"This mat is worth every penny – every household with babies or children needs one of these!"
GOLD - EVERYDAY PARENTING ESSENTIAL (over £25)
Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, quality of product, appeal for parents, safety for babies, worth the money.
Why it’s a winner: For the second year running this luxury playmat takes Gold. These plush mats are padded and easy to clean, and offer great longevity – they're just as handy for tummy time with your baby as they are for messy weaning in the kitchen or as a comfy place to play as your children get older. The non-slip backing makes it ideal for wooden or laminate floors and it can be rolled up when you’re not using it. Our parent testers loved the huge choice of sizes, colours and designs on offer (over 30), with one saying “we felt proud to have it on our floor and it made life easier with nappy changes and playing together as a a family.”
In the words of parent tester Karen, who tested this with their 7 month old and 1 year old: “The waterproof, wipe-clean finish makes dealing with every possible spill or mess quick and easy. For my youngest, it was a lovely surface to lie on, while for my oldest it was a great play space – he was clearly comfortable to sit, kneel, lie, jump and crash on it while playing!”
GOLD - BEST NURSERY ACCESSORY
Key features we tested/judged — Quality and design, effectiveness, usefulness, worth the money, ease of use.
Why it’s a winner: These wipe-clean, waterproof, non-toxic reversible play mats are impressively durable and spongy thanks to their plastic coating and memory foam core. Our testers were really impressed by how well they provided a safe space for their babies to play, with one commenting, “my 8 month old is constantly on the move, and this soft mat really gives me peace of mind when he’s doing his gymnastics and has saved him a few bumps and bruises.” Available in a range of sizes, shapes and designs that are “fun and playful without being garish,” each mat is reversible, making them a really versatile addition to your nursery.
In the words of parent tester Kate, who tested this with their 7 month old and 3 year old: “This mat has the perfect level of cushioning, meaning it's comfy to sit on and safe to fall on but isn’t so spongy that it's difficult to walk on. It works well for all ages; my older daughter has been practising her forward rolls on it. I love that you can switch up the pattern and/or colour, though the best part is how easily you can wipe it clean – perfect for spills, messy play, mucky fingers and weaning!”
GOLD - MULTI STAGE / LONGLIFE PARENTING PRODUCT
Key features we tested/judged — Longevity, ease of use through several stages of parenting, ability to adapt with your child, quality, value for money.
Why it’s a winner: These super-stylish, padded play mats are soft, practical and can be used anywhere in your home. Our testers and judges were impressed with the longevity the play mat offered, from providing a comfortable space for your baby to roll and crawl to a stylish addition to an older child's bedroom. The mats are incredibly well made, with one tester saying the non-toxic, wipe-clean fabric, with protective memory foam core couldn't be faulted for quality. "We've had one for around a year and it looks as good as new" commented another tester and, while it is a bit of an investment, the judges all agreed it was worth it. The hardest part is choosing your favourite from the huge range of different sizes, colours and designs
In the words of parent tester Zoe, who tested this with their 6 month old: “This mat is worth every penny – every household with babies or children needs one of these! It will change your life for the better – particularly in homes with hard flooring. The mat helps create a play area that is safer for babies and more fun for the kids.”
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Our new Babushka Bear Family was shortlisted in the best newborn gift category!!