Looking for a way to keep your baby entertained and stimulated while also providing a safe and comfortable play area? Look no further than baby play mats! These mats come in a variety of colors and textures and are perfect for little ones who are just learning to crawl or walk. With built-in toys and amenities like lights and music, play mats are a great way to help your baby develop their senses and engage with their surroundings.
When shopping for a baby play mat, it’s important to consider what features are most important to you. Do you want a mat that can keep your baby occupied while you take care of other tasks around the house? A play gym with overhead bars and plenty of interactive toys may be the perfect choice. Or maybe you’re looking for a mat that will encourage your baby to explore and develop their motor skills during tummy time? Whatever you prefer, we have it here so keep reading!
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Baby Play Mat: Skip Hop Baby Play Gym
- Best Baby Play Mat For Crawling: UANLAUO Baby Play Mat
- Best Baby Play Mat For Tummy Time: Bright Starts Play Activity Mat
- Best Baby Play Mat For Small Spaces: MIIMER Play Mats
- Best Non-Toxic Baby Play Mat: beiens Baby Play Mat
- Best Baby Play Mat For Development: Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Activity Mat
- Best Baby Play Mat For Hardwood Floors: teytoy Baby Play Mat
- Best Portable Baby Play Mat: 3 Sprouts Play Mat Bag
- Best Baby Play Mat With Lights: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas
- Best Baby Play Mat Gym: The Play Gym by Lovevery
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Play Mats Picks
Skip Hop Baby Play Gym – Best Overall Baby Play Mat
- Very plush
- Gender Neutral
- Can be an activity gym and a simple play mat
- Comes with toys
- Pricey
Your baby will love spending time in this popular exercise gym that is filled with friendly faces and engaging multi-sensory features. The gym includes patterned arches, soft linen, and a matching Tummy Time pillow that provides extra support for your baby.
With 13 easy-to-hang loops and five hanging toys, your baby will enjoy a range of multi-sensory play that is suitable for all developmental stages. Plus the gym also features a built-in mirror, a variety of textures on the mat, and fun noises to keep your baby entertained.
- Dimensions: 36″L x 36″W x 19″H
UANLAUO Baby Play Mat – Best Baby Play Mat For Crawling
- It is pretty thick, great for protecting the baby from nasty tumbles and bumps
- Easy to clean
- Easy portability
- For such a big mat it folds up small
- It can be a pain to fold because of the large size
Made of non-toxic, odorless, and high-density material that is difficult to break, this mat is perfect for use on hard flooring, providing a soft cushion that can protect infants when they fall.
The mat is reversible, with various patterns on both sides, making it ideal for children’s cognitive development. It features animal prints to stimulate the children’s senses, as well as raised symbols with letters and numbers for educational purposes. Plus, it has an anti-slip texture to prevent babies from slipping when they first start to walk.
Cleaning spills like milk is a breeze with the water-resistant surface, which can be easily wiped clean with just a wet cloth. The waterproof surface is also durable and won’t fade, ensuring that the pattern and color remain intact.
- Dimensions: 79″L x 71″W x 0.4″H
Bright Starts Play Activity Mat – Best Baby Play Mat For Tummy Time
- The mirror is great
- the head and arms prop up
- Very cute
- Affordable
- It could be a little sturdier but is sufficient
This plush polar bear mat is cushioned to provide ample support for your little one’s kicks and wiggles. Additionally, the matching support cushion lifts your baby as they learn to push up during those early months.
To make tummy time even more enjoyable, the play mat is surrounded by tiny satin Taggie loops that your baby can explore while experimenting with rattles, crinkle noises, and other toy attachments. By raising the polar bear’s head, you can bring the toys closer to your baby, making tummy time extra fun and easy. The raised paws also include a baby-safe mirror, which not only keeps your baby engaged but also promotes left-to-right head motions.
- Dimensions: 79″L x 71″W x 0.4″H
MIIMER Play Mats – Best Baby Play Mat For Small Spaces
- Very easy to wash
- Sticky bottom so it won’t side on hardwood floors
- The mat is lightweight with drip on one side
- It’s made of a nontoxic material
- Not very thick
This baby crawling mat’s surface is crafted from 100% quality fabric that is not only gentle to the touch but also breathable. Even if your lively and active baby perspires on it, they won’t feel slippery or stick to the pad.
The top layer is composed of premium soft microfiber fabric, while the middle layer is filled with high-quality polyester. And the bottom layer features silicone dots as backing, making it non-toxic, BPA-free, and odorless. Plus, this compact floor mat provides your baby with a spacious and comfortable area for playing, crawling, sitting, rolling, and tummy time
- Dimensions: 50″L x 50″W x 0.4″H
beiens Baby Play Mat – Best Non-Toxic Baby Play Mat
- The mat is very soft and cushioned
- Strong and well made
- Easy to clean
- No chemical smell
- Not very big
With One-Piece construction that is rollable, this crawling playmat is easy to store and transport. Not only is it practical, but it also features cute cartoon images on one side and minimalist geometry on the other, making it suitable for many functions and types of house décor. Moreover, the 0.4-inch thick foam protects your infants when they learn to sit or stand up.
This baby play mat is also completely waterproof and simple to clean, as you can just wipe off spills with a wet towel and some mild soap, and they’ll look brand new again. Additionally, the surface of the baby rug has wavy patterns that prevent slipping when the infant learns to walk, making it safe and practical for your little one.
- Dimensions: 74″L x 50″W x 0.4″H
Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Activity Mat – Best Baby Play Mat For Development
- Easy to put together
- Has additional loops that could accommodate your own hanging toys
- The piano has great animal sounds
- Would be easy to take apart and set back up
- Arches are not super stable. Can be pulled down very easily as your baby grows
This interactive play gym combines a toy piano and baby gym, allowing your little one to engage in musical exploration with their entire body.
Using Magic Touch technology, your baby can play the piano with just a push of a finger or kick of the foot! Tummy time is made even more comfortable with the included support pillow, as your baby observes the world around them. The gym includes 7 fascinating toys, 70+ tunes & noises, and 4 languages for your baby to explore using all of their senses.
With discoveries in every direction, your little one will enjoy hours of entertainment, including a crinkle medallion, triangular rattle, textured music notes, flashcards, and a self-discovery mirror.
- Dimensions: 34″L x 27″W x 18″H
teytoy Baby Play Mat – Best Baby Play Mat For Hardwood Floors
- Very beautiful
- Very vibrant and educational
- It’s soft
- Has a non-slip on the back for hardwood flooring
- You will need to bend it a few times to get the fold lines out so it lays flat
This baby play mat is not only incredibly soft, but it is also made of safe and healthy materials, being BPA-free, non-toxic, and odor-free. It provides perfect protection for any hard floor, making it a cozy space for your baby to play, crawl, sit, move, and practice tummy time.
Especially during winter months, the plush, soft surface of this play mat is essential for your baby’s crawling and tummy time. The colorful designs on the mat, including attractive animals, a variety of fruits, and the A-Z alphabet, are sure to catch your baby’s interest and keep them curious.
- Dimensions: 59″L x 41″W x 0.2″H
3 Sprouts Play Mat Bag – Best Portable Baby Play Mat
- The material is sturdy
- It’s breathable
- Cute designs
- Good price
- Best for infants that aren’t moving much and for holding larger toys
Looking for a simple way to keep your child’s toys organized and accessible? Look no further than this play mat, which features strong cotton handles that make it easy to move from room to room. The lightweight, durable construction of the bag is perfect for storing all those little toy parts. After playtime is over, simply fold the bag and store it on the floor.
The vibrant patterns on this play mat add a stylish touch to your child’s play space, while the sturdy construction and carrying handles make it easy to transport. With two convenient handles, this play mat doubles as a carry bag for quick and easy cleanup.
- Dimensions: 44″L x 44″W x 3″H
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas – Best Baby Play Mat With Lights
- The mat is easy to get off and can go in the washer
- The piano is perfect for the baby’s kicking feet and isn’t too loud and obnoxious
- Good size for a small baby
- Easy to put together
- The piano plays a tune if it’s not pressed every few seconds
By combining the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym and the toy maracas set, your baby’s playtime will become even more fun and exciting! With Smart Stages technology, this piano gym adapts to your baby’s progress and offers a variety of musical settings and educational options. As your baby grows, the gym provides visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation with a range of colors, textures, and melodies.
Through activities like pressing the piano keys to listen to songs, your baby learns cause and effect and develops fine motor skills while shaking, kicking, reaching, and pushing up. The detachable keyboard and movable toy arch provide endless entertainment possibilities. With five light-up piano keys and four musical settings, the gym will be a favorite of your child for months to come.
- Dimensions: 36.02″L x 27.01″W x 17.99″H
The Play Gym by Lovevery – Best Baby Play Mat Gym
- Useful step-by-step guide for how to maximize education/development with the various stages and elements built-in
- Larger footprint than other gyms
- Multi-purposeful
- Great quality
- High price tag
This Play Gym features five Montessori-inspired development zones that can be hidden or exposed. It also includes detachable learning aids for stage-based learning, such as an organic ball and teether, a sustainable wood batting toy, and four replaceable learning card sets. Additionally, a handbook with age-appropriate exercises to promote brain and motor skill development is included.
Moreover, the Play Gym’s frame is equipped with three adjustable clips that provide visual stimulation from various angles, and the 14 different learning cards offer sensory stimulation when your baby is on their back, side, or belly (1).
- Dimensions: 43″L x 28″W x 24″H
How To Choose The Best Baby Play Mat?
- Materials: You should think about the sort of material used to make your child’s play mat, just like you would with the majority of baby supplies. Selecting a baby-friendly material is crucial, whether it is organic cotton or polyester that can withstand an active toddler.
- Size: Play mats are available in a wide range of sizes and several varieties. In comparison to a play mat that also serves as a rug, tummy time mats are generally smaller for newborns. However, you’ll need a larger mat with more room for your baby to maneuver if you have hardwood floors and are searching for a soft surface for your baby to crawl on.
- Modular Or Singular: The pop-out, puzzle-like designs on certain mats that separate into tiles might assist older children in practicing their fine motor abilities. Just keep an eye out for little parts that newborns may choke on. While not in use, some are single mats that may be rolled or folded.
- Style: While brightly colored letter squares used to be the majority pattern on playmats, more contemporary patterns like zigzag stripes, dots, and designs that imitate wood floors have started to appear in recent years.
Are Play Mats Good For Babies?
Play mats may be a useful tool for giving your infant a secure, inviting environment in which to play and explore. Additionally, they can support your baby’s cognitive and social growth as well as motor skill development. If you’re thinking about getting your infant a play mat, be sure to do your homework to choose one that is suitable for his or her age and has engaging activities.
How Thick Should Baby Play Mat be?
Most baby play mats have a thickness of around 1 inch. Your baby can play on a surface that is both pleasant and secures thanks to its thickness. Thinner mats are available, but your kid will not be as safe or comfortable on them.
How Long Should a Baby Play On A Playmat?
Some babies could spend hours playing on a playmat, while others might tire of it after a short while. You might want to switch up the toys and activities on the playmat if your baby appears to be becoming bored. The playmat could also be moved to a different spot inside the house.
Does My Baby Need A Play Gym?
Even newborns as young as two months old can benefit from actions like concentrating on and reaching for adjacent objects (1). Your infant will appreciate activities like gripping toys and gazing at bright pictures as they grow.
Play gyms provide your child the chance to play in a supervised environment while still being age-appropriate. Baby-specific gyms include all the things kids enjoy, including toys to pull and gnaw on, eye-catching designs, and lots of space to practice scooting, rolling, and kicking. Some also include music and lighting, which are pleasing to your baby’s senses.
