WHEN IT COMES to finding active toys the kids absolutely adore, nothing is quite so popular as a ball pit.
The best ball pits essentially turn your home somewhere between a playground and a soft play centre, providing sensory stimulation as well as a space to play and relax.
Ball pits come in every style, colour, shape and price point.
There are the inexpensive, pop-up ball pits that you can find online for under a tenner.
These are typically brightly coloured and ideal for captivating babies and toddlers.
For a ball pit that’s a centrpiece in any room, check out the Insta-ready ball pits from brands like KiddyMoon, Tweepsy and MeowBaby. Typically, these have a lovely cotton covering, chic pastel-hued balls and come in a selection of handy shapes to suit your space: round, square, even triangular to fit in corners.
Parents who have taken the plunge and gotten their kids a ball pit absolutely love them: just note, most of these ball pits require around 200 balls minimum, and yes, they will end up everywhere. That’s half the fun.
This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.
A ball pit doesn’t have to take up a ton of space in the centre of a room, as this chic design from KiddyMoon illustrates.
It comes in a variety of colours (both balls and pit) to appeal to your aesthetics, and the cover is Oeko-Tex certified so you know it’s non-toxic. It zips off for easy machine washing.
Reviewers say it’s ‘amazing quality’ and the ‘best ball pit I’ve come across’, generally agreeing that ‘it’s expensive but worth it’.
This roomy ball pit can hold two children and up to 400 balls (which aren’t included), making it a great choice for siblings.
Lightweight and portable, it comes with a storage bag so is easy to fold away when not in use.
Chad Valley Pop Up Ball Pit (30x80x80), £8 on Argos – buy here
Reviewers agree this brightly coloured and patterned ball pit is ‘amazing for the price’.
The pop-up design works inside or outside, and customers advise you should buy at least 200 balls for it (it can fit up to 450).
Tweepsy has a huge range of ball pits in all shapes, colours, textures and prints.
This deeper 40cm design includes 250 multicoloured balls and will work for kids aged up to 3 or 4.
It’s great for the active kid who wants to dive right in… and will help kids develop hand-eye coordination as they throw the balls around.
Fans insist it’s a ‘life saver’.
This five-piece play set, including a ball pit with 100 balls, is a fab modular obstacle course kids can design – and redesign – however they like.
Bonus: as much as it’s an activity centre, it’s also a wonderful building toy.
It’s made from anti-allergic polyurethane foam, with a cotton-blend cover, and the lightweight blocks can easily be moved from room to room.
‘Absolutely amazing. Both our children love it and have had hours of fun. Love the fact the covers can be taken off to be washed too’, writes a fan.
Unlike some of the other ball pits which are better-suited to kids 3 and under, this inflatable design is perfect for kids up to the age of 8.
It inflates easily and can be attached to a bouncy castle or used on its own.
Ideal for the garden, it also doubles as a paddling pool. Balls sold separately.
We’ve designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won’t break the bank.
Need some new toys to entertain the kids? Then you’ll love these fab sensory toys.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best ball pits? Then you might like our selection of best play tents.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.