Likes and Don’t Likes —> Fisher Price Kick & Play🤍
Becoming a mom for the first time is a journey, the whole process of becoming a mom actually is a whole journey.. so when you are putting together a registry it can be REALLY hard as to what “toys” to put on and what not to.. I am really big into yummy time (as you can see by my first 2 post.. LOL). So here is what I like and don’t like about Fisher Price’s Kick & Play Piano Gym..
Like:
1. 5 different repositionable toys
•Crinkle
•Rattle
•tambourine
•Mirror
•Teether
2. Hooks on the actual mat for when baby starts to reach!!
•There are 4 loops on the mat to reposition the hanging toys and the mirror can be stood up!
3. Repositionable Piano
•Piano can either be played 0-6 months laying down or 6-12 months sitting up!
4. Removable arch for hanging toys
•Once baby is old sitting, you can remove the arch so baby can use the mat to sit or lay down still and play with repositionable toys!
5. Repositionable Piano
•it’s really cool that baby can play the piano when they learn to sit up and from when they are still on their backs or starting tummy time.
Dislike:
1. The hooks used to hang the toys
•The hooks are a pain to take on and off of the fabric hanging loop- I feel a Velcro could have been an easier option.
2. The piano buttons are at the bottom of the keys.
•In order for the baby to hit the keys and them to make noise it has to be at the bottom of the key. When my baby lays down sometimes her feet hit the top of the keys and when I move her back, even the slightest, she doesn’t hit the keys at all - she has short legs LOL
3. The material of the mat- it’s a silky mat that repels liquid and is easy to clean but it is also cold and takes a while to dry.
4. Repositionable Piano
•As I said above, it’s nice that my baby can play the piano when she starts to sit up, but it is a pain to reposition it.. you have to u screw both sides, and basically take apart the piece in order to switch it- there should be a button that presses to release the lock and you can move it??
I really LOVE this Play Gym, the Pros DEFINITELY outweigh the cons and I used this mat every day!
Overall rating: 8/10
*not an ad or sponsored!*
When I was building my baby registry, the Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym kept popping up, and I wondered, like many new parents, 'Is this going to be too much for my little one? Is it overstimulating?' It's a valid concern, especially with all the bright colors and sounds! But after using it daily, I've got some insights to share on how to get the most out of this popular 'smart toy' without overwhelming your baby. First off, let's tackle the overstimulation question. Yes, babies can get overstimulated, and it often shows up as fussiness, turning away, or even crying. What I found with the Kick & Play gym is that its design actually allows for a lot of flexibility. In the early days, you don't have to hang all five repositionable toys – the crinkle, rattle, mirror, teether, and tambourine – at once. I started with just one or two, letting my baby focus on a single object like the mirror or the high-contrast crinkle toy. This way, she wasn't bombarded with too many sensory inputs. As she grew, I gradually added more, observing her cues. The removable arch is brilliant for this; when she just needed some quiet tummy time on the mat with its cute forest animal theme, I could take the arch off completely. Speaking of tummy time, those mat hooks are fantastic. They allow you to bring toys closer to your baby's reach, encouraging them to lift their head and engage. It’s all about controlled exposure. The repositionable piano is another feature that helps manage stimulation. For younger babies, having it at their feet for kicking is perfect for gross motor development. As they get older and start sitting, moving the piano up means they can play with their hands, refining fine motor skills. It evolves with them! Now, about those 'dislikes' I mentioned earlier – because let's be real, no product is 100% perfect! The hooks for the hanging toys can indeed be a bit fiddly. My workaround? I sometimes use small, plastic S-hooks or even sturdy links from other baby toys to make swapping them out easier. It saves a bit of frustration when you're trying to quickly change things up for a fussy baby. And the piano buttons being at the bottom of the keys? I agree, it can be a little awkward at first, especially if your baby has shorter legs like mine did! What I learned was to adjust her position slightly, or sometimes I’d gently guide her feet to the right spot. It also became less of an issue as she gained more control over her kicks. When she started sitting up, it was a non-issue as her hands were more precise. The mat material, while great for spills because it repels liquid, does take a while to dry. My tip here is to have a small, soft towel specifically for patting it dry after a quick wipe-down. It keeps the surface ready for play sooner. Despite these minor points, the Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym proved to be an invaluable investment for us. It truly supported so many developmental milestones, from early kicking and reaching during tummy time to later sitting and hand-eye coordination with the piano. It’s a multi-stage activity center that adapts, making it a 'smart toy' in my book for long-term use. It doesn't have to be overstimulating if you use its features thoughtfully and listen to your baby's cues. I genuinely believe it's one of those baby items that truly earns its space.
