Abstract: A foldable baby crib or playpen comprises two pairs of legs pivotally connected to each other by a pair of stirrups and two pairs of lower frame members pivotally connected to each other near a center of the crib or playpen. A pair of planar supports are connected to the pair of lower frame members so that the crib or playpen can be moved from an extended open position to a folded closed position with the pairs of legs extending substantially parallel to each other. Two pairs of rods are pivotally connected to opposite ends of the stirrups and extend outwardly from the stirrups. A pair of U-shaped elements have ends that are telescopically engaged with the two pairs of rods. The rods and U-shaped elements are connected by a train of tie rods and levers so that the rods are movable from an extended open position to a folded closed position lying substantially parallel to the two pairs of legs with the tie rod and the lever chain retracting the telescopically engaged U-shaped elements into the rods.