Top 10 Best Crawling Tunnels for Toddlers Reviews and Buying Guide
Looking for the best crawling tunnels for toddlers? You have come to the right place!
Toddlers tend to move about a lot and are curious about their surroundings. At this stage, the children are developing their motor skills, and their muscles are also developing. Development of these muscles is very crucial as these muscles will help the child stand and sit and do any type of physical activity.
Toddlers tend to put everything in their mouths; they also tend to bump into things, especially their heads, and possibly hurt themselves. And, it is not easy to contain them while keeping them engaged in a healthy and productive activity.
Tunnels provide you with just that. They are colorful, engaging, and fun channels that will not only keep the child interested and engaged and also contain them, so parents have peace of mind about the whereabouts of the child. The child will have a fun time crawling about the tunnels while you do your chores. You can also play with the child as they crawl through and spend good quality time with them.
Comparison Table
Tunnels come in all sorts of fun colors, designs, shapes, and features. Following are our few recommendations for you to choose from:
| Sr. No. | Product | Weight (Pounds) | Price |
| 1. | Sunny Days Entertainment Play Tunnel | 2.31 | Click here |
| 2. | UTEX 3 in 1 pop up play tent with tunnel | 3 | Click here |
| 3. | Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Cutie Pie Butterfly Crawl-Through Tunnel | 2.75 | Click here |
| 4. | Hide N Side Kids Play Tunnels | 4.35 | Click here |
| 5. | Kiddzery Kids Pop Up Crawl Tunnels | 3 | Click here |
| 6. | Hide N Side Crawl Through Play Tunnel | 1.26 | Click here |
| 7. | Kiddey Multicolored Play Tunnel | 1.54 | Click here |
| 8. | POCO DIVO 6-ft Play Tunnel | 1.1 | Click here |
| 9. | Hide and Side Play Tents and Tunnels | 6.35 | Click here |
| 10. | Playz 5-Piece Kids Play Tents Crawl Tunnels | 2 | Click here |
1 Sunny Days Entertainment Play Tunnel
This tunnel is about 6 feet long when extended and can be easily collapsed and folded for secure storage. 6-feet is an ideal size for toddlers as they are 2-3 feet tall and will keep them interested as the child will be able to see the end.
This way, claustrophobic children will be comforted. This tunnel is made of a light-weight and durable fabric that can easily be collapsed and extended without wrinkling and tearing. There are also wires covered in fabric to keep the children safe.
This tunnel also has round edges that makes it safe for children. Poking wires can be harmful as they can poke someone’s eye or ear and pose as a potential threat. The tunnel also comes in fun and stimulating colors such as purple, green, and orange with red piping.
The company also offers fun and exciting tents and cubes for extra fun and games. This way, children can have their small fort and can play about the tunnel. These tunnels accelerate children’s motor skills and engage the child in doing physical activity and explore their imagination to their full potential.
- Durable and washable fabric
- Collapsible design
- Fun colors
- Unsafe wires (wires are held by fabric only)
2 UTEX 3 IN 1 POP UP PLAY TENT WITH TUNNEL
This tunnel has a little bit of improvement than your standard 2-way tunnel. It has 2 ball pit tents on either side of the opening of the canvas. The tent is made of fun and vibrant colors and a durable 190T polyester taffeta material.
This material not only ensures longevity but also ensures reduced wear and tear. There are also mesh/net windows that allow for breathability and ventilation. For this price point, you get a long tunnel, a square tent house, and a teepee house.
All these special pop-ups can be used together or separately and are suitable for both indoors and outdoors. The breathable and colorful design keeps the children entertained and amused for a more extended period.
The setup and collapsing of the tunnel and tents do not require any unique tool or skill. The collapsed toy can be placed in its bag and easily be stored in a small space such as storage cabinets or even under the bed. It is suitable for all 6-month-olds and above.
- Durable fabric
- Mesh windows
- Collapsible design
- Fun and colorful
- Balls do not come with the package
3 MELISSA & DOUG SUNNY PATCH CUTIE PIE BUTTERFLY CRAWL-THROUGH TUNNEL
As the name shows, Melissa & Doug tunnel is an adorable design with hanging down flaps. The butterfly flaps are present on either side of the tunnel and provide a little place to hide for kids when playing hide and seek.
The tunnel and the flaps are made up of washable material that can easily be cleaned with a wet cloth. Each flap has foam padding that ensures extra protection. The wires are perfectly secured in place with a more durable fabric that reduces the chances of nicks and wire poking out.
The product has very cute pink and green color hearts and other designs that stimulate the interest of both crawling kids and toddlers. The fabric allows it to be used indoors or outdoors with little to no tears or wears. This tunnel also has a collapsible design that makes it easy to be stored and put away.
No tools are required to set the tunnel up and hence, are free of screws, bolts, and nuts. The company also offers 24/7 customer care service.
- Safe wire
- Wipeable fabric
- Padded flaps
- Lacks a reflective strip to enhance your safety
- 5-feet long (rather short)
4 HIDE N SIDE KIDS PLAY TUNNELS
This one has a rather intricate design. There are four tunnels in this package. One side of each tunnel is connected to a common tent while the other ends open outward in a plus sign. The tunnels are made of a superior quality 190T soft polyester material that is both safe and durable. The material is also resistant to wear and tear.
This might be a bigger product but is also collapsible without having to dislocate some edges. Compact and collapsible design makes it easy to be stored when not in use and can quickly be shoved under the bed.
The fun colors are also engaging for younger kids and stimulating for them to move their arms and legs around. The compact design allows it to be travel-friendly. The durable design makes it perfect to be used indoors and outdoors.
Usually, tunnels are just a channel. But, this tunnel design combines 4 such tunnels and is fantastic to bring out a child’s inner imagination and competitiveness. The product also offers a 100% money-back guarantee, which is pretty much the best type of warranty.
- Durable
- Larger (combines 4 tunnels)
- No dislocation required
- Exposed wireframe
5 KIDDZERY KIDS POP UP CRAWL TUNNELS
This tunnel package comes with 2 ball pit pop-up tents and 2 crawling tunnels. With a cubic and triangular pop-up tents, the tunnels get more fun and exciting to play with. These 4 components can be arranged in several different ways (10 different combinations to be exact), and you’ll get a new fun tunnel every time.
Different tunnel positions will stimulate the child to learn more about their surroundings and respond accordingly. Both of the tents come with foldable flaps that can make the tent a ball pit too. Most products have a problem of wire poking out.
This tunnel, however, has a thicker set of a sturdy steel wire with double crimped connections. The wires come with double stitch seams that allow for more hold on the wire and keeping it in the seam rather than poking out.
The tunnels also are free of any potential allergenic or toxic material. The material of the tunnels and the tent is claimed to be 100% BPA free, phthalates free, and latex-free this doesn’t just make the material safe but also makes it sustainable and gives it the ability to hold its shape even after a long time.
It also comes with spring connectors to ensure that the settings don’t come off when kids are playing. And, also ground stakes, so that the tunnel set up stays in place.
- Breathable material
- Safe wires
- BPA free
- Small and compact design (not for taller kids)
6 HIDE N SIDE CRAWL THROUGH PLAY TUNNEL
This 6 feet long circular tunnel is designed especially for younger kids and toddlers. The manufacturers have listed the age of 3 to 9 months.
The tunnel also comes in a set of 3 primary bright colors that is red, green, blue or yellow, orange, and blue. It is also made up of breathable and light-weight material, 190T soft polyester fabric that is not only wipeable but also reasonably durable.
The main framework of the tunnel is made of thick steel wire. The wire framework is hidden within the seams of the fabric. The design is also collapsible that allows the child’s imagination to run wild and stimulate his/her thinking abilities and motor skills. The design also makes it travel-friendly.
- Light-weight material
- Hidden wire
- Collapsible design
- Wire sticks out after wearing out
7 KIDDEY MULTICOLORED PLAY TUNNEL
This tunnel allows your child to be engaged and stimulated within your house while you do your house chores. The see-through mesh enables you to take a peek at your kids while running errands here and there.
The easy pop-up design has Velcro tabs. These tabs allow the tunnel to be folded and remain that way. To extend the tunnel, the tabs are needed to be released. The tunnel comes with a zipper bag that makes it easy to store and carry to parks, daycare, or any other outdoor place, birthday parties, for instance.
The tunnel comes in vibrant colors with windows for breathability. Its unique feature is that it has foaming pads at the bottom so that the knees and palms are not hurt. Foaming pads are a security feature that prevents crawling kids from banging their heads at the bottom and hurting themselves.
It provides an extra protective layer. Since this is a pop-up design, this doesn’t require any tools for assembly. By undoing the Velcro tabs, the tunnel will extend automatically.
- Collapsible model
- Padded bottom
- Breathable windows
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No flaps
8 POCO DIVO PLAY TUNNEL
POCO DIVO has produced a 6-feet long tunnel consisting of 3 primary and vibrant colors, which are red, yellow, and blue. This tunnel is also a collapsible design that can be folded flat and extended when needed.
Made up of polyester material with a spring metal framework, this is the very image that comes to your mind when you imagine tunnels. The polyester material allows it to be easily cleaned in case the child spills something in the tunnel.
All you need is a damp cloth and a mild soap. This light-weight material is also fairly resistant to wear and tear even with consistent folding and unfolding. It also comes with a zipper bag that allows for easy storage and transportation.
The tunnel can be used both indoors and outdoors. The tunnel also has a solid spring wire framework that does not require any tool or expertise and just needs to extend by the simple undoing of the ties. This design is also best suited for young children to keep them engaged and interested in vibrant colors and circular frames. This improves the agility of the child and helps in the development of motor skills.
- Vibrant colors
- A free zipper bag
- Circular frame
- The framework is somewhat fragile
9 HIDE AND SIDE PLAY TENTS AND TUNNELS
Hide, and side tunnels are a whole set of experiences. The package comes with 3 tunnels, 2 tent houses, and 1 ball pit with a basketball net. Balls are, however, not included, but it does come with 4 dart balls that stick with the walls of the tunnel and the house when you throw it.
The set is also customizable as anyone can customize the position of the tunnels and the tent houses and ball pit. This will stimulate the child’s imagination to build a design of his own—the perfect gift for toddlers and babies.
This toddler gift is recommended for first Birthday gifts and Christmas Gift for kids, children, and toddlers. It’s effortless to assemble, and it is also very portable, thus easy to store.
The ends of the tunnel can be closed with the plastic locks included in the package. This play pan is advised not to be used on hard and rough surfaces such as concrete or pavements. However, it can be used on any soft outdoor surfaces such as grass and any indoor surface. The soft 190T polyester is rather thin but still easy to clean and also has a 100% money-back guarantee.
- Larger in size
- Dart balls
- Can accommodate several kids
- Not suitable outdoors
10 PLAYZ 5-PIECE KIDS PLAY TENTS CRAWL TUNNELS
This simple, sturdy, and colorful tunnel set is a baby approved model. It is made up of soft and breathable fabric and meshes for ventilation. It is also a foldable design that can easily be stored and will take a small space.
It also comes with a zipper bag in which the folded tunnel and house can be stored. It does have a ball pit with a basketball net, but balls are not included in the package. It is claimed to be safe to use on soft outdoor surfaces and any indoor surface. Due to the bigger size, it can be used in kids’ gatherings and will keep the children occupied and productive for hours.
- Bigger size
- Sturdy wire size
- Money-back guarantee
- Some customers didn’t get the full package
Crawling Tunnels for Toddlers BUYER’S GUIDE
Colors
Toddlers love bright colors. They help them develop their motor skills and keep them curious. They also help them establish strong coordination between their hands and eyes. It is only fair for the tunnels to be colorful. Bright colors will keep your little toddler interested and intrigued for hours. They will not only just play but also be able to learn about their surroundings.
Some primary colors are great for younger kids, such as red, green, and blue. Bright, vivid, and primary colors will help them to start to differentiate between different colors and develop a sense of judgment. So, look for bright colored tunnels with colorful designs and figures.
Kids who have a fear of compact places will also be able to get over this fear as they can see the end of the tunnel and learn that they can always come back out. Colors will help your kid not to be intimidated and learn in a fun environment.
Design
Design is also one of the critical things to look out for. The design of the tunnel largely depends on the taste and the age of your child. Usually, shorter tunnels are good for crawling kids, and tent houses are a personal preference.
But bigger kids such as 4-5 years old should have a bit more to play with, such as ball pits or darts or just larger tunnels. There is a lot of variety to choose from. There are also a few companies that offer padded bottoms of the tunnels that secure the knees and palms of the crawling kids.
There are also a lot of tunnels that have different shapes, such as circular or square-ish. Again, the design, whatever you may pick, should be according to the age and advisably should have a padded bottom.
Material
Most tunnels are made up of polyester material. This is due to the reason that children tend to vomit or spill something while playing. Polyester material makes it easy to clean by wiping it down by a damp cloth.
The polyester material is also durable as compared to other fabric and is more resistant to tear. Although it can also not be used on the hard and rough surface, again, children should not be crawling on a hard and rough surface anyway.
Thick spring metal wires form the framework of the tunnel that needs to be held in place firmly. While, single seams are enough to keep the wires in but, kids, sometimes, tend to get loud and rough while playing in which case wire may stick out.
So, it is advisable to look for double seams around the wire for extra protection. If metal wires do not suit your taste, look for a plastic framework. It will be less durable than metal but will work reasonably well.
Ease of Use
The last thing you need is to take hours and hours to set up a tunnel and tent house only to undo everything after a few hours. Children do not have a lot of patience, so it is advised to look for a design that is easy to set up and fold. For this purpose, spring metal designs are best.
They are easy to compress and come with Velcro tabs or strings to tie when it is compressed. Compressed designs are preferable as they are easy to store even in small spaces such as an attic, under the bed, behind a sofa, or in a storage room.
Kids have a lot of toys, and they take hours to put them back, collapsible tunnel design will allow you to have one less thing on your mind. Even older kids can do it themselves as no special tools or expertise will be needed.
FAQ’s
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Is metal better than a plastic framework?
A plastic framework is less durable than metal wires. Metal wires are held by fabric seams, but if the tunnels are played with roughly, the wire may stick out. Rather than looking for a plastic framework, it is advised to look for a double seamed metal frame for extra protection. Or you can tape the metal wires along the tunnel, so they stick out.
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Should I look for flaps?
Flaps are usually designed to sustain balls within the tunnel. They are not necessary, but if your kid loves to play with the ball, it might be something you should consider.
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Why are tunnels always in big, bright colors?
Bright colors are good for toddlers. Not only to keep them interested but also to have them develop motor skills, eye to hand coordination, and be able to differentiate between colors.
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Is it safe for cats and dogs?
Yes, tunnels and tent houses are absolutely safe for your pets as well as kids.
