers they pose when it comes to staircases in your home.
Many babies have been seriously injured by falling down flights of stairs in their walkers. Even if you only have one step or an uneven surface, your baby could be hurt badly by a fall.
Exersaucers, on the other hand, stay in one place. Your baby still has the ability to exercise her legs – whether the exersaucer has jumping capabilities or your baby is just standing – and toys to keep her entertained.
But she is not able to move into a dangerous position, or hazardous area of the house.
Are Activity Centers Safe for Babies?
Activity centers are safe for babies when they reach the recommended growth milestones around age, physical development, interpersonal and emotional development.
If you adhere to the guidelines specific for each you adhere to the recommendations for each activity center, as they will differ depending on the design and features.
Below we will provide more detail on each of these development stages required for safe use of your exersaucer.
What Age Can a Baby Go in an Exersaucer?
Typically, the recommended starting age for a baby to go in an exersaucer is between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
This is a guide only and consideration should be given to your baby’s size, and level of physical development.
Check for these abilities before placing your baby in an exersaucer:
- She should be able to hold her head up on her own with ease
- She should be able to sit and support her own back
- Her feet should be able to touch the ground or the base
Making sure your baby has reached these milestones will keep her safe while she is enjoying her activity center.
Physical Development Progress
There is a lot of controversy about the use of exersaucers and their effect on a baby’s physical development.
Too much use can cause your baby’s neck and legs to weaken if her posture relies too much on the seat to keep her upright, rather than her own body strength.
To avoid the risk of this happening be sure to give your baby plenty of time to play outside of her exersaucer as well.
Having floor and tummy time will help her to continue developing properly, as she learns to hold her head up, sit and stand on her own, and eventually walk and crawl.
Interpersonal And Emotional Development
You also need to be wary of the amount of time your baby is in her exersaucer compared to the amount of time she spends playing with you.
Babies need plenty of face time with parents and other humans in order to develop emotionally and learn to interact with others.
What To Consider When Choosing An Exersaucer
Most exersaucers have a similar basic design. A big disk with a bunch of toys. But there are a few features to look out for that can make one model most suitable for you and your baby:
Safety, Reliability, And Durability
An exersaucer is typically very safe, but you still want to make sure the brand is reliable and that there are no small pieces that can come off and cause your baby to choke.
Stimulation Options
Having a good mix of noise makers, mirrors, fine motor skill-focused toys, and movement (turning and/or jumping) is best for a well-rounded and entertaining exersaucer.
You do want to be careful of overload as well. Too many toys can cause your baby to be overwhelmed and overstimulated.
Age-Appropriate Adjustments
Most exersaucers are adjustable to a degree – allowing the height to be changed a couple of times throughout your baby’s growth spurts – but they are still typically outgrown by most babies around walking age.
Finding one that has more features that grow with your baby will give you more for your money, allowing you to use it longer.
Size And Storage Options
Most exersaucers are bulky and do not break down, making them difficult to store. They can take up quite a bit of space.
But there are a few varieties that are smaller or have folding capabilities, allowing them to be stowed away.
Look for one that fits your current space and storage needs.
Ease Of Cleaning
Babies are messy, and there will be times you are likely to give your little one a snack or drink while she is in her exersaucer.
Having a removable seat cover that is easy to clean and toys that can be removed to be sanitized will make things much easier when she spills her snacks and juice.
Final Word
The Skip Hop Explore and More activity center for babies was our top pick for the best exersaucer!
This activity center is sure to be the favorite of moms, babies, and children alike with all the features it offers:
- Safety: the unique clip system for attaching toys keeps them securely fastened, eliminating any choking concerns
- Stimulation: with toys that promote fine motor skill development, foot piano, and peek-a-boo window, your baby will have fun available to her from head to toe.
- Age Adjustments: can easily be converted into a flat-surfaced play table that can be enjoyed by toddlers and young children alike.
- Storage: The legs are easily removable to allow this table to be stored in small spaces (such as under a child’s bed) and transported to grandma and grandpa’s house.
- Cleaning: the seat cover is machine washable and the toys can easily be removed for sanitizing.
Even though it is one of the pricier models, we believe that the benefits will be worth it.
When you see your five-year-old child eating her snacks or drawing you a picture at the activity table, you will see that it has more than paid for itself.
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