4 activity mats recommended by blogger moms

Discovering the world around them is one of the most present tasks in a baby’s routine and it is up to parents to provide a favorable environment for the little ones to explore the universe that surround them.

According to the doctor. Isabela Moreira Forni, pediatrician at the dr.consulta network of medical centers, sensory stimuli are part of the baby’s life even before birth and are the best way to provide the child with this environment of himself and the world.

“In intrauterine life he already feels the touch, hears conversations and music, experiences movements. At birth, the child is introduced to a new world and is faced with a lot of information that needs to be processed. It has been observed that one of the best ways for the brain to absorb information is by exploring and using all of its senses and it is in this context that the importance of sensory activities arises.”, he explains.

Sensory activities can be carried out through stimulating toys and one of the most versatile product options is activity mats. They combine the function of stimulating and protecting, after all, the baby can stay safe and have fun on it while the mother or father performs other tasks.

Interested in this item? Find out about pediatrician recommendations for choosing an activity mat, check out blogger reviews of some models, as well as different options to buy online.

4 things you should look out for when shopping

Dr. Isabela Forni warns that when buying any product for your little one, two factors should be observed: “Is this item safe? Is this item recommended for my child’s age? These two questions should guide your purchase.”

Based on these questions, the pediatrician listed 4 factors to check when buying an activity mat:

1. Material: “In the case of the activity mat, in relation to safety, we must always observe first the material it is made of, if it is a resistant material and suitable for children, a material that will not release any type of substance ( paint must always be non-toxic).”, guides Isabela.

Also about the material, it is important to check if it is easy to wash, after all it is essential that the rug is always clean.

2. Components of the mat: the doctor points out that it is necessary to assess whether the parts (toys and structures) that make up the mat are securely fastened and that there is no object that could come loose and/or hurt the baby.

3. Comfort: it is extremely important that, in addition to being safe, the rug is comfortable and in this sense it is worth observing the dimensions of the rug. “Another attention we have to have is if the upholstery is thick enough for the baby to be comfortably lying down and sitting up.”, warns the specialist.

4. Stimuli: if paying attention to the stimuli offered by the mat is important to gain in cost-effectiveness, then the tip is to invest in mats that allow the child to explore it not only in the lying position, but also sitting and crawling on it.

“The age at which we normally recommend the mat is from the second month onwards, when the baby can already interact a little more with the environment around him, even so, from the first month the baby can already be placed to observe. Look for rugs that have the highest degree of sensory stimulation possible and that can cover other activities as the child grows.”, indicates the pediatrician.

4 activity mats recommended by bloggers

After the tips from Dr. Isabela Forni, how about the opinion of those who have already tested some models? Check out six activity mats purchased by blogger moms and what they have to say about them:

1. Fisher Price Forest Rug, by Mama & Papa Reviews

This review is quite complete and objective. Among the positive points mentioned of this rug is the variety of stimuli offered by it, with toys, lights, textures and music. On the negative side, is the space occupied by the rug when storing it.

See more details in the video and find this model to buy here.

2. Pink Flower Park Mastela Rug, by Tathi Fulber

Blogger Tathi Fulber talks about a very delicate and fluffy rug, ideal for younger babies. In addition, it has easy assembly and disassembly and, despite not having many toys, it allows the exchange or addition of others.

Check out the full review in the video and buy this model from this link.

3. Mastela amusing animals rug, by Ru Baricelli

This rug stands out for its variety of textures, vibrant colors and ease of assembly and disassembly. In addition to the rug, blogger Ru Baricelli’s video brings other suggestions for stimulating toys.

Watch the video for tips and details about the rug and buy the model from this link.

4. Gymini Move&Play Tiny Princess rug, by Cris Linero

This is another rug option that brings visual, sound and tactile stimuli in a super delicate design. The model was also indicated in another video, on the Nariz de Batatinha channel, check it out.

If you liked this rug here is the link to buy it online.

Other rug options to buy online

In addition to the models mentioned above, there are a multitude of activity mats available for purchase online. Check out more options for your little one:

Now that you know more about the activity mat, just choose the model you prefer and let your child play.

“It is a great pedagogical resource to teach and allow children to explore the environment, expanding their playful repertoire. As a pediatrician, I highly recommend its use, because in a single toy it can gather several stimuli, with its vibrant colors, different textures, sounds, movements, shapes and activities, not to mention that it is attractive from the first months to the beginning of the first year, having a lot of use.”, reinforces Dr. Isabela Forni.