A padded floor mat with toys hanging overhead, for the months before crawling.
A baby play mat suits first time parents who want a soft place to put the baby down on the floor, and it earns its space from the early weeks. Check the padding, whether it has an overhead arch of toys, the size against the room, and whether the cover wipes clean or washes.
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Throw an underwater party with Disney's The Little Mermaid Ariel seashell canopy gym from Disney Baby. Join Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder and more in a world of 25+ minutes of tropical melodies and lights beneath a twinkly rainbow seashell canopy. Baby will explore plenty of activities on this baby gym, including Flounder plush rattle, baby safe mirror, character flashcards, and more. Toys also detach with links for on the go! From tummy time treasures to sit-and-play imagination, your baby will have lots to explore as they grow. The purple prop pillow gives baby an extra boost for early tummy time sessions. Take control of the music and lights show with power switch in canopy featuring volume control and 3 mode options (melody, eye tracking & lights only). To clean, machine wash pad and wipe toy bar, toys & canopy clean with damp cloth and mild soap. Play is powered by 3 AA batteries (not included). Suitable for newborns+. Dimensions: 57.91 cm (H) x 86.11 cm (W) x 83.06 cm (L)
Get your little one moving, grooving and learning with the Glow and Grow™ Kick & Play™ Piano Gym from Fisher-Price®. This soft activity mat features a repositionable, high-contrast toy arch with 10 linkable toys to keep baby engaged during lay and play or tummy time. The removable piano has 5 light-up keys with a multi-coloured light show and 4 musical settings that grow with your child from newborn to toddler. With 3 Smart Stages™ learning levels and a freestyle mode with real piano notes, it supports play from laying down to sitting up and making music.
A baby play mat suits parents who want somewhere soft to put the baby down on the floor. It is one of the most useful things a new family can be given, because a baby spends a lot of time on their back or on their tummy in the early months, looking up at something interesting.
It is a good gift for a baby shower, and it works for a second baby too, when the old mat has seen better days.
What to look for in a baby play mat
Padding. A soft, thick mat makes a comfortable spot. A thin one rolls up easily to take to a friend's place.
Overhead toys. Many have an arch with dangling toys for the baby to look at and bat. Look for one that detaches.
Tummy time. Some mats have a raised pillow or a different texture for floor time on the tummy.
Size. Measure the floor. A big mat suits a living room and a small one suits a flat.
Cleaning. A wipe-clean or machine-washable cover is easier to live with.
Folding. A mat that folds away leaves the room tidy once the baby is asleep.
When a baby play mat is the wrong gift
If the family has very little floor space, a large mat will be in the way. If they already have a mat they love, extra toys or a soft toy suit better. And if you don't know their taste, a plain, neutral colour is more likely to fit with the rest of the room.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a play mat and a play gym?
A play mat is the padded surface. A play gym adds an arch with toys that dangle above the baby. Many products are both, and the listing says whether the arch comes off, which is handy once the baby wants to roll and crawl.
What size play mat should I choose?
Measure the floor you would like it to cover. A large mat suits a living room, and a smaller or foldable one suits a flat or a bedroom. The listing gives the dimensions, so check them against the space.
How do you clean a baby play mat?
Many wipe clean with a damp cloth, and some covers go in the washing machine. Check the care label on the listing, because a mat that is quick to clean is the one that gets used every day.
