Looking for the best baby play mat for your little one? When it comes to shopping for the right play mat, there are quite a few considerations to make, including portability, maintenance, style aesthetic, durability, and more. This guide will walk you through your options to help you find the best baby play mat for your family and home.
Quilted Play Mats
A quilted baby play mat is a simple yet stylish pick for your little one. They’re usually square or round, padded, and made from soft, machine-washable cotton. You can find them in all sizes, colors, and patterns your baby can gaze at during tummy time. And if you’re crafty with a sewing machine, you may even be able to make your own quilted play mat.
Quilted baby play mats are an excellent portable choice for parents on the go because they are easy to roll up and take wherever you are going. Their compact size, when rolled up, also means they’re easy to stash in various rooms around the house -- or leave an extra one at grandma’s house.Puzzle-Piece Foam Play Mats
Puzzle-piece play mats are made from interlocking pieces that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They’re made from durable foam and are built to withstand big kid play, as well as crawling and tummy time for the little ones. Puzzle-piece play mats can be put together as one large piece or used to create smaller play areas throughout the house. In fact, some parents even use their puzzle pieces as a travel baby play mat, packing just a few squares when it’s time to hit the road.
While puzzle-piece play mats are a popular choice, sometimes the pieces don’t fit tightly together and can cause leaks to seep through the cracks. And pet parents may find that dog and cat claws can scratch the surface of these foam play mats.One-Piece Baby Mats
If you prefer a baby mat that looks more like a traditional rug, a one-piece play mat may be what you’re looking for. Parents love them because they are easy to clean, durable, and generally low maintenance. And when you choose a pattern that complements your decor, you can leave it out at all times, rather than having to roll it up after playtime.
One-piece play mats are also double-sided, so you can get a lot of life out of it. And pet owners say they hold up to scratches. Because they are a single piece, there is no worry about pieces coming apart and causing tripping hazards or cleanliness issues.
Known for being soft and squishy, one-piece play mats are great for families with kids of all ages. Babies have plenty of space to crawl and explore, big kids can jump around and wrestle, and parents can use them as an exercise mat.
Activity Gym Play Mats
Activity gym play mats are designed to interact with all your baby’s senses. They feature things like crinkly textures, hanging toys to bat at and grasp, and high-contrast colors and patterns to help develop those important milestones and keep baby engaged.
When choosing an activity gym play mat, think about if you’ll be using it for tummy time or if baby will be playing independently -- either lying on their back or sitting up. For tummy time, look for a mat with high-contrast graphics to grab baby’s attention and features like flaps, mirrors, and a tummy time pillow. For solo playtime, find an activity play mat that has a bar with hanging toys that can be switched out as baby gets older and interests change.
Water Play Mats
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Water play mats are entertaining and offer plenty of stimulation during tummy time. These inflatable baby play mats typically have an outer ring you fill with air and a mat you fill with water. The resistance of the water helps to strengthen baby’s neck, tummy, and arm muscles. Water play mats offer a soft surface for baby to kick and scoot and develop hand-eye coordination while playing with the floating toys inside. As with any inflatable, some parents have expressed concerns about leaks and interior cleanliness.
Colorful Play Mats
Choosing a baby play mat comes down to more than just function. It should also be aesthetically pleasing and complement the decor of your home.
Colorful play mats are a fun choice for a kid’s bedroom or playroom. Kids will love the visual stimulation of the vibrant color and engaging with the letters, shapes, and patterns. That said, bright primary colors aren’t for everyone, and some parents may prefer a more neutral palette, especially if the play mat is going into a family area.Neutral Baby Floor Mats
If your baby play mat will be a regular fixture in your family room, you may opt for a pattern or color palette that’s a bit more toned down and goes with your modern decor. While quilted play mats and puzzle piece mats are available in muted tones and sophisticated patterns, they still very much look like a baby play mat.
One-piece play mats most closely resemble a traditional rug, so when you choose one in a color and pattern you love, there is no need to roll it up and put it away at the end of playtime. It can seamlessly replace the rug in your living room or family room. The rounded corners and pressed edges make easy transitions from the mat to your flooring.Shop for the Best Baby Play Mat
Baby play mats are a must-have in any home with babies, but as your child grows, you may find that you need a foam play mat that grows along with them. If you are looking for a play mat that all your children will love and that complements your stylish decor, Comfort Design Mats are beautiful baby play mats and a safe alternative to rugs.
Made from thick squishy foam, they insulate children from cold, hard floors and won’t trap pet hair, dust, and other allergens. These foam baby play mats are also non-toxic and hypoallergenic and free from latex, BPA, phthalates, formamide, formaldehyde, PVC, and EVA. Available in a variety of designer patterns and colors, Comfort Design mats will enhance your decor and look stunning for years to come. Shop our collection of soft foam baby play mats.