The 5 Best Water Mats for Babies Reviewed
What are water mats for babies?
A baby water mat is a type of toy which is designed for sensory and physical play. These mats are filled with water and display an array of colorful underwater illustrations, shapes and toys, often including underwater creatures.
First, you inflate and fill your mat with water, and then your baby is free to play by laying and crawling on the mat. The majority of water mats only have water inside the mat, meaning there’s no direct contact with water. Sometimes these toys are referred to as ‘tummy time mats’. Tummy time means encouraging your baby to play while laying down on his or her stomach.
Why is tummy time important for babies?
Tummy time is important to allow babies to strengthen the muscles they need to lift up their heads, which eventually develops into sitting up, crawling, and then walking. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends practicing tummy time for at least fifteen minutes each day.
Water mats for babies are incredibly beneficial to your child’s development, both sensory and physical. With the help of these mats, your baby can practice tummy time and discover colors, shapes, and sea creatures. As well as learning through play, babies can strengthen the muscles in their neck, shoulders, arms, legs and more. For water play without the mess, you need a baby water mat! If you’re looking to find the best water mats for babies, take a look at these five top picks.
Best Water Mats for Babies
1. iHaHa Baby Tummy Time Water Play Mat
Take your baby on a journey to the ocean, without ever leaving your living room! This beautiful mat will delight your baby, with its vivid patterns that float around the underwater world. Babies love to try and tap or catch the sea creatures as they drift through the mat, tummy time has never been more fun. The design features a colorful shipwreck to explore and plenty of cute characters to meet from the grinning shark to the wiggly octopus.
One of the best things about this baby water mat is the thick PVC fabric, as some thinner baby mats are prone to leakage. With a thickness of 0.35mm and strong internal seams, you can let your baby enjoy playtime, (without worrying about pesky holes in the mat).
Looking for a mat that’s easy to take out and about? The iHaHa mat is super easy to carry and set up. When folded it’s approximately iPad sized, so you can put it in your diaper bag no problem. You can set up this tummy time mat in minutes, simply inflate the outer ring, and fill up the inside with warm or cold water.
Crawling around on this baby water mat isn’t just great fun, this tummy time mat will help your baby to build posture strength, endurance, and enhance their hand-eye coordination.
- ✅No Holes, No Leaks - The upgraded version of the baby water tummy time mat has a thickness of 0.35mm, which avoids defects such as easy to hole and dissolution by heat. Designed air nozzle, water valve structure, and thick PVC fabrics perform very well at the internal seams, completely avoiding troublesome accidents such as leakage caused by bad seams.
- ✅Bigger Size, More Happiness - The upgraded baby tummy time mat size is 40''X 40'', which is larger than other ordinary baby mats and provides enough space for the baby to have happy tummy time and don't need to worry that the little angel will bruise because of crawling. It can even accommodate 2-3 children playing together and enjoy pleasant tummy time.
- ✅Infant Tummy Time Water Mat - This baby water mat contains bright, colorful patterns floating and unique ocean theme which will make your baby feel exciting, just like entering the underwater world, they will try to catch or tap them, which greatly increases the fun of the tummy time. Babies will fall in love with this unique ocean-themed water mat.
- ✅An Essential Tummy Time Mat For Early Development - Infant water mat can help your baby strengthen the muscles of their head, neck, shoulder, improve hand-eye coordination, stimulate brain development, prevent flat head, learn to crawl, etc.
- ✅Easy To Carry, Simple To Use - Just fill the outer ring with gas and fill the inside with water (warm or cold water is OK), and then you can put it on the floor and the baby can start the tummy time. After being folded, it is only the size of an iPad, which is very suitable for putting it in a diaper bag and carrying it out.
2. LaLa Lou Kids Tummy Time Water Mat
The LaLa Lou mat is a gorgeous pink and lilac flower-shaped mat. It features plenty of cute nature-themed designs, such as smiling flowers and sunshines and bright rainbows. Babies will go crazy for these colors, as they bat the bumblebee and explore the heart shapes with their fingers. You’ll ensure that playtime is a real treat with this super cutesy water mat.
These mats are free from yucky chemicals and designed with earth-kind PVC too. LaLa Lou mats provides a leak-proof guarantee, your baby can play all day, and the water will stay safe inside the mat.
With a whopping 34inches of play mat to explore, you’ll find that this a larger mat than many other brands on the market. With a bigger space to play, tummy time becomes more of a challenge, helping your baby to build their muscles, and improve their crawling in no time at all.
As your baby watches these cute toys float in the water, they’ll practice cognitive thinking; learn about cause and effect; and improve their coordination.
Tummy time is so important to reach development milestones, strengthening the back, shoulders, neck, and preventing flat head. Many babies dislike tummy time, and so the great thing about this mat is that it’s incredibly engaging. The huge flower shape and pretty colors will encourage curiosity in your baby, inviting them to explore. From it’s large size to the beautiful design, it’s considered one of the best water mats for babies.
- BABY MUST-HAVE: Our LaLa Lou Kids Enchanted Flower Tummy Time Water Mat is every New Mom's Must-Have and make perfect Baby Shower Gifts! The Enchanted Flower was designed with not only physical developmental milestones in mind, but also early language and articulation of colorful everyday objects.
- SENSORY DEVELOPMENT: Tummy Time is MUCH more than babies learning to lift their heads! Enjoy watching your little one engage in not only core strength building of arms, legs, neck, back and hips, but also developing fine motor skills, visual and cognitive learning and stimulation, enhanced hand-eye coordination as well curving flat head syndrome. Our Baby Play Mat makes Tummy Time Learning fun and enjoyable for babies and toddlers alike.
- AMERICAN COMPANY: We proudly design all of our products in the United States. Made from the Highest Quality Eco-Friendly PVC, Guaranteed Leak-Proof, No Harsh Smelling Chemicals, our Promise to you is the Quality and Safety of our Baby Tummy Time Mat.
- EASY TO USE & PACK: Our baby water mat is simple to use as you inflate the outer ring and fill the interior area with water. When you are done, you empty the mat, deflate the air and put it away for next time.
- MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: Your Satisfaction is #1 priority with our easy no questions asked, 30 day money back guarantee.
3. Splashin Kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water mat
Babies get super excited with this top pick, with colorful creatures everywhere you turn. Watch with delight as your baby chases the floating ducks, starfish, and lobsters, amongst this enchanting underwater scene.
When babies lack tummy time, this can lead to a delay in reaching key development milestones, whether rolling over, sitting, on lifting the head. The issue is, many babies hate being placed on their tummy to play. The Splashin Kids mat is so fun and intriguing for babies, that there’ll be no more tears at tummy time!
Playtime on the Splashin Kids mat will build up your little ones’ muscles, as well as enhancing their brain development. There’s so much to learn here, from the colors of the creatures to the texture and sounds of the mat as they shuffle, crawl, and grab.
Rest assured this product is both Bpa free and environmentally friendly. The thick PVC will not leak, (and there’s a money-back guarantee if you have any issues). This water play mat is suitable for ages 3 months + and is 26 inches wide by 20 inches tall.
- { Supreme Quality and Attention to Detail is our Goal }This water splash pad play mat is constructed from Heavy Duty Pvc that has been thoroughly tested and will Not Leak air or water Period That is our Goal
- { Stimulates Baby Development } The splashin'kids water fill playmat is an essential tool for developing solid head, neck and shoulder muscles as well as honing hand eye coordination fine motor and social skills It is a sensory delight that enhances brain development
- { Stunning Eye Catching Graphics } Watch as your infant enters our fish tank Wonderland wide eyed and Fascinated by the bright colors sharp contrasts and cute floating toys Rain or shine is tummy time Your baby will try to catch and bat the brightly colored toys as they float by This baby splash pad will provide hours of quality stimulating and healthy fun
- { A Cinch To Set Up } Simply fill the outer ring with air and the inner mat with your desired level of tap water set it on the floor and let the fun begin It folds easily when empty into your purse or toy bag to bring along anywhere you go.Its normal to have a plastic smell when its brand new so let it air out for a few days
- { Product Specifications } For ages 3 months and up with a large roomy play size area designed to keep your baby boy or girl's interest riveted Product size is 26" wide by 20" tall by 2.5" high Six brightly colored toys are included inside each mat This product is environmentally friendly and Bpa Free
4. Airlab Tummy Time Baby Water Play Mat
Here your baby can play with colorful whales, fish, and octopus, without even getting wet! If your baby needs a little help learning to lift its head and crawl,, this mat is the perfect solution to engage them with tummy time. The environmental PVC material means you get a mat that’s both sturdy and green. Watch as your baby becomes mesmerized by the swimming creatures.
The Airlab mat is a great tool for babies to experience sensory play. Sensory play is crucial to a baby’s development because it encourages them to investigate and explore, whether it’s sights, sounds, textures. As the shapes float inside the mat, your baby can practice observing and forming conclusions like, ‘what happens if I grab that fish?’ Activities like this help a baby’s brain to form stronger connections with sensory information and learn which info is useful.
This eye-catching mat is very easy to set up, all you need to do is add water to the inside mat, and inflate the ring on the outer edge. Need to take the mat to a playdate? It’s easy enough to roll or fold the mat to fit it inside a handbag. The mat is suitable for babies aged from 3 to 24 months old, it weighs 0.71lbs and is 26inches wide by 20 inches tall.
5. Gebra Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
Babies just can’t resist this giant turtle design water mat, your sweetie pie will just love splashing around with these colorful characters, from dolphins and ducks to fishes and mermaids. With so much to discover, your baby will enhance their visual-motor development and depth perception skills. Along the way, your baby will also develop their environmental awareness and sensory integration. All eight of the cute animals are color printed on both sides, helping to intrigue your baby as he/she bats them around.
The turtle is one of the largest water play mats you’ll find on the market, at a huge 43 inches by 35inches. A larger mat means more space to play, improving those fine motor and physical strength skills at the same time. From the hands to the hips and the neck, your baby will work the muscles they need to improve their crawling. Does your baby experience tummy problems? Tummy time on a large mat like this can also help with constipation and gas issues.
Say goodbye to leaks with this updated screw cap, the PVC is 0.35mm thick and sturdy enough to prevent holes. For a tummy- tastic time, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful turtle mat. With all these benefits and features this design is known as one of the best water mats for babies.
- Turtle-shaped design: This inflatable water mat features a cute turtle-shaped design that lets your baby feel the charm of nature. The water mat has various marine animal patterns that increase your baby’s curiosity and exploration desire.
- Promote baby’s development: This inflatable water mat can help your baby exercise the muscles of the neck, back, legs and arms, improve coordination and balance. At the same time, the colorful, crisp-sounding, and diverse-shaped animals on the water mat can stimulate your baby’s vision, hearing and touch, and promote brain development.
- Easy to use: This inflatable water mat only needs to blow up the outer ring and then add an appropriate amount of warm water to the inner ring to use. After use, you can release the air and water for easy storage and carrying.
- Suitable for various occasions: This inflatable water mat measures 30.5 x 22.8 inches (77.5 x 58 cm), suitable for babies over 3 months old. It can be placed on the floor, bed, lawn or beach, letting your baby enjoy the fun of playing on their tummy anytime and anywhere. It is also a great birthday gift or holiday gift for children of relatives and friends.
Choosing the right baby water mat for you
From sensory play to physical play, brain stimulation, and tummy time skills, there are so many benefits to using a baby water mat. Each of these five top picks has been thoroughly tested for safety and praised for the ability to keep babies fully engaged.
One of the biggest problems surrounding tummy time is that many babies don’t enjoy it! Choosing one of the best baby water mats will help your baby to love playing on their tummy. All of these mats state a no-leak guarantee, and these retailers will provide refunds if you do get a hole or leak in your mat.
From oversized flowers and turtles to intriguing underwater worlds, you’ll be sure to make tummy time more fun, with one of these lovely options.