The all new SpaceSaver Jumperoo from Fisher Price

It’s no secret that we’ve jumped on the Jumperoo wagon and are holding on for dear life. This is the holy grail of baby products and arguably the most iconic nursery toy EVER. We rely on this noisy and garish monstrosity, almost as much as we rely upon Cadbury’s Creme Eggs as a reward for good behaviour at a doctor’s appointment. Ugly and cumbersome as it is, it allows us vital hands-free time to shower, wash dishes and achieve other feats of hygiene that qualify us as human beings as well as parents.

Yet when there isn’t a bouncing bum it’s fabric harness, the Jumperoo does resemble a torture device for children from the 1800s. Its loud colour scheme, metal rods and suspended gait is all-encompassing and would make the Queen’s lounge look untidy. It obstructs the television and you almost feel guilty for having a glass of wine in front of it. Don’t get me wrong, every parent NEEDS one, but it is the bearded lady at a circus.

So wouldn’t it be a miracle if Fisher-Price could make a smaller version? One with all the same features, yet which folds down when not in use? One with narrower dimensions for postage-sized sitting rooms?

Meet the Rainforest SpacesSaver Jumperoo!

Not only does this bad boy boast 4 different height settings, the same comfy machine-washable seat, and 8 new toys for your little one to get their teeth into, it also has an RRP of £82.99 (some £30 cheaper than its big cousin). In fact, this model is currently on sale at Argos at just £64.99 - meaning you can bag a brand new one, for cheaper you than could a secondhand classic Jumperoo from eBay (trust me, these toys hold their value better than a BMW).

But how does it compare?

Well in order for the SpaceSaver Jumperoo to collapse, the front two legs fold in on themselves. This means they’re rigid plastic, and the back component is the only one with flex for bouncing. This means there’s comparatively less “bounce” in the SpaceSaver Jumperoo. This isn’t such a bad thing for smaller babies, but for babies 10m+ it can be a bit of a letdown if they’re used to the bigger version.

Aesthetically, it’s miles better. It’s far less cumbersome and folds down to surprisingly dinky proportions. This is it’s most attractive selling point and one that shouldn’t be downplayed. It makes it easy to stow away at the end of an evening, and perfectly portable for taking around granny’s house. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that this will make times away from home far easier for the person caring for your child.

As far as activities go, Heidi is less enamored with the toy selection on the SpaceSaver Jumperoo. All the activities are located at the front of the Jumperoo meaning there’s no opportunity to spin in her seat as there is with its larger cousin. She also finds the activity toys at head height a bit of a stretch to enjoy as they’re too high for her. This leaves her with a light show (with music), a teether toy, a perspex spinner and a few twiddly bits.

It sounds like I’m disappointed, and I am if I compare to all the fancy toys on the bigger version. That said, there’s all that’s needed to encourage fine finger dexterity, motor skills and basic problem solving (how to make the sounds come on etc). If your baby hasn’t experienced the joys of the classic Jumperoo, they’ll be perfectly happy with what’s on offer here.

As with the traditional version, there are four height adjustments so the SpaceSaver Jumperoo can grow with your child. Although these toys are built to last, I’d say they’re best suited to babies between 6-12 months when they’re happily crawling and sitting unaided, but not yet walking. Fisher-Price say this model is suitable for children up to 81cm tall and 12kg but I’d question if there is enough to sustain Heidi’s interest now she’s dabbling with walking. I agree however that it’s roomy enough to accommodate a bigger tot.

Which would I buy?

Getting right down to it, which version impresses me more? Well I like the portability of the SpaceSaver and loves the way it looks compared to the classic Jumperoo. For smaller babies, there’s enough to blow their mind and give you a few precious hands-free moments. One thing I haven’t yet mentioned is that it’s also far quieter than the bigger one as there’s less clatter of toys when baby bounces. It also feels, to me, much sturdier, and is a cinch to assemble and collapse. It also offers unbeatable value for money and will retain it’s resale value like most Fisher-Price toys.

However, given both Dexter and Heidi have experienced the classic version, I can’t state strongly enough what a tour de force it is for curious young minds. Both children happily spent 30mins+ bouncing away whilst watching In the Night Garden. They love the fact they can spin in their chair and there are three different “toy stations” to explore. If you can get past it’s ugliness, and have the extra money to spend (RRP £109.99), you won’t be disappointed with the purchase.