Play On 2-in-1 Play Yard and Activity Center: Fun Features and Eco-Friendly Design

Overview of the Play On 2-in-1 Play Yard

The first thing you should know about this play yard is that it has a very unique square shape. Unlike most play pens that have a rectangular design, the Play On 2-in-1 has a spacious square shape: 38” long by 38” wide and 29.75” high. While that unique shape comes in handy for providing more space for your baby to play in, it’s also important to understand that it may not fit in the narrow space beside the bed if there’s where you had hoped to use it. In addition to its added size, it also felt more durable than many playpens I’ve used in the past; it can hold a child up to 30 pounds with a max height of 35 inches. However, this does mean that the play yard is pretty heavy. At 27 pounds, it wasn’t easy for me to lug around and toss into the back of my vehicle. Speaking of durability, I did appreciate the support bars underneath the mattress that you Velcro the mattress pad to—they ensure that the mattress won’t slip around and that your baby has a nice secure space to sleep. Attaching the mattress to those support bars did take me a few minutes to figure out (pro tip: read the directions, it helps a lot.) This did become easier with practice, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but it is something to keep in mind. The Play On 2-in-1 is part of Century 21^st’s Happy Planet collection, so it’s made with recycled polyester materials that feel nice, cozy and appear easy to clean. Not only does the material feel great, but it has a really cute and modern looking aesthetic. I also really like the mesh sides of the play yard because they made it easy to see inside and provided peace-of-mind for me for airflow while my toddler slept in the play yard.

How We Rated This Play Yard

All play yards have different functions and families will be looking for different features out of a play yard, but for this particular play yard, we rated it based on the following aspects:

• Function
• Portability
• Quality
• Features
• Cost

The Play On 2-in-1 is a great play yard if you’re looking for specific features that include: a safe space for a toddler to play, zip-down capability, and fun toys. However, because it didn’t have any additional features for younger babies, like height adjustments or a built-in bassinet and it was on the heavier side, we didn’t give it starts for portability and features.

Play On 2-in-1 Features I Loved

Aside from being a convenient play yard and safe sleep area, here are some of the stand-out features I really appreciated about this product.

Zip-down door

One of the sides of this play yard features a semi-circle zip-down door that allows your child to climb in or out on their own, or for you to place your baby into the play pen through the side if you choose. My toddler instantly loved the zippered door and I did too. This unique feature makes it much easier to lay him down and cuddle with him while he falls asleep, especially when he is used to contact napping and co-sleeping at home. If you want to zip the door back up after using it, the zipper has a snap function to keep them from unzipping from the inside. With the zippered door, your toddler or baby can play and come and go as they please, adding to the functionality of this playpen. The easy access for my son made it the perfect way to create his own space while traveling.

Adorable attached + removable toys

The design of the playscape is really pretty and gender neutral. It features a starry night mountain scene on the inside—which is a cool design aspect—as well as removable clouds and plane toys, that also affix to the inside. The toys especially were an instant hit with my toddler. They were easy for him to remove and reattach and they were great in a pinch if no other toys were available. For younger babies, the high contrast colors will create the perfect space for baby to gaze in wonder. (And just because we have to say it so we’re all safe here, be sure to remove the toys before placing your child to sleep in a play yard as part of the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleeping guidelines.)

Recycled materials

This play yard is part of Century 21^st’s “Do More” initiative, so the easy-to-clean, comfortable polyester material for the Happy Planet products is from recycled water bottles. Additionally, the packaging is also minimal and recyclable. In fact, the packaging is almost entirely recyclable with easy-to-follow instructions on how to properly dispose it. When your baby has outgrown their products, Century has partnered with TerraCycle to allow you to completely recycle the playpen—they even provide free shipping. They also provide ideas on their website for repurposing the cardboard boxes and other packaging materials, so recycling has never been easier or more fun.

What to Consider Before You Buy

The biggest consideration to keep in mind before buying the PlayOn 2 in 1 play yard is the size and weight before buying. Ask yourself:

• Will your space have enough room for the unique square design?
• Will you be able to set up and move the play yard on your own?
• Will you be moving the play yard around a lot?
• Will you use the zippered door function?

While the durability and ability to hold a child up to 30 pounds were great features for me, this means it’s heavy and can be difficult to install and take down. Additionally, while I loved the zippered door, it’s not a great fit for all families. Consider older siblings who may be tempted to unzip the door to let baby escape, or the noise the zipper creates when closing and opening.

Final Verdict

My final verdict on the Century PlayOn 2 in 1 Playard and Activity Center is that for families with older kiddos looking for a versatile playpen and activity center, this is a great choice. If you’re wanting something more suited for younger babies there are several great options for play yards on the market that have additional features like built-in bassinets. For us, the Century PlayOn 2 in 1 Playard and Activity Center was a great fit for my toddler and I’m excited to use for years to come.

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