Baby play mats are great interactive toys to have on hand as your baby is growing. It’s the perfect spot to lay your baby, so they can look at and touch a wide variety of toys that will stimulate their senses. Your baby can use their baby play mat during tummy time and keep using it when they learn to sit up unassisted.
Baby play mats usually offer a number of interactive toys that might crinkle, squish or light up that will delight your child. If you are looking to purchase a baby play mat for your infant, the Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym is a stimulating and exciting option for your baby, and it's available at a great price.
Not all baby play mats are the same size. Some are small and meant for your baby to interact with during tummy time, while others are large and have enough space for your baby to lie on and move around. If you are short on space in your home, you may want to take into account how large of an area you have to accommodate the mat before making your selection. If you plan to take your baby play mat on the go, you will want to consider the size as well and whether it easily folds up.
Consider your baby’s age when picking out a baby play mat because some play mats will be more engaging for older babies than others. Ideally, a baby play mat will be fun for your baby from about the age of six months up through toddlerhood. However, this is not always the case. If you are wanting to prolong the amount of time you are able to entertain your child with a baby play mat, you should select one that has fun components that will be compelling to an older baby or toddler.
Baby play mats contain a number of different features meant to engage and entertain your baby. Some come filled with water, while others feature toys that make noise. Your baby might also like a mat with colorful objects that hang down over their head or with toys that light up.
From buttons that emit music to crinkly toys that make sounds when touched, baby play mats often feature a variety of noise-making toys. Consider which elements will delight your baby when you pick out a baby play mat.
Baby play mats that feature water play can be exciting for your little one. Not only are they cool to the touch, but the water also moves and swirls beneath your baby’s hand each time they touch the mat. If your baby enjoys water, a baby play mat with a water-play feature may be right for you.
Because baby play mats are used on the floor, they sometimes may not offer as much support for your baby as you would like. If you want extra padding for your baby to use during tummy time or a pillow that can support your baby who has just learned to sit up unassisted, you may want to look for a baby play mat that features a pillow. Some mats come with crescent-shaped pillows that slide under your baby’s arms and offer tummy time support.
The price of baby play mats varies widely depending on the type and style you select. They can cost anywhere from $15-$150, with most costing you an average of about $50.
A. Some baby play mats, if they are made of cloth or cotton, can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning. However, if they contain a number of hard plastic components, you will want to avoid the washing machine and instead use a wet washcloth to spot clean. Always be sure and check with the care tag or product manufacturer before tossing your baby play mat in the washing machine.
A. Babies can spend time on their tummies on their first day home from the hospital. Your baby can start with a few minutes of tummy time each day, and you can gradually increase it.
Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym: available at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Our take: This jungle-themed play mat will be engaging for babies with its light-up toys, noise-making features and overall variety of play options.
What we like: More than 10 exciting toys and interactive components await babies and toddlers on this fun play mat. Your baby can enjoy it lying down, sitting up or walking or crawling around on it.
What we dislike: This play mat doesn't store as compactly as other play mats because of the arches.
Infinno Inflatable Tummy Time Mat: available at Amazon
Our take: Fill this play mat with water and watch your baby delight in feeling it squish and move beneath them.
What we like: This rectangular baby play mat will be fun for your infant because it moves when your baby touches it. Your baby will love that it's cool to the touch and features a variety of sea creatures and bright colors.
What we dislike: Some users reported that this play mat emits a strong odor that takes a while to fade.
Infantino Great Leaps Infant Gym and Ball Roller Coaster: available at Amazon
Our take: This innovative toy grows with your child and easily converts from a baby play mat to a ball toy when your baby is old enough.
What we like: This interactive product comes with a number of toys to entertain your baby and, eventually, your toddler. The baby play mat comes with balls that are fun for an older baby or toddler to play with as they enjoy time with their little gym.
What we dislike: Some users report that the ball track doesn't stay together very well.
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Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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