The Graco Tot Block playpen has been one of the best baby items I received as a gift. As a first time mother, I had no idea what I really needed. My sister, who has three children, insisted that I register for this size of a playpen because it gives the baby enough space to move around and actually play. The shape of the playpen also fits with the Gymini Activity Gym. Whenever I needed to take a quick break or get chores done around the house, I would lay the baby in the playpen on the Gymini mat. Both of my children were entertained for a long time with this set up. It saved me many times! With my first child I could get away with placing the Gymini mat on the floor, and she would be safe. However, with the second child, I needed a safe haven for him so that big sister wouldn't clobber him by accident. My sister did the same thing - she had two older boys and a baby girl. Her baby was literally not safe on the floor, for fear the boys would trample on the baby by accident.

As my children have grown, the Graco Tot Block continues to be very useful. I loved taking this playpen on camping trips when I needed a spacious play area out of the dirt for the baby. However, now my youngest is in the toddler stage. Although he is big enough to climb out of the playpen, I set up all his favorite toys in there so he doesn't even think about wanting to get out. This buys me time to clean up around the upstairs floor (where I don't have a designated play area) or get a shower in the morning.

Set up is very easy. It is the same as all Graco playpens. If you're not familiar with the set up of these playpens, you will learn very quickly and it becomes second nature. Once you know the pattern, it takes about 5 seconds to open and lock in position. When you take the cover off, take frame out of the folded mat. Open the frame a little from its "folded umbrella" position. Grab two sides, one with each hand, parallel from each other. Pull up both hands at same time and straighten the rails. You should hear a click, which implies they locked into place. If both do not lock, start over by unlocking the one locked side by squeezing the center and try again. Once you lock all sides, reach over in the center of the playpen and push down. This places the playpen into locked position. Place mat in center, and you're ready to go! This may all sound complicated, but once you understand the rhythm of opening the playpen it goes really quickly.

As far as maintenance goes, make sure to use the cloth cover for the mat. Particularly when baby is young, you will be dealing with a lot of spit up. If baby has a diaper leak, cleanup is usually minimal with the cover. I would suggest buying a backup cover in the event you use this playpen for overnight sleeping.

Now that my kids are getting bigger, I plan on getting rid of a lot of baby gear. But I do plan on holding onto this playpen for guests. It is great for all around use - playing and sleeping. It's a lot easier to have a folded up playpen available than a big crib in the house. Plus, my house won't always be child proof so it's nice to know I can get this out when my friends come with their little ones to visit.


Recommended: Yes