When we had Roo we purchased a travel cot so that we could take it with us when we visited family and friends, went on holiday and use it as a playpen when we were at home. However, after the first use of the travel cot, I feel out of love with it – it was a complete nightmare to put up and down not to mention the physical struggle I had attempting to get it back in the bag.
After that first use, we only took it with us when absolutely necessary as it was more hassle that it was worth. By the time, we had Tigger we had gotten rid of the travel cot and never bothered to purchase another one. Instead, we relied upon travel cots provided in hotels and bed sharing whenever we stayed with friends – however, this wasn’t ideal.
Over the past few years we have travelled around the UK more and more and with the arrival of Piglet, we were keen to continue with our family days away. Fearing that I would make the same mistake when purchasing another travel cot I was intrigued when an email from Graco arrived challenging us to try out the Graco Nimble Nook travel cot to see how practical the compact lightweight travel cot would be for a family.
Graco Nimble Nook
Nimble Nook compact travel cot will ensure your baby has a great sleep wherever you are. This lightweight cot has all the features of a full-size travel cot packed into a smaller frame. Nimble Nook fits through doorways with ease and without unfolding, making it perfect when travelling. The bassinet makes for a comfy environment for infants with a two-speed vibration and a toy bar featuring soft toys to ensure your little one is relaxed and kept entertained. Includes an “on the go” carry bag. Suitable from birth to 9kg.
Graco Nimble Nook | Key Features
- Dimensions – 68.9cm x 98.4cm x 68.5cm
- Folded dimensions – 69.6cm x 26.3cm x 26.3cm
- Weight – 8.5kg
- Compact and lightweight frame ensure the cot is easy to move even through doorways
- Compact fold and carry bag for added convenience when travelling
- 2-speed vibration to help soothe baby
- Toy bar with 2 soft toys keeps baby entertained
Graco Nimble Nook | Assembly
The Graco Nimble Nook arrived box, which when opened I found the travel cot to be already stored in its travel bag. As I slide the travel cot out of the bag I did wonder whether this was going to be a nightmare to assemble and even worse to put away again. I flicked through the instructions included within the Graco Nimble Nook and it appeared to be straightforward.
Deciding that I had better test it out before our trip away to Drayton Manor and Cadbury World I set about assembling the travel cot. I have to hold my hands up at this point and say that I fell a little in love with the Nimble Nook – so much so that I called Mr Boo through to show him just how easy it was to assemble and to put back down again.
Honestly, you can have the Graco Nimble Nook assembled in only a few minutes, putting in back down is a little more fiddly as you need to ensure you have placed the rods and play arch within the outer piece of the travel cot before you wrap the mattress base around it. Mr Boo and I had a bit of a bet on to see whether we would be able to fit it back within its travel bag – which not only does it fit but it fits easily, no more one person holding the cot whilst the other attempts to pull the bag over it.
Graco Nimble Nook | Staying Away
Now being able to put up a travel cot at home is all well and good but the real test comes when you need to use it in a hotel or whilst you are staying with family etc. We had booked our first family mini break for the start of the February half term break to visit Drayton Manor and Cadbury World with the children. Sadly we’d cancelled a few trips just before Piglet was born so really wanted to make up this trip great for Roo and Tigger.
Arriving at the hotel space was limited as we had our own bed plus two single beds made up within out room so I did wonder whether the Graco Nimble Nook would fit in the only space I could find between the wardrobe and the desk area. I needed have worried as not only did it fit but still had room either side to allow me to keep all of Piglet’s essentials to hand.
With Piglet being just under three months old she fitted within the bassinet beautifully and the padded mattress offered both support and comfort. I really liked that the mattress when used in the bassinet, fits up the sides offering additional padding for when they move in the night.
Boo Roo and Tigger Too’s thoughts…
Having had such a nightmare with travel cots in the past I was hesitant about the Graco Nimble Nook, however, it has really changed my mind about how useful having your own travel cot can be. Whilst it is easy to think that you’ll only need on when you go away on holiday I have found having this available to us has meant that we can pop it in the boot of the car and take it with us when we go to see family for the day providing Piglet with somewhere comfortable to nap in as it is so easy to set up and put away again.
UPDATE (20/03/16): We stayed at Chessington World of Adventures Hotel this weekend and took along the Graco Nimble Nook. Once again the travel cot was the perfect travel accessory for Piglet providing her with a comfortable place to sleep and we were able to place her within the main section of the travel cot to play whilst the rest of the family showered and got ready for our days of adventure.
UPDATE (10/04/16): We moved home this weekend and whilst everyone was dashing about and removal men were carrying boxes I was able to pop Piglet in the Graco Nimble Nook to play and to have her nap in without worrying that she was getting hold of things she shouldn’t and wasn’t in the way of all the hustle and bustle going on.
Price and Availability
The Graco Nimble Nook travel cot is priced at £109.99 (RRP) and is available from Amazon, Mothercare and all other leading baby retailers.
Disclosure: We received the Graco Nimble Nook FOC for the purpose of review.
No Comments