Best baby play mats and gyms: Tried and tested by mums and babies

Designed to ignite their imagination, this play mat boasts plush details and a cosy crescent moon pillow, perfect for tummy-time adventures. Suspended above are five adorable nocturnal friends, encouraging exploration and interaction, while the removable shooting star mirror aids in developing self-recognition – a celestial journey of discovery for your baby. One parent reviewer's little one loves it! She says, "The plushies are favourites, and she's started playing with the cushion. Well worth the money." Parents praised its durability and engaging features and loved its robust construction and captivating design. The parent reviewer said, "We've had this since our daughter was three months old (she is now nearly six months), and she loves it. There's plenty to do, and it is very robust - which is just as well."

Another mum reviewer describes the play mat as beautiful and likes how easy it is to clean (it's machine washable). She said it was safe to use in the early months too. Unfortunately, one downside to this product is that the batteries are not replaceable. The mum thought that a toy with this kind of price tag should last long enough for two children less than two years apart to enjoy it. She says, "Such a shame that my second child won't be able to enjoy the musical aspect of this toy." Another mum was torn about purchasing this considering the price, but said you do truly get what you pay for in terms of quality, describing the mat as very well padded and the moon design as lovely and soft. However, another mum says the teether itself was starting to come off in bits, so they had to remove it.

This is a game-changer in the world of playmats! This innovative design offers more than just a soft surface for playtime; it's also reversible, doubling its functionality and longevity. Suitable for children from two to six years old, it comes with a pack of flashcards and an interactive app, adding a unique and engaging element to playtime.

Our Product and Lifestyle writer Samantha raves about this product, saying, "I absolutely love this playmat!" She describes how it has become a beloved part of her children's morning routine. Instead of reaching for the TV remote, her kids eagerly gravitate towards the mat, where they spend hours immersed in imaginative play. From the ease of cleaning (a lifesaver with two kids, says Samantha) to the comfortable surface, making it ideal for kneeling, laying, or sitting, it's great for letting children's creativity flourish!

Our mum tester said, "From an educational point of view, I think it ticks a lot of boxes that other playmats don’t, and children are not limited to how they interact with the mat, and as they get older they can play different games with the cards." She does wish the cards were made from a thicker or more durable material though, saying, "they are quite easy to bend, and they aren’t waterproof like the mat, so if any spillages happen they wouldn’t be protected." She also points out that the mat is quite heavy and bulky to store, so it's best to keep it out and the reversible nature of the mat makes it more functional for this, too, but the size and weight make it less easy to clean. The product is a bit on the pricey side, but the patterned side extends the life of this playmat, making it better value for money, she says.

Read our full Rock Stepper Playmat review

Elevate playtime to a musical extravaganza with the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym! Boasting five light-up piano keys, this gym is perfect for nurturing your little one's musical talents from infancy to toddlerhood. Whether they're lying down, enjoying tummy time, or sitting up at the piano, the music and learning experiences evolve with them. As described by our testers, there's a lot to stimulate short attention spans and aid baby development.

Mum tester Ellie was blown away by the play gym, saying, "Wow, what can I say! This playmat is a REVELATION! Within the first 15 minutes of play, Ayla taught herself to roll over because she was amazed by all the colours of the mat; we couldn’t quite believe our eyes. "Ellie loved that they were all soft play toys but with different textures hanging down above. As she says, previous ones have been hard material that her little one could potentially hurt herself on. They also loved the piano that teaches animal sounds while making her little one Ayla aware of her feet playing the keyboard, and said, "I’ve never seen her so excited to play every time I lay her down! I will 100% be recommending it to all of my mummy friends."

You can adjust the content to suit your baby's age and developmental stage, while real piano notes inspire creativity. One mum notes how her daughter's development has flourished with this gym, and says "She grabs, laughs, rolls, just loves to sit so much", and our mum tester Emily thinks the piano is a great addition to the conventional design, especially with the position of the piano being flexible and easy to change. Little ones can either kick at it while lying down or reach the keys with their hands once they can sit upright. Emily also likes that it folds away neatly for easy storage.

The only downsides compared to some of the other products are that the range of hanging toys is limited, and the toy may be quite expensive for parents on a lower budget. However, with it being such a good size and having plenty of featured play options, the gym is likely to last a long time, and it's designed specially to accompany your little one through all the developmental phases that babies will go through in a year. We think this makes it a pretty good value for money over toys that babies will grow out of more quickly.

Read our full Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym review.

While it may lean towards the pricier side, parents rave about its creativity, featuring charming fireflies that light up with a gentle touch and an endearing wigwam design that complements any nursery decor. One mum reviewer says, "I have to say it has been a fab purchase for us. My baby stares lovingly at the fox and owl and smiles and giggles at them."

With over 17 developmental activities, this mat accompanies your baby through all their major milestones, from lay and play to sitting up. This mum says her 13-and-a-half-weeks-old baby has learnt to swipe at the little cloud handle and can now grab it! She says it'll take him a little longer to start pulling it, of course!

This play mat doesn't have as many features as some others on the market. However, it is still a great gift to add to your baby's wish list with heaps of story-time appeal. This mum's tot loved interacting with the mat's adorable fox and owl characters. ​Parents think it's perfect for tummy time as well, as it drops down and will continue to entertain babies when they can sit up. "I have taken off the hedgehog and attached it to his bouncer," says Mum, "so detachable toys are another plus."

**This play gym was Shortlisted for the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Baby Toy.
**
Meticulously crafted to nurture babies' cognitive, emotional, and physical development this play gym has been designed with expertise, incorporating warm, calming colours that gently stimulate baby's senses, creating a serene and engaging environment. Parents love the stylish design too – Not only does the neutral, earthy design help to soothe and entertain the baby, but it also adds a touch of elegance to any home decor!

Our tester and first-time mum Louise said, "This product is not only beautiful to look at and looks fab in his nursery, but it also entertains him. I love watching him talk to the koala bear and hold the monkey's hand while snacking on the rattle." Mum tester Roseanne also thinks this play mat is much more aesthetically pleasing than other baby gyms due to its neutral colour scheme and feels it has a good variety of sensory features. However, she says her baby responds better to play mats that are more brightly coloured and keep her little one stimulated for longer than this one, although she says it did entertain him for a while due to the large variety of sensory elements there are to explore. Mum tester Emma quite likes the more neutral colour scheme, saying it allows baby to engage in play without overstimulation and is stylish enough that you are able to leave it out when not in use.

Louise explains that as a first-time mum, it's hard to find products that hold your baby's attention. She says, "I bought another play mat, and he is not interested in it." With over 20 interactive features, including a plush detachable Koala doll, natural wood gripping rings, and a dream catcher mirror, it offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Louise loved how this play gym complemented their baby's nursery, but also how her little one interacted with the koala bear, grasping the monkey's hand and enjoying the soothing sounds of the rattle provided hours of entertainment. Roseanne points out that the sloth toy, once tapped, only plays music for a second or two, so this may be more suited to slightly older babies with better attention spans who can target the toy well enough to keep tapping to make the music play more continuously.

One thing to keep in mind is that this play mat is quite large and may take up a lot of space in the room. However, our mum tester Claire likes that it's lovely and large, providing somewhere safe for the little one to develop and explore. She also says the mat is well-cushioned and can be used on any floor, so no need to worry about ensuring it is placed on a thick carpet or rug when out and about.

Read our full Tiny Love Luxe Developmental Gymini review.

With adjustable walls to contain playtime chaos and transform it into a ball pit for toddlers, this gym adapts to your child's developmental stages, providing years of entertainment. Our parent tester and mum, Jodie, loved the bright colours, saying it was very child-friendly, saying, "The product has a good range of accessories that are sensory driven for small children - mirror, crinkle clip on the toy, etc. my child enjoyed playing with these." Jodies also liked that the product was easy to assemble and pack away, saying it was easy to take to her parents for the weekend. She also said, "The bag to put the balls in is really helpful. Although you can only pack away one ball at a time through the slot."

Another mum reviewer says they love it, and their little one loves it too! "We have had non-stop compliments of the play mat from friends and family", they said, and they love the fact that it is a unisex design – perfect if you want to have more kids and re-use old toys because it won't matter what gender they are. This mum admits that the play mat may seem like it's a lot of money, but says she thinks it's a bargain for its 5-in-1 functionality and engaging toys. Featuring an electric toucan that serenades with over 20 minutes of melodies, a soft elephant, and a playful monkey bead chaser, it's a jungle-themed paradise for little ones.

The leaf-shaped teethers add to the sensory exploration, and the ball pit is great for when the baby gets a bit older. One reviewer says "I really like this baby gym. Initially, we used it as a flat activity mat, but my son began rolling over and crawling early, so it's been useful to have sides that can go up and down so that he can't escape easily." She has also used a few of the plastic toys in a paddling pool during the hot weather, which she says was nice as they didn't have to buy additional bath toys. Our mum tester, Jodie, had a slightly different experience, saying, "The sides of the product when you assemble the ball pit are not particularly sturdy, and my baby ended up just rolling over them."

One thing to be aware of is that the mat isn't very soft at all, according to one review. The mum says they have put a blanket in it to lay the baby on and even bought foam flooring to go underneath so she is more comfortable. If you have hard flooring, you may want to think about purchasing it. Also, another reviewer noticed that the canopy that attaches to the mat is a bit fiddly, but they have resolved to just leave this on rather than dismantle the toy. If you plan to keep it out in your baby's nursery, this won't be an issue for you, though. Our mum tester Jodie pointed out; "The elephant on top - I struggled to put this on. I wanted to ensure it was on safely because it's quite heavy, and I didn’t want it to be easily pulled down by Atlas, but the instructions didn't have any info on how to attach."

A cute baby gym from a brand you can trust — Freddie the Firefly from Lamaze featured on our best baby toys list, and this mat is just as great. The versatile 3-in-1 gym is packed with features to support your baby's development, making it perfect for tummy time and beyond. One mum reviewer said, "When this first arrived, I wasn't impressed - but it turned out to be one of the best things I bought for my newborn."

With three detachable toys for on-the-go fun, it offers convenience and entertainment wherever you go. The bright colours and engaging design captivate babies' attention, while the large discovery mirror sparks curiosity and self-awareness. One mum reviewer loved how easy the detachable frame was, allowing for easy placement anywhere, and the portable toys that fit conveniently in pockets or purses for emergency distractions.

Some parents may feel this mat isn't as padded and that it comes with fewer toys than others on the market. Plus, the slightly smaller and more compact size than other baby gyms means less space for movement. However, this doesn't put parents off at all! One reviewer says, "Size-wise, it's ideal. Not too big and bulky and easy to slide under the sofa or behind it when not in use." With its handy and compact design, Freddie the Firefly Gym is a must-have for parents seeking both convenience and developmental support for their little ones. Another mum found the tummy time pillow to be unsuitable as it kept slipping when her baby wriggled, but she simply decided not to use it.

The Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini was the Bronze winner in the M&B Awards 2019 Best Baby Toy category.

This versatile and engaging space for your little one is great for developing their exploration and developmental skills. Featuring adjustable, moving arches, this play mat evolves with your baby from day one, transporting them to colourful meadows with its delightful design, which is why some mums love it, with one reviewer saying it's one of the reasons they chose it, knowing it'd be up in her living room for months.

Discover the peek-a-boo tree and enjoy the musical tunes of Emilia the Bird while stimulating fine and gross motor skills with dangling toys, lights, and music. What sets this gym apart is its ability to record personalised messages for your baby, adding a special touch to playtime. Our mum tester Joanne said, "The fact that you can record your own message/music into the owl is a lovely idea", and mum tester Victoria said, "I would recommend this product as it's such good quality and has so many different toys on it. It suits all development milestones, and you can customise it by moving the arches to suit the baby's age. "

Our mum testers loved how easy it was to store this play gym away as well as how easy it is to wash and dry, ensuring the mat is always ready for your baby's next adventure. One mum reviewer said they tend to just leave theirs up because it is used daily, but agreed it does fold well for storage. She also said she found it was a bit fiddly to fasten the arches down with the poppers the first time they put it up but that it did get easier subsequent times.

Read our full Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini review.

2021 Gold Mother&Baby Awards Winner in the Best Baby Toy category.
Not only is it functional, but the stylish design of this play mat also adds a touch of elegance to any home decor. Our mum tester Gabriella Challis says, "I absolutely would recommend the Magical Tales Black & White Gymini to any other Mums. It is unisex with its design and folds up easily if you want to store it away. We use it every day, so we don't bother folding it away as it's a beautiful design, it doesn't look like an eye sore in the front room!"

With its striking contrasting colours and an array of engaging features, including a mirror for extended tummy time, a baby-activated musical toy, and a soothing wind chime, this Gymini stimulates your baby's curiosity and encourages exploration from day one. The adjustable play arches and movable toys create a customisable environment tailored to your baby's preferences, fostering parent-child bonding along the way. Our mum tester, Siobhan Andrews, says, "The toys hang low enough, so it is great for my baby to play. He can easily reach them, and it keeps him occupied for a decent amount of time so I can get on with housework, etc. I know he is safe on the play mat if I am not always in the room so I can relax knowing he is happy having a kick about and being stimulated."

Our mum testers also loved how easy it was to store and wash, finding that it maintained its quality, showcasing its durability and practicality. Gabriella says, "We have washed the Magical Tales Black & White Gymini due to our baby having reflux, and it has washed/dried out brilliantly." Mum tester Fiona Cheong-See is happy to recommend the product; however, she does say that compared to other play mats out there, this one is a little bit pricey. She does love the design, though, and says it's made with good materials. She also likes that it's very lightweight and easy to pack up and store away. One thing to keep in mind if you have wooden or tile floors is that because it's so lightweight, it may move easily if you have an active baby. You can always get rubber rug grips for the bottom or use it on the carpet instead, though.

Read our full Tiny Love Magical Tales Black & White Gymini review.

Shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Baby Toy.

This play gym from Little Green Sheep is made from natural Birch wood and hand-finished with oil. If you want a sustainable, natural wooden playmat for your baby, then this is a wonderful choice. However, one thing to be aware of is that this play mat doesn't actually come with a mat; it is just the frame. Our mum tester, Ruth Carmichael, says, "This product was a fantastic addition to our toy collection. Our baby was so in love with it that she would play with it a lot longer than most of her other toys allowing us to do simple tasks around the house a lot easier like pop the dinner on, put a wash on, hoover the floor, we felt this product really did make life easier."

The toys are detachable and made from organic cotton and wood, safe for your little one to bat away and chew. The baby gym pictured is the curved safari theme, but you can also get it with straight legs, and other themes include Ocean Whale, Bunny Love and Bear Love. Some busy parents may not enjoy the inconvenience of not being able to pop the soft toys in the washing machine and dryer, but we really like that you can hand wash the cotton charm toys and wipe clean the wooden ones. If you're worried about hygiene, maybe you could only detach the wooden toys to allow the baby to handle and chew on them as natural teethers, and leave the soft toys hanging so they are less likely to get covered in drool or get dirty too quickly.

Another thing to be aware of is that the lifespan of this baby gym may be shorter than others. Our mum tester Michelle Campbell says, "It is a lovely, very well-made toy which I am sure would entertain a small baby. Unfortunately, by the time I received the product, my baby was already crawling, so I got limited use out of it! But he really liked the rattling teether toy, which is useful for attaching to straps of the buggy/car seat and chewing on as he is teething."

Read our full The Little Green Sheep Group Wooden Baby Play Gym review.

If you're looking for a nice big padded play mat for little ones to spread out and explore on, the Fold & Go Giant Discovery Mat by Infantino could be the one! It offers over two square metres of extra thick mat with built-in activities and a gorgeous contrasting colour design. Our mum tester Rosie liked the size for her seven-month-old son Eli, saying, "It’s been a great mat for tummy time, there are lots of different textures and things he wants to reach for, it's comfortable and a really generous size, maybe not great for those with smaller homes." Another buyer also commented on the size, saying, "It’s really big, so it covers a good area but folds up to a good size to pack away." - So we think it could be a good play mat to take with you when you go away!

The mat provides a safe, soft space for tummy time, with a large mirror and multi-textured fabrics for early sensory interaction and fun, plus four cute animal friends. And the extra large size means there's enough room for your tot to take their first steps with plenty of padding for tumbles, although one reviewer commented: "Not thick enough to provide soft cushioning on the hard floor but perfect over the carpet." Our mum tester Rosie, however, was happy with the padding, saying, "The comfort of it is great; it’s nice and padded, even on hard floors or the patio. Eli was happy to be on it."

We like that the mat is machine washable for your convenience, and some customers have commented on the fact that it washes well and is easy to wipe clean, although our mum tester Rosie didn't think so, saying, "I’ve used it on the patio as well, but as the back isn’t that wipeable I’ve avoided putting it on grass and stuck to using my cheaper more plastic-y playmat for that." - So this is something to think about if you're looking for a mat for outdoor use. Rosie adds, "While all the textures are great, the surface of the mat isn’t easy to wipe up messes – you can put it in the washing machine, but it is quite a big mat, so if you don’t have a large washing machine it might not fit."

If you're looking for a large play mat that helps to keep your space tidy, this Foldable Soft Foam Mat by Infantino has a useful feature - the sides fold up and fasten to create a contained play space, meaning toys won't roll and spread out all over the room, they'll stay within the mat. The soft and durable foam is designed to fold so that you can store the mat away in its storage bag - also ideal for taking it on the go. We love that this mat is reversible, so you can change the look according to your room, from child-friendly to stylish.

Our dad tester Jordan says this mat folds down really easily, and he loved that it has the choice of two different sides. He says, "It is rather big when unfolded, which is great for playtime, and having the more muted side means I can flip it over but leave it out in the living room if I don’t fancy putting it away, and it's not too in your face." He also said the padding on the mat is lovely, soft, and most importantly - wipeable! He confirmed: "No stains, no need to wash, so very happy with that."

One happy customer in a review said, "This is my 4th baby, so I’ve been through a lot of playmats. This one is perfect in every way. It’s lightweight, portable, easy to clean, padded, fits perfectly in a 50x50 playpen, makes the perfect ball pit, and you can’t beat the price. Checks all my boxes. I would give it 100 stars if I could." Keep in mind that the mat is designed to contain toys and not babies – one reviewer points out: "I love that this folds up on the sides it helps keep all the toys contained. My son just learned how to roll and roll out of this."

There's no way your baby could get bored lying on their back with the Infantino 7-in-1 Kick N Keys Musical Piano Activity Gym! It's a soft play space that has everything needed to keep the little ones entertained – from the featured musical piano to a tummy-time bolster, seat position, and plenty of hanging toys to keep them engaged.

We like that the take-along piano can be taken with you to use anywhere, whether you're going in the car or just moving to a different room and don't want to take the whole play gym. It's feature-packed too, with 7 melodies, 21 fun sounds, and even a composer. there's also plenty to encourage little ones to move around as they grow, with the gym specially designed to adapt to your baby's physical development from day one – meaning it's suitable for newborns, too!

Our mum tester Joanna Ames says there's a lot to like about this baby gym. "It's a clever design - compact but with an impressive number of elements that encourages you to look forward to the next stage of your baby's development", she says, describing it as a useful place for baby to lie flat and be entertained, for example, when you have to wash your hands after a nappy change! Joanna liked that the pillow for tummy time is nice and small, as she finds bolsters too high. "The keyboard is a real winner", she says, "my baby has been hitting the keys with her legs from a really young age, and it is hopefully encouraging her to recognise that those limbs belong to her! It'll also be fun as she gets older and engages with some of the more complex features using her hands." Joanna's four-year-old even took a liking to the piano, and she had to retrieve it from his bedroom!

Joanna wasn't as impressed with the hanging toys, however, saying she's seen better in terms of colour and contrast. She was also concerned that the gym was only wiped clean. Overall, as a parent of a 10-week-old she was still impressed with the gym because it's so versatile and encourages her to think ahead at all the fun to be had.

Crafted with longevity in mind, this play mat features a sturdy framework with two contour bars, allowing for easy attachment of various hanging pieces. One mum agrees it's well made with good quality materials, saying, "It's a great product with no small parts, so no choking hazards." Another parent said, "It’s beautiful, well made, large floor space, with good padding", however, a different reviewer was disappointed as the mat wasn't as thick as they expected – if this is the case you may want to use the mat on a soft surface like carpet.

Among the hanging pieces is a mirrored plastic piece placed directly above the baby, offering delightful self-discovery moments. The hoops for connection are easy to use too. A reviewer shares that their grand-daughter loves it and gets so excited with all the other colourful things she sees and touches, saying, "It's easy to use, lightweight and great fun" Another mum whose little one is two months old and loves the play mat, says, "We can even hang her pram toys on it, little diva loves to stare at herself! Never seen her so happy I would definitely recommend!"

Designed to accommodate growth, this play mat will remain a cherished companion for quite a while, thanks to its durable construction. One mum loves it for her daughter, saying, "There's nothing to hurt her if she pulls the structure with the toys provided, it's soft, strong and bounces back into position." However, some parents have found the arches can easily pop out. With this in mind, we think that extra care and supervision may be needed.

With a soft cushion insert that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and manageability, your baby will feel cosy during playtime without feeling overwhelmed. One reviewer says that having two covers is useful and they like the cushion for tummy time. The mat comes with not just one but two easy-to-wash covers, ensuring convenience for busy parents. Some of the more sturdy toys are also easy to clean, which parents really appreciate.