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Foam playmats are an excellent way to keep your baby entertained during teething, crawling, and exploring. They are also a wonderful tool for parents looking to introduce their children to the world of colors and shapes. Foam play mats are used by daycares, preschools, and family child care providers. They are inexpensive, easy to clean, waterproof, safe for babies on the move, and non-toxic. I would like to highlight some factors you can consider in order to narrow down your research for the best foam playmats for babies.
Best Foam Playmats for Babies
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Tadpoles Baby Play Mat, Kid’s Puzzle Exercise Play Mat – Soft EVA Foam | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Tadpoles Soft EVA Foam 36 Piece ABC Playmat Set, Pink/Purple, 74x 74 | 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Ofie Mat by LITTLE Bot, Soft Baby Play mat, Reversible Foam Floor mat, Waterproof | 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Baby Play Mat Tiles Extra Large Thick Foam Floor Puzzle Mat Interlocking Playmat | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Baby Foam Playmat – Baby Play Mat – Foam Playmat | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Baby Play Mat, Extra Large Baby Crawling Mat, Portable Waterproof Non Toxic | 8.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | UANLAUO Baby Play mat, playmat,Baby mat Folding Extra Large | 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Lillefolk Premium Foam Play Mat for Baby – Large 72”x48” Non-Toxic | 7.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Baby Play Mat, Haute Collection Crawling Mat, Non-Toxic Reversible Anti-Slip | 7.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Frankie Lane Non-Toxic Baby Play Mat, 6.5ft x 4.5ft Reversible Waterproof | 7.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
Last update on 21st March 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Recommended Foam Playmats for Babies:
Tadpoles Baby Play Mat, Kid’s Puzzle Exercise Play Mat – Soft EVA Foam
- MATERIAL | 100 % EVA Foam interlocking floor mats, Non-Toxic soft baby play mat, Foam Floor Puzzle Mat for Kids & Toddlers. Passes all US and European testing requirements. Imported.
- FORM | Baby mat includes 16 foam pieces with removable centers and 16 border pieces. Combine multiple sets of interlocking foam tiles to cover larger areas and create your own unique look
- SIZING | Each square measure 12”. As pictured, the Floor Play Mat set covers 16 square feet. Assembled size with borders is 50″x50″. Use 2 or more sets to cover larger areas
- PURPOSE | For children ages 3 years and up. Use as soft Baby Mat, Tiles Carpet, Padded Floor Mat, soft Baby Play Mat, use in Baby Play Pens, Cushioned Floor Mat, Puzzle Mat, Foam Play Mat for Baby, Kids Foam Puzzle
- MAINTENANCE | Baby Play Mat is easy to assemble, easy to clean with soap and water
Last update on 21st March 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for an affordable solution, these 16 interlocking tile pieces are a great option to consider. Despite their low price, these tiles are very easy to assemble and provide a soft base for your kids to play with. They are 12×12″ and are design so as to insulate the floor of your room in order to create a durable and sound-dampening surface where kids can play.
The mats are very easy to clean and can cover 16 square feet in total. Overall a great-looking product that can be found online at a very attractive price. The mats are available in more than 10 variations to choose the color and shapes that your kids would like best. Definitely worth a closer look while researching.
Tadpoles Soft EVA Foam 36 Piece ABC Playmat Set, Pink/Purple, 74x 74
- SET CONTAINS: Includes 36 foam pieces with removable shaped centers and 24 border pieces.
- DIMENSIONS: Each square measures 12″. As pictured, set covers 36 square feet.
- USE: Safe, soft and durable. Combine multiple sets to cover larger areas and create your own unique look.
- COMPOSITION: 100% EVA Foam. Non-toxic, phthalate and lead-free.
- CARE: Easy to clean. Just wipe with damp cloth and mild soap.
Last update on 21st March 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These playmats from Tadpoles are another quite popular option that you can find online at a very attractive price. The set is not the cheapest option on the market but it can cover 36 square feet with one set making this a value for money option.
This set features the alphabet and numbers so you can create your unique look. Each square is 12″ and nontoxic, phthalate, and lead-free. You can find them in weight different variations will wonderful color palettes to pick the ones that match your room.
Baby’s first crawl is a milestone in his development. Getting from one side of a room to the other is an accomplishment, but the trip would be much easier on parents if their little one’s journey was made without rugs and carpeting. A foam play mat is a perfect solution for helping babies stay safe when exploring their little world, and it is very inexpensive.
It is important to remember that babies are constantly learning about their environment, and they learn through touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. It is very important for parents to give them varied textures to play on.
Just lay out the mat in front of the room’s furniture, like a couch or bed where you spend your days with your baby. This way, if they fall while crawling (which will happen), they will land on the mat instead of a hard floor. I like to use foam playmat along with tee pee tents creating a soothing playroom for the little one without breaking the bank.
There are many different types of foam playmat designs available on the market today so it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you or your child. There are jungle-themed mats, circles, and squares shaped like the colorful building blocks your child loves to play with, and transportation-themed foam mats.
Benefits of Play Mats
- Foam playmats are designed to help babies learn about their environment and develop motor skills that will later allow them to crawl, stand, walk, and run. These mats come in various shapes and sizes so parents can find one that is appropriate for their child’s age.
- For babies who are still trying to learn how to crawl, foam mats can help them get across the floor without hurting themselves by giving them something lightweight and easy to grip onto so they can move around.
- Many play mats come with toys built into them that provide infants with entertainment. While babies are busy playing on the mat, parents can get some work done without having to constantly watch their little ones.
What Makes a Good Play Mat for Babies?
When looking for the best play mat, parents must consider what they want it to do. Some mats help babies learn about blocks and colors while others are made to be sensory boards that stimulate infants’ senses of hearing, touch, and sight. If you just need a small rug for your child to crawl or lay on then there are several options with cute designs. There are foam mats that are priced around $30 but still provide an excellent value by being waterproof and easy to clean.
The primary function of a play mat is to protect your baby from injury when crawling or falling. A child’s room can be filled with toys that are great for learning colors, shapes, numbers, animals, and letters, but if infants are crawling around on the floor, they can also encounter furniture legs, cables for lamps and other electronics, radiator air vents, and power cords.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Foam Playmats for Babies:
Material
Most mats are made from PVC or EVA foam, and it’s worthwhile for parents to know the difference between the two types of materials. While both materials are non-toxic and will not off-gas or leach chemicals into your baby’s environment, they do have different characteristics.
EVA foam is a closed-cell, non-toxic material that has been used to make orthotics and medical devices. It is a type of rubber made from ethylene and vinyl acetate monomer with other components added during the manufacturing process. In this way, it is comparable to memory foam. EVA mats are thicker than PVC mats and are slightly softer. They are less expensive but tend to be heavier in weight and more difficult to clean.
PVC foam is a closed-cell, non-toxic material that is more popular than EVA foam and can be found in many different types of products such as yoga mats, upholstery, and shoes. It is thinner than EVA foam but tends to be heavier in weight and more difficult to clean.
While preventing them from getting injuries, some foam playmats may have chemicals that risk their health such as lead and BPA. Taking a look at the product descriptions can help identify if they are free of them. However, apart from the most notorious ones, millions of these chemicals may be hidden in the playmats, which will be difficult to list out and check one by one.
A feasible and fast way to determine whether the products are baby-safe is to select those certified with trustworthy quality assurance agencies. In addition, it is a good practice to air the chemical smell out for a few days before use. Also, a thicker and softer playmat generally offers better physical protection.
Sizes and Shapes
Space limitations can determine what size play mat you need. Some parents prefer rectangular mats to fit neatly against the wall while others like circular mats that offer an open space to crawl around on. Most foam play mats come in the standard 20″ x 28″ size.
If you need to fit the playmat in with your existing décor or plan to move it from one area of your home to another, you need to know the mat’s weight. Some mats are quite heavy and others are lighter.
While some babies like lots of room to move around, other infants like to be confined in one area because they get nervous when they can’t see their parents. Some parents purchase two mats that are placed side-by-side so they can provide the child with a sense of security.
Babies learn about their environment by touching, tasting, hearing, and smelling the world around them. Some foam playmats offer little toys for infants to grasp while others contain texture rugs with different colors and patterns for children to explore with their fingers. Make sure the mat is comfortable for your child by checking the material’s density before buying it.
A playmat for babies of good quality usually has features that are more than just protecting babies. For example, some are printed with attractive and colorful alphabets, animals, and numbers which help facilitate their cognitive development during play. Puzzle mats will also be a good choice for parents who want to interact with their babies and set up the map together.
Babies will play on their playmat all day and like to scratch and bite. The playmat may be peeled off easily. Apart from the fact that buying a new play with good quality frequently will be time-consuming, babies may even put the little parts being torn out into their mouths. Consuming these forms is surely bad for babies’ health. Simply searching reviews of the product can help you find out the durable one, which may be used for years.
Ease of Cleaning
The best foam playmats for babies come with cleaning instructions to follow in order to keep them clean and free from bacteria growth. It is important that parents thoroughly wipe down mats that become wet because they can develop mildew. Parents should make sure mats are stored in a cool, dry place when not in use to prevent mold growth.
It’s important to check instructions before machine washing or wetting any foam mat that has vinyl on one side, as moisture may cause deterioration. If you purchase one that is dry-cleaned only, it may take longer before your baby can use it again after an accidental mess spills onto the surface.
Safety Tips
As with all baby products, parents should check the label for a warning to see if there are any age or size restrictions before they buy a mat. The mat should also have a firm base that will not bend easily under your child’s weight.
Parents need to consider what type of foam they want for their infant’s playmat because while some materials are safe for babies, others are not. Make sure there are no sharp corners or edges that can injure your little one.
You should also check if the mat has any loose parts that might pose a choking hazard to your child, especially if they have an older sibling who tries to play with them on the floor. Older siblings may push pins, buttons, beads, and other objects into the mat that babies may try to put in their mouths.
It’s important to remember that infants are not potty-trained when they crawl or walk, so it is essential to ensure the foam playmat you choose has a waterproof backing. If you have hardwood floors in one area of your home, you need to purchase a mat with vinyl on the top and bottom so that liquids don’t seep through to your flooring.
