When I was registering for baby shower gifts, I signed up for the same foldable travel crib/play yard I’d seen everyone else using.
It really didn’t occur to me that there was any other option. But when my daughter recently outgrew the original travel bed, I was on the hunt for a replacement. I found it in the PeaPod Plus.
The PeaPod Plus from KidCo is a simple product with great practical potential. It’s basically a pop-up tent with a blow-up mattress, just child-sized. It can be used indoors or out and even at the beach (it provides some—but not complete—UV protection). Set-up is easy—the tent pops into shape on its own and the mattress blows up pretty quickly. The instructions are short and easy to follow, which is a big plus in my book.
Along with the tent and mattress, the Peapod Plus comes with a hand pump to blow up the mattress and a sleeping bag that can be used as-is, buckled to shorten the length, or completely unzipped so the bottom half can be used as a sleeping pad. (Note: Don’t use the sleeping bag or pad with an infant.)
At 6.9 pounds, the Peapod Plus is much easier to carry than the standard travel bed, and it folds up so compactly that I can stick it in a suitcase rather than check it by itself at the airport. The Peapod Plus is larger than the original Peapod: It’s recommended for infants up to kids about 6 years old.
With a spacious interior and windows on every side (these can be rolled up and fastened, closed with breathable netting, or closed completely), the PeaPod Plus is a great place to play and rest. It comes in red/navy, pink and camo.
Dimensions: 52.5″L x 34″W x 25″H
Care: Clean with soap and water. Sleeping bag is machine washable.
Price: $85
Buy it: babyearth
