Introducing your baby to tummy time is an essential part of their development, but it’s not always an easy task. If your little one seems resistant to the activity, it may be time to consider additional mat reinforcement to help them progress.
We understand just how busy new parenthood is, so we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best 5 tummy time mats and tummy time toys. Read on to discover the right mat to keep your growing baby interested.
Let us help you make the most of this important milestone in your child’s development with the help of these top-notch products to suit all budgets and keep your baby engaged.
Best Budget Friendly
Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym
With its colorful design, engaging toys, and soft padding, this play mat provides a safe and stimulating environment to help baby enjoy tummy time.
Best Musical
Fisher Price Kick ‘n’ Play
Looking for a fun and interactive way to engage your little one’s senses and help them develop important skills? The Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play Piano Play Gym might be just what you need!
Best Foldable
Tiny Love Meadow Days Play Mat
Versatile, foldable and perfect for on the go exploring. Keep your little one safe at home or on your travels with the Tiny Love Foldable Play Mat.
When Should I Use A Tummy Time Mat?
Child development experts claim that introducing a baby play mat for newborns early on is a great way to encourage your newborn’s development and make tummy time more fun.
While your newborn may not yet interact with the toys, looking at them can be a stimulating activity during their alert times.
As your baby grows, the play mat becomes even more valuable, especially once you introduce tummy time around three months of age. Starting with brief sessions of three to five seconds, twice a day, you can gradually increase the duration as your baby gains greater strength in his or her neck muscles.
The best tummy time mat will be designed to provide a safe and comfortable surface for your little one to play and explore, promoting their physical and cognitive development from an early age.
Benefits of Tummy Time
Tummy time is crucial for your baby’s physical development as it helps them build strength in their neck, shoulders, core and back muscles, which are important for sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking.
It also helps prevent flat spots on the back of their head that can occur from spending too much time lying on their back.
Fine motor skills can develop as your baby grows and begins to reach for those cute detachable toys. Lights and colours can keep baby busy while you enjoy some quiet time to your self.
It’s important to start tummy time early and gradually increase the duration as your baby grows and becomes more comfortable with it.
A baby play mat or plat gym is a great way to promote tummy time from birth. Younger babies love to be close to mom, so just lay close to him. As he grows, baby’s attention will turn to the dangling toys in a play gym or a familiar tummy time toy.
Key Takeaway: Why you need a Tummy Time Play Mat
- Prevent Flat Spots on your baby’s head
- Strengthen your baby’s head, neck and core muscles
- Develop your little one’s fine motor skills
How Can I Make Tummy Time More Enjoyable?
Here are 7 tips to make tummy time more enjoyable for both you and your baby:
- Get down on to the play mat with your baby and make eye contact to encourage them.
- Combine tummy time with skin-to-skin contact for added benefits.
- Move tummy time to different places to give them a new perspective.
- Surround your baby with different textures to stimulate their sense of touch.
- Put interesting objects in front of your baby to capture their attention and aid in their developing vision. A baby play mat is perfect for this.
- Bring your baby’s other toys to tummy time to make it more enjoyable. A play gym with toys that hang above baby’s head can be extra exciting.
- Appeal to all your baby’s senses- talk or sing to your baby during tummy time to comfort and soothe them.
Best Budget-Friendly Tummy Time Mat
Keep Your Baby Safe and Entertained with the Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym!
Looking for a budget-friendly play mat that will keep your little one entertained and safe? Look no further than the Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym! With its colorful design, engaging toys, and soft padding, it’s the perfect way to provide a safe and stimulating environment to encourage baby and help them enjoy tummy time.
Pros
- Stimulating toys: Like all the best baby play mats, the Bright Starts Zig Safari Play Gym comes with a variety of hanging toys, including a plush giraffe, zebra rattle, and crinkle monkey, to keep your baby engaged and encourage hand eye coordination.
- Soft and comfortable: With its plush padding and comfortable surface, this play mat is designed to keep your baby safe in a soft place, happy and comfortable during playtime
- Easy to clean: The mat is machine washable, making it easy to clean up after spills or accidents.
- Portable: The Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym is lightweight and the whole mat folds for easy storage, making it perfect for on-the-go playdates or trips to Grandma’s house.
- Budget-friendly: This play mat is a great value for parents who want to provide a stimulating environment for their baby without breaking the bank.
Cons
- Limited play space: The Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym is not as large as some other baby play mats on the market, which may limit your baby’s range of movement during playtime.
- Toys are not adjustable: Some parents may find that the toys on the play mat are not adjustable, which can make it difficult for babies to reach and play with them.
- Not suitable for older babies: As your baby grows and becomes more active, they may outgrow the Bright Starts Zig Safari Activity Gym and need a larger play space with more interactive features.
Best Musical Activity Mat: Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play
Keep Your Baby Entertained during tummy time Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play Piano Play Gym
Looking for a fun and interactive way to engage your little one’s senses and help them develop important skills? The Fisher-Price Kick ‘n Play Piano Play Gym might be just what you need!
Your little one will love the bright colors and interactive fun. You’ll find your baby loves this baby play mat in no time.
Pros
- Fun and interactive design with colorful toys and a keyboard piano that plays music
- This handy tummy time prop helps promote sensory development, hand-eye coordination, and gross motor skills
- Removable toys can be customized on the toy bar to your baby’s preferences and used for an on-the-go productive tummy time.
- Machine washable, this developmental play gym is easy to clean and care for
- Can be used from birth and up, making it a versatile and long-lasting investment
Cons
- Some parents may find the music and sounds a bit repetitive or loud
- The arches that hold the toys in place can be a bit tricky to assemble at first
- The mat is not as thick or cushioned as some other play mats on the market
Best Foldable: Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat
Make a Comfy Spot For Your Baby Anywhere You Go with the Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat!
Want a versatile, foldable play mat that you can take anywhere? The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat has everything your baby needs to play and explore in safety and comfort, with a variety of engaging toys and a soft, padded surface that folds up for easy transport.
Pros
- Large play space for play time: This play mat is larger than many other portable activity mats on the market, giving your baby plenty of room to crawl, roll, and play for longer periods.
- Stimulating toys: The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat comes with a variety of toys, including a crinkly bird, teether, and mirror, to keep your baby entertained and engaged.
- Easy to clean: The mat is machine-washable, making it easy to wipe clean spills and messes.
- Portable flat mat: With its foldable design and carrying handle, this play mat is easy to take with you on the go, whether you’re visiting family, going on vacation, or just heading to the park.
- Safe and comfortable: The soft, padded surface of the Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat provides a safe and comfortable place for your baby to play and explore
Cons
- Price: This play mat is more expensive than some other tummy time mats on the market.
- Toys are not adjustable: Some parents may find that the toys on the play mat are not adjustable, which can make it difficult for babies to reach and play with them.
- Not suitable for older babies: As your baby grows and becomes more active, they may outgrow the Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat and need a larger play space and a more interactive mat.
Best for Outdoor Play: XdeModa Baby Play Mat
Give Your Baby Space to Grow and Play with XdeModa’s Foldable Play Mat
Finding the perfect play mat for your little one can be a daunting task, but XdeModa’s Foldable baby Mat offers safety, comfort, and entertainment during tummy time. Your baby will be building up those core and neck muscles in no time!
Pros
- Extra-large size: Measuring 71 x 79 inches, this tummy time mat provides plenty of space for your baby to play, crawl, and roll around comfortably.
- Reversible design: With two different designs, your baby will never get bored of the same old mat. Plus, it’s easy to switch up the look whenever you want!
- Waterproof and easy to clean: Spills and messes are inevitable with a baby, but the XdeModa play mat is made from waterproof and stain-resistant materials, making it easy to clean up.
- Safe and non-toxic: The mat is made from high-quality materials that are safe for your baby to play on. It’s also free from BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
- Portable and easy to store: When not in use, the mat can be easily folded up and stored in a compact size, making it ideal for small spaces or on-the-go use.
Cons
- Thinner cushioning: Some users may find that the cushioning is not as thick as they expected, which may not provide as much comfort for babies who are learning to sit or crawl. A prop pillow can help.
- Limited designs: Although the mat is reversible, there are only two designs to choose from, which may not offer as much variety as other baby play mats on the market.
- No accessories included: The mat does not come with any toys or accessories, which may not be ideal for parents who want a more complete playtime setup for their babies.
Best With Lights and Sounds: Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat
Bring Tummy Time to Life with the Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat
The Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat is a fantastic addition to any baby’s tummy time routine. With its colorful design hanging toys, a variety of activities, and comfortable play mat, your little one will have a blast exploring the undersea world.
Pros
- Colorful design: The play mats underwater theme is brought to life with bright colors and engaging sea creature toys that will keep your little one’s attention for hours.
- Interactive activities: Like all the best tummy time baby play mats, this one comeswith toys that squeak, crinkle, and jingle, the Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat provides a variety of sensory experiences to keep your baby engaged and stimulated.
- Soft and comfortable: The plush play mat is soft and comfortable for your little one to lay on, providing a cozy spot for playtime and tummy time
- Portable: The play mat is easy to fold up and take on the go, making it perfect for tummy time at home or on the road.
- Machine washable: The play mat is machine washable, making it easy to clean up after any spills or messes.
Cons
- Limited age range: The play mat is recommended for babies from newborn to 6 months, which means your baby may outgrow it quickly.
- May not fit all spaces: The play mat’s large size may make it difficult to fit in smaller living spaces.
- Price: The Baby Einstein Neptune Under the Sea Play Mat is on the higher end of the price range for play mats, which may not be affordable for all families.
Best Tummy Time Mat and Toys: Final Thoughts
Because the benefits are so well known, it can be frustrating for parents when little ones object to tummy time. However, it doesn’t have to be a difficult time!
Paired with the right baby play mat and a few of their favorite baby toys to encourage your little one, tummy time can be a fun and stimulating activity.
If you know a parent who is struggling to keep their little one engaged during tummy time, we hope you’ll pass this article along!
