Best Baby Jumpers and Activity Centers
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
QUICK SUMMARY
Amazon 
Target 
Walmart Having a big, colorful piece of gear like a Jumperoo taking over your living room is certainly a rite of passage for many new parents. And, in my experience, giving up floor real estate can be well worth it. Like many parents, I loved having a safe space to place my curious babies when they were in that 4- to 9-month range; not quite ready to be fully mobile, but eager for independence and increasingly interested in playing with toys and gaining a new perspective of their world.
Not only are these products fun for babies, but they give parents a quick break to do things like tidy up, too — while keeping a watchful eye out, of course.
“Jumpers offer hands-free time for parents, can provide engaging stimulation and may even soothe some fussy babies,” says Micah Resnick, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician in Cincinnati, Ohio, with TriHealth and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.
How we chose the best jumpers and activity centers
We reviewed and selected jumpers based on the following criteria from leading experts, as well as What to Expect community members:
- Stationary: Baby walkers, and even some jumpers, have wheels attached so baby can move while they play. But these types of baby walkers aren't safe as they are a fall risk, and shouldn't be used. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a ban on the sale and use of these products. The AAP, however, does consider stationary activity a safer alternative. Per this guidance, all of the jumpers on our list are stationary.
- Space: While very helpful, jumpers can take up quite a lot of space in the home. We chose jumpers of various sizes to work with large and small spaces.
- Entertainment: The best jumpers and activity centers are fun and engaging for babies. We prioritized jumpers that come with a variety of toys that are well suited for the 4- to 9-month-old age group, as well as some that play music.
- Longevity: Unfortunately, jumpers and activity centers have a pretty short lifespan: Most are only appropriate for babies from around 4 to 9 months old, depending on your baby’s neck strength and weight. But some jumpers have features that allow them to be used for longer, such as those that convert into a toddler table. We prioritized jumpers that have features that make them a better longer-term investment.
- Cost: Jumpers and activity centers can get expensive — some are upwards of $300, which is a lot for a product that only gets a few months of use. But you don’t have to spend that much to get a high-quality jumper. We included products at a variety of price points, and the most expensive jumpers and activity centers have features that warrant their higher price tag.
Safety
As fun as they are, there are a number of important safety considerations to keep in mind when shopping for and using jumpers and activity centers. Here’s what all parents should know:
- Be cautious if shopping second-hand. Since these pieces can be pricey and are used for a relatively short period of time, parents sometimes accept hand-me-down activity centers from friends or even buy them used. If you go this route, be sure to search the Consumer Product Safety Commission database to make sure that the product hasn't been recalled. Also make sure the activity center or jumper still has all the pieces so it can be assembled correctly, and check that it's in good working order. "If you haven't bought it new yourself, make sure it's stable, in perfect working order and has no loose pieces that could become choking hazards," says Ben Hoffman, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention.
- Never let baby sleep in a jumper. If your little one happens to doze off in one of these products, move her to a safe, flat sleeping spot like a crib, bassinet or playard.
- Supervise your baby closely. Jumpers can be fun and entertaining for babies, which means you can get a couple of minutes hands-free. But your child should still be closely supervised when using these products. "Just because a baby is in an Exersaucer or activity center doesn’t mean they are completely safe and don’t need to be monitored closely," says Christina Johns, M.D., a pediatrician and senior medical advisor at PM Pediatrics in Lake Success, New York. For example, they can get their fingers caught or pinched with some of the activities on the tray.
- Place it in a clear, open space. "[A jumper] should never be an excuse for leaving a child unattended, and you also want to be sure that nothing is within reach that could be a choking hazard, like window-blind cords or loose items placed on or near the tray," Dr. Hoffman says.
- Be careful with door jumpers. Although the AAP doesn’t weigh in on the safety of door jumpers, a type of jumper that attaches to a door frame with a cable, some experts recommend skipping or at least being extremely cautious when using these products. Door jumpers can be unsafe because your baby could fall against the door or wall: Some door jumpers have even been known to detach, Dr. Resnick notes. Stationary activity centers (which have springs suspended from a frame or underneath the seat) are considered safer.
- Look for a safe design. A jumper should have a seat that your baby can’t easily climb or fall out of. Dr. Resnick also recommends looking for a soft seat, and ensuring that any springs or metal pieces are covered and don’t pose a pinch risk.
- Limit their use. Prolonged use of jumpers can be a risk factor for hip dysplasia or put kids at risk for gross motor delays, Dr. Resnick says. Be sure to mix jumper time with plenty of floor play, which can help babies strengthen the muscles they need to crawl and eventually walk. "If you're using an activity center, you should still make sure that your baby has plenty of tummy time and is encouraged to crawl and move all their extremities on their own," Dr. Johns says.
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Best Overall Baby Bouncer
Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer Rainforest Jumperoo
- Beloved product
- Lots of exciting toys
- Seat spins 360 degrees
- Very large footprint
- Not easy to set up or fold down
- Short window of use
The Fisher-Price Jumperoo is a favorite among many parents in the What to Expect community and a perennial bestseller on Amazon, where it has more than 22,000 five-star reviews.
Little ones are instantly enthralled with the different toys, which are placed around the jumper and offer plenty of opportunities to spin, bat and touch the various textures. The overhead toys, as unsightly as they are, help encourage reaching and grasping. Because it’s so engaging, babies are content to play and jump while you get things done around the house. In my experience, this made it worth every penny. I could place my baby in it for 10 to 15 minutes while I did laundry, tidied up or made dinner, and still have him in my sight (and he could see me, too).
The seat has soft spring covers to prevent tiny fingers from getting pinched, and the fabric can be removed and washed in the machine. The Jumperoo can be used until your little one is 25 pounds and 32 inches tall, and there are three different height positions to help guarantee a comfortable fit. It feels well-made and sturdy, too.
"Our daughter loved it, and we loved it because it gave us a break for a few minutes," says Christine Mattheis, What to Expect Group VP, Content & Brand Solutions, mom of a 3-year-old.
But be warned: The Jumperoo will not be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home. It has a fairly large footprint (32 inches wide), a bulky frame and it’s cluttered with bright toys. As much as my two sons adored it, I can confirm it doesn’t exactly make your living room feel zen.
This Fisher-Price Jumperoo also has a short lifespan. Unlike some of the other jumpers and activity tables on this list, it’s not multi-use and needs to be retired once your baby meets the maximum weight (25 pounds) or starts to walk. But the brand also has a 2-in-1 version of the Jumperoo that can turn into a toddler car. If longevity is a priority, this one might be a better fit.
Dimensions: 32 x 37 x 32 inches
Product Weight: 16 lbs.
Weight Limit: Up to 25 lbs.
Long-Term Use: No
Most Musical Baby Bouncer
Baby Einstein Neighborhood Friends Activity Jumper with Lights and Melodies
- Great for music-loving babies
- Five seat heights
- Seat rotates 360 degrees
- Introduces new languages
- No long-term use
Want to introduce your little one to composers like Mozart or Beethoven? Baby Einstein’s activity center, which has a slightly smaller footprint than some of the other options on this list, has a musical theme with 12 different activities. It also exposes babies to new languages (there are activities in English, Spanish and French).
The seat spins a full 360 degrees so babies can check out the light-up piano, as well as attached toys like a spinning frog. (Some parents do mention that the seat doesn’t rotate as easily as some other jumpers on the market, though.) The weight limit is 25 pounds, there are five different height settings and the fabric cover can be machine washed. It’s also one of the lighter jumpers on this list, making it a good choice for families who may need to frequently move it from room to room.
Dimensions: 32.9 x 31 x 28.4 inches
Product Weight: 8.75 lbs.
Weight Limit: Up to 25 lbs.
Long-Term Use: No
Best Convertible Baby Bouncer
Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
- Long-term use
- Converts to a toddler table
- Simple design
- Seat rotates 360 degrees
- More expensive than some other options
- Not lightweight
- Not as many toys are some others
If you dislike the idea of spending money on a baby product that only gets a few months’ of use, you’ll love the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center. A popular pick in the What to Expect community, this clever product starts as an activity center then converts into a toddler table — just add a seat to create a space for arts and crafts or even meals.
Although it doesn’t have quite as many included toys as the Fisher-Price or Baby Einstein jumpers, this activity center does have a nice selection of activities and the seat rotates 360 degrees so baby can explore all of them. The toys clip on and off, too, so you can move them around.
We loved this because it kept our daughter entertained, it's easy to take apart and clean, and the muted colors were much more appealing than the brighter options, since it was a permanent part of our living room decor," says Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor and mom of a 3-year-old.
Parents say that the activity center feels well-made, and many appreciate that the design is a little more minimalist-looking than some others on the market. The seat is machine-washable and you can also pop off the clear tray to give it a deeper clean.
Dimensions: 31 x 18.5 x 31 inches
Product Weight: 16 lbs.
Weight Limit: Up to 25 lbs.
Long-Term Use: Yes
Portable Baby Bouncer
Summer Infant Summer-Pop ‘N Jump SE Portable Baby Activity Center
- Designed for indoor and outdoor uses
- Easily folds up
- Compact fold
- Lightweight
- No music
- Toys are more basic
Summer Infant is known for their easy-open gear, and the Summer-Pop ‘N Jump SE Portable Baby Activity Center is no exception. True to its name, it pops open so you can set it up quickly. Some parents compare it to opening a beach chair — it’s that easy.
Also good: A removable canopy provides shade (perfect for the beach or park) and the height is adjustable. It’s very compact when folded, and includes a storage bag and strap so you can tote it with you. Plus, it weighs just one pound. Parents say they love how mobile is, and many families use it as a primary jumper since it’s so easy to move from room to room within a house.
"We chose [this jumper] because it's foldable and great for outdoor use in addition to indoor," says Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director, Brand Solutions, mom of 4-year-old and 1-year-old. "It was a great spot to park our daughter when I needed a few minutes to do something where I couldn't have one eye on her, like wash my face. We also liked putting her in it outside, she loved being upright and jumping up and down."
There are a few included toys (a spinner ball, rattle, teether and mirror book) although the overall selection is more limited. There are no music options, either, if that’s a feature you’re looking for.
Dimensions: 30.25 x 9.75 x 9.75 inches
Product Weight: 1 lb.
Weight Limit: Up to 25 lbs.
Long-Term Use: No
Best Jumper for Small Space
KidCo GoPod Portable Fold Up Travel Activity Seat
- Smaller footprint
- Easy to pack up
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Higher weight limit
- Neutral colors
- No toys included
- No music
- Less engaging for babies
Families in smaller spaces like apartments may prefer a jumper that can be quickly packed up when not in use. The KidCo GoPod Portable Fold Up Travel Activity Seat is made of lightweight nylon and has a compact fold that makes it easy to store. It has a slightly smaller footprint than many other jumpers and activity centers on the market, too.
In addition to being well-suited for smaller spaces, this is a great travel seat. It weighs just seven pounds, making it the second-lightest product on this list, and comes with a carrying case. If you choose to use it outside, the floor mat is a nice feature to keep baby’s feet clean. Some parents say there can be a bit of a learning curve to assemble the seat, but that it’s easy enough to do so once you get the hang of it.
The downside? There are no toys or music included, so you’ll need to place your own on the tray. (There are five nylon hoops that allow you to attach toys to the seat.) And for the price, you may prefer to invest in a sturdier model that has more built-in entertainment options.
Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 19.5 inches
Product Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Weight Limit: Up to 40 lbs.
Long-Term Use: No
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Jumper
Baby Trend Smarts Steps 3-in-1 Bounce N’ Play Activity Center
- Board has three height positions
- Seat can move 360 degrees
- Good toy selection
- Converts to a flat table
- Wider footprint than some other jumpers
Jumpers can be pricey, but this Baby Trend activity center is significantly more affordable than most on the market. And unlike many more expensive products, it has three uses in one: The activity center converts to a play table then a flat table that your child can use as a toddler.
As an activity center, there’s a bouncing board with three height positions. Your little one will have access to five toys that are removable (some with lights and sounds), so she can continue playing with them after she outgrows the activity center. There’s also a snack tray with an included cup holder. Parents say their babies find the toys to be engaging, and that the entire product feels durable and sturdy.
Like the Skip Hop activity center, it has a simpler-looking design that many parents appreciate. And at 11 pounds, it’s not so heavy that you can’t move it from room to room. However, a few parents do mention that the rotating seat doesn’t swivel very easily, and it also doesn’t come with the batteries required for one of the toys, so you’ll need to buy those separately.
Dimensions: 30.8 x 29.5 x 29.5 inches inches
Product Weight: 11 lbs.
Weight Limit: Up to 30 lbs.
Long-Term Use: Yes
Our Research
We referenced product safety guidelines from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
We spoke to the following pediatricians for additional information about using jumpers safely:
- Micah Resnick, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician in Cincinnati, Ohio, with TriHealth and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.
- Christina Johns, M.D., a pediatrician and senior medical advisor at PM Pediatrics in Lake Success, New York.
- Ben Hoffman, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention.
Additionally, we consulted several What to Expect staff members, including:
- Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor, mom of a 3-year-old
- Christine Mattheis, Group VP, Content & Brand Solutions, mom of a 3-year-old
- Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director, Brand Solutions, mom of 4-year-old and 1-year-old
- Jeanne Beacom, Senior Campaign Reporting Manager, mom of a 2-year-old
As a mom of two and former parenting editor, I’ve also included my experience from testing many of the jumpers on this list.
Finally, we canvassed the What to Expect community boards to learn which jumpers and activity centers parents felt were easiest to set up and use, as well as most versatile and comfortable for baby.
FAQs
What age can a baby use a jumper?
For a baby to be ready to use an activity center or stationary jumper, they need to have the muscle control to hold up their own head. Dr. Hoffman adds that baby also needs "resting muscle tone" in their torso, so they can support themselves in an upright position.
"It's really a 4 to 9 month kind of thing, because before 4 months, babies won't really have that tone to support themselves, and by 9 months, many of them are starting to cruise, so these products lose their allure," says Dr. Hoffman.
Babies also need to weigh less than the item's limit (typically under 25 pounds, but each product is different) and not yet have the ability to walk
How long can a baby be in a jumper?
Dr. Johns recommends limiting time in jumpers and activity centers to 10-minute increments, since, as she notes, "they actually aren't helpful for a baby's motor development and don't help them to learn to walk earlier."
The AAP doesn't have an official stance on how much time a baby should spend in one of these products each day, but Dr. Hoffman does recommend being mindful. "If the baby and caregiver are both engaged and enjoying the time, that's wonderful, but don't ever force it."
And remember: Once you've got your jumper or activity center, you should still supervise your baby closely. This is not the time to hop in the shower.
When should my baby stop using a jumper?
Most jumpers have a weight limit of somewhere between 20 and 25 pounds and should be retired once your baby can walk. But regardless of how much your child weighs, by 9 months, most are no longer interested in being contained in a jumper.
At that stage, your little one is likely starting to crawl and pulling up to stand, and before too long she’ll be taking her first steps. In other words, she’ll no longer be content to be placed in stationary gear like bassinets, bouncers and jumpers and is ready to take on the world. (Time to babyproof!)
- WhatToExpect.com, Tummy Time for Baby, March 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Inclined Sleepers, Crib Bumpers & Other Baby Registry Items to Avoid, January 2023.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Baby Walkers: A Dangerous Choice, August 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Movement: Babies 8 to 12 Months, April 2021.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stationary Activity Centers Business Guidance & Small Entity Compliance Guide, 2023.
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