PeaPod pop-up portable kid-bed -- tensegrity for your toddler
I happened on KidCo's PeaPod Travel Bed on Amazon and was intrigued. It's a tensegrity-based pop-up bed/net that also works as a sunshade on the beach, and best of all, it folds up tiny, not much bigger than a toilet-bag.
I took a chance and ordered it, and I was delighted with the thing. It was comfortable, airy, bug-proof, and incredibly cool. You extract this little disc of nylon and coiled wired struts out of the case and it literally springs open in your hand, instantly turning into a perfect kid-bed with an audible whomp. It kept out the sand-fleas and sun on the beach and the mosquitos at night. It let in the breeze, and it provided shade by the pool.
Some of the reviewers have complained that the thing was hard to get back in the case, but I got it on the second try and never had trouble with it afterwards. The "quilt" that comes with it is a little junky, but we didn't need it in the tropics. Highly recommended.
KidCo Peapod Portable Travel BedThe last thing you need while you're traveling with a baby is to lug a lot of extra luggage around. Rather than packing a Pack'n'Play or a folding bassinet, which are cumbersome and heavy, simply pack the ultra-light, super-compact PeaPod away in your suitcase. At 14 x 5 x 14 inches (LxWxH) when closed, it takes up little space, and it comes with a carrying case for easy portability. And at 48 x 30 x 18 inches (LxWxH) when open, the PeaPod will take up little space once you reach your destination.
The PeaPod is also designed to open and fold shut quickly and easily. Other than the included air pump for quickly inflating the small mattress, no tools are needed: simply follow the directions to "snap" it into its standing position, and fold it back down quickly when finished. So whether you're traveling across the country, making a weekend trip to the beach, or simply spending the day at a friend's house, the PeaPod Portable Travel Bed makes it super-easy and convenient for baby to sleep comfortably and safely while on the go.
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Looks awesome, now if they only made one big enough for the whole family, no one would ever rent a hotel room again.
Attn: Mark - cut the bottom off one of these and you have your chicken tractor pre-built...
Actually, this is one of those backyard fire pits. The "mesh netting" is, in fact, a thin metal grating that preserves the traditional wood-smoke flavor.
I believe they also have a model that runs on propane or natural gas.
We got one of these when we went to Europe with our 1-year-old this summer, since we mostly stayed with friends who didn't have small children. It easily fit it in our suitcase, so it was nice to not have another piece of luggage to deal with, check on the airplane, etc. It served us well on our trip, and we've used it a few times since at the pool, etc.
Our only real complaint is that the zipper is loud. There were a few times when we'd rock our son to sleep, put him in the pod, and then have him wake up when we zipped the zipper.
For a horrible moment I thought Cory'd gone all Castaneda on us... one of the main reasons my ex- is ex-.
This is great. I need something for next summer when we have to go out and pick blueberries with the little guy in tow.
You could conceivably use this for house cats to have a bit of a visit outdoors, without fear of losing them.
Oh boy. I couldn't imagine using this for a toddler or any baby over 6 months old -- they'd be clawing to get out of there in no time.
If you have a newborn, then maybe...
The structure of this thing is not based on tensegrity as far as I can see. It's based on the same kind of bendy-loop tech that fold-up tents use. Tensegrity involves a continuous weaving of compression and tension elements which balance forces between them.
My 2.5yr old LOVES his. it is his "tent" or "fort" or "pirate ship" when in the house. Sometimes it is a "teepee" He will run across the room and jump into it. He fills it with his stuffed animals. He can work all the zippers, and open it at will.
I asked him once, if it was a tent or a teepee, he could not decide, I told him not to worry, or become TWO TENTS! the humor was lost on him.
Here is the most brilliant thing about the peapod.
He plays in it at home. it is his "safe place" it is where he naps sometimes. It is where he plays. It is where he hides when the garbage truck is on our street.
When we are traveling, no matter where we are, no matter where we stay, if I pull out the peapod? he can climb in, and he knows where he is, familiar surroundings, feeling of safety.
I cannot recommend these enough.
looks good, but I see nothing in the specs about flame rating or fire retardant. I'd look into that since some synthetic products burn scary/fast once they get to ignition temp. Synthetics can also be bad since they stick when melted. Of course, some fire retardants then create chemical hazard.
I'm no expert, but I don't think this gizmo exhibits tensegrity. Plenty of compression, but no tension. If this was tensegrity, there'd need to be some sort of tensioning device that you pulled when setting it up, I believe. It looks like it just pops into place like some tents and other compression-based things.
What do the babies in Honduras sleep in...?
The design is very sound but the negative about these kinds of products is that they vent a high amount of solvents into the atmosphere when they are new. The synthetic material and construction process yields a good bit of fumes that dissipate over time but the new plastic smell you get when you get a new backpack or travelling suitcase or automobile is something that isn't the healthiest to expose to an infant for extended periods of time.
I'd air the thing out in full sun for a week before use.
"I asked him once, if it was a tent or a teepee, he could not decide, I told him not to worry, or become TWO TENTS! the humor was lost on him."
He may be a better judge of humor than you realize.
Since today seems to be regional word day...
What the hell is a toilet bag?
::Googles it::
Oh. I see.
I don't even know what we call it in the US. Travel bag?
LB:
Travel Kit
Makeup Bag (female)
Shaving Kit (male)
Toiletry Bag
LB & Jamie Sue
My favorite: Dopp kit
Cool. We use a "Bird Nest" (from Badger Basket) but the baby is quickly outgrowing it, and I'm not sure the company makes it anymore. The Bird Nest was also useful as a bag to carry all the baby stuff (blankets, diapers, etc) inside it to the beach, park, on a trip (since it has handles and a cover which zips on.
We got two of these things for our 1-yr-old twins on a trip to a family cabin in Vermont, and they worked really well for sleeping at night -- though the zipper IS noisy. Also great for napping when outside, like for a day at the beach. And it provides considerable entertainment value when they wake up, and try to get out -- at least until the howling begins....