What they say:
“A double-sided mat for twice the fun! One side features a high-contrast print in black and white, with hints of red - perfect for catching newborn babies' attention with its fun 'find the red dot' game. The other side has a colourful print, featuring the seven characters from the Baby Sensory 'Say Hello to the Sun' song, and a variety of textures and activities to explore, including with textures, crinkles, mirrors, ribbons, a teether, and peek-a-boo flaps. The "Say Hello" Friends Double-sided Activity Mat is part of the "Say Hello" range of intelligent toys, developed by East Coast with Baby Sensory.”
Tested by mum Claire Hamilton for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this playmat to another mother, myself and my daughter have had lots of fun playing with it. I especially love the fact it has one side that is bright and colourful and one side that is black and white, such a great sensory product. The playmat is made of a soft material so when my daughter was having tummy time on the mat her face was safe and protected. I love the design that has a cloud teething toy for my daughter’s teething and the mirror so my daughter can see her reflection.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product is such a godsend, I set it up and out some cushions around it so my daughter was safe when she rolled over. She loved the mat so much she happily played on the mat whilst I was cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. It kept her happy and she had lots of fun exploring. Such a lovely product to keep her busy for short periods of time.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would definitely choose this product first if I saw it in the shops, it's very bright and colourful and a great unisex toy! It has great features and it's such great value as you basically get 2 playmats for the price of one! We play with one side then turn it over to explore the other side. I love the fact it's multicoloured and not a typical pink or blue playmat and it features a boy and a girl on the front so it's aimed at boys and girls. We love it!
What changes would you make to this product?
The only thing that I would change is perhaps if it had some more lift the flap sections to the mat.
Tested by mum Lisa Merrikin for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this to all my friends and family. The design is brilliant, I love that you can turn it over. It folds up really well. It's small enough that it can easily be placed in my washing machine. It also doesn't take to long to dry. The material is very soft , and my little one loves laying on it.
How did this product make your life easier?
This mat makes my life so much easier, as my little man loves laying on it, he loves rolling from front to back , and has so much fun touching everything on it, he loves rolling on to the squeaker part. When it's on the black and white side he loves looking at, and feeling it.
Would you choose this product to win?
When I was looking for an activity mat for my little man, a lot of them are all the same, whereas this was different. I love that it is bright and colourful with friendly characters on one side and the other is a high contrast black and white with red prints.
What changes would you make to this product?
I can’t find anything bad to say about this, it is brilliant . It's a lot thicker than most mats I've tried which is brilliant for baby when laying down. It has everything you would need, and baby has lots of interesting sensory elements for babies. Even the price is good.
Tested by mum Amy Archer for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Yes I would. I think the product is very easy to use. All you have to do is take it out of the packet. The design is one that can be used for either girl or boy which would make me buy it as it can be put away for future children. It is double sided which makes it more fun for the baby. It’s also wipe clean which makes it very hygenic.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product makes my life eaiser as a mum because I have laminate flooring so this mat gives my baby somewhere soft and comfortable to play. Also the built on toys gave my boy some entertainment whilst I managed to do small jobs. I can also lay my boy on his front to give him tummy time without having to buy spmething separate.
Would you choose this product to win?
The design is very colourful and the toys built on are fun for the baby. The design is also suitable for boys and girls so it can be stored for any future babies. This product is also suitable from birth which makes it good value for money as it can be used for months.
What changes would you make to this product?
The only thing inwould change about this product is to add a few more toys on to the mat as there seems to be none at the bottom end of it. I would put a squeaky toy in it somewhere as well as somewhere to stick the mirror that comes with it on to. I would also make it slightly bigger then 2 babies can sit on it together.
Tested by mum Ellie Parker for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I really like this product as I feel that it is good value for money and there seems to be very few products in this price range with such a good design. My child really liked this product. It folds away well but as I like the design I am happy to leave it out most of the time.
How did this product make your life easier?
Before your child is crawling this perfect, as I feel happy about leaving the baby lying on this mat. It offers good protection for a rolling/ sitting baby with a few pillows. As a baby the high contrast design really grabs your attention and it is something that I do not mind leaving out as it looks very attractive.
Would you choose this product to win?
I think that the price is good and it has everything you need in a mat. Most of all the design is really nice compared to the others mats you can buy.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would love to have some matching pillows for propping up a sitting baby and stopping a rolling baby and perhaps for tummy time. I would like it if the product had Velcro to secure the mat when rolled up and perhaps handles. Overall I think that the product is perfect for the first year and will grow with the baby.
Tested by mum Sam Castle for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
This mat is fabulous for playtime and tummy time with baby. It’s also large enough for more than one baby, which is great! The mat is also quite thick, so it is nice and comfortable and well padded for a baby who is not far from crawling. The mirror is also a great addition, my baby loves mirrors so was an added bonus.
How did this product make your life easier?
This great mat has gone all around the house with us, it is especially helpful in the kitchen. I can lay or sit my little boy on it while I am cooking or cleaning, which keeps him happy and content playing away. The teether cloud has also been a favourite, which is good for a grumpy teething baby!
What changes would you make to this product?
Unfortunately it can’t be washed in the washing machine. I understand with the interactive components of the mat you would not be able to but as a busy mum any product that can go in the washing machine is a bonus! My little boy is quite sickie and dribbly so hand washing the mat needs to be done quite frequently.