If you’ve been near a playground or park in the past years, you’ve probably noticed a gaga ball pit. This structure is a hexagonal space enclosed by short panels, usually made of wood, plastic, or an inflatable material. With this equipment, kids can play gaga ball, a type of dodgeball that originated in Israel. That’s why having this ball pit is a great addition to your outdoor activities.
There are plenty of gaga ball pits available in the market today. However, you might get overwhelmed with the sizes, materials, and colors to choose from. Thankfully, we at [company] have done the work for you. We’ve tested various types of gaga ball pits to find the best ones. So, if you’re in the market for gaga ball pits, check out our reviews and recommendations.
Features to Consider in a Good Gaga Ball Pit
It is important to understand the qualities of a standard gaga ball pit so you’ll know what to look for. Here are some of the features you should remember when looking for one:
- Material: Gaga ball pits use panels or inflatable PVC to create the perimeter. The panels can be wooden planks, plastic, and even nylon nets. When choosing one, consider your budget and storage space as some materials are harder to pack or not suited for outdoor use.
- Size: Most gaga ball pits come in sizes 15 ft, 20 ft, and 26 ft. Select a size that can accommodate the kids who might be playing. For example, if the gaga ball pit will be used for a community park, a larger setup is the better option.
- Height: The panels or walls of a gaga ball pit range from 24 to 36 inches. The lowest height is ideal for those that need to accommodate younger children.
- Outdoor vs Indoor Use: Some gaga ball pits are better suited indoors, and using them out in parks or playgrounds could shorten their lifespan. Choose one that’s ideal for the environment you’re going to use it in.
- Storage: One important consideration that many people neglect is storage. Gaga ball pits are bulky items, so it’s essential to choose ones that are easy to pack and can fit in your storage room or area.
Gaga2Go — Best Overall
Among the many gaga ball pits that we tried and tested, one came out on top: Action Play System’s Gaga2Go ball pit. This is a portable gaga ball pit that can be used indoors and outdoors, all thanks to the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recycled plastic panels.
General Specifications
- Size: 20 ft
- Number of Panels: 16
- Color: Black
- Panel Dimensions: 30 in x 48 in
- Storage Requirements: 30 in x 48 in x 25 in space
- Material: Environmentally friendly HDPE recycled plastic
- Age Range: Suitable for kids aged 3 to 15 years
- Can be used for summer camps, playgrounds, gyms, homes, and backyards.
Special Features
The plastic panel design of the Gaga2Go ball pit may seem basic, but it has many unassuming features that elevate it above the rest. Here are some of the highlights:
No Hardware Needed
The biggest gripe that many adults have when it comes to installing gaga ball pits and similar play systems is the effort needed. There’s a lot of hardware needed during assembly and disassembly, adding to the effort needed. Thankfully, the Gaga2Go ball pit eliminates these concerns.
Each panel is designed in such a way that either end fits with the opposite end of the next one. The pit works like a 3D jigsaw puzzle, but without the confusion. Thanks to this design, you won’t need hardware and extra effort to assemble and disassemble the product.
Indoor and Outdoor Use
Unlike other materials that can only be used outside or inside, the Gaga2Go ball pit can be used anywhere. The HDPE panels are sturdy enough to withstand weather and the elements when used in parks and yards. On the other hand, the material is soft and won’t scratch delicate surfaces. You can place the pit on tiles or hardwood floors like at the school basketball court or in your living room.
Durable and Long-lasting
Another benefit of HDPE panels is that they are more resistant to physical damage and corrosion. These won’t rot like wood and nor will they tear and deflate like inflatable ones. So, no matter how active the kids can get, the Gaga2Go can endure the rowdiness.
Our Experience
The features we outlined above were immediately apparent when we first tried the Gaga2Go. The mechanism is so simple and intuitive that even the kids were able to help us assemble the ball pit. In addition, the panels were light enough that children were able to carry them. We are confident that older kids can assemble this on their own.
During use, the panels were sturdy enough not to fall apart during play. Even as kids bumped and tackled the panels, they remained upright. The only issue is how the panels tend to move. Since these aren’t fastened, the panels tend to get misaligned whenever enough force is applied to them.
There’s also a possibility of injury since these panels aren’t as soft as inflatable ball pits, but that is not a major concern since the panels are soft-edged. They also move as mentioned, which helps dissipate and distribute any force applied.
We are very impressed by the ease of storage overall. Since the panels can be stocked on top of each other, the Gaga2Go is space efficient and easy to secure.
Pros
- HDPE plastic is durable, lightweight, and resistant to most types of damage
- Easy assembly and disassembly
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Excellent storage efficiency
- Portable
Cons
- Not fastened so it can move around
- Lack of color choices
- Higher-than-average price at $1,133
Gaga Ball Pit (by Qiao) — Best Portable and Budget
The Gaga2Go ball pit is reasonably priced, but it is still an expensive piece of equipment that many may not be able to afford outright. Thankfully, part of our work is finding the best budget options and reviewing them for you. If you’re looking for an affordable yet high-quality gaga ball bit, the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit is what we recommend. This inflatable ball pit is made from strong and flexible Oxford cloth.
General Specifications
- Sizes: 20 ft and 15 ft options
- Color: Multi-colored (red, white, and blue)
- Dimensions: 240 in x 240 in x 39 in
- Material: Oxford cloth tarpaulin
- Age Range: 12 months and up
- Can be used for summer camps, playgrounds, gyms, homes, and backyards.
Special Features
The reason why we chose the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit as the best budget option is because of the following features. These made the items a definite bang-for-the-buck option.
Inflatable Ball Pit for Quick Setup
The portable Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit can be set up both indoors and outdoors so long as you have the provided blower. You can effortlessly set up the entire thing in just a few minutes. With the item, you won’t need to carry around big panels that are tiring to assemble and disassemble.
Safe for All Ages
Since the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit is inflatable, it doesn’t have any sharp edges that could potentially injure children. The pit can also be fastened to the ground with pegs, allowing for maximum safety. That’s why children as young as 12 months old can play inside this gaga ball pit.
Gap for Easy Entry
One section of the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit has a gap that’s lower than the rest of the walls. This feature provides easy entry and exit, especially for shorter kids.
Easy to Store and Space Efficient
The Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit easily deflates after use. Once all the air is out, you’ll have a compact product that can easily fit a small bag. You won’t need a lot of storage space with this product. This feature also makes the ball pit extremely portable.
When We Tried It
Compared to the Gaga2Go ball pit, assembling the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit is very different. There’s no need to haul panels and slot them together. All it took was turning on the blower, and after a few moments, we had a gaga ball pit for the kids.
In terms of functionality, the pit serves its purpose just like any other gaga ball pit. However, we liked that it had softer edges. This characteristic is a plus for added safety.
Our only gripe about the product is how it’s dependent on the blower. This equipment must be continuously operated as long as the ball pit is used. That’s because the Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit is not totally sealed or airtight. Since it has seams that intentionally leak to prevent overinflating, the blower becomes an essential hardware for operation.
Pros
- Inflatable equipment for easy and effortless setup
- No hard edges for maximum safety
- Space saving and highly portable
- Budget-friendly at only $559
Cons
- Dependent on blower, which operates for only eight hours before needing to rest
- Vulnerable to sharp objects and open fire
- Not as weather resistant as the Gaga2Go ball pit
Final Thoughts
Gaga ball pits are a great addition to your backyard, school gym, or community playground. So, if you’re looking for the best options depending on your budget or needs, we recommend either the Gaga2Go ball pit or Qiaohanbao Gaga Ball Pit. These are easy to assemble, space efficient, and have many other features that make these purchases worth it.