The 10 Best Indoor Play Gyms for Toddlers

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little tikes, princess castle — Photo: Amazon

With most families still spending more time than ever indoors, many parents are eager to find ways to keep their kids active, and in turn, keep themselves from going crazy. It's no secret that toddlers have a ton of energy, and they need a place to burn it off that's safe and fun. An indoor play gym is an excellent option to keep them moving and entertained for hours on end—and it'll save your furniture from utter destruction.

Indoor play gyms are especially useful for families who have limited outdoor space, like city dwellers. And since it's not always convenient (or safe) to get to the park these days, investing in an indoor playground-like system is a great alternative to outdoor play that's sure to bring a smile to your toddler's face.

While you may feel like a fancy indoor gym is unnecessary when you could allow your little ones to play in your existing living space, an indoor play gym can actually prevent damage to your furniture or home inevitably caused by playtime, saving you money in the long run. Plus, they're safer options that are made specifically for toddlers' little bodies.

To help you out, we found 10 indoor play gyms that come highly reviewed by parents who say they're worth every penny. Many options are also affordable and designed with small spaces in mind. In fact, several of our picks, below, can be folded up for easy, out-of-sight storage between each use.

Keep reading to check out the best indoor play gyms for toddlers, according to real parents.

Best Overall: Soozier 5-Piece Climb and Crawl Activity Playset

$119.99

This five-piece set can be configured to different shapes and is even light enough for toddlers to move the pieces themselves. "Great quality, sturdy and well made," wrote one parent. "Great for climbing, stacking, and building."

Best for Active Toddlers: Wedanta Indoor Playground Toddler Climber Slide

$389

Bring outdoor fun right into your very own home with this set from Wedanta. It has all of the playground essentials your toddler could want, like a slide, a rope ladder, and even monkey bars. "We live in a townhouse with no yard," said a reviewer. "It gives the kids a sturdy, safe place to climb and slide and play, and it's been a lifesaver when we don't have access to any other place spaces."

Most Versatile: Costzon Foldable Wooden Climbing Triangle Ladder for Sliding & Climbing

$349.99

This wooden climbing triangle comes with a slide for added fun. The slide also doubles as a climbing ladder when turned over, which can then be adjusted to three different heights. Plus, the bright colors are perfect for captivating your toddler. "With parks still closed due to Covid, this is a great playset for my 3-year-old daughter," wrote one parent.

Best for Indoors and Outdoors: Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber

$79.99

Made with a sturdy plastic construction, this classic play gym from Little Tikes features a slide, a mini climbing wall, and a two-level clubhouse. "My 15-month-old and 5-year-old love this thing," said a shopper. "They have no trouble at all, climbing up or sliding down. They love the hide and seek feature."

Best Budget: Utex 3-in-1 Pop Up Play Tent with Tunnel

$34.95

This pop-up play tent is great for crawling and playing, and it even comes with three separate areas for kids to explore. Parents love the "easy setup and takedown" and say that it "folds very nicely" so it's easy to hide away when not in use. It's no wonder this fun play tunnel is the number one best-selling kids' playhouse on Amazon.

Best for Small Spaces: Hide N Side Crawl Through Play Tunnel

$23.95 (was $39.99)

This simple 6-foot tunnel can provide hours of fun for your little ones. The collapsible construction means it can be seamlessly closed up and stored in the included handy storage bag between uses. Parents say that their kids love "crawling in it and rolling balls through it."

Best Wooden: Cassaro Large Foldable Climbing Triangle

large foldable climbing tringle — Amazon

$249

A Pikler Triangle, like this foldable one from Cassaro, is a quintessential toddler toy since tots can safely climb on top or lounge underneath. Parents say that their kids have found even more ways to play on this toy, writing that it "gets climbed on/over, straddled for pretend horse riding, leaned on for train tracks/incorporated into train playtime, and with a blanket thrown over becomes a cool secret fort."

Best for Younger Toddlers: ECR4Kids SoftZone Little Me Wall Climb and Slide

$239.99

This soft play gym is a great choice for little movers and shakers. It can be configured in many different ways to keep your toddler entertained time and time again. It has soft surfaces and is Greenguard Certified for safety. One parent said their 1-year-old "absolutely loves" the mats and "crawls all over them and loves rolling down the slanted sides."

Best for Imaginative Play: Joyin Princess Play Tent Pink

$36.95

Sometimes a play tent is all you need to spark your child's imagination and get them playing independently. This bright, unicorn-adorned tent comes with a tunnel and open play area for endless princess-themed fun, and it's easy to fold together and store after use. Parents on Amazon say that their kids "love" it.

Best Slide: Baby Joy 3-in-1 Slide for Kids

$105.99

Toddlers can climb, slide, or shoot some hoops with this adorable gym set. It comes in six different themes, including a dinosaur, giraffe, and dolphin, so you can take your pick based on your child's interests. Multiple reviewers said their kids can't get enough of the slide set, with one writing, "This slide is the cutest thing ever! My almost 16-month-old has slid down it countless times already."

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