Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome Review

The Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome is essentially a compact playpen with a few extra functions. We did not have a playard before receiving the dome, and it fits our lifestyle and home space so well!

Assembling the Baby Dome

First things first, the manual is tiny, because it’s that easy to put together. It’s already assembled in the box, so the manual simply explains how to pop it into place and collapse when needed. The illustrations are clear, and assembly took about 10 minutes to read and put it together. No tools are required, and it comes with two colorful toys that dangle to encourage eye tracking and developing fine motor skills! Quick note: Watch your fingers when opening and closing the legs. It takes a little elbow grease, and my finger took the brunt of a hit.

The dome is small! It is a perfect little nap or play space for those living in tighter quarters—or for when you’re away from home. Once collapsed and folded into place, it could easily fit into the trunk of a small car, under the bed, behind another piece of furniture, etc. Storage is not an issue with this product, but you will need both hands to maneuver it, and it’s not so compact that it fits into a bag or would be useful for taking on a flight. It gets pretty flat but stays long in the length. My initial draw to the Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome was how it looked. It is circular, and in my opinion, looks modern in comparison to other designs. The bulk of the dome is grey and the other colors are muted enough to not cause too much of a clash with other color schemes. Our sits in-between our rocker and her mini-crib (we live in a very small space), and I never feel it makes the living room too cramped. I definitely understand the dislike for lots of baby gear in terms of aesthetics, and this one is not offensive at all.

On-the-Go Baby Dome in Action

Of course, the real test is if your little one likes it and uses it enough to make it worth the price. My daughter sat in it for a solid five minutes just staring at the sides and the comfy pad. Once she finally noticed the colorful toys, she went to town playing with them. The link toys can be easily removed and placed within baby’s reach. She sits well on her own, but from time to time she will topple over and hit the side of the dome wall. Thankfully, it’s mostly mesh material, so she is able to stay comfortable. I stick a U-shaped support pillow behind her, so she stays upright for longer periods of time. That being said, there’s not a ton of room in this baby dome to begin with, so you can’t fill it up with too many things.

The manufacturer recommends only using this product with a child who is unable to push up on hands and knees, pull up or sit unassisted. The dome walls are not very high. If my daughter were able to stand and walk, I think she could easily climb over the barrier. As I mentioned with the size, it’s not roomy enough for multiple babies. My daughter fits comfortably either sitting up with her deluxe support pillow or on her belly for some tummy time.

Outdoor Playtime

One of my favorite things about the Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome is the ability to use it for playtime outside. The “dome” aspect really comes into play when providing protection from the sun or other undesirable weather conditions. One side of the dome top stays up permanently when open, and the other half collapses unless put into place. Both sides connect at the top to create a breathable mesh barrier for baby protection. You can still see your child easily and interact with her while playing.

Caring for this product is easy! Everything can be wiped down with a warm washcloth, and the padding at the bottom Velcro’s into place. It can easily be removed and is washable. The dome can also be used as a comfy napping spot, but my daughter has never seemed interested in trying to use it for sleeping. Make sure to watch the sides of the soft padding that can come detached and cause a suffocation hazard. The tags are on the under side of the padding, and my baby constantly digs to get to the tags. I have to watch her closely!

I personally think this product is worth the price due to the functionality of being able to be used as an enclosed activity gym or bassinet inside and out, as well as providing an easy barrier from sun, bugs, etc. I appreciate the ability to store it easily, and I happen to like the Windmill color scheme … so this is a winner in our home! The one thing I would change is the padding. I would keep it tight enough for sleeping, but add a layer or two for comfort. Other than that, I recommend the Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome to moms and dads with small spaces or an on-the-go lifestyle.

Price: $60