Play mats are a safe spot for your little one to hang out, either independently or with you. They come in all shapes and sizes with varying activities and themes. The best baby play mat for your little one will not only entertain them but will also help them develop important motor skills.
They are essential to have around to get tummy time in. Plus, they are a great cure for baby boredom since they typically have plenty of toys attached. Below I have gathered the best options on the market for you!
The Best Baby Play Mat for Developing Motor Skills
If you’re feeling lost in the land of endless baby toys and necessities, you might be wondering what the big deal about play mats is. Why do you see them in the homes of so many of your other mama friends? Well, sometimes you are just going to need your baby to be entertained for a minute! A play mat can help you out with that.
Of course, you will always need to keep a close eye on them but having a play mat might free up your hands for a few minutes.
Skip Hop Activity Gym
I thought it might be best to kick off our baby play mat list with an option that really offers all you could ever need. It comes with 17 different developmental activities that will also help your baby out developmentally. Just in case these 17 aren’t enough, you can really attach any toy you would like to the hanging loops.
It is a bright mat with different textures for your little one to touch, noises for them to hear, and plenty to see as well. This mat also comes with a matching pillow to prop your baby up, which can make tummy time more enjoyable. Check Current Prices Here!
Hugomat
This portable playmat is super soft and perfect for tummy time starting very early on. It is breathable and hypoallergenic with 1″ of comfy padding. We had one of our Rookie Moms try it out, and she had very high praises! Of course, her absolute favorite feature is that she could easily fold it up and carry it with one hand to different parts of the house to plop down.
Anything to make being a mama a little easier is well worth it in our book! Learn more about it here!
Lovevery The Play Gym
At the end of the day, all you will really care about is the play mat being a good source of entertainment for your baby. However, developmental benefits are a pretty cool addition! The Lovevery play mat was created by child development experts and will stimulate and teach your baby in some pretty neat ways. It has 5 different “developmental zones” basically meaning your baby can use this play mat for a whole year.
The last stage even turns the mat into a fort, sweet! As they develop new and exciting things will catch their attention on the mat. One of the coolest things of all is that they provide an activity guide for parents that will show you what to do with your baby on the mat at their specific age. Check Current Prices Here!
Cushmat
If you need a playmat that can multi-function as a rug, this is our absolute favorite choice. Cushmats are trendy and fit in seamlessly with the latest home styles. They will fit into any room giving your little one space to play, whether that be your living room or playroom.
One of our Rookie Moms tried out a Cushmat and is completely obsessed because it is so easy to clean and gives her three-year-old a safe spot to play in their living room. It’s super cushioned, which is important for them because they have hard tile floors. Not to mention, these mats are safe, eco-friendly, and non-toxic! Check these awesome playmats here.
Rainbow Baby Activity Gym
How stinking cute is this activity gym from Crate and Barrel? It is a fluffy little cloud with three colorful arches that make a rainbow. The cloud is so soft, you might just want to crawl onto it yourself for a nap. While it is a pretty simple play mat, in terms of the accessories included, sometimes a little can go a long way for a baby. It has five weather-themed rattles, but you can easily switch these out for other hanging toys if your baby is looking for something more. Check Current Prices Here!
Pottery Barn Kids Animal Friends Classic Activity Gym
Pottery Barn is the master of making kids’ items that are both adorable and 100% functional. This baby mat is so soft and cute and I love the neutral animal theme. It has 5 multisensory hanging toys, but the mat itself will catch your baby’s attention with an elephant ear to pull on and a textured tree. If you remove the mirror toy, you can throw this right in the wash on cold and hang it out to dry. Check Current Prices Here!
High Quality Grey Nordic Wooden Baby Play Gym
Simple and chic perfectly describes this play mat, and we know you’ll love the look of it in any room of your house. It is a simple wood design with grey accents. If you have already got the perfect cushioned blanket that your baby loves, you simply place this wooden arch over it. You can buy the stand with toys attached or find your own to attach to the loops. I would have to say the toys they sell seem pretty stimulating and are adorable. The icing on top of the cake; it’s handmade. Check Current Prices Here!
Fisher Price Kick and Play Piano Gym
You may have the next Mozart on your hands, and there is no better way to find out than by placing a piano at their little feet. Just like the Skip Hop Activity Gym, this Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym includes a ton of different stimulating activities. It is super bright and has toys that will engage every one of your baby’s senses; from a mirror to hanging toys, to a piano that they can play with their feet. The arch can even fold down so that during tummy time your baby will still have access to all the attached toys. Check Current Prices Here!
Infantino 3 in 1 Grow with Me Activity Gym and Ball Pit
I don’t know about you, but having a ball pit in the house was definitely a childhood dream of mine. This play mat is not only adorable with plenty of engaging toys, but you can raise the sides to create a mini ball pit. Not to mention, the whole mat looks like a turtle which is not only incredibly cute but gives you convenient storage space for all the balls right in the turtle head. Check Current Prices Here!
3 Sprouts Play Mat Bag
Play mats should be able to go anywhere with you, right? Well, finally there is one that can! This play mat easily folds up into a bag for you to carry with you wherever you go, and even better whatever toys you had on the mat will fold right up inside of it too. It does not have an arch piece or any attached toys, but if you would like to keep things simple or are frequently on the go this will be the perfect mat for you. Check Current Prices Here!
Wander and Roam Baby Play Mat – Eco Friendly Option!
This is another option for any mamas looking to keep it simple and truly just need a mat, not all the attached toys. This cute foam mat rolls out on the floor as a safe and comfortable spot for your little one to hang out. It is super easy to roll up and put away when you do not need it. It’s great for new crawlers and walkers, especially if you have unforgiving wood or tile flooring. Big bonus; you can safely do yoga right on this mat so you might just want to keep it around even when you no longer have a baby! Check Current Prices Here!
Have any questions about Baby Play Mats, feel free to leave a question in the comments
or ask questions in our Rookie Moms Facebook Group. It’s a great way to connect with other moms, share tips and get advice.
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