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Welcome back to “Baby to Child”! Today we’re taking a close look at two little gems from Skip Hop: the Silver Lining Cloud Baby Play Gym and Infant Playmat, and the Farmstand Avocado Baby Stroller Toy. If you’re new here, hit that subscribe button and ring the bell—our goal is to save parents time, money, and stress by sharing gear that actually fits real life, not just marketing hype.
The Silver Lining Cloud Play Gym is exactly what it sounds like: a soft, plush mat with a gentle color palette and pops of bright hues designed to engage your baby’s developing sight and motor skills. For most households, it’s a space where your newborn or infant can explore tummy time, reach for hanging toys, and safely lounge on a cushy cloud pillow. The play gym comes with five hanging toys, some with lights and music, which provide varied sensory input. In practical terms, that means your baby might be happily entertained while you prep a bottle, fold laundry, or just take a minute to breathe. The cushioned mat is a simple plus if you’re concerned about hard floors or little elbows during tummy time.
As your baby grows, the gym remains useful for infants who are practicing reaching, batting, and grasping. The hanging toys are lightweight enough for little hands, and the cloud pillow can double as support during early rolling or assisted sitting. Check the manual for exact age or weight guidance—Skip Hop generally targets newborns through early infancy.
In everyday use, you can expect this gym to be a cozy, safe play zone. Cleaning is straightforward—most surfaces can be wiped down, though check the care instructions for the mat fabric. It’s low-profile enough to move from the living room to bedroom or store under a couch when not in use, which matters in small apartments. For safety, make sure the gym is laid flat on the floor, supervise all play, and avoid adding extra pillows or blankets that could pose a suffocation risk.
The Farmstand Avocado Stroller Toy is a small, portable companion designed to keep babies occupied on the go. Each half opens easily, revealing a peek-a-boo rattle “pit,” which is fun for little fingers and helps with fine motor development. The plush exterior and felt details are tactile and baby-friendly, while the built-in loop and ring make it easy to attach to a stroller, infant carrier, or car seat handle. This is the kind of toy you can grab quickly for a stroller walk or a trip to the store, and it’s compact enough not to weigh down your bag.
For most families, the avocado toy complements the play gym rather than replaces it. The gym is about stationary sensory exploration, while the stroller toy is for mobile engagement. Parents should be aware that the toy is not a teether unless explicitly stated, and always check for secure attachment to prevent falling or choking hazards.
Who these are for is fairly straightforward: the play gym is great for parents with floor space and babies in the newborn to infant stage who benefit from supervised tummy time and sensory stimulation. The avocado toy is ideal for on-the-go families, stroller walks, or waiting-room distractions. If you have very limited space or a toddler who’s already cruising, these may be less central, though the avocado toy can still entertain young toddlers briefly.
A tradeoff to note: the play gym offers plush comfort and visual engagement, but it’s not something you can strap into a stroller or take on vacation. The avocado toy is travel-friendly, but doesn’t offer floor play benefits. Personally, I’d prioritize the play gym for daily home routines and the avocado toy for portability and quick distraction moments.
Pros of the play gym include soft, modern design, multiple engaging toys, and versatility for tummy time. Cons are limited portability and the need for floor space. Pros of the avocado toy are portability, interactive peek-a-boo fun, and easy attachment; cons are smaller scale and fewer developmental features compared with a full activity gym.
In terms of value, the play gym sits in the mid-tier price range but justifies it with sensory variety and comfort. The avocado toy is budget-friendly for what it does, especially for families who are already using a stroller daily. Competitors for the play gym include other mid-range activity gyms like Fisher-Price or Tiny Love gyms, which offer similar hanging toys and floor cushions but may differ in size, sensory elements, or aesthetics. For stroller toys, simpler brands like Lamaze offer comparable peek-a-boo and rattle concepts, though Skip Hop’s plush details and attachment system are nice touches.
Build quality on both is solid: stitching on the mat and cloud pillow feels durable, hanging toys have secure fastenings, and the avocado toy’s felt and plush fabric are robust enough for repeated opening and closing. Just keep an eye on seams over time if your baby is a vigorous puller.
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Here’s how I’d score them: Safety confidence—9/10 for the gym, 9/10 for the avocado; Ease of use—8/10 for the gym (setup is simple but floor-dependent), 9/10 for the avocado; Comfort & fit—9/10 for the gym, 7/10 for the avocado (it’s handheld); Cleanability—8/10 for the gym, 8/10 for the avocado; Portability & storage—7/10 for the gym, 9/10 for the avocado; Adjustability over time—8/10 for the gym, 6/10 for the avocado.
Thanks for joining me today! The link to the products is in the comments box, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences if you’ve used these. Until next time, keep the floor safe, the stroller stocked, and remember—we’re all just figuring out this parenting thing, one playtime at a time. Baby to Child signing off!
Available to buy here:
