Deeja Dean M.Sc.
Having a baby can be one delightful journey filled with joy and fun. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows! During your little bundle of joy’s developmental stage – especially in early infancy – some specific items that can help strengthen their skills and jump-start their brain development are essential for growth.
Tummy time is a crucial activity for babies as it aids them in developing head control and overall body strength. That’s why, having quality baby gyms, activities & play mats on hand is imperative to ensure they get enough stimulation while lying flat on their tummies.
To make sure your precious angel gets ample amounts of ‘tummy time’ exercise (and doesn’t turn into a cranky munchkin!), here’s our compilation of the 14 best baby gyms, activity & play mats available – each one made with safety, comfort & entertainment in mind so you may enjoy watching how much your tiny tot loves them. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Are Gym Mats Good For My Baby?
Yes! Gym mats are great for babies because they provide a soft, comfortable surface where your little one can lay on their tummy and practice their head control. This activity also helps strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles, stimulating brain development. They also have plenty of activities to keep your baby entertained – from dangling toys, rattles, and teethers, to music-making instruments – all of which can help improve hand-eye coordination.
What To Look For in a Baby PlayMat?
Here’s a quick checklist of the features you should look for when shopping for a baby playmat:
1. Size:
Choose a size that will fit the space you have available in your home and accommodate your growing child. Mats come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to measure the size of your baby’s play area before buying one.
2. Durability:
When shopping for a baby play mat, consider the material used and its durability. Consider choosing a rug made from nontoxic, infant-friendly materials designed to last through wear and tear. Quality mats will be soft enough for your baby’s delicate skin and durable enough to withstand plenty of play.
3. Design:
There is no shortage of colorful designs when it comes to baby playmats. Choose something that fits your home’s style and supports your child’s development. Options come in bright colors, bold patterns, muted tones, and natural materials. Consider a foldable design that allows for easy storage and transport, depending on where you plan on using the mat.
4. Stimulation:
A stimulating play mat can help keep your little one engaged and entertained. Look for rugs with textures, flaps, unbreakable mirrors, dangling toys, and other features that encourage tactile interactions, discovery, and self-awareness. Activity gyms with overhead bars may stimulate your baby as they reach to bat at the dangling toys and explore their environment.
5. Ease of Cleaning:
Since messes are inevitable with babies, opt for a mat that can easily be wiped off or machine-washed when needed. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you’re doing everything correctly.
6. Safety:
Regarding safety, always choose a playmat with no sharp edges or small pieces that could be detached. Ensure the mat is securely attached, and check for any loose parts (i.e., buttons, ribbons) that your baby might pull off and put in their mouth.
Now that you know what to look for in a baby playmat, let’s get to the 14 best baby gyms, activities & play mats tested and proven by parents.
14 Best Baby Gyms, Activities, and Play Mats
Best Foam: Ingenuity Cozy Spot Reversible Duvet Activity Gym & Play Mat
This play mat/gym is the perfect companion for your little one’s tummy time, giving them plenty of stimulation and enjoyment as they learn and grow. The plush mat is soft enough for newborns to lie comfortably, making it perfect for those first few weeks of development.
The removable wooden bars that cross above your baby’s head come with several dangling toys that will keep them entertained while they’re on their back. These toys can be easily removed or added to customize the activity gym according to your little one’s likes and dislikes. The mat is also reversible, so both sides look new after each wash cycle.
And when you’re done playing, the mat folds up compactly for easy storage or travel. So wherever you go with your little one, you can rest assured that their beloved activity gym will be right by their side. So, let the fun begin!
Best Tummy-Time Theme: Skip Hop Baby Gym Farmstand Grow & Play
This Skip Hop baby play gym is an interactive mat that promotes baby development through tummy time, overhead play, and seated play. With 17 developmental activities and five hanging toys, the fun never stops. The farmstand theme, with its brightly colored characters, will captivate your baby’s attention as they grow into their early learning stages. These toys are designed for both sensory and physical development and to encourage their problem-solving skills.
The mat is designed with a plush quilted surface, providing cushioning comfort when crawling or playing on it. As an additional benefit, one of the cross pieces can double as a growth chart to record your baby’s milestones. With this play gym, you can be sure that your baby is having hours of fun while also learning and growing at the same time.
Best With Lights and Sounds: Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat
This baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea play mat is a perfect way to stimulate young minds. Its canopy, overhead toys, and calming music set to a timer help your little one explore and develop their motor skills, coordination, and cognitive development. The lights are designed to attract your child’s attention without being overly stimulating or overwhelming. The hanging toys encourage hand-eye coordination as your baby reaches out to them, making it great for tummy time.
One mom noted that her daughter’s hand mobility/coordination improved significantly with the hanging toys, expressing how she went from just staring at them to reaching out for them and connecting with each piece. With this set, babies can explore sights and sounds while strengthening muscles and developing essential skills like exploration and problem-solving. So, let your little one explore and create their magical world.
Best Musical Activity Mat: Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play
The Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play activity mat is one of the best baby gym, activity, and play mats on the market. It offers an innovative combination of musical and tactile experiences that can keep babies engaged from early infancy through toddlerhood. The carpet has four configurations, allowing your baby to explore other activities as they grow and develop. Its signature feature is the playable piano; newborns instinctively kick at it as soon as they lay on the mat, while older babies can sit up and bang on it when flipped to a horizontal position.
To further enhance your baby’s sensory and cognitive development, the set includes a mirror for them to admire their reflection, a teether for relieving sore gums during teething stages, and fun noise-making animals – a penguin, lion, and monkey. Each animal provides soft, comforting textures for tactile exploration and makes realistic animal sounds when pressed or pulled.
All these features make this product ideal for helping young children discover their environment while having plenty of fun in the process!
Best Disney: Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo
The Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo activity play mat is the perfect way to keep your baby entertained while they learn and grow. It features brightly colored characters from the movie, including Mr. Ray, Nemo, Dory, and more, plus a built-in mirror to encourage interactive play and visual development. The mat is cushioned for comfort and comes with a light-up canopy that projects stars onto the ceiling. Music and fun sound effects help stimulate your baby’s senses as they enjoy tummy time or relax on the mat.
Also, you’ll find an adorable Dory finger puppet included with every purchase for even more fun! This mat is visually stimulating and encouraging for interactive play. Still, it also helps promote motor skill development, such as reaching, grasping, crawling, and rolling over – all while having a blast. Your little one won’t get enough of this engaging activity play mat with its bright colors and delightful sounds.
Best Foldable: Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat
This Tiny Love Meadow Days Super versatile play mat is the perfect way to engage your baby during tummy time. Your little one will be entertained and engaged with plenty of fun activities and visual stimuli committed while strengthening those core muscles. The mat is designed with a farm scene that encourages color and pattern recognition and soft textures like ribbons that provide tactile stimulation.
Also, the small mirror promotes self-discovery for your baby. This mat is made from high-quality materials that are soft, comfortable, and durable. It’s also lightweight and foldable, making it ideal for travel or storage when not in use. The bright and vibrant colors can capture your baby’s attention when they need extra stimulation.
Additionally, the unique design allows you to fold the mat into itself to store it away when done quickly. With its many features and benefits, this playmat by Tiny Love will be a great addition to any home.
Best Nontoxic Floor Mat: Uanlauo Foldable Baby PlayMat
The Uanlauo Foldable Baby Play Mat is the ideal choice for parents who want to provide their baby with a safe, comfortable, and fun environment for development. The extra-large mat measures over 6 feet wide and comes in playful designs that will capture your baby’s attention. It features an anti-slip back layer and non-toxic, environmentally friendly materials on both sides, 100% free of BPA and other hazardous chemicals.
This mat provides a soft cushioning surface that allows your little one to learn how to roll over, sit up, crawl, walk, and explore safely. Parents can also rest assured knowing that the waterproof design ensures any spills or messes are easy to clean up. This playmat is the perfect place for your little one to grow and explore.
Best Extra-Large Mat: Infantino Jumbo Baby Activity Gym and Ball Pit
This activity center from Infantino is the perfect mat for your baby from birth to toddlerhood. Its extra-large size is designed to fit all stages, giving your little one plenty of room to grow. The mat features a sturdy and soft foam construction with an adorable design to capture your child’s attention.
In addition to being an excellent mat for tummy time, this four-in-one activity set can be converted into a ball pit as your little one ages. It has multiple toys that attach or detach easily to bring them anywhere. The textured teethers help stimulate babies’ tactile sensations while they rest and play on their backs.
It also contains three unique removable arches with colorful hanging toys that encourage reaching, grabbing, and cause-and-effect learning, making it an incredibly engaging experience during tummy time activities.
Best Round Mat: Sassy Stages STEM Developmental Play Gym
This round playmat from Sassy Stages is designed to help stimulate your baby’s brain and help them reach critical developmental milestones during the first six months of life. The mat is divided into six zones, each featuring its pattern with a list of specific milestones for babies to work towards in that area.
In addition, there are 11 different activities available to help your baby strengthen their muscles and grow their brainpower – including rattles, teethers, spinners, mirrors, and more. These activities are suitable for babies 0-6 months old and are guaranteed to provide hours of fun while helping your little ones learn more about the world around them.
Best Multi-Use Baby Play Mat: Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Crawl & Play Activity Gym
Designed to be immersive for your little one, this mat can be used in five ways, depending on the baby’s age group – from a tummy time playmat for newborns to an activity gym for crawlers and toddlers. In each stage, the playmat has various features and toys for your baby to explore. It ships with 12 toys, including electronic toys that can play light and sound for 20 minutes.
This activity gym also comes with 35 plastic balls to convert into a mini ball pit for older babies and toddlers. The corners of the mat are foldable both inwards and outwards, extending its usability even further.
The material used in this mat is ultra soft yet durable, so you don’t have to worry about your baby’s safety while they are playing or crawling around. It is also machine-washable, so cleaning up spills or messes won’t be an issue.
Additionally, this multi-use playmat helps develop motor skills with its array of activities and toys for specific age groups – from newborns to toddlers. Your kid can enjoy hours of fun as they explore their new world safely and securely with Fisher-Price 3-in-1 play gym.
Best for Outdoor Play: XdeModa Baby PlayMat
XdeModa baby play mat is the perfect companion for outdoor play and tummy time. It’s 79 inches long, making it big enough to provide a safe and secure area for your baby to explore and learn. The waterproof design ensures that no water will seep through, while the skid-proof backing prevents slips and falls.
It is waterproof and non-toxic, so there’s no reason to worry about your little one crawling around on it. It’s easy to clean up after use; wipe it down with a damp cloth, soap, and water. The XdeModa Play Mat allows your baby to enjoy quality time outdoors safely and comfortably!
Best Mat-and-Seat Combo: Yookidoo Baby Play Gym With Tummy Time Pillow And Infant Toys
The Yookidoo baby play gym is an excellent choice for parents looking for an all-in-one play gym and seat combo for their baby. This activity mat offers three settings for tummy time, back play, and partially elevated sitting. Foldable cushions can adjust the elevation level to help babies learn to sit up independently. It also features soft fabric toys, including a mirror, teethers, and a rattle designed to stimulate the senses and encourage movement.
Additionally, the mat comes with a removable music box that can be attached to the top of the arch. It plays eight different melodies that are both soothing and entertaining for babies. For added convenience, the gym can fold completely flat when not in use, so it’s easy to store away or transport from place to place.
However, parents should keep in mind that while this play gym is great for playing and learning, it may not be strong enough to fully support some babies as they learn to sit up on their own. So it’s important not to leave your baby unattended on the mat at any time.
Best Play Mat for Newborns: Manhattan Toy Wimmer Ferguson Crawl And Discover Mat
The Manhattan mat offers plenty of stimulation and fun for your little one. It includes a range of black and white developmental toys, flaps with reverse print graphics, hidden crinkle paper, BPA-free teethers, and pleasing rings that clack together to provide auditory stimulation. The mat’s removable baby-safe self-discovery mirror lets your child explore their reflection, while the whole carpet is machine washable for convenience.
Furthermore, the patterns on this activity mat are explicitly designed to adapt to the baby’s visual development changes by featuring simple and complex designs in various colors. This will help promote the growth of your baby’s cognitive skills as they explore and play with their surroundings.
Best Stylish Play Mat: Sweet Jojo Designs Shabby Chic Mat
Made by child development experts from Sweet Jojo Designs, this stylish play mat perfectly blends fashion and function. The soft blush color provides an attractive backdrop to any room, while the padded surface makes it comfortable and safe for babies to play on. The fabric is easy to clean and will stay looking great over time. Perfect for tummy time and later sitting activities, this mat offers just the right cushioning for your baby’s developing joints.
A generous size of 48″ x 46″ provides plenty of room for your little one to move around while they explore their environment. Plus, with its neutral colors, this mat can blend into virtually any nursery or living room setting – making it a great way to keep your sense of style intact!
When is the Perfect Time for My Child to Begin Exploring with a Play Gym?
Starting at as early as two months of age, parents can place their baby safely on their tummy to look around at fun toys and bright colors. Most babies enjoy this experience and get the most out of play gyms from 3 to 6 months when they start exploring movement and taking in their environment.
But, once the baby learns how to crawl (Typically between 6 and 9 months old), many babies outgrow their play mats as they become more mobile and no longer want to stay stationary. However, many babies may still find interest in some of the toys that come with the play gym even past this point.
Final Verdict – Best Baby Play Mats
Play gyms, activities, and mats are excellent ways for babies to develop motor skills and explore their environment. When shopping for baby play mats, make sure it has age-appropriate and safe toys. The 14 best baby gyms, activities & play mats listed above have all been tested and proven by parents who love them. So, you can be sure your baby will have hours of fun and learning with these fantastic products.
Our go-to play mat was the Best Musical Activity Mat: Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play, which kept all our babies happy and entertained.
Happy Tummy Time!
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
