Our little bubsicle is a mobile little thing for someone who can't walk. Even though we can strap her in her play center, the high chair and the stroller when we need to we find she gets bored too quickly because she really prefers to move around.
We have been looking at play pens but the one we wanted was too expensive and I couldn't justify the price for something we're not sure would stay upright (we don't call her destructo baby for nothing) or would work. She could very well hate it in the play pen.
The Ball Pit
The ball pit idea originally came about because I was trying to find activities for little kids for Bella's birthday. There's a few inflatable water play centres I've been looking at but wasn't sure about sizes or if it will work as a ball pit instead of a pool.
When I saw the kiddie pool on sale and the two bags of balls at BigW this afternoon I thought that was a sign.
A couple of hours later.. 👇
After washing 200 balls and wiping it down we ended up with, imho, the best play pen!
At the moment the height is ok, she's still short enough and can't climb out. The best thing about it is if she stumbles and face plants on the side of the pool she won't get hurt. And even though we could easily do with another 6+ bags of balls, at least what's there will break her fall if she stacks it.
She watched us put it together and was itching to get in. When she finally did, she loved it!! 🎉 She didn't want to get out. We were so happy 🎉🎉
We spend so much time hovering around her getting ready to catch her or pick her up, it was just so good to be able to relax for a change.
All up everything cost $40. Not bad considering the play pen we wanted easily cost 4x more than that and it can't double as a pool.
I'm actually considering buying another one I love it so much. Did I mention it even comes with a detachable inflatable roof. 🤯
Seeing how well this works as a ball pit I'm sure the bigger play centres will work just as well. It's just a matter of how much money do we want to spend on balls? Surprisingly, this size is decent about for maybe 3 kids around Bella's age/size any more than that or any older and we definitely will need a bigger centre, but for now I think this one might do.
What do you guys think? Good play pen replacement?
Not sure why you’d use anything else as a playpen 😜
Says the person who had never used play pens ever, we baby gated the laundry and kitchen and that was pretty much it.
The tinies will love it 😄
😊 Have you seen the Nanny Annie playpens? They're 👌 but they're pricey. I wanted one of those but just couldn't justify it.
She didn't seem too into the ball pit today unless I was in there with her. It did come in handy a few times today but I'm feeling the tightness in the lounge (we need a bigger house.....)
As a ball pit for the party though it should be great. I'm actually looking forward to using it as a pool this summer 🤩
Clever! You are so good at repurposing. 😃 Good to see Bella is doing well! 🤗
And... hello!!! 🙃😄
Hey girlfriend!!! Been thinking of you! Hope you're doing well ❤❤