You’d be forgiven for leaving a baby play mat off your baby shower wish list. Let’s face it, with a pram, a cot and a car seat to think about, a baby play mat seems pretty far down the priority list.
But take it from any mum who’s ‘been there’, a play mat for indoor play is just about one of the most important things you can buy if you want your newborn to build strength during tummy time, rest on while you pop the kettle on – or play on when you’re looking for a safe, clean and non-toxic spot to set up their toy corner.
What should I look for in a baby play mat?
A durable, chic and easy-to-clean baby play mat will be your new best friend, from the newborn stage to toddler hood and beyond. You should make sure your baby play mat is durable and offers plenty of support, such as shock absorption for babies with a clunky new walk! You also make sure it’s easy to clean because I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to be cleaning it A LOT. Like, all the time.
Here’s what you need to look for in a good play mat: Read more below…
– Easy to clean play mat
If the play mat is designed to keep your newborn occupied, or provide a safe surface in which to practice their kicking or their tummy time, you’re going to want something that’s easy to clean the drool and vomit you’re bound to endure. Likewise if your toddler is going to put a play mat through its paces, you’re going to want one that can handle having food rubbed into it – and maybe even the addition of the occasional Crayola artwork. Ideally you want something waterproof and that can be wiped-clean.
– Make it chic
We all know of the Scandi bare-minimum look that’s so in right now. Gone are the days of brightly coloured zoo-covered playmats everywhere you look. Now your Instagram feed is no doubt chock full of nurseries with play mats in more neutral, earthy tones. Plenty of different brands and price brackets are offering up Scandi-style play mats to complement any nursery space. Just make sure they’re child-friendly, too!
– Durable play mat
With the potential of texta-prodding, tough shoes roughing up the surface and constant cleaning on the cards, it’s important to ensure your play mat can handle anything. Make sure your play-mat will stand up against colour-fade and is made from a material that can withstand a toddler’s might.
– Plenty of padding
Shock absorption is an important factor when it comes to play mats, because as the clunky walk starts to take off, so to does the impact to their legs and feet! A well-padded play mat will provide a soft landing for any spills and save the knees of any adults indulging in a little play time, too!
– Non-toxic
No doubt babies and toddlers will choose their play mat to wrap their lips around at some point, so it’s important to ensure the mat is free from any nasty chemicals or additives such as PVC and BPA and is also hypoallergenic.
– Lightweight and portable
As your baby begins to move, so to does your play mat! It’s important to choose something that’s not too big and heavy to move from room to room, so that you always have a safe space to rest your baby, with the satisfaction that won’t be able to get into too much trouble!
We’ve done the research and rounded up our favourite play mats on the market. In no particular order, we spoke with each brand below about what sets them apart, what their play mats are made out of and what other parents say about their product!
New to One Fine Baby, we are absolutely in love with these play mats from Marmalade Lion! Our new favourite play mats – perfect for indoor and outdoor use (thanks to their patented waterproof eco-friendly fabric), these play mats are super soft and super versatile, every detail has been considered to make your life easier.
The thick, soft memory foam means these play mats have a huge number of uses, and will easily become one of your favourite baby products – perfect for napping, ‘tummy time’, learning to roll, crawl and beyond. It is body temperature activated so it keep your baby superiorly supported no matter what the beneath surface is. Use in the nursery, bathroom, backyard, the park, the beach, anywhere!
Choose from a huge range of prints (the covers remove for easy washing!), and two different sizes (100cm and Super 145cm), there’s a size and print to suit every home.
- The covers are machine washable – genius! Some other mats can accumulate spills and germs, but the beauty of Marmalade Lion play mats is that you can take the covers off them and wash in the washing machine. You can even buy the covers by themselves, enabling you to change up the design for different children or when one is in the wash.
- The mats will last through 1000’s of uses, the memory foam never loses its structure or consistency. The waterproof insert is thick and padded, ensuring the mat can be used on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom floors and outside decking. Memory Foam reacts to body temperature supporting your baby with every movement and then, recovers to its original shape!
- Super portable, Marmalade Lion mats come in a reusable carry bag – great for travel, it will even fit perfectly under most prams as well!
- The waterproof non-slip backing makes these play mats perfect for indoor/outdoor use – we love to take them on picnics!
“This is the second mat I have purchased from Marmalade Lion – I love them so much! We have the super activity mat for home and purchased the standard size for taking out and about with us. They are such beautiful quality/soft and love the prints. The covers are easy to take off and put in the washing machine.” – Jenna Rogers, via marmaladelion.com.au
“I’m thrilled with my activity mat. The crystals pattern is colourful and photogenic and the memory foam mat is essential for both my baby and my knees on our wooden floorboards! Just washed the cover and it was easy to remove, wash, dry and put back on – the whole thing is well made and of high quality.” – Hannah, via marmaladelion.com.au
Little Wiwa is a Scandinavian inspired play mat brand designed in Melbourne that focuses on creating premium, minimalist designs with timeless aesthetics and above all, non-toxic play mats that are free from PVC, BPA and toxic chemicals, providing a product that is safe for babies, adult and the environment. Their most popular design is their latest collection the Lille Verden, tailored for the family; where simplicity meets creativity.
- Their play mats are 100% free of PVC, BPA and toxic chemicals.
- Simple, minimalist, Scandinavian inspired reversible designs on every mat.
- They are odourless and ethically made to the highest standards with 100% sustainable and non-toxic TPU.
- Certified safe and compliant with Australian & New Zealand AS/NZS ISO 8124 Toy Standards and European EN71 Toy Standards.
- Hypoallergenic – no nasty chemicals and additives
- They are soft and thickly padded – provides strengthening support during tummy time from newborn stage, through crawling and learning to walk.
- Safe for when the little one falls as they are excellent in shock absorbency.
- Plush and divinely comfortable – soft on the knees (for us adults too) and perfect for your growing little one to play, learn and explore.
- Not limited for babies but also suitable for bigger kids and adults!
- Lightweight and portable.
- Easy to clean, simply use damp cloth with (mild) soapy water for general daily clean.
“Love it! We had the large rectangular one to begin with which we place in the living area. It suits our house so much it’s so modern it doesn’t look out of place! And it’s perfect for my son to crawl around and play with his toys. I have this small circular one in his nursery. I use it to change his diapers and do a bit of quiet time. Overall great quality I love it so much!” – Bernice N.
Functional beauty is a core value at The Young Folk Collective, and their new Australian-designed waterproof playmats for babies are no exception! Their foam padded playmats are designed by renowned Byron Bay artist Harley and J using her signature bold, yet tasteful colours and repeating patterns. These prints seamlessly balance bold contrasting colours and signature retro designs, perfect to support baby’s visual perceptual skills whilst also fitting in harmoniously with your home’s existing decor.
- Made from the highest-quality non-toxic polyurethane – safe and eco-friendly
- A Memory Foam Core, making them shock absorbing
- Super soft and durable is the best way to describe them. Think yoga mat!
- They are very easy to clean using a soft damp cloth or mild detergent only
- Suitable for all ages, from newborns to grandparents!
- Fully reversible with an amazing design on each side
- Storage made easy with simply rolling them up with supplied Velcro straps
- Completely waterproof making any spills simple to clean
- Fully compliant with the highest International Standards
“Such a beautiful mat design compared to others in the market! It goes so well with our decor 😀 So glad that we made the investment as it used for nappy free tummy time (as it’s waterproof) is easy to clean, is a beautiful addition to bubs play pen plus I use it as my yoga mat sometimes.” – Brodie.
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The Young Folk Collective
Baby Play Mat – Whimsical Woodland/Daisy Dreamer (Extra Large)
$189.00 Add to cart -
The Young Folk Collective
Baby Play Mat – Into the Ocean/Daisy Dreamer (Small)
$109.00 Add to cart -
The Young Folk Collective
Baby Play Mat – Into the Ocean/Daisy Dreamer (Extra Large)
$189.00 Add to cart
Munchkin and Bear’s best-selling, designer Luxe Play Mats are loved in over 30,000 homes across Australia, New Zealand and the UK and protect little ones from birth to beyond (whether that be for tummy time with Mum and Dad, learning to roll, sit, crawl and even gymnastics practice or yoga!). Regularly described as a baby must have, they are non-toxic, waterproof, wipe-clean, reversible, ultra thick and soft and super durable. Perfect for family time & play time! It’s so squishy, comfy, very stylish and durable. Another #babymusthave item.
Why Munchkin + Bear are different
Real Reviews:
Stina’s Style creates meaningful moments between you and your baby. Stina’s Style was born when founder and creator Linda George noticed a gap in the market with great looking, educational, quality products 8 years ago. Stina’s Style is now one of the leading designer Play Mat businesses on the market, with recently launched Rattan Play Gym Bundles ‘breaking the internet’.
What are Stina's Style's most popular products?
Their most popular items are their Rattan Play Gym Bundles, which include, the Rattan Frame, the bottom base, a reversible liner, a TummyTimePillow, a Mirror, RattleBall, JingleToy, 5 BabyLinks, PlayTime by Linda ActivityCard Deck, and a carry bag.
Real Review:
“We adore your play gym. Great learning for bub with the patterns, sounds, mirror and activity cards and it looks gorgeous too! I’m glad I ordered the rainbow and another toy to hang as they really complete it!” – Bree, May 2020
Shop Stina's Style play mats:
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Stina's Style
PRE ORDER | Limited Edition Activity Play Mat Bundle in Natural/White
$339.00 Add to cart -
Stina's Style
Activity Play Mat Bundle in Natural Linen/Charcoal
$319.00 Add to cart -
Stina's Style
PRE ORDER | Activity Play Mat Bundle in Mustard/Natural Linen
$319.00 Add to cart -
Stina's Style
Chloe Activity Play Mat Bundle in Cocoa/Natural Linen
$319.00 Add to cart
Bella Buttercup’s product range has a Scandinavian influence using minimalist designs and neutral tones so you won’t need to hide them away for visitors.
Designed by parents for parents, all items in their Quilted Collection contain a water-resistant internal layer, making them both practical and stylish for inside and out of the home.
What are Bella Buttercup's most popular products?
Their most popular items feature Play Mats, Mini Bar Play Gym and their range of on the go baby changing essentials.
Stylish, practical and eco-friendly play mats to blend seamlessly with your décor. Their two-sided designs are the perfect combination of style and fun. A playful design on one side, and an understated contemporary pattern on the other that could be mistaken for an area rug. Free from nasty chemicals like PVC, BPA and Phthalates, their mats tick the boxes for safety and style. Their multi use mats are perfect for every member of the family, from tummy-time to downward dog, you’ll want one for every room in your home.
Real Review:
“This playmat is honestly the best thing I have got for my two boys so far. The boho design is stunning, making a simple but effective statement in any room and the car track side is well loved by both my boys. The fact that it is double sided makes you feel like you get two mats in one! The quality is impeccable and it is super easy to clean. We use this mat for everything – I am obsessed with it.” – Sophie W, graceandmaggie.com.au
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