Choosing toys and gear for a new baby can be a daunting task. There is so much on the market that deciding which stationary activity center (most people refer to these as an exersaucer, which is really just one of the more popular brands) to choose can be overwhelming. Let’s break down the differences between some of the most popular exersaucers available for your baby.
The exersaucer replaces the previously very popular walker, which looked similar to the saucer, but had wheels on the bottom, so the child could move around. However, many children were injured by these toys, by falling down stairs or knocking large pieces of furniture over after bumping into them with the walker, so the stationary activity center was born. Stationary activity centers are generally recommended for age four months (or when the child can hold it’s head up well) to walking age. Pricing for ExerSaucers can range from $40 to over $100.
Most exersaucers consist of a seat that rotates and is surrounded by a round tray that has various toys on it. The height is usually adjustable, so the product can be used as your child grows. The bottom may be a saucer shape (which is how ExerSaucer got it’s name), or a treadmill-type object that moves. That is where the similarities between the different stationary activity centers end.
The official ExerSaucer, made by Evenflo brand, is an iParenting Media Award: Greatest Product Winner. The ExerSaucer Mega comes in a variety of themes, such as Farmyard (a very basic model), 1-2-3 Tea for Me (a pink, girly-themed saucer), Smart Steps ABC, In the Garden, and Splash, an underwater theme. The Triple Fun Jungle theme has toys at varying heights, which makes it more fun. (The price also reflects the additional toys.) The themes are great if your nursery already has a particular theme. All Evenflo brand ExerSaucers can be broken down relatively easily for travel, and have a built in carrying handle.
But you don’t have to buy an Evenflo brand ExerSaucer. There are two different stationary activity centers that are themed after the popular Baby Einstein movies. One is made by Graco, called Graco Baby Einstein Discover & Play Activity Center, and it features a bilingual toy option. This is a great feature if it is important to you that your child be exposed to Spanish as well as English. There is also a saucer made by the Baby Einstein company called Baby Einstein Around the World Discovery Center, which has more toys than the Graco version, at about the same cost.
Kolcraft makes a stationary activity center that turns into a walker toy when your child is ready to move up to that level. This may save you money, if you plan on purchasing a walker toy eventually.
Many companies are making stationary jumping toys with a tray full of toys for the baby to play with. This is a great alternative for babies that like to jump, as there isn’t much upward movement when jumping in an exersaucer.
I have had three children, and can personally attest that the cost of the ExerSaucer does not necessarily relate to how much your child will like it. I had one child who used an ExerSaucer Mega who would only tolerate it for 15 minutes or so, another child who wanted nothing to do with any exersaucer-type products, and a third who much preferred a very basic exersaucer, and was overwhelmed by one with a plethora of toys. (Many exersaucers now on the market have removable and interchangeable toys, and this would probably help with children who are overwhelmed by too much stimulation.) My best advice would be to take your child to a store that sells these items, pull the assembled ones off the shelf, and let your baby try them out. (That’s why they are assembled in the store!) This is the best way to find out what will work best for your child.
Remember, as with all baby products, an exersaucer should only be used for brief periods of time, and under adult supervision.
