If you’re a parent, you probably remember a childhood that was spent playing outdoors and observing nature. These days, kids are much more likely to grow up and spend time inside – a reflection of our technology-dominated culture. However, there’s a growing trend to get children (and adults) back into the outside world to balance out our smartphone-heavy society.

So as a parent, how can you support and encourage your child’s exploration of the great outdoors while still keeping them safe? The answer lies with a portable playpen. This incredible item keeps your child safe as you relax outside, all while giving them an early education about the natural environment.

Read on to find out more about portable playpens or simply use the links below to jump to a relevant section.

1. Portable Playpens You Can Take Anywhere
2. A Playpen for Inside and Outside
3. Portable Playpens for Babies and Toddlers
4. Features in a Portable Playpen

• Carrying Case
• Lightweight and Washable
• Versatile
• Non-Toxic
• Comfortable
• Side Access

5. The Right Portable Playpen for You

Portable Playpens You Can Take Anywhere

Adequate outside time for babies is important because it provides mental and physical benefits as they develop. Getting out of the house helps build confidence, promotes imagination, encourages movement, stimulates their brains, and reduces stress and tiredness – among other benefits! When your little one is ready for some tummy time outside, you’ll need something that allows you to easily transition them from indoors to outdoors.

If you’ve never heard of a portable playpen, it’s time to learn about this exceptional piece of baby gear. As children develop, having safe access to nature is a great way to entertain and teach them about wildlife and plants. Use this soft, enclosed space to contain curious little ones who have a tendency to roam too far from home. They can even use an outdoor playpen as their own personal fort – an oasis away from Mom and Dad. Plus, as your child grows, it’s nice to have a portable playpen for toddlers to give them a play space they can easily get in and out of by themselves.

A Playpen for Inside and Outside

The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib is an example of a portable playpen for babies – or toddlers – that is the perfect play space for your little bundle of joy. No matter if you’re inside the house or at a hotel on vacation, they’ll have a soft place to nap or play. And when you take the festivities outside, your baby has a front-row seat to the beauties of nature.

The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib also solves many issues that arise from being a busy parent who still wants to have a social life. We know your priority will always be your children, but a portable playpen allows you to easily keep your baby safe and contained while at a friend’s house for dinner.

Plus, when you’re traveling you don’t have to rent another portable crib. You can live the jetsetter lifestyle—baby in one hand, portable crib in the other, ready to take on any adventure.

Portable Playpens for Babies and Toddlers

If you’re going to invest in a portable playpen for your child, it’s important to ensure that it’s versatile enough for your lifestyle. That means it should come equipped with all the proper accessories so you have the flexibility to use it anywhere, at any time.

With the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib, you can purchase an additional playpen canopy, which delivers UPF 50+ protection to shield your baby from the sun. It’s a good option if you’re trying to darken an area like a bright hotel room or a sunny day at the beach. It’s also machine washable and constructed from 100% quick dry polyester—dirt and sippy cup spills don’t stand a chance.

Pro tip: a portable playpen with a canopy can also be used to make a fort for your children. If your little one thinks of their primary crib like a prison, use the canopy and open the side door to transform it into a world away from adults where they can let their imagination run wild.

If you’re traveling internationally, you might be going to a place where mosquitoes and other bugs carry dangerous viruses. Because your baby’s immune system isn’t fully developed, it’s important to keep your child protected. Investing in a good mosquito net is definitely the way to go.

The addition of a playpen mosquito net will give you the peace of mind that your little one is protected from creepy crawlies. This netting completely envelops the top and all four sides of the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib. It’s made out of a breathable, 100% polyester material so your baby will stay comfortable and cool. It also conveniently comes with a carrying case that you can tuck into your Lotus Crib Bag. For busy parents, packable accessories and baby gear are an absolute must.

Features in a Portable Playpen

There are some key features you definitely want to look for when you’re browsing for a portable playpen for babies and toddlers. Make sure it’s made out of safe materials, well-constructed, light enough to carry, and easy to assemble. You’ll likely have this play yard for years to come so take the time to research different cribs to figure out which one fits into your budget and lifestyle.

However, we do have some recommendations for general features you should look for when doing research:

Carrying Case

The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib comes with a case you can carry as a hands-free backpack. It’s airport friendly and the crib itself is incredibly simple to fold up. Having a portable crib means you don’t need to rent a crib once you get to your destination or figure out how to fit a bulky playpen into the overhead luggage compartment. Simply sling it over your shoulder and walk with confidence from terminal to terminal without throwing out your back.

Lightweight and Washable

What’s the point of a portable playpen if it’s too heavy to move from place to place? The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib weighs in at just 13 pounds. It also isn’t so cumbersome that it doesn’t fit through narrow doors. Plus, the fabric is machine-washable, so when your little one has a little bit too much fun during snack time it won’t be a big headache to clean up.

Versatile

Inside or outside, you’ll be able to bring your child wherever you want to go. A family date to the park means you can simply fold up the crib and place your child out in nature within a safe enclosure. Babies want to enjoy the sunshine, too!

Non-Toxic

Any playpen you pick out for your child should be non-toxic. But how do you determine which products are safe? Look for playpens that are certified for low VOC, which stands for Volatile Organic Chemicals. VOCs can be extremely dangerous when they’re exposed to fragile developing lungs and brains.

Luckily, you can put your fears to rest with the Lotus-Everywhere Travel Crib because it’s free of PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, and heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. It also meets all flammability standards without the need for chemical flame retardants.

The Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib is one of the few travel cribs that has a GREENGUARD Gold Certification. This prestigious certification indicates a product meets sustainability requirements and has low emissions of VOCs in indoor environments. GREENGUARD Gold is a step above regular GREENGUARD certification—meaning it confirms a product meets health-based standards for chemicals and follows the strictest criteria for VOC emissions.

Comfortable

If your little one is going to be spending a lot of time in their crib, it’s important that it’s comfortable. A soft and safe mattress pads the bottom of every Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib. It’s the perfect play area for your child – both plush and durable, it’ll last through countless play sessions for years to come.

Side Access

Another benefit of the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib is the side access door. This convenient feature allows you to easily snuggle or soothe your baby, all without needing to lean down and risk accidentally waking them. Plus, if you have any physical limitations, the side access door means you don’t have to bend down to spend quality time with your child.

The Right Portable Playpen for You

Of course, the right portable playpen for you and your family depends on your own specific needs. If you’re constantly on-the-go and want the flexibility of a travel crib that can go from inside to outside, the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib is your answer. As busy moms and dads know, convenience is king when it comes to selecting baby gear. From days at the beach to visits at Grandma’s house, the Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib opens up the entire world to both you and your baby.