Some of these features include bassinets, changing tables, storage options and even canopies. Playards can be divided into two major product categories. This category is slowly shrinking as more new parents are attracted to the multi-featured, more flexible travel yards, or portable playards. Some variations on the standard size portable playard include oversized models or those of different shapes, such as square, triangular, round or oval. Portable playards are typically manufactured with round steel tubing, plastic corners and feet, and padded polyester or nylon fabrics.
Parents find that today's portable playards offer some distinct advantages over the older styles.
One primary advantage is recognized in the compact fold and ease of transport. Today's compact folds and models with wheels allow greater flexibility in where the product can be used and enjoyed. Not only can these portable playards be used in or outside the home, they are now easily taken to grandma's house, to the babysitter's, and on vacations. From a new parent's perspective, the addition of bassinet and changing table features to portable playards makes perfect sense. The product is more accommodating to an infant, and is useful for more stages of a young child's life.