In this way, I look at the Wee Gallery play mat as a simpler alternative to the Lovevery Play Gym and mat– it’s still created with your baby’s development in mind, but is focused on being a play mat, rather than a mat/gym/fort all-in-one combo as with the Lovevery. Unfortunately, a lot of parents (myself included) feel that some of those safety standards aren’t safe enough – especially when it comes to chemicals used in kids products, such as fire retardants and phthalates, for example. It comes in one piece and your kiddo won’t be able to take it apart and make a mess when you’re not looking. But, if you’d like to know if the mat contains any other toxic materials, it’s best to get in touch directly with the manufacturer to be 100 percent sure. For the cover, Toki offers either a GOTS certified organic cotton cover in various patterns, or a Oeko-Tex certified PU leather cover. While PU leather is far from my favorite, I feel okay that this one is Oeko-Tex certified, at least from a safety and human health perspective.

Foldable Play Mat - Etsy Foldable Play Mat - Etsy

Most non toxic options range from being moderately priced to expensive, so you shouldn’t feel guilty if the mat that’s EVA-free and doesn’t contain at least half a dozen other chemicals is out of your price range. The most important thing that sets this mat apart from others is the organic cotton cover and the polyester filling which is OEKO-TEX certified. As such, this mat is machine washable. You can even throw it in the dryer! Overall this seems like it could be a cool option, but I definitely need a bit more info. What Exactly Do We Mean by “Non Toxic Play Mats”The mat is PVC-free as it’s made from polyethylene (PE) foam, and it’s BPA-free. If your little one has sensitive skin, you’ll be happy to know that the Toddleroo mat is hypoallergenic. It’s also one-piece, so you can roll it up and take it along when you’re traveling or visiting family. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth spending a lot of money on a simple play mat, I’d like to remind you that this is a piece of baby gear you’ll be using for years, so it’s definitely worth the investment! The CorkiMat® is a “cover + inserts” system – each mat is made up of multiple insert tiles that fit into an organic cotton cover. I like that the CorkiMat® is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. However, the company is pretty light on what the insert tiles are actually made of. Whether you decide you’re looking for organic play mats only, or you’re happy to get one of the non toxic play mats that uses some synthetic or non organic material is up to you.

Folding Play Mat - Etsy Folding Play Mat - Etsy

The baby care mat presents a secure and hygienic area to play for babies and children. At this cushioned mat, kids can do all activities in the best way such as tumble, when learning to sit or stand to topple over, crawl etc. These mats are portable so easy to move from one room to another and well-suited on carpets or hard floors. The mats are available two different sizes as well as in different elegant colors like grey, pink, teal, or yellow in the market. Parents love that there’s none of that chemical, plastic smell the first time you open the PuriMat and there will be no need for you to air it out prior to using it for the first time. BPA (and BPS, which is less regulated) –These days, we’re pretty much all programmed to buy BPA free plastics, but BPS has replaced BPA in many products and may come with similar concerns. Worth keeping an eye out for, and ideally choose products specifically labelled BPS free. Usually, most mats that are labeled as non toxic don’t contain harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and formaldehyde. Finally, foam mats are really easy to clean up, which makes it easier to let your baby have some diaper free time.

Conclusion

For cleaning, just get a damp cloth and wipe up any spills or stains – the mat is waterproof so any mess can be cleaned easily. Older babies that are learning to crawl can be contained in the play mat (at least in the early stages of crawling) if you don’t want them to have unfettered access to the room for a few minutes. Because it’s simpler, however, it’s also not going to last you as long as a Lorena Canals rug or the Lovevery Play Gym. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s worth considering. Lovevery vs Wee Gallery

Play Mats and Floor Mats for Kids and Babies 2023 | The Best Play Mats and Floor Mats for Kids and Babies 2023 | The

Also, remember that a mat is an investment and not something your child will use only for a few months. PU Leather or Bicast Leather– Like PVC, PU leather is an alternative leather. I’m aware of one brand of play mats using PU leather, and they use a bicast leather that uses part of an actual cowhide in combination with a polyurethane plastic layer. PU may be better than PVC, but it’s certainly far from being environmentally friendly, and harmful chemicals are used during manufacturing. While it’s better than PVC, I don’t love it. In fact, this is an “avoid” for me, with one exception: Toki is one company that uses OEKO-TEX® certified PU leather to be free from harmful-to-humans chemicals. Polyester – Polyester is far from perfect, but it’s also ubiquitous and has come a long way in terms of the certifications that exist to ensure it’s safe. Pretty much every cotton quilted play mat I found and have personally used also contain polyester of some sort. If you’re concerned about polyester, look for OEKO-TEX® certified polyester. Do you want to avoid foam mats altogether, even if it’s non-toxic foam? Then you might be interested in organic play mats such as this one by Wee Gallery. We've been reviewing baby playmats for over 10 years, and if we made our own, here is what it would look like:If you’re still wary of mats made of foam, you can always rely on organic cotton ones – your baby will outgrow them faster, but at least you’ll have peace of mind! What makes the Wander & Roam mat different from others is that it’s made from non-toxic TPU foam, so there’s no EVA to be concerned about! That said, because it’s simpler, it’s also easier to move out of the way if you want your living room to look more adult for a bit. The Lorena Canals rug is really more of a “piece of the furniture” kind of thing, and the Lovevery is easy to move if it’s not set up as a play gym, but takes a bit more time to put away when used with the gym setup. There are also “in between” mats that I still personally love, which use polyester (some use OEKO-TEX certified polyester, which is a great choice if you’re concerned about it). These include the Lovevery Play Gym, the Wee Gallery Mat, the Pehr mat, Finchandfolk, and Finn + Emma mats.