Out of all of the items on a baby shopping list, play mats are one of our favourites. Sure, they are great for your little one (we’ll get to why in a minute), but we especially adore baby play mats because they kind of feel like a ‘me’ purchase too.
Baby play mats are designed to give babies a safe and comfortable place to lay or play, but they also function as a way to pretty up your living room, playroom or nursery. Your little one gets a cute area to practice those tummy time skills and your home gets a bit of a refresh. It’s a win-win!
A play mat is ideal for babies and toddlers of all ages too. From learning to lift their head, starting to roll, practicing their crawls, all the way to learning to sit up (and inevitably fall over a fair few times). So having a cushioned area for them provides both protection for them and peace of mind for you.
As they grow, a play mat offers a lovely location to build blocks, make castles, race cars, practice those important colouring-in skills and have a tasty little snack.
What to look for in a baby play mat
This depends on what you’re after, but generally speaking, these are a few things to consider:
- Easy to clean – Well this is a must! Machine-washable covers are great too.
- Stylish – This will depend on what you’re after. We have included baby play mats that offer different styles, from bright and funky to minimalist and modern.
- Durability – You want a mat that will outlast your little one – and the many hours of play!
- Padding – Shock absorption is a really important factor to consider.
- Non-toxic – Free of nasty chemicals, PVC and BPA are also big pluses.
- Size and shape – You may want something extra big to hide your tiles or you might be after something smaller, circular and portable so you can move your mat from room to room. Some baby play mats are also suitable for the outdoors too (picnic time!).
Best baby play mats in Australia 2022
We are incredibly lucky – we have a huge selection of amazing Australian brands with gorgeous play mats that will more than exceed your expectations. If you’re having a hard time choosing, we totally get it!
We’ve done our research and narrowed it down to 11 of the best of the best in baby play mats in Australia! All of these mats come with a seal of approval from Mum Central and tick all the boxes when it comes to baby play mat must-haves.
Check out our full list below – with many of our favourite brands also offering an exclusive reader discount too, saving up to 20% on your purchase. Score!
Rugabub Designer Play Mats
RRP: From $159.95
Where to buy: Rugabub
Having a baby can easily change the interior of your home (hello nappy boxes in every corner). However, Rugabub provides a beautiful way to keep your home looking stylish after welcoming a baby. Rugabub’s play mats are often confused for designer Jute rugs – they look that lush – but also provide babies with a soft foam space all their own.
Rugabub’s play mats are reversible too – with a decor-friendly print on one side and a Little Trooper road print on the other (how cute!). These soft squishy wipe-clean memory foam play mats are crafted from sustainable, biodegradable and non-toxic TPU. All big ticks!
What makes Rugabub’s play mats stand out from the rest is the intricate pattern, enduring quality, and one-of-a-kind artistry. Yes, they are for your little one, but there’s no harm in also prettying up your home too, right? Choose from plenty of colours and styles, in both large and round sizes.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: SAVE: $10 OFF ANY PURCHASE CODE: MUMCENTRAL
Little Wiwa® Play Mats
RRP: From $99.00
Where to buy: Little Wiwa
If you’re after a minimalist look, then Little Wiwa is the baby play mat for you. Over 50,000 parents have bought and raved about these gorgeous kids’ floor mats. In fact, Little Wiwa has earned over 1,200 5-star reviews plus has taken home several awards too!
They are the pioneer of minimalist-style baby foam play mats and their new 2022 collection is absolutely stunning. This particular collection is a take on ancient luxury – a marriage between Herringbone and Chevron patterns, visually rich and enchanting – a symbol of prestige, simplicity, and sophistication.
These baby floor mats are also reversible, waterproof, non-toxic, eco-friendly and thickly padded to provide a safety guard and comfort for tummy time support of our little adventurers. Minimalist in style, mighty in impact, you’re going to love Little Wiwa.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: SAVE: $10 OFF ANY PURCHASE CODE: MUMCENTRAL
Marmalade Lion Activity Mat
RRP: $149.00
Where to buy: Marmalade Lion
An ideal mat to take with you anywhere, Marmalade Lion’s Activity Mat will go the distance! Designed to last through multiple children, these circular baby play mats are unique as they come with both a padded insert plus a removable cover.
The waterproof insert is crafted from memory foam and reacts to your child’s temperature. It perfectly supports bub and bounces back to its original shape when not in use (great for naps too!) The removable covers can be taken off and thrown into the washing machine and the unique Expect-A-Spill™ non-toxic, eco-friendly waterproof coating means these mats are easy to wipe down too.
Another cool thing about these bright and funky mats is that they are designed for both indoors and outdoors – a great addition to any picnic, play date in the park or beach trip. They even come with a free carry bag.
Marmalade Lion is one of our fave baby and children’s lifestyle brands and these activity mats won’t disappoint! Sustainable, low tox, plastic-free and waterproof, the list of pluses goes on and on. Check out the various styles too – so many cute covers to choose from!
Henlee Quilted Play Mat
RRP: $169.00
Where to buy: Henlee
Bring the luxury of vegan leather into the nursery or playroom with this unique baby play mat. Henlee’s quilted floor mat is designed with premium buttery soft vegan leather on both sides, quilted with a thick layer of polyester filling to create a soft and supportive base for your little love.
Not only does it look amazing, but it’s incredibly easy to clean (just wipe it down) and a gorgeous addition to any space … and no bright colours or animated characters in sight! Just soft, neutral colours that will fit seamlessly into your home.
The Henlee quilted play mat is also ideal for on-the-go too. Simply fold it up and take it with you to the park, beach, grandma’s etc. Practical, portable and surpassing all safety standards, if you’re after a mat made of vegan leather, then the Henlee quilted mat has your name on it.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER:Â SAVE: 10% OFF ANY PLAY MAT CODE: MUM CENTRALÂ
Freddy & Co Baby Play Mats
RRP: $179.95
Where to buy: Freddy & Co
Bring on the fun with Freddy & Co, the experts in educational play mats! Freddy & Co play mats provide a double dose of play mat goodness with an educational print on one side and decor-friendly print on the other. They have been carefully designed by educators to help stimulate play and learning in little ones. The Aussie Animals ABC’s is our personal fave but there are loads of gorgeous designs to choose from.
When the fun is done, simply flip over (they are lightweight and easy to move), and enjoy a more ‘adult-friendly’ look. The soft play mats are ideal for large spaces, made of waterproof polyurethane material and offer a cushioned place to roll, crawl and explore.
The entire range is also non-toxic and easy to clean, ideal for nappy-free time and messy play too. Discover why Freddy & Co has been a favourite for Aussie families since 2017.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER:Â SAVE: $10 OFF ANY PLAY MAT CODE: MC10
Luxe at Play Luxe Padded Play Mats
RRP: From $115.00
Where to buy: Luxe at Play
We are always impressed by Luxe at Play’s beautiful range of baby play mats. Their new 2022 collection consists of neutral and soft earthy colour tones on one side and vibrant natural themes on the other – the perfect combination!
Their padded play mats are designed for stylish living offering beautiful one-of-a-kind designs to compliment your home interior and create a safe option for little ones.
Each mat is made from a non-toxic TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) material and free of nasty chemicals, colour stabilisers, plasticisers and better yet, biodegradable. They also wipe clean in an instant and are hypoallergenic and water-resistant.
Great for tummy time and toddler tumbles, general play and messy play, they even make a great yoga mat for us!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER:Â SAVE: 10% OFF STOREWIDE CODE: MUMCENTRAL
Grace & Maggie Designer Playmats
RRP: $189.00
Where to buy: Grace & Maggie
Designed by parents, Grace & Maggie’s luxury playmats are not only practical, but also aesthetically pleasing. They come with two sides – a fun whimsical one for the tots and a soft geometric design with a minimalist feel side for parents.
Extensively tested to ensure they surpass International Toy Safety Standards, every play mat is free of latex, PVC, BPA and VOC’s. They are also eco-friendly, waterproof, easy to clean and non-flammable.
Made from thick PU foam material, you’ll love how these mats effortlessly blend into your living space. Not only ideal for tummy time, crawling and play, but they also double as a comfortable space for at-home workouts.
There are a few different sizes to choose from – including the large and circular play mat and plenty of new styles that will add a bit of flair to any nursery or playroom.
Warren Hill French Linen Baby Play Mat
RRP: $154.95
Where to buy: Warren Hill
We’ve saved one of the most sustainable baby play mat options for last. It’s a linen baby play mat, made from 100% pure French flax linen and stonewashed to give it extra softness from day one. Linen is naturally hypoallergenic, extremely durable, and one of the most sustainable materials to harvest and produce in the textile industry.
This circular play mat will last you for years and years to come, from a comfortable zone for tummy time to a soft space to use in a reading corner. It’s great for outdoor adventures too and the quality is unmatched. Plus it’s machine washable and comes in a linen dust bag for easy care.
But what really sets the linen baby play mat apart is the company behind this beautiful rug. For every play mat sold, Warren Hill plants 10 trees through their charity partner trees.org. To date, they’ve planted over 60,000 trees. How great is that?
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER:Â SAVE: $10 OFF ANY PLAY MAT CODE: MUMCENTRAL10
Finch & Folk Waterproof Linen/Organic Cotton Play Mats
RRP: $149.95
Where to buy: Finch & Folk
If it’s organic you’re after, then Finch & Folk have a play mat for you! Their collection of waterproof linen play mats is made using natural fibres only (apart from waterproofing) of pure linen and organic cotton. Even the filling is natural and made from cotton.
There’s a lot to love about their organic collection too. The gender-neutral colours are sunny and bright and they are lightweight enough to easily transfer from room to room. They also fold to fit under a pram for adventures out of the house and come with a carry bag too.
Waterproof, machine washable and ethically made, these play mats are Australian exclusive designed and provide a simple yet timeless space to play. Check out the whole range of baby gear over at Finch & Folk – it’s simply stunning!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: SAVE: 20% OFF ALL PLAY MATS CODE: MUMCENTRAL
Muscle Mat Relax Mat
RRP: $169.00
Where to buy: Muscle Mat
If you haven’t discovered the joy of a Tatami Mat, then allow Muscle Mat’s Relax Mat to show you! These unique baby play mats are a dream come true for your whole body! Super soft, super luxe and super squishy, you’ll love how they feel and how much cushioned goodness they provide for your bub.
Relax Mats are 30mm thick and both water and stain-resistant. They’re designed to complement your home and provide your child with extra padded protection when learning the ropes. You’ll especially love this extra cushioning when your little one is learning to sit, crawl, walk and, of course, climb onto the couch like it’s a jungle gym, where falls tend to be part of the process.
Muscle Mat’s Relax Mat is so comfortable to lie on too … be prepared to take a few family naps on it! With a few different colours to choose from, ranging from bright blues to a soft, subtle beige.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: SAVE: 5% OFF TATAMI MAT RANGE CODE: MUMCENTRAL5
Harlow & Co Soft Padded Play Mat
RRP: From $109
Where to buy: Harlow & Co
Elegant and eco-friendly, these are only two of the many reasons so many Australian families have a Harlow & Co soft luxury play mat in their homes. We love the Harlow & Co range which includes small, large and rounded play mats with a minimalist aesthetic and neutral palette. Plus, they’re all designed in Australia.
Harlow & Co’s premium play mats provide the perfect protection for playtime, tummy-time, bath time and mama-time (yoga). They are ideal for racing cars, hosting tea parties and learning how to roll, crawl and walk.
Made from a soft TPU memory foam, their padded play mats are PVC/BPA free, non-toxic, water-resistant, reversible, thickly padded and suitable for little ones of all ages. Each mat also comes with reusable straps for convenient storage or travel. Their small play mats start at just $109 with their larger ones at $189 and there are some lovely colour choices too. Sage is our personal favourite.
So there you have it folks, all of our top picks for baby play mats that are perfect for babies, kids, parents and the earth. We hope you find a mat here that you love as much as we do!
