
Best Ball Pits & Crawl Tunnels for Toddlers
- Gary B.
- UPDATED April 5, 2019
- in Toddler & baby toys
Playz
Rocket Ship Play Tent
Are you in the market for the kind of toy that will enthrall and exhaust your toddler? If so, then we recommend taking a gander at the world of baby crawl tunnels and ball pits. These toys can provide plenty of enrichment as well as be a great energy outlet for your child.
Our Top Picks

Best Overall
Playz Rocket Ship Astronaut

Upgrade Choice
EocuSun Polka Dot Play Tent

Best Budget Buy
Playz Pop Up Tent
How to Pick the Best Ball Pits & Crawl Tunnels
You know better than anyone what will engage your active tot, so always listen to your instincts as you browse the toy aisles. If your instincts need a little help, though, here are some things to keep in mind while you shop.
1. Recommended Age
It is vital to purchase a ball pit or tunnel that is age-appropriate for your child. Buying a product designed for a toddler older than your own can easily be an accident waiting to happen in any number of ways, including choking hazards or suffocation risks.
2. Material Matters
You will want to find breathable, sturdy material that will hold up even when your tot engages her hyperdrive crawl or bounce, but nothing so rough that it would irritate your kiddo’s skin as she jumps and wriggles against it.
3. Cleanability
Toddlers are very clean creatures and rarely make a mess…said no one ever. With this in mind, always consider how easy a ball pit or crawl tunnel will be to clean and disinfect. Does it have a lot of hard to reach nooks and crannies? Will a wipe down with soap and water be enough to tackle everyday playtime messes? Will the fabric show every drool stain ever drooled?
4. Storage
It’s very likely that leaving your baby crawl tunnels and ball pits up 365 days a year is not feasible for your household, so you might want to pick a product that can be easily stored away.
5. Size
Be sure you have a big enough space to ensure maximum toy enjoyment. Remember not to just measure wall to wall, but also the available floor space in your play area. Protip: plan ahead as to where you want to stash this toy when it’s not in use and measure that too.
6. Safety Features
Some, but not all, products have certificates confirming their safety standards meet or exceed those outlined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM International. For those that don’t, consider a few safety points. You will want a tunnel crafted from breathable material, that allows plenty of ventilation, and is made sturdily enough to not collapse on your kiddo while she plays. Ball pits should be filled with balls too large to pose a choking hazard.
The Winners
#1
Playz Rocket Ship Astronaut
Editor's Choice
Our Editor’s Choice comes with a basketball hoop, fun rocket ship tent, and spacious ball pit complete with a basketball hoop. Playz Rocket Ship Tent is affordable, relatively easy to clean, a cinch to assemble, and great for both indoor and outdoor play use. Mesh fabric keeps the insides well ventilated and a convenient carrying bag means this lightweight toy can go anywhere your kiddo goes.
- You'll love: Play pretending as astronauts
- Large enough to enjoy with friends
- Plenty of activities
- Watch for: Balls not included
Recommended Age:1+ Years
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Moderate
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: 55”H x 39”D (rocket tent), 18″H x 48″W (ball pit), 44″L x 19″D (tunnel)
Safety Features: Meets all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines
#2
EocuSun Polka Dot Play Tent
Upgrade Choice
Eocusun Play Tent is a great upgrade choice in the world of playsets. It’s colorful, easy to assemble, and can be cleaned with just soap and water. Balls are not included and, as always, will add a bit more time to the cleaning process. Each piece can be used on its own or joined together for a fun crawling experience. This toy is great for both indoor and outdoor use and makes a fabulous centerpiece for any playtime.
- You'll love: Having their own tent for privacy
- Large enough to enjoy with their friends
- Watch for: Balls not included
Recommended Age: 6+ Months
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Moderate
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: 117″L x 47″W x 39″H
Safety Features: Meets all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guideline
#3
PLAYZ POP UP TENT
UPGRADE CHOICE
Between a basketball hoop, ball pit, and two tunnels, your tot won’t get bored easily with this Playz Pop Up Tent budget buy. Mesh siding provides ample ventilation but requires a bit more elbow grease to clean after any particularly messy play sessions. A simple soap and water mixture will get things spick and span. Assembly is easy and if you choose to play outside you can secure each piece to the ground by utilizing the built-in anchor loops.
- You'll love: Five pieces provide plenty of play options
- Big enough to enjoy with friends
Recommended Age: 3+ years
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Easy
Storage Type: Folds up
Size: 27.5″L x 27.5”W x 29.5”H (tent) / 18”D x 69”L (tunnel)
Safety: Well vented, sturdy when assembled
#4
This extravagant setup comes with 500 jumbo sized balls, a continue-flow blower for inflation, patch kit, and even ground stakes for a safe outdoor setup. While clean up is less of a breeze with this My Bouncer playset, especially if you have to disinfect all the balls in the ball pit, it is easy to assemble and provides enough bounce for your kiddo to have fun without you having to worry about her launching herself to the moon.
- You'll love: Being able to bounce around with a friend
- Inflates in under 60 seconds so they can get right to playing
- Watch for: The blower must be left on during use
Recommended Age: 2 – 10 years / 150lb weight limit
Material: Nylon and Rubber
Cleanability: Moderate to Difficult
Storage Type: Quick Deflate and pack away
Size: 118″L x 72″H
Safety Features: Mesh velcro doors seal to keep kids securely inside the bounce house
#5
Quick and easy to assemble, this Joyin Pop play tent is durable enough to be used indoors or out and comes with ground stakes to keep everything securely grounded in the yard. Cleaning can be accomplished with soap and water, although cleaning each ball will take a bit of time.
- You'll love: The tunnels and tents connect into a fun "maze"
- Tents can be used for private spaces to relax
- Watch for: Balls not included
Recommended Age: 3+ months
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Moderate
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: 43″ (tunnels) / 28″ x 28″ x 30″ (cubic tents) / 31″ x 31″ x 31″ (triangle tents)
Safety Features: Material fire-retardant and BPA free, mesh ventilation on sides
#6
Surprisingly easy to assemble, just pop up the individual pieces and slide them into each other, this Hide N’ Slide playset is on the large side and includes plenty of fun features and activities. While its dimensions make it a little tricky to clean, you won’t need anything other than soap and water. Be sure to purchase 400 – 600 balls to fully take advantage of the ball pit.
- You'll love: Fabric dartboard
- Target tent wall
- basketball hoop
- Plenty of room to enjoy with friends
- Watch for: Balls not included
Recommended Age: 3+ Years
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Moderate to Difficult
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: Approximately 60″L x 24″D (tunnels), 60″L x 24″H (ball pit), 30″L x 30″W x 30″ H (cube tent), 30″L x 36″H (triangle tent)
Safety Features: Meets all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines
#7
As the name suggests, you can enjoy this UTEX activity tent in your yard or living room alike. Meshing along the sides of the tunnels and tents provide plenty of ventilation and this toy can be used both indoors and out. It’s easy to clean with soap and water, assembles smoothly, and folds up for easy storage.
- You'll love: Mesh windows on the tents allow them to view their surroundings
- Pieces can be enjoyed separately or together for a variety
- Watch for: Balls not included
Recommended Age: 1+ Years
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Easy to moderate
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: 31.5″L x 31.5″W x 35.5″H (play tent) 27″L x 27″W x 28″H (square tent), 59″L x 19″D (tunnel)
Safety Features: Meets ASTM International safety standards
#8
If your little lady is looking to be treated like royalty, we have crowned this Playz Tent playset as the best crawl tunnel and ball pit for girls. Complete with a basketball hoop, ball pit, tent, and tunnel this playset assembles with little effort, is easily folded down, and cleans up nicely using just a mild soap and water mixture.
- You'll love: Plenty of room for friends
- Tent gives her a private space
- Great for pretend play
Recommended Age: 3+ Months
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Easy to moderate
Storage Type: Fold Up
Size: 55″H x 39″D (castle tent), 18″ H x 48″ W (ball pit), 42″L x 18.5″D (tunnel)
Safety Features: Meets ASTM International safety standards
#9
You can breathe easier knowing that your kiddo can breathe easy in this two-piece set. The well-ventilated POCO tent and tunnel can be enjoyed as separate pieces or as one gloriously green bug. It’s easy to clean with a damp towel and soap, requires no tools to assemble, and it folds flat for easy storage.
- You'll love: Five pieces provide plenty of play options
- Big enough to enjoy with friends
-
Watch for:
Tricky to fold up for storage
Recommended Age: 3+ years
Material: Polyester
Cleanability: Easy
Storage Type: Folds up
Size: 38” H x 43” Diagonal Base Width (triangle tent) / 31” H x 38” Diagonal Base Width (square tent) / 18” Base Height x 32” Hoop Height x 48” Width (ball pit with basketball hoop)
Safety: Meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines
DIY, Craft and Décor: Ideas for Ball Pits & Crawl Tunnels





Quick Decision
Playz Rocket Ship Astronaut Play Tent– Best Overall
Safe, versatile, and affordable, this product delivers a fun experience for your tots and will keep them occupied for hours.
EocuSun Polka Dot Play Tent with Tunnel– Upgrade Choice
Spacious and eye-catching, this is the perfect addition to any party or picnic where children are looking to have fun.
Playz Pop Up Tent– Best Budget Buy
This product delivers a playset that retails for an affordable price without compromising on safety, features, or quality.

Does your heart drop on days where the weather doesn’t permit outdoor play? Check out our selections for the best indoor slides.

Gary B.
Gary is a father of two, self-identified RC fanboy, and part-time guitar plucker. When he's not racing his collection of remote-controlled vehicles or strumming away, we bend his arm and get him to write with precision and expertise on a range of mechanical and electrical toys.
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