Baby Playmats

Before your baby can sit, roll or crawl, the floor is where everything happens. A baby playmat turns that floor into somewhere soft and clean to put them down, which matters enormously on the days when you just need both hands free for ten minutes. It's usually one of the first things that gives you a little breathing room.

Tummy Time Without the Tears

Tummy time is one of those things everyone tells you to do, and nobody warns you your baby might hate. If yours protests after about thirty seconds, you're in very good company, and it does get easier. A padded playmat helps more than you'd expect. 

A firm, cushioned surface gives your baby something to push against, and a raised pillow or bolster takes some of the strain off their neck in those first weeks. Start with a minute or two after a nappy change, get down on the floor at their eye level so they've got your face to look at, and build up from there. Most babies come around once they work out there's something worth seeing.

Which Mat Suits Which Stage

Newborn mats are about comfort and contrast, with simple bold patterns and a soft surface for short stretches. Activity playmats with overhead arches come next, holding toys within batting distance to encourage reaching and rolling, usually from around three months. 

Larger play rugs take over once your baby is mobile, covering enough floor for crawling and later for sitting up and building things. Picnic rugs are their own thing, with a waterproof backing for the park, the beach or the back lawn, and they roll up small enough to live permanently in the boot. Plenty of families end up with two, one that stays in the lounge room and one that travels.

Choosing a Playmat You'll Be Happy to Look At

This one's going to live in your main living space, and you'll be seeing it every day, so it's worth liking it. Padding is the first practical question, because a thin mat on floorboards isn't giving your baby much. A machine washable cover saves you a great deal of grief once solids start, and they will. 

Measure the space rather than guessing at size, since a mat that suits a newborn gets outgrown quickly and a bigger one simply lasts longer. Then there's the look. Bold, simple prints are the ones babies respond to, and muted tones sit more comfortably in a room the adults use too. Both can be true in the same mat, which is where the better designs earn their price.

The Brands We Carry

Mamas & Papas makes playmats and gyms as matched sets, so the arch and the mat are designed to work together rather than borrowed from each other.Little Dutch brings the Dutch illustration style, with activity mats that look like something you'd choose for the room. 

Tiny Love has been building developmental play into mats for decades and sizes them generously.Clevamama covers the newborn tummy time end with practical, washable designs, andIZIMINI handles outdoors with waterproof-backed picnic rugs in a range of prints. These are just some of the brands we carry.

Building Out Playtime

A mat is where floor play starts, and the rest tends to gather around it. An arch overhead gives your baby something to reach for, a few well-chosen toys go further than a basket full, and once they're crawling, you'll want to think about where the boundaries are. 

Playmats also make lovely baby shower presents, which is worth mentioning if someone's asked you what to put on the registry. Browse our full range of baby playtime gear, or start with these:

• Activity Gyms
• Playmats & Playpens
• Bouncers & Rockers
• Activity Centres & Walkers
• Activity Toys
• Comforters
• Baby Rattles
• Baby Shower Gifts

Every order is delivered Australia-wide, and you're always welcome to come and feel the difference between mats in person at ourAlexandria orMiranda stores.