The 5 Best Non-Toxic, Organic Play Mats for Babies
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The Importance of Non-Toxic Baby Play Mats:
Did you know that many children's play mats contain flame retardants, heavy metals and other harmful substances? When our children are constantly exposed to these harmful chemicals, it can do scary things like disrupt their endocrine system, which can cause early puberty. While that may not sound like the biggest deal, early puberty can increase your child’s risk for reproductive cancers.
It is overwhelmingly frustrating that companies are marketing products to children that are full of these hazardous substances, especially when these companies try to then claim these products as “non-toxic”! We live in an era where we can’t blindly trust claims listed under product descriptions - we have to look for actual certifications such as Greenguard Gold and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
If you're looking to create a safe space for your child's play area, and gain some peace of mind, I've done the research and found the best non-toxic play mats on the market.
Top 5 Non-Toxic Baby Mats
1. Toki mats
Toki mats are the definition of cute and comfy, and you won’t find any synthetic chemicals! They use the best foam materials in their products - specifically, a non-toxic, chemical-free natural rubber latex foam. This foam is a kinder and safer alternative compared to synthetic foams, such as EVA foam mats and polyurethane foam mats - it is the only "non-toxic foam" I actually trust. The latex foam creates a soft surface that is super squishy, yet supportive, so it makes the perfect tummy time mat.
Their covers are also crafted using non-toxic materials. These covers come in different prints and fabric styles, from 100% certified organic cotton to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified vegan leather, which is a naturally waterproof cover option. We opted for the organic cotton cover, because even though the vegan leather is certified non-toxic, I still feel better about having natural materials in direct contact with my baby’s skin. An added bonus with their organic cotton cover: it can be thrown straight into your washing machine when it needs a refresh!
Toki mats are also a more sustainable option because they grow with your kiddos - we have been using ours from newborn tummy-time to a seating area in her toddler book nook. When we can use pieces in different ways, and for many years, we are reducing our footprint.
So all things considered, I would go as far as to say that this is a truly non-toxic product, and a truly perfect mat!
Provides a cushy zone for tummy time and a soft landing for play time
Comes in 3 different sizes, so you can select the right size for your space!
Non-toxic, chemical-free natural rubber latex foam
Certified organic cotton (washable cover)
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
You can use my referral link below for a discount on your order!
This product does contain natural latex, so if there are any latex allergies on your home, check out the other great non-toxic play mat options on this list!
2. Lovevery
The Play Gym by Lovevery is the best play gym on the market! It provides a comfortable surface and nice cushion for your little one to do some tummy time and explore the fun sensory features it offers.
You can also detach the included canopy bars to use as a stand alone play mat, or add the included tent fabric on top for some fun pretend play once your little one is toddler age - we had ours set up like this in our living room for about a year! (pro-tip, you can also use this tent feature to shield your baby from screen-time when you have the TV on in the background!).
Another added bonus: the fabric is machine washable, so if your baby is in a spit-up-on-everything phase, this might just be the play mat for you! Lovevery cares about environmental responsibility - they use FSC-certified wood, recyclable packaging materials, and have sustainability goals listed on their website.
Materials: Organic cotton, FSC-certified wood, silicone and polyester
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
(affiliate link)
If you’re interested in the Lovevery play kit subscription, here is my referral link for $20 off your first order!
3. Byrd & Blume Round Baby Play Mat
If you are searching for organic cotton play mats for your little one, this is one of the best options! It is a light weight, 100% organic cotton mat filled with 100% Oeko-Tex recycled polyester. While I don't love polyester, I feel comfortable using it when it is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.
Materials: 100% organic cotton filled with 100% Oeko-Tex recycled polyester
(affiliate link)
4. Toddlekind 100% Organic Cotton Play Mat
This is another great product! It is made from organic cotton and an inner layer of polyester. While there are no certifications for their polyester, the polyester itself does not come in direct contact with your baby, since the outermost fabric is 100% organic cotton.
Reversible
Quilted
Materials: Organic cotton (outer), polyester (inner)
(affiliate link)
5. Pehr
The whimsical patterns Pehr creates would add a charming tough to any play space! These mats are screen printed by hand using AZO-Free dyes. The use of non-toxic dyes is important because when harsh chemicals are used to color fabric, these chemicals can then come in direct contact with and be absorbed through your baby's skin. These mats are also machine washable, which is always appreciated by us busy parents!
Materials: 100% Cotton, poly filled interior
(affiliate link)
A Final Note . . .
While there are other foam play mats that claim to be “non-toxic,” I would urge you to proceed with caution. There is not adequate regulation on a company claiming their product to be “non-toxic,” so check to see if the product has any real certifications, such as Greenguard Gold or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
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