7 Best Non-Toxic Play Mats for Babies and Kids

Baby mats are PERFECT for tummy time, and they also give a dedicated space for your baby to learn how to crawl, stand up, walk, and eventually run!

It also allows them to relax and strengthen their neck and back muscles!

Organic and non-toxic options are the way to go when it comes to any baby product. Play mats aren’t an exception, so make sure that this baby gear is chemical-free and made of safe materials.

In this list, I narrowed down the best non-toxic play mat options in the market.

All of them are safe, most are large enough for a lot of situations, and some work great for any budget!

Our Top Picks

1. CreamHaus Folding Play Mat

This non-toxic playmat by Cream Haus is a great folding playmat that’s easy to set up, clean, and works great in most situations!

Your little one will be safe on this mat while playing with his or her favorite toys!

What makes this play mat stand out to me is its OEKO-Tex certified food-grade material. This product is rigorously tested to be free from PVC and over a hundred other harmful substances.

This mat is made of low-density polyethylene foam (LDPE), which is one of the SAFEST plastics out there. 

Rest assured that the sturdy foam sheets will sustain any baby impact! 

The outer cover is also made of polyurethane leather which is also safe.

Not to mention, I can EASILY store this mat and have it ready at any moment, saving me TONS of time and space!

I tested it for cleaning, and true enough, the mat is waterproof and easy to clean with a simple damp cloth!

This mat has two size options, and either one is large enough for any baby size. You can also pick from a bunch of simple reversible designs so that’s great!

With all of its great mat features and non-toxic materials, this Cream Haus product is my pick for the best baby mat on this list!

2. Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat

What I love about Pillobebe mats is that they’re made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, making it a completely SAFE and TOXIC-FREE play mat for any baby! 

This eco-friendly option is great because of how soft it is to lie down or sit on. My baby and felt very comfy sitting and playing on it!

This mat is perfect for tummy time but might NOT be ideal for more physical tasks like running and jumping.

Its interior and exterior are made out of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, making it lightweight and easily rollable.

It is also big enough for most baby activities and easily storable for on-the-go playtime!

This organic cotton play mat is convenient to bring around or store in most spaces in your home which is great!

Its certified organic cotton cover is also removable and machine washable, making it convenient to clean.

Another great feature I love is its anti-slip dots at the bottom. These dots gave me peace of mind knowing my baby won’t slip if he gets too excited!

You get to choose between several designs, but what I love are the choices for single padding, double padding, and triple padding.

If you have hardwood floors, I suggest getting the double or triple padding to make sure it’s thick enough to be safe.

3. Bammax Play Mat Folding Baby Crawling Mat

Organic play mats are essential for a safe and developmental environment for babies. Although, some can be too pricey for a lot of budgets. 

Fortunately, I saved quite A LOT with this affordable option that doesn’t disappoint!

This baby mat is made of BPA-free XPE foam material which is non-toxic, safe, odorless, and really soft! 

I really like its large square-ish shape; it’s a perfect play space for babies and kids!

Although, you might have trouble fitting this shape inside a small room.

What I also love about this non-toxic play mat are its designs! You can pick between a giraffe mat and a panda mat which are both reversible, lively, and fun to look at! 

There’s even a height scale integrated into the design, numbers that are scattered around, and different contrasting colors too! 

This makes it a great play mat to stimulate your baby’s cognitive development and senses.

This non-toxic play mat is also waterproof and easy to clean, which just adds to the value of its price. You can simply wipe off any spills using wipes or a wet cloth.

4. Baby Mushroom Baby Bello Organic Play Mat

This organic play mat is a great play surface for kids that pairs well with activity gyms.

This non-toxic baby mat is PLUSHLY padded, making it perfect for your baby to play, crawl, tumble, jump, and even relax!

Even I almost fell asleep on it!

It’s the perfect baby gear to develop your baby’s gross motor skills! 

This play mat also has a machine washable cover made of 100% organic cotton, so that’s great!

The outer layer is also made of waterproof, non-toxic vinyl with a medical-grade stretch knit fabric. It also has sewn seams, making it anti-bacterial and protective from dust mites! 

This easy-to-clean play mat has a non-toxic surface that’s hypoallergenic, free of PVC, phthalates, latex, and BPA.

This foam mat is also plant-based, which means that 33% is made of soybean oils, and the rest is petroleum-based polyurethane foam. 

Plant-based foam is questionable for off-gassing, but this brand swears this play mat is tested free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), so I’ll take their word for it. 

They also claim that it’s free from any flame retardants, so that’s great!

This organic play mat has a square shape with a size of 55 x 55 inches, which is enough space to handle any play activity. 

You can roll this up for easy storage, and its simple design will work great for any room in your household. This is one of the best baby play mats out there!

5. Skip Hop Foam Baby Mat

I am a mom who likes to blend aesthetics and functionality, and this stylish play mat is perfect! 

This product is one of the best baby essentials you can use for your baby’s playtime, as well as a home decor item!

It has a reversible design with one side that looks playful and lively, which is great for stimulating your baby’s visual senses. 

The other side has a modern design that looks wonderful as a home floor mat in any room.

This non-toxic play mat is made of thick and soft cushioned foam that’s perfect for playing and crawling. It’s PVC-free, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and generously sized at 86 x 52 inches. 

I can vouch that this mat is DURABLE and will last a long time, making it perfect for kids AND adults!

This play mat is also waterproof and easily rollable for storage, making it portable as well! 

Although, if you’re planning on using this mat as a home decor item, then you don’t have to roll it at all.

You just have to flip the mat over and you have yourself a modern-looking, organic rug pad that complements your furniture!

6. Baby Care Play Mat Playful Collection

Looking for a colorful play mat that will catch your baby’s attention? Then this non-toxic baby mat is probably what you’re looking for! 

With thousands of great reviews on Amazon, this playmat is loved by a lot of parents — and babies too!

On top of its lively design choices, you also don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals.

It’s BPA-free, EVA-free, phthalate-free, lead-free, latex-free, PVC-free, formaldehyde-free, and mercury-free! 

It has the safety certificaitons that I always look for from US CPSIA, European Toy Standards EN71, and Australian Standard, making it completely non-toxic!

This playmat has a soft cushioned surface that’s perfect for crawling, tumbling, rolling, and falling for any child.

Of course, I have to prevent tripping and falling, but when my baby stumbles, at least no harm done!

It’s also waterproof and easily rollable, and storable! 

Since its fun designs have a lot of things going on, it’s a great tummy mat to stimulate your child’s senses and cognitive development.

You have two size options to choose from, but either option is generously sized to work great for most kids. 

If you’re not a fan of the Baby Care Playful Collection, there are also other Baby Care play mats with simpler and more stylish designs like the Haute Collection!

7. Toki Mats

What makes Toki mats unique for me is their natural latex foam material which is made from the sap of rubber trees. 

It is naturally resistant to mold, bacteria, and mildew and is TRULY non-toxic!

The non-toxic foam properties of natural rubber also give it a supportive and springy feeling, which makes it great at absorbing impact from any child. 

It’s the opposite of what memory foam would feel like.

The outer cover is made from 100% certified organic cotton, so your baby’s skin is safe from any harmful substances.

I don’t have to worry about any PVC, flame retardants, phthalates, or lead from harming my precious one! 

Even though the cotton cover isn’t stain-resistant and waterproof, you can easily remove it and clean it using a washing machine.

Toki’s non-toxic foam play mats are also unique because they’re foldable, but can also be modular. You can easily remove the cover and switch it up with interchangeable designs!

These organic playmats are sized at 40 x 40 inches, which isn’t the biggest size out there.

Although, Toki Mats can still give enough space your baby needs for most infant tasks.

Types of Play Mats

There are a couple of baby mats you would usually see in the market. 

Each of these works great in its own way, but you might want a specific type that’s best for your situation.

#1 Foldable Play Mats

This type of mat can be mistaken for a gymnastics mat because it looks and functions the same way.

What’s great about foldable mats is that they’re easy to set up and pack away. 

Just fold them along the foldable lines and you can easily store them under your couch or lean it against the wall!

You also don’t have to worry about any creases or deformities, so that’s a plus.

#2 Modular Play Mats

Modular play mats are made to easily fit in any corner or space of a room.

These play mats for babies are divided into several pieces that you can slide together to form one big baby play mat. 

If these baby mats are too big when they’re combined, then you can easily break them apart and set aside excess pieces!

#3 Rolling Play Mats

Rolling play mats are just as easy to set up and pack away. Some moms might find rolling mats a hassle, but these traditional play mats could also be more convenient for others. 

You can quickly unroll this mat and your baby will be ready for playtime in no time!

There’s also a tendency for rolls to affect the shape of the mat and cause deformities. 

Although, most of the options listed above are made of high-quality materials that don’t crease easily, so this isn’t a worrisome problem.

What to Look for When Buying the Best Non Toxic Play Mats

Baby play mats are a great baby gear item, but there are a couple of characteristics you should keep in mind before you buy one. 

Make sure to double-check these mat features to know which of the baby products listed above are the right play mats for you!

Materials

This is the most important characteristic you should keep in mind when it comes to playmats. 

Your precious one will be spending HOURS on these play mats every week, so you have to ensure they’re CHEMICAL-FREE as much as possible!

Some of the harmful chemicals and materials you should avoid are:

• EVA foam mats
• Polyurethane foam
• Plant-based foam
• PVC play mats
• BPA/BPS
• Phthalates
• Lead
• Heavy metals
• VOCs

Some of these foam materials go through chemical processes that make use of other toxic chemicals too like formamide and chemical flame retardants.

All these chemicals are a big no-no, so avoid them at all costs!

EVA foam is probably something you’ve seen from a lot of older play mats, but it turns out that the safety of EVA foam mats is questionable. 

When manufacturing EVA foam play mats, formamide is usually included in the process.

In certain doses, formamide has been classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic, so I advise you to steer clear of this as much as you can.

PARENTING TIP: A quick way to choose safe play mats is to check if they have safety certifications like GOTS or Oeko Tex.

Certifications

One surefire way to ensure the safety of a play mat is with official certifications.

Some of these certifications include GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-Tex, and GREENGUARD Gold.

These seals show that a product has been tested for harmful chemicals and has undergone (and passed) standard safety guidelines, making them safe to use for babies.

Size and Thickness

It’s important to go for a mat that’s BIG ENOUGH for your baby, especially if they’re going to be walking and crawling all over it. Make sure your baby is wearing proper knee protection!

I suggest going for the largest size possible for whatever fits the room.

The thickness is also something you should take note of. Your baby will be all over these non-toxic play mats.

Ensure that they’re on a playmat that’s thick enough to absorb any impact! 

Hardwood floors can be dangerous if you have a baby out and about, so super thick play mats will work best! They’ll also function well when used with a non-toxic baby play yard.

Easy to Clean

Babies can be messy, I’m sure all moms can agree with this one! 

Even though a lot of these non-toxic baby play mats have a waterproof protective layer or are stain-resistant, you still want to get a baby mat you can easily clean.

Most organic and non-toxic mats are easy to clean! You just have to wipe the baby mat with a damp cloth and that should be enough. 

Some play mats have machine washable covers you can easily remove and clean, so that’s convenient too!

Durability

Since your baby will be using this play mat a lot, you want one that will LAST LONG and withstand wear and tear.

Some play mats are also machine-washable, so makes sure the mat of your choice can retain its shape and durability after several washes.

Price/Warranty

Lastly, since parents have so much expenses already, assess your finances before buying a play mat.

After buying all your necessities, check if you have enough for an affordable, but still safe, play mat for your baby.

Additionally, double-check if their is a warranty policy to ensure that any damages are covered.

How Do You Disinfect and Clean a Baby Play Mat?

Baby mats can attract a bunch of dirt, grime, food stains, and all sorts of messes.

Sometimes, cleaning it won’t be enough — you’ll have to thoroughly disinfect it too.

After wiping it down with non-toxic wipes or dampened cloths, you can use disinfecting wipes to thoroughly kill any lingering bacteria and germs.

HOWEVER, don’t start your tummy time or play time right after disinfecting. Give it a little time first, about 30 minutes or so, before allowing your baby to lie down on it.

I recommend disinfecting the play mat once tummy time or playtime is finished.

With that, you can just set it aside and store it without worrying about exposing your baby to toxic substances from the disinfecting wipes.

For play mats with machine-washable covers, it’s a lot simpler. Just let it go through the washing machine, and you should be good!

You can take the extra step of bleaching the covers, but ONLY if the play mat’s cleaning instructions allow it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s some extra information that will help you search for the best play mat!

What Are Non-Toxic Play Mats Made of?

Non-toxic mats are made of safe materials such as:

• Organic cotton
• Low-density polyethylene foam
• Food-grade EVA foam

These mats are also FREE from harmful chemicals that are unsafe for your baby.

How Can I Ensure a Play Mat is Truly Non-Toxic?

One way ensure the safety of a play mat is to look for official certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-Tex, and CPSIA.

These seals assure you that the mats themselves have been tested for chemicals and are declared SAFE to use!

Are All Non-Toxic Play Mats Eco-friendly?

No, not all mats are eco-friendly.

While there are some that are safe and environmentally-friendly, others are made with chemicals and other things unsuitable for babies.

Look for the ones made from organic cotton and other safe materials!

Why Are Non-Toxic Play Mats Important for Babies and Kids?

Non-toxic play mats are important since your baby spends A LOT of time playing, sleeping, and so on.

With all this contact, you want to assure that the mats are safe and free of toxins that can impede your baby’s natural development.

What Are the Benefits of a Non-Toxic Play Mat?

A toxin-free play mat means your baby can play and learn different skills SAFELY!

It ensures that they are in a chemical-free environment and that nothing will cause them any harm or sickness.

Conclusion

The CreamHaus Folding Play Mat is one of the best non-toxic play mats on the market, and it’s my top pick for a good reason.

Made from a reliable US brand with safe and high-quality materials, this non-toxic play mat does everything right! Even though it’s pricier than other play mats on this list, it definitely delivers great value for its price tag!

The Pillobebe Organic Cotton Play Mat is another wonderful product I recommend!

Its 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton structure makes it one of the best and safest non-toxic play mats for the comfort and relaxation of your little ones!

Any mom would want to lie down on this baby play mat, and it’s a great cuddle play mat for the hubby, wife, and baby too!

When it comes to affordable non-toxic play mats for babies, the Bammax Play Mat Folding Baby Mat is my top pick.

For its price point, you’ll be getting everything you need from a great baby play mat! It can be a great play area for any baby activity, and it’s easy to store which is great for any mommy!

Once you choose the best non-toxic playmat for you, check out a good non-toxic baby activity gym you can pair it with.