Baby Vivo Baby Playpen Review

Upon receiving the Baby Vivo Baby Playpen, as to be expected, it was a fairly sizeable package but was impressed by the way it was carefully protected against any potential damage during transit. Most of the parts were already pre-assembled and neatly folded to fit into the box. As soon as I unpacked it, I noticed the playpen’s trendy, Scandinavian-inspired design. Its pine wood structure was both stylish and functional, making it stand out compared to other playpens available on the market and in comparison, to other wooden playpens on the market, it is reasonably priced, especially when considering its overall aesthetic appeal and the quality and finish of the pine wood material used.

Testing the Baby Vivo Baby Playpen

As a 29-year-old able-bodied Mum to a 16-month-old, I wouldn’t call myself a pro when it comes to assembling flat-pack furniture, but I found putting together the Baby Vivo Baby Playpen to be relatively simple. The playpen doesn’t require endless screws or complex instructions. Aside from fastening two ends together with a screwdriver, everything else involved loosening and tightening brackets, which made the process straightforward and efficient. The instructions provided were basic, but they got the job done, allowing me to assemble the playpen without feeling overwhelmed.

However, there was an issue with the interlocking plastic connections. One of the grey corner brackets snapped during assembly, despite my following the instructions and loosening it as advised. Fortunately, my partner, (an engineer!) was able to fix it seamlessly with some heavy-duty glue from his workplace. Still, this experience highlighted the less-than-ideal quality of the plastic components used in the playpen. While the overall design and wood quality were great, the interlocking plastic parts could use some improvement.

Once assembled, I was able to slide the playpen across the floor in its folded state but because of its wooden frame, the playpen is fairly heavy and I found it difficult to pick up and move around. While this adds to its durability, it does make moving it upstairs or storing it a bit of a challenge. Lighter playpens made from materials like plastic I’ve found to be easier to transport and store.

One of the features that stood out to me was the playpen’s multi-functional and multi-way design. It can be adjusted into various shapes easily as per advertisement, which gives it a level of flexibility I’ve found other playpens lack. Additionally, it can be used as a room divider or barrier with some disassembly, making it a great versatile piece of equipment for childproofing your home. I found the wood itself is smooth and well-crafted, and I appreciated the inclusion of a small piece of sandpaper to smooth any potential rough edges, though I didn’t find any during assembly.

That said, the instructions recommend avoiding carpeted floors, which was a bit of a downside for me. My home, like many others, has carpeted areas where my child plays. Carpets provide a softer, warmer surface for babies and toddlers compared to hardwood, vinyl, or laminate flooring. Unfortunately, this playpen isn’t ideally suited for use on carpeted surfaces, which limits its functionality for families who rely on carpeted play areas.

Initially, I was concerned about confining my son to such a space as this is something I’ve found with other playpens, but I was pleasantly surprised with the ample amount of space the Baby Vivo play pen offered with plenty of space for me to interact with him too in addition to his toys, keeping him entertained and comfortable. The play pen could be problematic for smaller living spaces but thanks to the variety of shapes that can be made, I believe this eliminates the problem.

I did have some safety concerns, however. When my son leaned on the structure, and I noticed it buckled slightly under his weight. This was worrying, as my son is only 16 months old, and the playpen is marketed for children up to 3 years of age. While I would always supervise my child when he is in the playpen, this incident particularly highlighted the importance of always keeping a close eye on your little one when using the product, as per the product description that is advertised. The slight instability made me wonder how well the playpen would hold up for older toddlers who might be heavier or more active.

Final verdict

In summary, the Baby Vivo Baby Playpen offers excellent value for money, particularly compared to other wooden playpens on the market. Its Scandinavian-inspired design is both stylish and practical, and its multi-functional features make it a versatile choice for any family home. However, the interlocking plastic connections need improvement, and the playpen’s heavy wooden frame can make it difficult to move or store. The fact that it’s not recommended for use on carpeted floors is another drawback for me, as I prefer softer play surfaces for my babies and toddlers, as I imagine many other Mums would. Additionally, the slight instability under the weight of a 16-month-old raises some safety concerns, especially if the product is intended for children up to 3 years old. I would recommend for smaller, less mobile infants with families who have a hard wood, laminate or vinyl flooring in the space they would use the playpen. I wouldn’t recommend for active toddlers who like to climb though.