An essential guide to choosing a baby playmat

With so many different types of playmats out there, it can be hard to choose. You can probably just select one at random and you and your baby will be satisfied with it — or you can read on to learn more about how playmats differ, and what kinds are available.

Ready to buy a baby playmat? Here’s what you need to know:

As is the case with most consumer goods, there are all different qualities of playmats for sale, and the better quality ones with more features will cost much more. Some playmats are made with organic materials, making them a responsible choice for young babies. Of course, the ones made of only natural materials will be more expensive. But if natural materials are important to you, you’ll want to spend the extra money. Popular playmats typically range from about $10 to $100.

A playmate is literally a mat for a baby to play on, but some of them are so fancy that it’s hard to imagine a baby ever getting bored with it.

• The simplest playmats: They are basically squares or rectangles of cushy materials that a baby can lie on comfortably.
• One step up: This would be the interlocking foam pieces made of either squares, letters, numbers or shapes.
• Even more exciting: Then there are the ones that are soft but form some kind of shape such as a fire engine or animal. They have different textures and maybe even flaps to grab on to. These playmats encourage tummy time and develop your baby’s sensory abilities.
• The most exciting: These are probably the ones that have arcs with toys dangling from them. Babies just love these.

As either an alternative or an additional purchase to a standard playmat, you might want to consider a folding one. It’s the easy way to create a safe, clean space for your baby to play, wherever, whenever. They’re perfect for trips to the park, friends’ houses or anywhere, really. Most foldable playmats even feature a handle and a carrying case for portability.

All playmats are great for keeping infants busy and entertained while parents can tend to other things in the home. Plus, playmats make for a fantastic baby gift.