Customer Reviews

Galt Playnest and Gym - Farm

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

My wife and I had been looking for a toy like this for some time. We wanted a place for our daughter (3 months old), where she could lie down and explore and play with various toys. Both to help stimulate her, but also to give my wife a break during the day. We looked at a multitude of these toys and concluded this would suit our needs the best.

It has proved to be great. I couldn't help noticing that these people really seem to have put some thought into the whole toy. To my knowledge there are no other toys like it with an inflatable ring to help the baby sit up.

In the beginning we didn't inflate the ring, we thought the toy would work just as well when the base was all flat. It worked decently, but our daughter could not reach all of the toys, some would be in her face. Now we have it inflated and its playability has increased tremendously because of this. She can even fall asleep all quietly while playing with it. Great for any new parents!

Of negative points you should know that:

- The inflatable ring is VERY difficult to inflate. No one will have the lung power and stamina to inflate it all in one go!

- We washed the whole toy, and the colours fade quickly if machinewashed.

- Some of the toys (the red and yellow sun) has a tendency to upset our daughter. She simply gets so agressive, that she is screaming with anger while trying to tear it apart.

Positive things, you can't know:

+ The individual toys are very durable (apart from the colours). They have been machinewashed (I am sure the manufacturer is horrified now), also the electronic ones. They still work impeccably!

Enjoy.

I originally bought this toy because my six-month-old baby seemed to be losing interest in his other playgym, that is, he would roll away after five minutes of batting at the toys. As a stay-at-home mom, I needed a safe place to rest my playpen-hating baby so that I could get some housework done. I figured that, at the very least, this playnest's doughnut shape would keep him from rolling from room to room while I made a meal, etc. Well, hallelujah, he likes it so much that I can make a meal and maybe even a phonecall while he entertains himself. First, I start out by putting him on his back to swat at the toys hanging from the pretend "sky" -- a fabric sun, moon, bird, etc. Each toy does something fun like crinking, rattling, or playing music. You also can adjust the height of each toy with the enclosed plastic rings. Next, I prop him inside the ring for some sitting practice. Finally, I lean him stomach-down on the side of the innertube so that he can play with the activities on the fabric cover, including a crinkly fabric door that opens and closes, different-textured fabrics, and a squeaky duck bill. This playnest is my salvation. What don't I like? Well, the vertical posts that form the pretend sky pop inwards periodically. It looks a little strange, but it doesn't affect the toy's playing potential. Second, contrary to the product info on the box, I don't think this playnest is suitable for a very young baby. There's not enough room to lay the baby completely flat at the bottom, and a tiny infant would be uncomfortable propped against the sides like the baby pictured on the box (I'm guessing that poor kid rolled right over as soon as the picture was taken!) But, provided that your baby has at least some sitting ability (even with help), I recommend this toy wholeheartedly!

I spent a long time looking around all the toy shops and online to see what there was for little babies. My son, Toby, at 4 months, did not like just lying on his back and watching things hanging above. The beauty of this toy is that you can safely put your baby in a semi-reclining position and not need to worry that he will fall out. He loved it from the moment he was put in it. All those bright colours and textures and noises facinated and excited him. He loved the upright position and soon he managed to sit up all by himself.

He is now 8 months old and we have removed the baby gym part. He lies happily in his ring reading his books - almost like grownups lounging in the sun on holiday. Or hangs over the side trying to catch his other toys which he had thrown out.

Your baby will love it - as have all the other reviewers. Great toy.

I had this when i lived in the UK with my first born ... it is cheaper there. i would pay the 25-30 pounds for it but not over 60 bucks ... my son did like it but he seemed to slip into it alot or fall to one side so that he would be stuck inside the ring, as they get older they become too big for it and then they cant lay down in it at all, making the gym practically usless because there is not much room for the child to sit up in there without being clonked on the head by a toy every time they turn around, like i said fun for the first months (dont leave your baby in it without supervision), but i wouldnt pay 60 odd bucks for it, by any means.

My newborn son got this gym for christmas. The picture on the box looks great but pictures don't tell the whole story. This is a good idea for newborns but stills needs work. The poles that hold the toys never stay together. I am forever puting them back together. And what is with the price. I would never spend $[this amount$] for this product. I hope the person who brought this gift got it on sale. I am sure there is some other products on the market, just as good or ever better for a cheaper price.

Have been looking for something like this for along time. I have a friend in the UK who has one and we liked it. It has been popular with both my children and has stood the test of time. We have had it for about 4 years now and it is as good as new! The arch, toys and mirror have provided stimulation and the bright colours help. We particularly liked telling the farm story from the ring around the bottom! Following the dotty road, stroking the sheep's back and playing with the scarecrow's scarf. I can't recommend this highly enough.

While the cost is a bit steep, you will be glad you invested in this playnest. Right after my baby was born, she was "nested" safely and comfortably in the tube, staring up in amazement at the toys, which are machine washable (and kept their color). The toys are each wonderful in their own way - a few play music; a few make a crunching noise when squeezed. The toys are removable, so as her familiarity with them grew, we would disconnect the toys from the gym and bring them with us in the car (their clasps allow them to be easily attached to carseats, strollers, etc...). As soon as she was able to sit up, the sides of the tube gave her the support she needed to enjoy reaching up for the toys. She would sit contently in the tube while I vacuumed or cleaned - she was not able to get out of it on her own, and it was a safe little "nest" in that way. However, the true joy starts now, as my daughter is an 11-month old - she ADORES her playnest. She sits in it to look through books, and she gets a real workout diving into the center, crawling up and over the tube's sides. I went to Gymboree for a playgroup recently, and the tubes there were all the rage with the mothers and children. I happily explained that my daughter has had a "tube" since birth, and hers was even finer than the Gymboree tubes, as the playnest is more colorful and softer (as it is fabric covered, and the fabric cover is also machine washable and holds its color). Speaking of the color - it is just delightful! The patterns are so stimulating and will spruce up any room! A practical note: you will only have to put air into the tube once - I recommend using a bicycle pump at a local gas station. Your lungs will not be able to do the trick! I imagine this playnest will be in our home for years and years, as clearly its versatility (from birth to 11 months and counting) allows its use to evolve with our child. WORTH EVERY PENNY! BUY THIS!

Although it looks nice online, I was disappointed once it was delivered. I don't thing it's worth the [price] I paid for it. It was cheap in it's look and feel.

Though I balked at the outrageous color scheme, this has become quite the asset in our home. My son is now 3 months old, and he truly enjoys his playnest. He will entertain himself laying down for 30-45 minutes. The toys are great, as they are adjustable along the bars. In addition, unlike a lot of other stationary toys, this is super light and easy to move from one place to another.

I do want to mention that my son absolutely hated this toy up until now (3 mos.). He would cry almost immediately when I put him in it. I would recommend waiting to buy this until your child is at least 2 1/2-3 months old. (Or if you already have it and are frustrated with your child's reaction, give it a little time) Also, the bars do come detached frequently--but usually only because we have moved it around.

Despite my tiny qualms mentioned above, I would definitely recommend this to everyone!

i have invested in many crib toys, play mats ect...for my very playful 3 month old. they keep him busy for about 3 min. and then he wants to see something new. well, this toy kept him busy for 35 mins. and then i flipped him on his tummy using the edge of the ring to prop him up and he played another 20 mins. this was worth the money. i also like that he can use this when he is older, too.