Product Review: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard (Dempsey)

This purchases was the result of the my Crib vs. Playard decision.

Review: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard (Dempsey)

The Graco Pack 'n Play (or PNP) Playard is a hybrid.  Playards are generally hybrids of a crib and a play pen.  The PNP (Dempsey) is a quadruple threat: it is a combination of a crib, play pen, changing station and storage bins.  It also folds up easily for travel.  In my opinion the Graco PNP is the RAZR.  It's the best product for the money.  The comparable or alternative is to pay for a dresser, a changing station, baby crib, a mattress, bumpers, a mobile, a play pen, and a travel crib. The PNP is an excellent choice, even more so if you are short on space or cash.

Features:

• The Crib:
• a good alternative to purchasing a traditional crib.  There are two levels for the mattress, which can be adjusted as the baby gets bigger or is able to stand up.  
• The mattress is a good compromise between soft and firm.  
• When the "mattress" is at its highest level, there is a two-by-two storage area consisting of four cubbyholes.
• Can easily be moved from room to room, unlike a traditional crib that would require substantial disassembly and reassembly

• Changing Table:
• Comes with a space-saving baby changing attachment.  
• However, short on space there is no easily accessible place for baby changing necessities like wipes and diapers.  
• Only holds up to 20 lbs.

• Travel Crib: 
• Easily folds up into a   30" x 10" x 10" travel case. 
• You could break this thing down and fold it up in under a minute.

• Mobile:
• Comes with a mobile (three turtles) that spins (manually) and attaches quite well to the side of the playard.

The Could Have Been:

• Clark loves the turtles on the mobile that comes with the PNP.  Making it spin makes him happy, but standing there spinning the mobile all day was not my idea of productive. The PNP would be slightly better if it came with a mobile that spins on its own.  The ONLY (and I looked hard) options are the Take-Along Mobile(battery powered) from Tiny Love and an OEM model from Graco (wind up).  I'll write about that experience in a future post.

Summary:

I would rate this product an A and of course the RAZR.  I found the Graco PNP Playard to be the best value - dollar for dollar, inch for inch and feature for feature.   It takes up a minimal amount of space, and could replace 4-7 other products, as well a folds up for easy travel.

         - Clark's Dad