Today I round up a list of the best rugs for babies to crawl on. The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat leads the pack. It’s more than a safe area for your little one to practice their crawling skills. The stimulating textures, bright colors, and engaging graphics encourage motor skill development.
At around 6 months, your baby will ditch the crib and start spending more time on the floor. They’ll learn how to crawl and after that how to talk e.g. using a walker. You’ll need a comfortable and safe place for them to do so. A baby rug or play mat will come in handy. You need to know what makes a rug safe and how to pick the correct one. I’m here to help you do just that.
- My Top Picks for Best Baby Rugs for Babies to Crawl On
- How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Baby to Crawl On
- Best Overall – Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat
- Best Value – Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling
- Most Baby Safe – Banmax Play Mat
- Most Versatile – V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat
- Best Design – Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
My Top Picks for Best Baby Rugs for Babies to Crawl On
- Best Overall – Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat
- Best Value – Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling
- Most Baby Safe – Banmax Play Mat
- Most Versatile- V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat
- Best Design – Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat
How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Baby to Crawl On
Picking a baby rug sounds simple enough. But it’s more than simply picking the first brightly colored rug that catches your eye. Yes, aesthetics are important. You want a rug that compliments your baby’s room and is engaging enough to stimulate your baby’s senses. But, there are other factors to consider such as the fabric type and your baby’s sensitivity to certain materials.
Also, manufacturers certainly won’t make your decision-making process easy for you. There are countless play mats on the market with the next one you see seemingly appearing even better than the last. That’s why I’ve created this buyer’s guide to help you choose the best possible rug for your baby’s needs. I don’t want you to make a purchase you’ll regret after a couple of months.
What is a Baby Rug?
A baby rug is normally a padded cover you place on the floor with the aim of providing a safe place for your little one to play on.
Earlier on, I mentioned a baby rug will come in handy once your little one starts to crawl. But I’d like to point out you don’t need to wait 6 months to purchase one. In fact, this multifunctional playmat will prove to be useful from the minute you bring your child from the hospital.
You can use it to encourage tummy time for your little one as outlined in this video.
Some pediatricians recommend your baby starts tummy time the very day you bring her home. As you know, the process is necessary to strengthen muscles which they’ll use to eventually learn how to lift their head up, sit and crawl.
Even after your child has mastered tummy time and crawling, you’ll still need the rug as they grow older. Baby rugs can be used as educational board games for your toddlers. Educational board games help babies as young as 2 years old with general brain development and help increase frustration tolerance levels.
What Are the Benefits of Baby Rugs?
A baby rug is more than just a mat that’ll cushion your little one against a fall. Depending on the type you pick a baby rug encourages the following:
- Cognitive development: Babies love to explore. A baby rug stimulates your baby’s brain and senses making them aware of the world around them.
- Visual development: Crawling or playing on the mat helps develop your child’s vision as well as hand and eye coordination.
- Intellectual development: As your child gets older, depending on the buy, you can use it to teach them how to identify colors, numbers, and letters.
- Gross motor development; By crawling continuously, the process helps your child strengthen their core muscles. This, in turn, aids gross motor development which is crucial when your little one is learning how to stand or walk.
- Bonding: Baby rugs encourage quality bonding time between you and your child by enabling fun ways of interacting.
What Makes a Baby Rug Safe for Babies?
A safe rug is one made of safe materials. By safe materials I mean those free from harmful industrial chemicals, substances, allergens, or funny chemical odors.
Also, when looking for a rug that is safe for your baby, consider your little one’s sensitivity to fabrics. The wrong fabric can end up burning your child’s face, knees, or torso while crawling. In extreme cases, you may end up having to visit the emergency room as a result of these rug burns.
Toxic substances found in some rugs are likely to cause these burns. So no matter how soft, plush, or dreamy a rug looks, try and look for one made from non-toxic materials to avoid such incidents from happening.
Is a Natural Rug the Best Option for a Baby?
Given the negative effects caused by rugs made of toxic materials, your best bet is to go organic. It’s not easy though because the sad reality is that more than 90% of most adult and baby rugs contain toxic chemicals. So it’s possible that even rugs made of natural fibers will still contain harmful toxins.
The inclusion of these toxic substances is nothing malicious on the part of the manufacturer. Instead, they may be trying to preserve the rug’s shelf life by including chemicals such as flame retardants or stain repellents.
Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop you from opting for the safest rug possible for your child. And natural rugs are much safer. Even if they do contain any toxic substances, the quantities will be minimal. However, the final decision rests with you.
Criteria of How to Pick the Best Baby Rug for Your Baby to Crawl On
Now let’s get down to the process of actually choosing a rug. Keep the following factors in mind:
- Materials: Rugs are made of different fabrics from synthetics to natural fibers. The materials determine factors including safety, durability, and softness. The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat is made of 100% polyester. The Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling is made of cotton. The Banmax Play Mat is made of non-toxic materials. The V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat is made of non-toxic soft velvet and the Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat is made of foam which is BPA-, phthalates and latex-free..
- Padding: Your child will be spending a lot of time on the rug. You want the experience to be as comfortable as possible. Opt for one with padding to cushion your little one’s delicate skin against abrasions. Also, make sure the padding underneath is organic with fewer toxins. The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat, Banmax Play Mat and Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat have thick padding. The Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling and V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat have thin padding.
- Non-slip: Pick a rug that’s sturdy. Avoid one with a slippery surface or bottom that can make your child fall easily and potentially hurt himself.
- Ease of cleaning: The rug should present a safe and clean environment for your child. This means you’ll need to clean it regularly. Opt for a low maintenance rug that’s not a nightmare to clean. The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat and V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat are machine washable. The Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling, Banmax Play Mat, and Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat can be wiped with a damp cloth. Babies can actually be afraid of vacuum cleaners and this is why these low maintanence rugs can be quite useful.
- Size: Consider the size of the rug in relation to where you want to place it. Do you have a spacious or small apartment? The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat and Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling and Banmax Play Mat are relatively large. The V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat isn’t very large. The Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat comes in 20 pieces so you can choose the number of pieces you want your child to play with depending on his age which ultimately affects the size of the mat.
- Weight: If you’re going to be traveling with the rug, pick one that’s easy to fold and can be folded into a compact size for easy transportation.
- Graphics and textures: Remember that baby rugs are more than simply “crawling mats”. Pick one with engaging prints and textures to encourage brain development. The Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat has textured materials for encouraging sensory development. The Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling and Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat has vivid graphics. The Banmax Play Mat has graphics on both sides and the V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat is plain with no graphics.
Best Overall – Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat
I’ll start off with this extra-large mat that’ll give your child plenty of space to play on. Though large, you can fold it into a compact size for easy transportation when necessary.
The mat is made of 100% polyester which is soft to the touch and the padding makes the mat comfortable. Especially if your child is still learning to sit and tips over on occasion.
Who It’s For
For infants learning to crawl and sit.
Why You Should Consider It
You’ll like the textured material and engaging prints that encourage visual and sensory stimulation for your little one. The adjustable stand-alone mirror is a nice touch that encourages facial recognition. It also comes with a teether your child can use to soothe themselves. And because it’s machine washable, you’ll find it a breeze to clean.
Product Information
- Dimensions:59.06 x 39.37 x 0.79″
- Weight:1.89 lb
- Material: Polyester
Pros
- Spacious
- Thick padding
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Uneven stitching in some places
- Might tear after some time
Best Value – Teytoy Baby Rug for Crawling
Next, I have this mat made of cotton making it soft to touch. It’s also large enough to give your baby ample room to crawl and play. It’s portable enough to be carried from one place to the next with ease. And you can use it indoors or outdoors.
Who It’s For
Ideal for toddlers.
Why You Should Consider It
Your child will find the mat’s bright colors fun and engaging for early education. The non-slip bottom will ensure the mat is firmly attached to the floor to eliminate slipping. Not only is the mat stain-resistant but easy to clean. Simply wipe with a wet cloth and leave it out to dry in the sun.
Product Information
- Dimensions:59.x 41 x 0.2″
- Weight:1.6 1lb
- Material: Cotton
Pros
- Very soft
- Interesting graphics
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not very thick
- Tends to roll up
Most Baby Safe – Banmax Play Mat
Up next is this mat made free of toxic materials to provide your child with a safe and healthy play environment. It’s super large and thick which takes care of your child’s comfort concerns.
Who It’s For
For parents looking for a mat made of non-toxic materials.
Why You Should Consider It
The mat features captivating graphics on both sides making it reversible. It’s waterproof so any spills won’t find their way into the mat increasing its lifespan. It’s very easy to clean. Simply wipe with a damp cloth. And it’s easy to fold if you want to pack it when traveling with your baby.
Product Information
- Dimensions:70 x 77.5 x 0.6″
- Weight:5lb
- Material: BPA free/ XPE material
Pros
- Super large
- Lightweight
- Easy to store
Cons
- Expensive
- Foam not durable and easily breaks
- Too many nooks that can trap dust
Most Versatile – V-Mix Handmade Baby Play Mat
If you’re looking for a playmat that doubles as a stylish accent for your home decor, pick this rug. The silver color makes it look modern and chic. It’s made of soft velvet and has a sponge filling to protect your baby’s delicate skin while he plays.
Who It’s For
For parents looking for a playmat that doubles as a stylish room rug.
Why You Should Consider It
Aside from the stylish appearance, you’ll like that the rug is also practical for your baby. It’s made of non-toxic substances and is super easy to clean. Milk or water spills won’t compromise the mat’s integrity since it’s waterproof. When the owner, aka, your baby isn’t using it, you can also use it as a gym or yoga mat.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 19 x 18 x 14″
- Weight: 7.98 lb
- Material: Velvet
Pros
- Soft
- Stylish
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not very thick
- Not very durable
Best Design – Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Interlocking Baby Play Mat
I’ll round off my list with this colorful interlocking mat where your child can explore with ease. The mat has 20 pop-up puzzle pieces your little one can arrange and rearrange to create different patterns and inspire creativity.
Who It’s For
For both babies and toddlers.
Why You Should Consider It
The brightly colored mat features different colors, shapes, and patterns. Your baby or toddler will be kept entertained for hours. The mat is made free from BPA, phthalates, and latex making it safe for your child.
Product Information
- Dimensions:14 x 11 x 12.75″
- Weight:3.97 lb
- Material: Foam
Pros
- Vivid colors
- Thick padding
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Easy for older babies to peel off at the edges
FAQ
At what age do you start using a baby rug?
You can use it from day one. But your little one will appreciate it the most when older and starting to explore.
What rug is best for a baby?
One that’s made of non-toxic materials, doesn’t trigger allergic reactions and encourages cognitive development.
Final Thoughts
You’ve read my reviews in this post, and now it’s time to make your pick.
I stand by my decision with the Tiny Love Meadow Days Super Play Mat. Yes, it’s not made of natural fibers BUT it’s JPMA certified making it safe to use for your baby. Plus it’s large, easy to clean, features attractive prints to encourage brain development, comes with a mirror and teether. Also, the price isn’t bad at all. What do you think?
Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
