Every parent needs a break now and again, and there are several products on the market that can do just that.
From walkers to exersaucers to jumpers, there are plenty of activity stations to choose from to keep your baby entertained, allow them to burn off energy, and give you a much-needed break for a few minutes.
Jumpers are especially great for letting your baby exercise their legs and get all of their energy out before naptime.
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Benefits of a Baby Jumper
It is believed that baby jumpers provide better results when it comes to your baby’s development when compared to baby walkers. However, there is little evidence to support this.
That doesn’t mean baby jumpers don’t have their benefits, though.
Baby jumpers provide safe entertainment for your baby. Rather than rolling around like baby walkers, which can be extremely dangerous, baby jumpers are stationary making them much safer to use.
Baby jumpers are also a great way for your baby to expend some energy. Even though they aren’t necessarily active, they still have energy they need to burn off on occasion in order to get a good, restful sleep.
From personal experience, I can also tell you that baby jumpers can be a great help in keeping your baby’s bowel movements regular.
Not only are baby jumpers beneficial for babies, but they are great for parents too. They can give you a break to do some cleaning or simply give your arms and legs a break from your baby’s bouncing.
Stationary Activity Jumpers vs. Doorway Jumpers
There are two main types of jumpers I will be going through in this post: stationary jumpers and doorway jumpers.
Stationary jumpers are a standalone item, meaning they require no extra equipment to install or stand up. Typically, they include a saucer-shaped seat suspended on a frame with bungee-type cords with several play stations.
Doorway jumpers, on the other hand, are much simpler and require a doorway with a frame in order to mount it. They usually just include a bucket seat suspended by a cord and spring hung by a clamp attached to the wall.
Safety
Just as with any other baby activity station, there are safety precautions to consider, especially with doorway jumpers.
Doorway Jumper Safety
Clamp Slipping: One of the risks that doorway jumpers pose is an ill-fitting clamp. If you are not careful when looking at doorway specifications (which are different for every doorway jumper), you could end up with a jumper that doesn’t fit your doorway properly.
You also need to be sure that your doorway has secure trim in case the clamp were to slip or slide down. The trim or frame will keep the clamp fixed onto the doorway and prevent it from falling down.
With the risk of the doorway clamp slipping, you want to be sure that you NEVER install a doorway jumper over a staircase (such as in the doorway of a basement entryway).
Collisions with the Doorway
You will be surprised by how crazy your little one can get in one of these jumpers, and with more freedom to move around in a doorway jumper (since it isn’t fixed to a stationary frame), your baby will be moving around in every direction, bouncing and swinging.
Be sure you always supervise your baby when they are in their jumper, especially since they can easily collide with the door frame when they are moving around in their doorway jumper.
Best Baby Jumpers
1 - Evenflo Bounce and Learn
Evenflo has some great exersaucer products for babies that offer a bit of bounce as well. This one comes in 3 color designs: Sweet Tea Party (for girls), Zoo Friends, and Polar Playground.
There are some great features, including a removable machine-washable seat cover, 3 adjustable height levels (usable up to 30”), feet that kick out to prevent the base from rocking, and a seat that spins 360 degrees.
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2 - Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper
This doorway jumper from Graco is one of the best in terms of the features it offers. Unlike many other doorway jumpers, this one includes 2 small toys that can be removed for separate play and a tray.
The clamp is easy to use, leaving no marks on the wall and allows for easy transportation from room to room. You also don’t need to deal with the frustration of the straps twisting up thanks to the suspension frame.
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3 - Fisher-Price Animal Activity Jumperoo
Fisher-Price is one of the leading names in baby toys and entertainment, and they even have several jumpers on the market. The animal activity Jumperoo comes in 2 colors that feature jungle friends.
Unlike the exersaucer design, this one (and the ones that will follow) feature a frame with no base, so there’s no rocking and your baby’s feet are firmly planted on the ground.
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4 - Evenflo ExerSaucer Door Jumper
I used this jumper with my little girl. It is easy to install and move from room to room which is really convenient. The clamp fits most standard doorways with trim.
It comes in 5 designs – Bumbly, Bumbly Pink, Owl, Roo, and Marianna (which is basically a floral design) – and is affordable for just about any budget.
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5 - Baby Einstein Jumper
Baby Einstein is all about mixing education with fun, and this jumper does just that. It comes in 2 themes (symphony and ocean) and offers multi-lingual options when learning about numbers and colors.
The seat is easy to remove and clean and swivels 360 degrees to allow easy access to each of the play stations. It also has 4 adjustable height levels rather than the usual 3, giving you better adjustments for your growing baby.
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6 - Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Step ‘n Play
If your baby is a little music lover who loves to move and groove to the beat, this toy is just right for them. They can slide their little seat on the rails as their feet play the piano below.
There are also several play options for the musical components, as you can choose from short-play, long-play, and self-play. The foot piano mat and one of the toys also detach easily for floor play.
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7 - Jolly Jumper with Super Stand
When it comes to baby jumpers, arguably there isn’t one better than the Jolly Jumper. The specially designed saddle seat gives proper spinal support to aid in your baby’s development and prevent injury.
This particular set comes with the Super Stand, so there is no doorway needed and no tools necessary to install this jumper. It also makes this a great jumper for outdoor use.
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8 - Jolly Jumper Exerciser with Door Clamp
If you don’t need the Super Stand, the standard doorway Jolly Jumper is also a great option. You still get all the same features with the supportive seat and quality materials without the extra bulk of the stand.
This is also a much more affordable option since you don’t need to pay for the stand.
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9 - Summer Infant Pop N’ Jump Portable Activity Center
If portability is what you are looking for, Summer Infant has some great products, such as the Pop N’ Jump Portable Activity Center.
It is ideal for outdoor use since it easily folds up and can be carried with the included bag and it features a UV sun canopy to protect your baby.
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10 - Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Jumperoo
This is another great jumper from Fisher-Price. With 10 minutes of continuous music, overhead toys, and 6 play stations, your baby is sure to have plenty of entertainment.
Just like with most other jumpers, you still get 3 adjustable height levels, 360 spin seat, and machine-washable (and dryer safe!) seat pad.
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Things to Look Out For
Before making your final choice when selecting a baby jumper, you will want to keep an eye out for a few specific details or features.
Assembly
Most jumpers are pretty simple to assemble, but you want to be sure to read reviews before purchasing a jumper in case you are looking at one that is a bit more difficult. You don’t want to fuss over putting it together while your little one anxiously waits to use their new toy.
Build Quality
Safety should always be first and foremost on your mind with anything you give to your baby. Even though stationary jumpers are generally safe, you want to make sure the company you purchase from is reputable and uses quality materials.
Toys and Entertainment
One of the main reasons you are getting your baby a jumper is to keep them entertained. You don’t want them to get bored too quickly with a jumper that doesn’t have enough toys to play with or music to listen to.
Storage and Maintenance
Babies are messy. Whether its crumbs from snacks, spit up, or even the occasional diaper blowout, your jumper is bound to need cleaning every so often.
Make sure the seat cover is easy to remove and clean and that the tray is easy to wipe down.
There will also come a day that your little one doesn’t use their jumper anymore, but you may not be ready to get rid of it. You may be planning to use it for future children or even friends and relatives that may visit. If that is the case, you will want to make sure it is easy to break down or small enough to store away until you are ready to use it again.
A Great Alternative
Every toy comes with its downside(s), and sometimes you just want to know there is a good alternative. I personally love SIT-TO-STAND TOYS.
They are A GREAT ALTERNATIVE not only for baby jumpers but also for traditional walkers.
They are safer since your baby isn’t trapped in a seat and they are free to move how they need to if they start to fall or tip over.
They are also better for your baby’s development since they actually help your baby practice walking. Sit-to-stand walkers still offer the entertainment you want to keep your baby occupied, but they are much smaller and easier to store when you are finished with them.
Conclusion
Baby jumpers are a great way to keep your baby entertained and let them burn off excess energy while you catch a break or get a few things done around the house. Just remember, like any other baby toy, never leave your little one unsupervised while they are in their jumper.
What do you think of our list? Let us know if there is another jumper you like to use for your little one.