Like many other new parents, I bought a playard (a.k.a. pack ‘n play, playpen) before my first child was born. And, boy, was it fancy. It had a detachable changing station and a bassinet that fit into one corner – suspended.
What I hadn’t considered, however, was that The K Man would grow well beyond the 100th percentile in his first year. (Honestly, I thought I had Paul Bunyan Jr. on my hands, but he’s plateaued quite nicely, thank you.)
The bassinet turned out to be useless to us, both because he outgrew it in three weeks and was partial to sleeping on a warm, human body. The changing table came in handy on the main floor, but was a tight squeeze after a couple of months. And, by month nine, the confines of this pack ‘n play were just too tight for our little man who covers more real estate in one hour of sleep than you could imagine.
I sold it.
But when we were invited to a cottage weekend when The K Man was two, and not yet sleeping in a proper bed, I took to the internet to find a solution. I happened upon the Joovy Room2 (where is the superscript function on WordPress when you need it?!), and after seeing it in person, I was sold. I bought it in red.
I was reminded how much I appreciate this essential piece of baby gear when we visited Great Wolf Lodge earlier this week. Miss Q is nearly 21 months old – and a big baby to boot – and has no problem spreading out while she sleeps, rolling about in this pack ‘n play.
THE GOOD
This puppy – when unfolded and in its full pack ‘n play glory – is a very generous 10 square feet. It’s an enormous amount of space. I don’t know a thing about raising twins, but my guess is that you could easily fit twin babies in here comfortably for the first year at least. Or one gigantic baby like the ones I seem to birth. In fact, the Joovy Room2 is so spacious that Miss Q didn’t even mind being popped in there to play when she was newly mobile and I needed time to cook a meal.
Considering its size, it folds into a very compact package – the same as a standard-sized playard – and comes in it’s own zippered carry 
case. It fits just fine in the back of our CUV.
It’s got two lockable wheels on one side, which make wheeling it around a breeze if you need to once it’s set up.
This is one sturdy piece of gear. We’ve used our Joovy Room2 many times over the past two-and-a-half years and it looks and operates like new. No pulls, rips – nothing. The colour is still as vibrant as the day we bought it. Very high quality.
It comes with its own (thick and cozy – but not organic) fitted sheet, which is a good thing since I’m not sure you’d find something else that works for a square-shaped mattress pad that’s five feet by five feet.
It looks great – very minimalist design. No bunnies, flowers, paisley, polkadots or otherwise obvious baby prints need apply. Pick one colour and you’re done.
It’s obviously comfortable enough; both of my kids have slept for hours and hours in it.
THE GAFFE
There are no bells and whistles here, so if you’re looking for a change pad combo, this isn’t the playard for you. But think practically into the long future you could have with a portable bed and the change pad becomes much less important.
Big B kind of totally hated setting up the Joovy Room2 for about the first year. Make that two. There’s a certain science to hoisting any pack ‘n play, as countless tenured parents will tell you. You have to follow the steps exactly as described in the often poorly written instruction manuals. Though having set this one up myself a few times, I’ll admit that the actual frame is quite straightforward, but it’s the damn mattress pad that caused sweat and swear words to escape from every pore of Big B’s body. There are all these Velcro straps that have to be woven through the fitted sheet in just the right way so that it lays flat in the playard. Big B’s advice? Take your time, take a deep breath and tell the Joovy Room2 in no uncertain terms that it won’t get the better of you this time.
If you’re not going to use this for a few years, the price tag of $150 to $200 might give you sticker shock. After all, the full systems with bassinets and change pads that change your baby’s bottom for you and mobiles and other jazzy things cost about the same. But I believe their shelf life is limited by their interiors. There is simply no other pack ‘n play on the market that compares in size to the Joovy Room2 of which I’m aware.
THE GEARS
4.5/5
Sheena says
5’x5′ would make it 25² feet not 10² feet, it is just over 3’x3′.
Mommy Gearest says
Huh. I think you’re right! Clearly, I’m no mathematician. 😉
Sheena says
It is still a large playpen. I also read a review where somebody thought it was 10’x10′, a 100 square foot playpen.
Sheena says
5’x5′ would make it 25² feet not 10² feet, it is just over 3’x3′.
Mommy Gearest says
Huh. I think you’re right! Clearly, I’m no mathematician. 😉
Sheena says
It is still a large playpen. I also read a review where somebody thought it was 10’x10′, a 100 square foot playpen.
M Hogan says
Hi there. We’re traveling out of state and our hotel doesn’t guarantee a crib. Do you think it would be safe for our 5 month old to sleep in this for 2 nights? The bottom of it doesn’t seem very rigid and he’s a tummy sleeper. I’ll be a hot mess if I think he’s not safe! Thank you.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi M! I think it should be totally fine for such a limited amount of time. That’s the whole point of these things! 🙂 My kids were both tummy sleepers and definitely spent at least two nights in a row when we’ve been away in it for naps and overnight sleep. Just be sure it’s not sagging on the bottom at all. That you definitely DON’T want.
M Hogan says
Hi there. We’re traveling out of state and our hotel doesn’t guarantee a crib. Do you think it would be safe for our 5 month old to sleep in this for 2 nights? The bottom of it doesn’t seem very rigid and he’s a tummy sleeper. I’ll be a hot mess if I think he’s not safe! Thank you.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi M! I think it should be totally fine for such a limited amount of time. That’s the whole point of these things! 🙂 My kids were both tummy sleepers and definitely spent at least two nights in a row when we’ve been away in it for naps and overnight sleep. Just be sure it’s not sagging on the bottom at all. That you definitely DON’T want.
Julie says
Help. Anybody find a mattress to fit the Joovy Room2? I’m using it as a bed and need more padding.
Mommy Gearest says
You might be able to ask Joovy if you can purchase an extra mattress. But I would probably not recommend this as a long-term solution. Pack ‘n plays are not intended to be beds except while on vacation or for naps at daycare, for example.
Julie says
*Sigh* Yes, I’m aware. And in a perfect world, I wouldn’t be using it as a bed. But thank you for the condescending response that simultaneously provided no helpful information. The examples were a particularly nice touch – just in case I’m completely dense.
Mommy Gearest says
Julie, you’re quite welcome. I strive to be as condescending as possible, obviously. And if suggesting you ask the manufacturer instead of a blogger for information about purchasing additional products to turn a pack ‘n play into a bed isn’t helpful, then I’m not sure what would be, other than telling you to take a foam topper and cutting it to size. Although I felt that you would have exhausted every DIY option if you’re asking for help. Additionally, it’s hard to know who is and is not dense. I see people every day making decisions for their children based not on necessity but because they lack basic information. Ensuring you know that pack ‘n plays are not ideal long-term beds is clearly not new information to you, but it might be to someone else. But, hey, happy you stopped by.
Catherine says
Excellent response to the above comment. The poster seemed unnecessarily irritated. Hopefully just a stressed out parent who needs a nap or some coffee. I enjoyed this review. Thanks. 🙂
Julie says
Help. Anybody find a mattress to fit the Joovy Room2? I’m using it as a bed and need more padding.
Mommy Gearest says
You might be able to ask Joovy if you can purchase an extra mattress. But I would probably not recommend this as a long-term solution. Pack ‘n plays are not intended to be beds except while on vacation or for naps at daycare, for example.
Julie says
*Sigh* Yes, I’m aware. And in a perfect world, I wouldn’t be using it as a bed. But thank you for the condescending response that simultaneously provided no helpful information. The examples were a particularly nice touch – just in case I’m completely dense.
Mommy Gearest says
Julie, you’re quite welcome. I strive to be as condescending as possible, obviously. And if suggesting you ask the manufacturer instead of a blogger for information about purchasing additional products to turn a pack ‘n play into a bed isn’t helpful, then I’m not sure what would be, other than telling you to take a foam topper and cutting it to size. Although I felt that you would have exhausted every DIY option if you’re asking for help. Additionally, it’s hard to know who is and is not dense. I see people every day making decisions for their children based not on necessity but because they lack basic information. Ensuring you know that pack ‘n plays are not ideal long-term beds is clearly not new information to you, but it might be to someone else. But, hey, happy you stopped by.
Catherine says
Excellent response to the above comment. The poster seemed unnecessarily irritated. Hopefully just a stressed out parent who needs a nap or some coffee. I enjoyed this review. Thanks. 🙂
Connie says
We are having a hard time getting the sides to latch up when trying to set it up
Mommy Gearest says
The trick with all playpens (in my experience) is to be sure the MIDDLE is pulled up a bit. You can’t push it all the way down until you lock in the sides. I will say that I find this pack ‘n play far easier to set-up than others. Let me know how you get on with it…
Connie says
How do I lock in the sides?
Mommy Gearest says
So, first you have to take it out and face it right way up; then, and this is REALLY important, you have to ensure the middle is pulled up a fair bit so that it’s no where near being flat. Then you squeeze the button on the joint/knuckle and pull up gently; then when you bring them back down, they should lock into place. Then push down the middle. My husband and I might make a video…it’s not complicated but maybe you just have to see it in action.
Connie says
The last instructions given me WORK! Thanks so much from a much relieved Mema. Those are not the printed instructions. The company needs to revise their instructions. This has been a whole week of frustration.
Mommy Gearest says
HURRAY!!!!!!!! I’m so glad you got it working…another couple of goes and it’ll feel like second nature. You’ll love that thing. Still using it with our 2.5 year old!
Joovy says
Connie, the key is to remember that the floor is the locking mechanism. The floor of the Playard must be pulled up as high as possible then it should be possible for you to engage all of the side rails. Only then should you push the or down. If you are still having trouble we are here to help. 877-456-5049.
– Joovy
Connie says
We are having a hard time getting the sides to latch up when trying to set it up
Mommy Gearest says
The trick with all playpens (in my experience) is to be sure the MIDDLE is pulled up a bit. You can’t push it all the way down until you lock in the sides. I will say that I find this pack ‘n play far easier to set-up than others. Let me know how you get on with it…
Connie says
How do I lock in the sides?
Mommy Gearest says
So, first you have to take it out and face it right way up; then, and this is REALLY important, you have to ensure the middle is pulled up a fair bit so that it’s no where near being flat. Then you squeeze the button on the joint/knuckle and pull up gently; then when you bring them back down, they should lock into place. Then push down the middle. My husband and I might make a video…it’s not complicated but maybe you just have to see it in action.
Connie says
The last instructions given me WORK! Thanks so much from a much relieved Mema. Those are not the printed instructions. The company needs to revise their instructions. This has been a whole week of frustration.
Mommy Gearest says
HURRAY!!!!!!!! I’m so glad you got it working…another couple of goes and it’ll feel like second nature. You’ll love that thing. Still using it with our 2.5 year old!
Joovy says
Connie, the key is to remember that the floor is the locking mechanism. The floor of the Playard must be pulled up as high as possible then it should be possible for you to engage all of the side rails. Only then should you push the or down. If you are still having trouble we are here to help. 877-456-5049.
– Joovy
hardcoreddsHC says
How does it stand up against the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Lite? That’s what we’ve got (and recommend to people). I’m guessing the BBTCL is smaller…..
Mommy Gearest says
I honestly don’t know. I’m not familiar with the BBTCL, but my guess is that it’s FAR larger and probably heavier, too.
hardcoreddsHC says
How does it stand up against the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Lite? That’s what we’ve got (and recommend to people). I’m guessing the BBTCL is smaller…..
Mommy Gearest says
I honestly don’t know. I’m not familiar with the BBTCL, but my guess is that it’s FAR larger and probably heavier, too.