Play Mat

The Benefits of a Baby Play Mat

There are hundreds of things that you’re going to want to buy for your children over the years, particularly when they are younger and beginning to develop both mentally and physically. An activity mat is a great way to teach your kids motor skills as well as helping them to understand the benefits of expressing their imagination and taking the time to play. There are dozens of different types of play mats for babies, toddlers, and young children that you can find ranging from outdoor play mats to indoor foam play mats. Below are just a few of the reasons as to why you should consider buying one for your home.

A Safe Play Space

One of the main reasons as to why parents start looking for an activity mat is because it gives their children a safe place to play. It can be difficult to watch your kids every second of the day and giving them toys on hardwood floors could lead to bruising and damage all over their body. With the help of a baby activity mat you will have inches of thick and durable material that is soft and offers an ample amount of cushioning for their bodies. You don’t have to worry about choking hazards, as the hanging toys are far too large, the stitching on the mats are reinforced to make the mat stay strong over the years, and all of the added pieces are padded and protected.

Portable and Convenient

You know how difficult it can be to travel with your children, particularly if they’re at the age where they need to be entertained all of the time. A foam play mat is specifically designed to be lightweight and convenient to store so you can bring it absolutely anywhere that you go. Whether it comes apart in one or two pieces or if it can be folded up and thrown into the back of your car, you should be able to bring it from one place to another with ease. This is why most parents choose play mats for babies over any other type of toy.

Great for All Ages

Although you would typically assume that a play mat could be used for babies and toddlers, it’s also important to remember that they are convenient for children of all ages. You can place a variety of toys on the soft surface for older kids to play with and you can also designate the area as their “arts and crafts station” to prevent getting marker, crayon, or even paint on your flooring. They are incredibly versatile and easy for parents to use for their kids over the years, plus, kids of all ages will love having their own unique place to play.

Indoor and Outdoor Use

Depending on the type of material that you find, there are a wide variety of outdoor play mats that can also be used indoors. This is incredibly convenient for families that like spending time in their backyard or that enjoy traveling to parks and other outdoor locations with each other. The durable materials used for outdoor play mats are easy to clean but they also help to ward against dirt and grime so your kids have somewhere clean to lie down and relax.

Visual Stimulation

Although a play mat might give you the ability to offer a fun activity for your children, they are also phenomenal for developmental benefits, one which is stimulating their vision. Between the ages of 0 and 4 months your child will begin to distinguish the difference between colors, shapes, and sounds. You can easily find play mats for babies that have hanging ornaments that play a sound when your child squeezes it a certain way. You’ll also notice that the majority of mats are designed using vibrant and beautiful colors to stimulate their senses.

Developing Core Muscles

You will also be able to find play mats that offer additional supports for behind the head of your child so they can learn to sit up on their own and develop their core muscles. Without being able to learn how to move their limbs and their torso on their own, it can be incredibly difficult for them to be able to sit unassisted. After several months of using their play mat you’ll begin to notice your children will begin doing other movements such as reaching up to the hanging toys or learning to crawl to reach activities that might be on the mat.

Developing Motor Skills

As your children get older, their motor skills are some of the most important skills that they will have. There are many play mats for babies that don’t only offer hanging plushes, but they might have plastic mirrors, hanging items with zippers, and more. Being able to figure out how to unzip a zipper or how to see them in the mirror is a great way for them to develop essential motor skills. You can also consider finding additional hanging toys to add to the existing play mat if you’re interested in changing its design over the years and adding more age appropriate toys that offer even more developmental benefits.

Convenient for Parents

It can be far too difficult to try to buy hundreds of different toys for your kids only to find that they don’t like any of them. An activity mat is so versatile that it offers a comfortable place for your kids to play, a variety of activities to choose from, and toys that are included with the set. There’s nothing more convenient than being able to have such a versatile toy that offers several benefits at the same time. Instead of having to carry around toys, a mat, and neck supports for your child, the activity mat has everything that you could need.

Affordable

It’s also important to note that a baby activity mat is incredibly affordable in comparison to other types of toys that you can find from retailers in your immediate area. On average, parents can spend thousands of dollars on developmental toys that their kids are going to end up destroying or stop using in a limited amount of time. Instead of being forced to put out such a substantial sum of money, you can get a long lasting versatile toy that will keep your children entertained more than ever before.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Most children’s activities will look exactly the same as one another but with the different types of outdoor play mats and indoor mats that you can choose from, you can always find a design that fits perfectly into your child’s personality. Whether you’ve designed their bedroom with an alphabet theme or if you have a blue ocean themed play room, the options are endless. Every parent will have the ability to choose a design that will not only look great in their home, but that will also keep their children entertained.

A play mat is versatile, durable, comfortable, and safe for children of all ages. Whether you need a safe place to let your baby play while you’re reading a book or if you want to make sure that their motor skills develop at the right age, these toys are perfect for young boys and girls. You can bring them with you anywhere you go, easily clean them, and pass them down through the years as they offer resilient materials that are designed to last through several generations. With a variety of styles and designs to choose from, finding the right play mat has never been easier.