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Investing in non toxic play mats for babies is a practical way to reduce chemical exposure on your little one.
Babies love to roll around on the floor exploring, chewing and tugging on everything in sight! It’s a natural and essential part of any baby’s development.
However, many toddler and baby play mats (& changing pads) contain polyurethane foam or PVC – materials that have been linked with potential health issues.
And whilst it’s true babies naturally come into contact with some dirt & toxins, they also have developing immune systems, which makes it harder for them to fend of toxins.
So, where you can, it makes sense to shop for eco friendly play mats & baby products that are free from, (or at least contain less of) chemicals of most concern.
What To Look For In Non Toxic Baby Play Mats
As a guide, when shopping for a non toxic play mat for your baby or toddler, look out for mats that are free from PVC, polyurethane containing flame retardants and EVA foam.
PVC often contains lead & phthalates and the main problem with polyurethane foam is that it often contains flame retardants. Lead, phthalates & flame retardants have all been linked to potential health concerns in children. The jury’s out a bit on the general safety of polyurethane foam, but whilst it’s often considered a safer material, it has also been linked to respiratory issues & VOCS.
And EVA foam, although sometimes considered a safer alternative, has been found to off gas formamide, a suspected carcinogen.
Whilst some experts argue that even if formamide is emitted, it’s in such small doses, it likely won’t do any harm, strict limits have been imposed on it in EU countries such as the UK, France and Belgium.
9 Of The Best Non Toxic Play Mats For Babies
Ultimately, it’s almost impossible to avoid chemicals altogether (and we’d probably go mad trying to), but what we can do as parents is aim to be as informed as possible & make our own decisions from there.
Here are 9 non toxic play mats for babies and toddlers, which use organic or eco friendly materials. You’ll also find non toxic mats often go hand in hand with sustainable & ethical manufacturing processes too.
1 – Pillobebe Play Mats
Dimensions: Approx 54″ x 54″
These quilted non toxic play mats from Pillobebe are made from organic cotton.
Free from formamide, flame-retardants, PVC, BPA, formaldehyde, phthalates, lead & VOCs, the mats come in a range of fun designs.
Choose from a reversible mat or one with a removable cover & if you have a hardwood floor, there’s also a higher density Corkimat.
2 – Makemake Organics Play Mat
Designed by moms, these handmade organic play mats from MakeMake Organics are made in India from GOTS certified organic cotton.
Softly cushioned with an OEKO Tex certified non toxic polyester fiber filling, the play mats are made without harmful dyes, pesticides, fertilizers or flame retardants.
Machine washable, this neutrally designed non toxic play mat for babies is 48 inches wide & double sided.
Dimensions: Approx 48″
3 – Toki Mats
Dimensions: 40″ x 40″ or 55″ x 55″
Whether you choose the Standard or Mega size, Toki’s non toxic play mats contain GOLS Certified latex foam. This means it’s made from organically grown natural rubber latex, which meets strict raw material & manufacturing standards.
It’s also got a removable cover (washable on a cold cycle is recommended), which come in a wide range of fun designs. Soft & comfy, the mat folds up easily & a waterproof cover add on (sold separately) will help with spillages.
4 – 
Ofie Mat By Little Bot
Dimensions: 6.5 ft x 4.5 ft
With designs inspired by Scandinavian artworks, Ofie Mats are listed as heavy metal, BPA, lead, phthalate, formaldehyde, PVC & EVA foam free.
Soft to the touch, these minimalist play mats are simply designed, functional & wipe clean.
Keep in mind it is made of TPU foam, which is a class of polyurethane, however the Little Bot website states flame retardants are not added during the manufacturing process.
5 – Finch & Folk World Explorer Play Mat
Dimensions: 120 cm (47 inches) x 120 cm
Designed in Australia & ethically made in India from GOTS certified organic cotton, the Finch & Folk World Explorer Play Mat is a sensory feast for babies & toddlers.
Quilted, non toxic & reversible, it’s beautifully soft & machine washable, with a comfy, thick Oeko-Tex 100 polyester fill.
A range of other organic play mats are also available.
6 – Wee Gallery Organic Explore Play Mat For Babies
Dimensions: 40″ x 40″
This organic, non toxic play mat from Wee Gallery features a hand-illustrated woodland scene on one side and a cityscape on the other.
Ethically made in India from organic cotton muslin and Oeko-tex polyester padding, the mat comes with a drawstring bag for easy storage.
Perfect for tummy time, the high contrast graphics are visually stimulating & a double outer layer of organic voile provides extra cushioning for baby.
7 – Finch & Folk Organic I-Spy Play Mat
Dimensions: 120 cm (47 inches) x 120 cm
This is another adorable non toxic plat mat for babies & toddlers from Finch & Folk, this time with a gender neutral woodland theme.
Again, the outer fabric is made from GOTS certified organic cotton & the fill is Oeko -Tex 100 polyester.
Reversible, with diamond quilting, older toddlers can enjoy searching for objects & animals with the FREE I-Spy card included with the mat.
8 – Comfort Designs Mats
Dimensions: 6.5 ft x 4.5 ft
If you’re after a non toxic play mat that blends into your home more like a rug, check out Comfort Designs floor mats.
Soft & easy to clean, the range of modern designs offer something for most decors, plus the play mats can easily double as a yoga or exercise mat.
Made from high-quality TPU foam, Comfort Design non toxic play mats are free from BPA, PVC, EVA, formaldehyde & flame retardants.
9 – Wander & Roam Play Mats
Dimensions: 6.5 ft x 4.5 ft
This eco friendly, one piece play mat from Wander & Roam is free from BPA, PVC, & formaldehyde.
Made from TPU foam, the play mats have been rigorously tested to meet all US & European Toy Standards.
Mats are reversible, soft, wipe clean & waterproof. TPU foam is also biodegradable, making it more environmentally friendly than options such as PVC.
Non Toxic Play Mats For Babies FAQS
Here are some common questions you might find useful regarding organic & non toxic play mats for babies & toddlers.
Best Non Toxic Play Mats For Babies: Conclusion
If you have a baby or toddler, play mats can prove a really practical addition to your home.
Not only do they aid with visual and motor development, they also offer a safer space for babies to explore their surroundings. Floors and carpets can be a bit of a haven for dust & bacteria, so a play mat can help ensure a healthier environment for baby to roll, crawl and play.
It’s impossible to avoid toxins completely, of course, but choosing an organic or non toxic play mat goes that step further, helping you to reduce your child’s exposure to toxins that may be present in some common forms of foam play mats.
This helps ensure your baby has a safer & healthier place to explore without you having to worry too much about hidden toxins.
Hi, Sarah. I’m a fan of play mats at home so that babies and kids can roam around safely at home. I have some with pictures of cities and road tracks for kids to play with their cars and little peoples. It’s a load of fun for them. I used to have one favorite with this city and road track patterns and it was stated non toxic.
However, we had some water spilled and water seeped in. It dried but became powdery on the base and emitted smell like chemical that I had to throw it away. I don’t even know if it is true that it is non toxic play mat as it says but the smell put me off and I had to throw it away despite the fact the kids love it. How can we be sure if it is non toxic?
Hi Mjia, If you follow the tips on this post it will really help – the main things to look for in my experience are mats that are flame retardant, PVC, polyurethane and EVA foam free. If you’re ever unsure, you can always contact the manufacturer or ask for their lab reports. At the end of the day, It’s pretty much impossible to say something is 100% ‘non toxic’, but for me it’s more about finding the safest products we can for our kids, with the information currently available. Hope that helps.
Great guide, but your last one is not safe at all. PVC, even phthalate free, still contains chlorine which emits dioxin. PVC is never safe. I suggest you remove it.
Hi there, many thanks for your comments. I’m not personally a fan of PVC either and am v conscious of the dioxin debate, but as I understand it dioxin can only be released from PVC when it is burned at low or extremely high temperatures. I also suggest that if you’re not comfortable with PVC, it’s better to choose one of the other mats.