I didn't realize people use play pen for playing! We use ours as a bed when we travel, that is it. I thought that was what everyone bought them for. I have the living area of my home 100% child proof so I don't need to worry about having a shower, etc. This worked fromthe time he could crawl until now (2.5) I'm sure now he would be able to get out of the pen anyways, so at some point you do just have to childproof you home, or else you need 100% supervision and go around all day saying, 'don't touch"