Differences Between Playards and Travel Cribs
Playard. A playard—also known as a pack ‘n play—offers an enclosed area with a soft but sturdy floor that’s safe to use for naps, overnight sleep and play. It usually features mesh walls for breathability and visibility. They typically have foldable mattresses with durable frames that can be quickly assembled and transported or easily stored.
Travel Crib. A travel crib offers all the benefits of a playard—it’s sturdy, comfortable and includes a firm mattress for sleeping—but there’s one key difference: weight. Travel cribs are lighter than playards and often have a more compact fold, which makes them easier to transport on trips. As they’re mostly made for sleep, they’re also often a bit tighter on play space than traditional playards.
How to Choose the Best Playard or Travel Crib
Portability: If you plan to use your playard or travel crib as a portable sleep space—or simply need to be able to move it from room to room—you’ll want to make sure it’s lightweight with a compact fold. Playards can vary significantly in weight, ranging from less than 10 lbs to over 30 lbs, whereas, the travel cribs on this list all weigh under 16 lbs.
Functional features: Some options come with or offer additional add-ons that allow them to be used as bassinets, activity centers and changing stations.
Height and weight limits: Many baby playards and cribs can be used until a child is 3 years old, or until they can climb out on their own. Some of the best pack ‘n plays are designed as toddler playards too. These portable playards typically sit directly on the ground, so they don’t have an upper weight limit.
Safety standards: As with many baby products, if you buy a second-hand item or receive a hand-me-down, it’s important to find out whether it has been recalled and if it meets current safety standards. Test the playard or travel crib to see if it can fold and unfold properly. The mesh walls should be completely intact without any rips or holes, and the mattress should either be original to the playard or an approved add-on from the manufacturer. It should fit snugly against the playard floor without any gaps along the side walls.
