What exactly is Playmat?
Think of it like this. You’re a busy mom – or dad – and baby needs a change of scene and a spot of exercise – physical and mental. What do you do? Put baby on a blanket or cushion on the floor next to where you’re working?
Well, you could. But how safe is it? Especially, once baby starts getting ideas about being mobile.
And sure, every room can provide a source of endless fascination. But as soon as hands and mouths start reaching out, you’re asking for trouble.
Cue the baby playmat. A place for baby to play safely without full-time supervision. A vibrant and stimulating learning environment.
Playmats haven’t been around too long, but they’ve proved popular with parents and babies alike. So popular that there are now so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.
Let’s make the task of choosing a little easier by looking at the …show more content…
Different toys are designed to appeal to different age groups.
Older children may love the punch-out letters and numbers you get with some foam tiles. But young babies will be more interested in anything that merely stimulates the senses: mirrors, lights, buzzers, feelies.
As a rule, fabric mats are best suited to young babies, while foam mats are better for older children.
That said, some mats bridge the gap and appeal in different ways as baby grows. This can be a great way to get more life out of your play mat.
The Edushape Play and Sound is a foam play mat that includes a mirrored tile and some musical flowers. The Tiny Love Supermat (above) is a fabric mat that measures a generous 59 x 59 inches – plenty big enough for mobile babies.
Can you wash it?
As any parent knows (and relatives so often forget) you never buy anything for your baby without thinking about how easy it will be to keep clean.
Foam tiles can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and a squirt of disinfectant. Much easier than putting a fabric playmat through the