Collection: Gates & Playpens

Baby gates and playpens keep a mobile baby safe — gates block off stairs and rooms, while playpens make a safe enclosed space to play. Once a baby crawls or pulls up, they reach hazards fast, so these become essential. The right choice depends on the spot: a gate for a doorway or stairs, a playpen for a safe zone in a busy room. Think about where the hazards are and where you need a safe space.

Do you need a gate or a playpen?

They solve different problems:

• Safety gate: blocks a doorway, hallway or the top and bottom of stairs, keeping baby out of unsafe areas.
• Playpen or play yard: a play pen, an enclosed space that keeps baby safely inside while you can't watch every second.

Use a gate to block off hazards like stairs and kitchens; use a playpen to create a safe zone where baby can play while you're briefly occupied.

Where should you fit safety gates?

Fit gates where a mobile baby could reach danger. The top and bottom of stairs are the priority, since falls are the main risk — a gate at the top must be a hardware-mounted (screwed-in) type, not a pressure-fit one, because a pressure gate can be pushed out. Doorways to the kitchen, bathroom or laundry keep baby away from hot surfaces, water and chemicals. Fit gates once baby starts crawling or pulling up, around 6 to 10 months. Use screw-mounted gates at the top of stairs, and pressure gates only where a fall isn't the risk.

What makes a playpen safe?

A playpen keeps baby enclosed, so it must be stable and free of hazards. Look for a sturdy base that won't tip if baby pulls on the sides, mesh or bars with gaps too small to trap a head or limb, and no gaps a baby could crawl through. Keep it away from windows, cords and anything baby could reach through the sides and pull in. A playpen is for short, supervised periods, not a substitute for watching baby. A stable pen with safe gaps, set clear of hazards, gives a safe space for short spells.

Common questions

What type of gate goes at the top of stairs?
A hardware-mounted (screwed-in) gate, never a pressure-fit one, since a pressure gate can be pushed loose and give way. Pressure gates suit doorways where a fall isn't the risk.

When do I need baby gates?
Once baby starts crawling or pulling up, around 6 to 10 months. Fit them at stairs and doorways to kitchens, bathrooms and laundries before baby becomes fully mobile.

Is a playpen safe to leave a baby in?
A playpen is for short, supervised periods, giving a safe space while you're briefly occupied. It's not a substitute for watching baby, and shouldn't be used for long stretches.

What's the difference between a playpen and a play yard?
They're much the same — both are enclosed safe spaces for a baby to play. "Play yard" sometimes describes a larger or portable version, but the purpose is identical.

Can I pay for gates and playpens with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our gates and playpens start from $29, which is four fortnightly payments of about $7.25.

Complete your baby kit

Gates and playpens pair with the rest of your baby gear. Add a monitor to watch baby, a cot for sleep, and a stroller for outings.

A $29 safety gate splits into four fortnightly payments of $7.25 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.