In a nutshell:

Based on interviews with pediatricians and child development experts, and on testing a wide range of baby play mats and activity gyms with a mom-and-baby duo, we chose the Totter + Tumble Play Mat as the best baby floor mat due to its high-quality construction and versatility. Likewise, we chose the Lovevery Play Gym as the best baby play gym, thanks to its thoughtful developmental features and transitional design.

In this article:

How we tested and chose the best baby play mats and activity gyms
Best baby floor mats
Best baby play gyms
What to look for in a baby floor mat
What to look for in a baby play gym
When can your child use a baby play gym?
How to safely use a baby play gym

Until I had a child of my own, I never gave much thought to how much time babies spend on the floor. Yet every day, my daughter and I spend hours playing on the ground. For now, my 3-month-old is still small and relatively stationary, so our infant play gym, with its dangling toys and various built-in activities, has been indispensable. We started using one when she was just a few days old since the all-important “tummy time can be done immediately after birth with supervision,” says Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas.

As my daughter gets increasingly mobile, though, we’re also starting to get daily use out of infant floor mats with large surface areas. “Play mats should be firm enough to support baby movements and cushioned enough to keep baby safe during a fall,” says Cristina Fernandez, MD, a pediatrician and maternal-child health researcher at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. When my baby starts to crawl, and then to take her tentative first steps, larger cushioned surfaces like these will offer peace of mind. In the meantime, they also give my aching postpartum muscles and joints some welcome relief while joining my daughter in play.

After testing nearly a dozen play gyms and play mats with my baby, I’ve seen just how essential they are in creating a safe, enriching environment for her to explore—and that all are most definitely not created equal. Here’s a look at the specific gyms and mats I recommend for families with little ones—plus, what I’ve learned you should look out for as you shop.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Baby Play Mats and Activity Gyms

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There are loads of baby activity mats and infant play gyms on the market. To help you narrow down your search, we considered products in a range of price points, made from varying materials and designed for different purposes. When creating this roundup:

I tested 11 baby play mats and activity gyms with my 3-month-old. My daughter and I engaged in at least three sessions with each play gym and play mat and interacted with any accessories or toys included. Plus, I repeatedly set up and disassembled or packed away each mat to see how the parts functioned and held up over time. After testing, I evaluated each play mat across several categories, like ease of use, features, quality and durability, learning and skill-building potential, style and design and value for money.
We interviewed two pediatricians, a pediatric occupational therapist and an educational consultant for their input on what to look for in an infant play gym and floor mat.
We scoured forums and message boards and read user reviews to find out how these top-rated baby play mats performed for parents nationwide because every family’s experience is different.
We also kept several factors in mind when selecting which play mats to feature in our roundup. For example, we chose products that are comfortable for babies and easy to clean—because drool, spit-up and blowouts are practically inevitable. Plus, we looked for play mats that offer as much versatility and opportunities for enrichment as possible.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

Best Baby Floor Mats

Whether you’re searching for a stylish nursery floor mat, an ultra-cushioned option for tummy time or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Here, check out top-rated baby play mats for every style and need.

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Best Baby Play Gyms

The best baby play gyms can make tummy time easier, but they also provide entertainment for little ones. Thanks to dangling toys and interactive elements, they can help infants reach milestones like reaching, grasping, rolling over and tracking movement. Below, discover our favorite baby activity gyms, tested and reviewed by a mom-and-baby duo.

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What to Look for in a Baby Floor Mat

Baby floor mats come in all shapes, styles and sizes. Not sure where to begin? Here are our top tips to make the shopping process a piece of cake:

What to Look for in a Baby Play Gym

Even though there are many different styles on the market, infant play gyms tend to offer the same features and functions. Each typically has a bar or set of arches straddling a padded mat, toys you can dangle from above and some accessories to engage with baby as they lay. So, what qualities should you look for when making your pick?

When Can Your Child Use a Baby Play Gym?

Your infant activity gym can be used from birth. Even newborns need tummy time, and lying beneath high-contrast toys can help engage their burgeoning eyesight. Once a baby reaches the three-month mark, they’re able to get even more out of their play gym. This is because their neck muscles are stronger, so they’re better able to support their head and chest while on their stomach, explains Phillips-Walker.

A baby gym also serves as a designated place to place baby on their back for some visual and tactile stimulation. They generally feature a variety of toys, textures and developmental activities that’ll continue to stimulate your little one as they grow. When your child begins crawling and becomes more mobile, they probably won’t use their gym as much, which is when play mats come in. Some infant activity mats can even be transformed into play forts or tents once your child reaches toddlerhood, meaning they’ll be a staple in your playroom for years to come.

How To Safely Use a Baby Play Gym

Safety is a top priority when it comes to using any baby gear, and play gyms are no different. To ensure your little love is safe as they discover the world around them, keep the following advice top of mind.

Set time limits. Start off with five-minute sessions up to three times a day, suggests Phillips-Walker. As baby gets older, the time limit can be increased; 5 to 10 minutes is recommended for newborns under the three-month mark, and 10 to 30 minutes per session is recommended for infants between 3 and 6 months.
Always supervise. Parents and caregivers should never leave a baby unattended on a baby activity gym; this is especially true for infants who aren’t yet able to push up on their hands and knees independently. If your child rolls onto their face, Phillips-Walker suggests quickly intervening to prevent the risk of suffocation. Moreover, if you have to leave the room for a moment, look for another safe place for baby, instead of leaving them on their play gym.

About the writer:

Niki Achitoff-Gray is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s the former editor-in-chief of Serious Eats and has over a decade of experience in digital media. In addition to working with multiple outlets to develop product review protocols and best practices, Achitoff-Gray has studied product design at Parsons School of Design. Her daughter was born in May 2024.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The 9 Best Baby Activity Centers, Tables and Chairs

15 Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds to Support Their Development

6 Best Baby Playpens, Tested by Parents and Their Toddlers

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