The 14 best baby play mats and gyms

Crafted with longevity in mind, this play mat features a sturdy framework with two contour bars, allowing for easy attachment of various hanging pieces. One mum agrees it's well made with good quality materials, and feels their child is safe on the floor with no sharp bits. She says "It's a great product with no small parts, so no choking hazards." Another parent says, "It’s beautiful, well made, large floor space, with good padding", however, a different reviewer was disappointed as the mat wasn't as thick as they expected – if this is the case you may want to use the mat on a soft surface like carpet.

Among the hanging pieces are a mirrored plastic piece placed directly above the baby, offering delightful self-discovery moments. The hoops for connection are easy to use too. A reviewer says their grand-daughter loves it and gets so excited with all the other colourful things she sees and touches. She says, "it's easy to use, light weight and great fun" Another mum whose little one is two months old and loves the play mat, says, "We can even hang her pram toys on it, little diva loves to stare at herself! Never seen her so happy I would definitely recommend!"

With a soft cushion insert that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and manageability, your baby will feel cozy during playtime without feeling overwhelmed. Designed to accommodate growth, this play mat will remain a cherished companion for quite a while, thanks to its durable construction. One mum loves it for her daughter, saying, "There's nothing to hurt her if she pulls the structure with the toys provided, it's soft, strong and bounces back into position." Although, some parents have found the arches can easily pop out. One reviewer says, "Got a few months of use before one of the metal rods in the arches popped out making it unsafe for use with a small baby".

The high-quality play mat comes with not just one, but two easy to wash covers, ensuring convenience for busy parents. One reviewer says that having two covers is useful and they like the cushion for tummy time. Some of the more sturdy toys are also easy to clean, which parents really appreciate.

This is a game-changer in the world of playmats! This innovative design offers more than just a soft surface for playtime; it's also reversible, doubling its functionality and longevity. Suitable for children from two to six years old, it comes with a pack of flashcards and an interactive app, adding a unique and engaging element to playtime.

Our Product and Lifestyle writer Samantha raves about this product, saying "I absolutely love this playmate!" She describes how it has become a beloved part of her children's morning routine. Instead of reaching for the TV remote, her kids eagerly gravitate towards the mat, where they spend hours immersed in imaginative play. From the ease of cleaning (a lifesaver with two kids, says Samantha) to the comfortable surface, making it ideal for kneeling, laying, or sitting its great for letting children's creativity flourish!

Elevate playtime to a musical extravaganza with the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym! One mum reviewer loves this activity toy for her little one so much, she says, "I've told so many mums to get this, I swear it's incredible." Boasting five light-up piano keys, this gym is perfect for nurturing your little one's musical talents from infancy to toddlerhood. Whether they're lying down, enjoying tummy time, or sitting up at the piano, the music and learning experiences evolve with them. Our mum tester Emily Stavri says her six-month-old boy's attention span in quite short, so she needed a baby gym with lots of variety to stimulate him and hold his interest. The Play Piano Gym ticks all the right boxes for her.

You can adjust the content to suit your baby's age and developmental stage, while real piano notes inspire creativity. Another mum reviewer notes how her daughter's development has flourished with this gym, and says "she grabs, laughs, rolls, just loves to sit so much", and our mum tester Emily thinks the piano is a great addition to the conventional design, especially with the position of the piano being flexible and easy to change. Little ones can either kick at it while lying down, or reach the keys with their hands once they can sit upright. Emily also likes that it folds away neatly for easy storage.

The only downsides compared to some of the other products are that the range of hanging toys is limited, and the toy may be quite expensive for parents on a lower budget. However, with it being such a good size and having plenty of featured play options, the Gym is likely to last a long time, and it's designed specially to accompany your little one through all the developmental phases that babies will go through in a year. We think this makes it pretty good value for money over toys that babies will grow out of more quickly.

Read our full Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym review.

While it may lean towards the pricier side, parents rave about its creativity, featuring charming fireflies that light up with a gentle touch and an endearing wigwam design that complements any nursery decor. One mum reviewer says, "I have to say it has been a fab purchase for us. My baby stares lovingly at the fox and owl and smiles and giggles at them."

With over 17 developmental activities, this mat accompanies your baby through all their major milestones, from lay and play to sitting up. This mum says her 13-and-a-half-weeks-old baby has learnt to swipe at the little cloud handle and can now grab it! She says it'll take him a little longer to start pulling it, of course!

This play mat doesn't have as many features as some others on the market, however, it is still a great gift to add to your baby wish list with heaps of story-time appeal. This mum's tot loved interacting with the mat's adorable fox and owl characters. ​Parents think it's prefect for tummy-time as well as it drops down and will continue to entertain babies when they can sit up. "I have taken off the hedgehog and attached it to his bouncer," says mum, "so detachable toys are another plus."

Designed to ignite their imagination, this play mat boasts plush details and a cozy crescent moon pillow, perfect for tummy time adventures. Suspended above are five adorable nocturnal friends, encouraging exploration and interaction, while the removable shooting star mirror aids in developing self-recognition – a celestial journey of discovery for your baby. One parent reviewer's little one loves it! She says, "The plushies are favourites, and she's started playing with the cushion. Well worth the money." Praised by parents for its durability and engaging features, they loved the robust construction and captivating design. The parent reviewer said, "We've had this since our daughter was three months old (she is now nearly six months), and she loves it. There's plenty to do, and it is very robust - which is just as well."

Another mum reviewer describes the play mat as beautiful, and liked how easy it was to clean (it's machine washable). She said it was safe to use in the early months too. Unfortunately, one downside to this product is that the batteries are not replaceable. The mum thought that a toy with this kind of price tag should at least last long enough for two children that are less than two years apart to enjoy it. She says, "Such a shame that my second child won't be able to enjoy the musical aspect of this toy." Another mum was torn about purchasing this considering the price, but said you do truly you get what you pay for, in terms of quality, describing the mat as very well padded, the moon design lovely and soft. However, another mum says the teether itself was starting to come off in bits and so they had to remove it.

**This play gym was Shortlisted for the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Baby Toy.
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Meticulously crafted to nurture babies' cognitive, emotional, and physical development this play gym has been designed with expertise, incorporating warm, calming colours that gently stimulate baby's senses, creating a serene and engaging environment. Parents love the stylish design too – Not only does the neutral earthy design help to soothe and entertain baby, but it also adds a touch of elegance to any home decor!

Our tester and first-time mum Louise said, "This product is not only beautiful to look at and looks fab in his nursery, but it also entertains him. I love watching him talk to the koala bear and hold the monkey's hand while snacking on the rattle." Mum tester Roseanne also thinks this play mat is much more aesthetically pleasing than other baby gyms due to its neutral colour scheme, and feels it has a good variety of sensory features. However, she says her baby responds better to play mats that are more brightly coloured, keeping him stimulated for longer than this one, although she says it did entertain him for a while due to the large variety of sensory elements there are to explore. Mum tester Emma quite likes the more neutral colour-scheme, saying allows baby to engage in play without overstimulation and is stylish enough where you are able to leave it out when not in use.

Mum Louise explains that as a first-time mum, it's hard to find products that hold your baby's attention. She says, "I bought another play mat, and he is not interested in it." With over 20 interactive features, including a plush detachable Koala doll, natural wood gripping rings, and a dream catcher mirror, it offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Louise loved how this play gym complemented their baby's nursery, but also how her little one interacted with the koala bear, grasping the monkey's hand, and enjoying the soothing sounds of the rattle provided hours of entertainment. Roseanne points out that the sloth toy, once tapped, only plays music for a second or two, so this may be more suited to slightly older babies with better attention spans who can target the toy well enough to keep tapping to make the music play more continuously.

One thing to keep in mind is that this play mat is quite large and may take up a lot of space in the room. However, our mum tester Claire like that it's lovely and large providing somewhere safe for little one to develop and explore. She also says the mat is well-cushioned and can be used on any floor, so no need to worry about ensuring it is placed on a thick carpet or rug when out and about.

Read our full Tiny Love Luxe Developmental Gymini review.

With adjustable walls to contain playtime chaos and transform it into a ball pit for toddlers, this gym adapts to your child's developmental stages, providing years of entertainment. One mum reviewer says they love it, and their little one loves it too! "We have had non-stop compliments of the play mat from friends and family", they say, and love the fact that it is a unisex design – perfect if you want to have more kids and re-use old toys, because it won't matter what gender they are.

This mum admits that the play mat may seem like it's a lot of money, but says she thinks it's a bargain for its 5-in-1 functionality and engaging toys. Featuring an electric toucan that serenades with over 20 minutes of melodies, a soft elephant, and a playful monkey bead chaser, it's a jungle-themed paradise for little ones.

The leaf-shaped teethers add to the sensory exploration, and the ball pit is great for when baby gets a bit older. One reviewer says "I really like this baby gym. Initially we used it as a flat activity mat but my son began rolling over and crawling early, so it's been useful to have sides that can go up and down so that he cant escape easily." She has also used a few of the plastic toys in a paddling pool during the hot weather, which she says was nice as they didn't have to buy additional bath toys.

One thing to be aware of is that the mat isn't very soft at all, according to one review. The mum says they have put a blanket in it to lay the baby on and even bought foam flooring to go underneath so she is more comfortable. If you have hard flooring, you may want to think the purchase through. Also, another reviewer noticed that the canopy that attaches to the mat is a bit fiddly, but they have resolved to just leave this on rather than dismantle the toy. If you plan to keep it out in your baby's nursery, this won't be an issue for you though.

A cute baby gym from a brand you can trust — Freddie the Firefly from Lamaze featured on our best baby toys list, and this mat is just as great. The versatile 3-in-1 gym is packed with features to support your baby's development, making it perfect for tummy time and beyond. One mum reviewer said, "When this first arrived, I wasn't impressed - but it turned out to be one of the best things I bought for my newborn."

With three detachable toys for on-the-go fun, it offers convenience and entertainment wherever you go. The bright colours and engaging design captivate babies' attention, while the large discovery mirror sparks curiosity and self-awareness. One mum reviewer loved how easy the detachable frame was, allowing for easy placement anywhere, and the portable toys that fit conveniently in pockets or purses for emergency distractions.

Some parents may feel this mat isn't as padded and that it comes with less toys than others on the market. Plus, the slightly smaller and more compact size than other baby gyms means less space for movement, however, this doesn't put parents off at all! One reviewer says "Size wise it's ideal. Not too big and bulky and easy to slide under the sofa or behind it when not in use." With its handy and compact design, Freddie the Firefly Gym is a must-have for parents seeking both convenience and developmental support for their little ones. Another mum found the tummy time pillow to be unsuitable as it kept slipping when her baby wriggled, but she simply decided not to use it.

The Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini was the Bronze winner in the M&B Awards 2019 Best Baby Toy category.

This versatile and engaging space for your little one is great for developing their exploration and developmental skills. Featuring adjustable, moving arches, this play mat evolves with your baby from day one, transporting them to colourful meadows with its delightful design. One mum reviewer says, "One of the reasons I chose this one is because it looks nice - very important if it is going to be up in my living room for months!"

Discover the peek-a-boo tree and enjoy the musical tunes of Emilia the Bird while stimulating fine and gross motor skills with dangling toys, lights, and music. What sets this gym apart is its ability to record personalised messages for your baby, adding a special touch to playtime. Our mum tester Joanne said, "The fact that you can record your own message/music into the owl is a lovely idea", and mum tester Victoria said, "I would recommend this product as it's such good quality and has so many different toys on it. It suits all development milestones and you are able to customise it by moving the arches to suit babies age. "

Our mum testers loved how easy it was to store this play gym away as well as how easy it is to wash and dry, ensuring the mat is always ready for your baby's next adventure. One mum reviewer said they tend to just leave theirs up because it is used daily, but agreed it does fold well for storage. She also said she found it was a bit fiddly to fasten the arches down with the poppers the first time they put it up, but that it did get easier on subsequent times.

Read our full Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini review.

2021 Gold Mother&Baby Awards Winner in the Best Baby Toy category.
Not only is it functional, but the stylish design of this play mat also adds a touch of elegance to any home decor. Our mum tester Gabriella Challis says, "I absolutely would recommend the Magical Tales Black & White Gymini to any other Mums. It is unisex with its design and folds up easily if you want to store it away. We use it every day, so we don't bother folding it away as it's a beautiful design, it doesn't look like an eye sore in the front room!"

With its striking contrasting colours and array of engaging features, including a mirror for extended tummy time, a baby-activated musical toy, and a soothing wind chime, this Gymini stimulates your baby's curiosity and encourages exploration for day one. The adjustable play arches and movable toys create a customisable environment tailored to your baby's preferences, fostering parent-child bonding along the way. Our mum tester Siobhan Andrews says, "The toys hang low enough so it is great for my baby to play. He can easily reach them and keeps him occupied for a decent amount of time so I can get on with housework etc. I know he is safe on the play mat if I am not always in the room so I can relax knowing he is happy having a kick about and being stimulated."

Our mum testers also loved how easy it was to store and wash, finding that it maintained its quality, showcasing its durability and practicality. Gabriella says, "We have washed the Magical Tales Black & White Gymini due to our baby having reflux, and it has washed/dried out brilliantly."

Mum tester Fiona Cheong-See is happy to recommend the product, however, she does say that against other play mats out there, she found this one to be a little bit pricey. She does love the design though and says it's made with good materials. She also likes that it's very lightweight and easy to pack up and store away. One thing to keep in mind if you have wooden or tiles floors though, is that because it's so lightweight it may move easily if you have an active baby. You can always get rubber rug grips for the bottom or use it on carpet instead though.

Read our full Tiny Love Magical Tales Black & White Gymini review.

Shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Baby Toy.

This play gym from Little Green Sheep is made from natural Birch wood and hand-finished with oil. If you want a sustainable, natural wooden playmat for your baby, then this is a wonderful choice. Although on thing to be aware of is that this play mat doesn't actually come with a mat, it is just the frame. Our mum tester Ruth Carmichael says, "This product was a fantastic addition to our toy collection. Our baby was so in love with it that she would play with it a lot longer than most of her other toys allowing us to do simple tasks around the house a lot easier like pop the dinner on, put a wash on, hoover the floor, we felt this product really did make life easier.

The toys are detachable and made from organic cotton and wood, safe for your little one to bat away and chew. The baby gym pictured is the curved safari theme, but you can also get it with straight legs, and other themes include Ocean Whale, Bunny Love and Bear Love. Some busy parents may not enjoy the inconvenience of not being able to pop the soft toys in the washing machine and dryer, but we really like that you can hand wash the cotton charm toys and wipe clean the wooden ones. If you're worried about hygiene, maybe you could only detach the wooden toys to allow baby to handle and chew on them as natural teethers, and leave the soft toys hanging so they are less like to get covered in drool or get dirty too quickly.

Another thing to be aware of is that the lifespan of this baby gym may be shorter than others. Our mum tester Michelle Campbell says, "It is a lovely, very well made toy which I am sure would entertain a small baby. Unfortunately by the time I received the product my baby was already crawling so got limited use out of it! But he really liked the rattling teether toy which is useful to attach to straps of the buggy/car seat and chew on as he is teething."

Read our full The Little Green Sheep Group Wooden Baby Play Gym review.

Offering a contemporary twist on the classic baby gym, this play mat is designed to captivate and stimulate your little one's senses with high contrast design, music and lights. Featuring bold patterns and vibrant colours, this gym appeals to younger babies while aiding their visual development. The interactive arches offer musical sounds and innovative light displays, ensuring endless entertainment for your baby. Complete with four adorable hanging toys that activate sounds with a gentle bat, it's a delightful play space for exploration and discovery.

Our mum tester Jemma loved the design and found her little one loved the light displays and the adjustable sound levels provided some much needed respite. She says, "Ada liked watching the lights track cross the gym, but we had to darken the room to get the best effect." Although there's ample space for rolling about, Jemma found storing the gym posed a challenge due to its size, meaning she left it permanently set up.

Yep, that's right, aden+anais don't just do amazing muslins and swaddles - they do baby gyms too! Crafted with eco-friendly and sustainable birch wood arches and a plush 100% cotton muslin mat, this gym offers comfort and support for your little one's playtime adventures. One mum reviewer said, "We've been using the baby play gym for about two weeks now (months 4-6) and absolutely love it! Soft, cushy top with supple fabric and durable underside, well constructed. As our son has developed, he's become more and more engaged with the features.

Equipped with a tummy time pillow, three attachable toys, and an overhead mirror, it promotes fine motor development while strengthening key muscles in your baby's arms, upper back, and neck. It may not have as many toys and features as other baby gyms on the market but this reviewer says, "It's such a great "go-to" for tummy time or when we need to put him down to cater to his toddler-aged sister for a bit. The mirror really seems to grab his attention, and the animals and theme are so cute." They loved how durable the gym was and how engaging the different features were, it's easy to see how it has quickly become a household favourite for both play and practicality.