Best baby play mats and gyms: Tried and tested by mums and babies

The Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym offers a musical, interactive play experience that grows with your child, featuring five light-up piano keys and a variety of soft, textured toys.

Parents rave about its ability to engage and aid development—mum tester Ellie calls it “a REVELATION!” and says, “I’ve never seen her so excited to play every time I lay her down!” Another tester noted how her daughter's development has flourished with this gym, and says, "She grabs, laughs, rolls, just loves to sit so much".

The adjustable piano teaches animal sounds and can be played with both feet and hands, while the whole gym is easy to fold and store. While it’s pricier and the hanging toys are somewhat limited, its versatility and lasting appeal provide excellent value for money, and it should accompany your little one through all the developmental phases.

While it may lean towards the pricier side, parents rave about its creativity, featuring charming fireflies that light up with a gentle touch and an endearing wigwam design that complements any nursery décor. One mum reviewer says, "I have to say it has been a fab purchase for us. My baby stares lovingly at the fox and owl and smiles and giggles at them."

With over 17 developmental activities, this mat accompanies your baby through all their major milestones, from lying and playing to sitting up. This mum says her 13-and-a-half-week-old baby has learnt to swipe at the little cloud handle and can now grab it! She says it'll take him a little longer to start pulling it, of course!

This play mat doesn't have as many features as others on the market. However, it is still a great gift to add to your baby's wish list with heaps of story-time appeal. This mum's tot loved interacting with the mat's adorable fox and owl characters. ​Parents think it's perfect for tummy time as well, as it drops down and will continue to entertain babies when they can sit up. "I have taken off the hedgehog and attached it to his bouncer," says Mum, "so detachable toys are another plus."

This is a game-changer in the world of playmats! This innovative design offers more than just a soft surface for playtime; it's also reversible, doubling its functionality and longevity. Suitable for children from two to six years old, it comes with a pack of flashcards and an interactive app, adding a unique and engaging element to playtime.

Our Senior Digital Writer, Samantha Ball, raves about this product, saying, "I absolutely love this playmat!" She describes how it has become a beloved part of her children's morning routine. Instead of reaching for the TV remote, her kids eagerly gravitate towards the mat, where they spend hours immersed in imaginative play. From the ease of cleaning (a lifesaver with two kids, says Samantha) to the comfortable surface, making it ideal for kneeling, lying, or sitting, it's great for letting children's creativity flourish!

Our mum tester said, "From an educational point of view, I think it ticks a lot of boxes that other playmats don’t, and children are not limited to how they interact with the mat, and as they get older they can play different games with the cards." She does wish the cards were made from a thicker or more durable material though, saying, "they are quite easy to bend, and they aren’t waterproof like the mat, so if any spillages happen they wouldn’t be protected." She also points out that the mat is quite heavy and bulky to store, so it's best to keep it out, and the reversible nature of the mat makes it more functional for this, too, but the size and weight make it less easy to clean. The product is a bit pricey, but the patterned side extends the life of this playmat, making it better value for money, she says.

Read our full Rock Stepper Playmat review

This play gym was shortlisted for the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Baby Toy.

This play gym stands out for its expertly designed, neutral colour scheme and calming aesthetic, providing a serene yet engaging space for babies’ cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

Parents love its stylish look - Louise says, “This product is not only beautiful to look at and looks fab in his nursery, but it also entertains him,” with her baby loving the koala bear and monkey toys. However, while the gentle, earthy colours create a soothing environment, some parents note that babies who prefer brighter, more stimulating play mats may lose interest faster.

With over 20 interactive features, including plush toys, wooden rings, and a dream catcher mirror, it offers plenty for babies to explore, while still looking elegant in any home. Testers appreciate the well-cushioned, extra-large mat that’s safe for play on any floor, though its size may be a drawback in smaller spaces. Despite this, many mums praise its attractive design and variety of sensory elements, making it a stylish and multifunctional addition to any nursery.

Read our full Tiny Love Luxe Developmental Gymini review.

This celestial-themed play mat delights babies with plush details, a tummy-time moon pillow, and hanging nocturnal toys to encourage exploration, plus a removable mirror for self-recognition.

Parents love its engaging features, sturdy construction, and machine-washable design—one reviewer calls it “well worth the money.” However, there are a few drawbacks: the batteries are not replaceable, which means the musical feature may not last for future siblings. As one mum put it, “Such a shame that my second child won’t be able to enjoy the musical aspect of this toy", and another noted minor wear on the teether, though most feel the quality and beautiful design are worth the investment.

This adaptable play gym grows with your child, featuring adjustable walls that can contain baby or transform into a ball pit for toddlers, providing years of fun. One reviewer praised this versatility, saying, "I really like this baby gym. Initially, we used it as a flat activity mat, but my son began rolling over and crawling early, so it's been useful to have sides that can go up and down so that he can't escape easily."

Parents praise its bright, engaging design and range of sensory-driven toys, with Jodie noting, "The product has a good range of accessories that are sensory driven for small children… my child enjoyed playing with these," and appreciating how easy it is to assemble and pack away.

The unisex, jungle theme is a hit with parents planning for more kids, and with features like an electric toucan, soft elephant, monkey bead chaser, leaf-shaped teethers, and 5-in-1 functionality, one mum calls it “a bargain.”

However, some reviewers found the mat wasn’t very soft, so extra padding may be needed on hard floors, and the sides of the ball pit aren't especially sturdy. The canopy and certain attachments can also be fiddly to set up, but the mat's versatility and engaging features make it a popular choice for families looking for a long-lasting, adaptable play gym

A cute baby gym from a brand you can trust — Freddie the Firefly from Lamaze featured on our best baby toys list, and this mat is just as great. The versatile 3-in-1 gym has features to support your baby's development, making it perfect for tummy time and beyond. One mum reviewer said, "When this first arrived, I wasn't impressed - but it turned out to be one of the best things I bought for my newborn."

With three detachable toys for on-the-go fun, it offers convenience and entertainment wherever you go. The bright colours and engaging design captivate babies' attention, while the large discovery mirror sparks curiosity and self-awareness. One mum reviewer loved how easy the detachable frame was to place anywhere, and the portable toys that fit conveniently in pockets or purses for emergency distractions.

Some parents may feel this mat isn't as padded and that it comes with fewer toys than others on the market. Plus, the slightly smaller and more compact size than other baby gyms means less space for movement. However, this doesn't put parents off at all! One reviewer says, "Size-wise, it's ideal. Not too big and bulky, and easy to slide under the sofa or behind it when not in use." With its handy and compact design, Freddie the Firefly Gym is a must-have for parents seeking both convenience and developmental support for their little ones. Another mum found the tummy time pillow to be unsuitable as it kept slipping when her baby wriggled, but she simply decided not to use it.

The Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini was the Bronze winner in the M&B Awards 2019 Best Baby Toy category.

This vibrant play mat offers a versatile space for babies to develop their exploration and motor skills, with adjustable arches and a colourful meadow design that many mums love having on display for months.

Packed with interactive features like a peek-a-boo tree, musical bird, lights, and dangling toys, it stands out for its unique recordable owl that lets parents add their own personalised message -Joanne calls this “a lovely idea.”

Parents praise its quality, easy customisation for different developmental stages, with mum tester Victoria saying, "I would recommend this product as it's such good quality and has so many different toys on it. It suits all development milestones, and you can customise it by moving the arches to suit the baby's age. They also praised the simple cleaning and storage, though some found fastening the arches a little fiddly at first. Overall, it’s a high-quality, adaptable play gym that suits babies from newborn and grows with them as they develop.

Read our full Tiny Love Dynamic Gymini review.

2021 Gold Mother&Baby Awards Winner in the Best Baby Toy category.
The Magical Tales Black & White Gymini stands out for its stylish, unisex design that blends seamlessly into any decor and is both easy to store and maintain. Parents love its bold, high-contrast colours and engaging features - like a mirror, baby-activated musical toy, and soothing wind chime -that encourage exploration and parent-child bonding from day one. Gabriella says, “I absolutely would recommend the Magical Tales Black & White Gymini to any other Mums... It’s a beautiful design, it doesn’t look like an eye sore in the front room!”

Testers also appreciate the adjustable arches and low-hanging, accessible toys, as well as the mat’s lightweight, washable construction - though they note it can slide on hard floors and is somewhat pricier than other options. Still, most mums found it practical, durable, and would recommend it for daily use, with Siobhan sharing, "It keeps him occupied for a decent amount of time, so I can get on with housework, etc."

Read our full Tiny Love Magical Tales Black & White Gymini review.

Shortlisted for 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Baby Toy.

The Little Green Sheep play gym is crafted from natural Birch wood and finished with oil, making it a top pick for families seeking a sustainable, non-toxic play space. While parents love its beautifully made, organic wooden frame and detachable cotton and wooden toys - Ruth says it “really did make life easier” - it’s worth noting that this is just a frame and doesn’t include a mat. The toys are safe for babies to bat and chew, come in various themes, and can be hand-washed or wiped clean, though they are not machine washable. Our mum tester, Ruth, found that it entertained her baby more than other toys; "This product was a fantastic addition to our toy collection. Our baby was so in love with it that she would play with it a lot longer than most of her other toys, allowing us to do simple tasks around the house".

Some busy families may find cleaning the toys less convenient, and the gym’s lifespan is relatively short, as babies who are already crawling may outgrow it quickly. Michelle adds, “It is a lovely, very well-made toy which I am sure would entertain a small baby," but she got limited use once her child started crawling, though the rattling teether toy proved handy beyond the play gym itself.

Read our full The Little Green Sheep Group Wooden Baby Play Gym review.

The Infantino Fold & Go Giant Discovery Mat is perfect for families wanting a large, padded play space - it offers over two square metres of thick comfort with a bright, sensory-rich design.

Mum tester Rosie found it ideal for tummy time and play, saying, "It’s been a great mat for tummy time…comfortable and a really generous size," though she notes it might not suit smaller homes. The mat includes engaging textures, a large mirror, and animal friends, plus it folds up easily for travel.

While many parents love the ample space and washing-machine-friendly design, some note the padding isn't quite thick enough for hard floors, and the mat's back isn't very wipeable, so it may not be the best choice for outdoor use. Rosie adds, "The comfort of it is great…Eli was happy to be on it," but cautions that the large size means it may not fit every washing machine.

The Infantino Foldable Soft Foam Mat is a spacious, reversible play mat with fold-up sides that keep toys contained, so it's perfect for keeping your room tidy and playtime organised. Easy to fold and store in its storage bag, it’s portable and practical whether at home or on the go.

Dad tester Jordan praises its size, softness, and stylish design options, saying, “The padding on the mat is lovely, soft, and most importantly, wipeable!” and appreciates being able to flip to a muted side that blends with living room decor.

Parents love that it’s lightweight, easy to clean, and works well even as a ball pit or in a playpen. However, while the walls keep toys in, they don’t stop mobile babies from rolling out, as one reviewer notes. Still, its versatility and clever design make it a favourite for families who want both comfort and convenience.

The Infantino 7-in-1 Kick N Keys Musical Piano Activity Gym is a feature-packed, soft play space that adapts to your baby’s development with a detachable piano, tummy-time bolster, seat, and abundant hanging toys.

Parents appreciate the portable piano, which is perfect for use anywhere, and the variety of melodies and sounds, making it ideal from the newborn stage onwards. Mum tester Joanna calls it "a clever design, compact but with an impressive number of elements" and particularly loves the engaging keyboard, which both her baby and older child enjoyed.

While Joanna found the pillow perfect for tummy time and valued its adaptability, she felt the hanging toys could be more visually stimulating and would have preferred a machine-washable design instead of just wipe-clean. Still, she praises its versatility and developmental focus, describing it as a useful, entertaining spot for babies at every stage.

Read the full review of Infantino 7 in 1 Kick N Keys Musical Piano Activity Gym.

This play mat is built to last, featuring a sturdy frame with two contour bars for hanging a variety of toys, and it’s praised by parents for being well-made and free from choking hazards. With a large padded area, a mirrored piece for self-discovery, and hoops that are easy to use, it keeps babies engaged. One mum said her little one “loves to stare at herself,” and another described it as “easy to use, lightweight and great fun.” However, some were disappointed with the mat's thickness and recommended using it on carpet, and a few noted the arches could pop out easily, suggesting extra supervision is needed.

The mat includes a comfy cushion, which is ideal for tummy time, and comes with two easy-to-wash covers for added convenience. Its durable construction and adaptable design mean it will stay useful as your baby grows, while parents appreciate the easy-clean features and the option to hang pram toys for extra variety.