Comparing Different Materials Used in Foam Play Mats

Kids’ skin is gentle and delicate; when you have kids at home, you have to ensure your space is kid-friendly. Playmats or fabric rugs are highly safe and comfortable for kids, allowing them to play on the ground without any trouble. However, with so many options available, it’s important for parents to understand different types of material and their benefits. You need to know these materials to decide whether they are good for your kids or not. It will help you find a good-quality playmat for your kids. 

Read on to learn more foam play mats material details. 

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the major materials used in single-piece foam play mats. It is a solid that is made soft and flexible with chemicals. It is then made into different products, including foam playmats. However, PVC is harmful, one of the most toxic plastics for health and the environment. Using foam play mats made from PVC is likely to impact your kid’s health. In addition, when developing playmats with PVC, manufacturers also add other materials that make it more harmful.

Polyurethane (PU)

The polyurethane (PU) foam play mats are extremely soft and cushioning good for kids. It is an open-cell foam that helps the air to flow perfectly, making it soft and comfortable. These are known for playmats and mattresses with foam that offers additional cushioning to your kids. However, polyurethane (PU) is not used alone; it is wrapped with another surface material to complete the product. So, if you are looking for PU-based foam playmats, check the surface material as well.

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Foam Play Mats 

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is another material that is used in developing various products, including playmats. It has a soft, rubbery, and flexible material with a soft texture that helps kids play comfortably. The EVA is also used to make carpet underlay, life jackets, and running shoes. It is used mainly for its ability to absorb impact. If your kids throw toys or hard objects are dropped on these playmats, they absorb the impact. This material is usually considered safe for kids to use in toys and playmats. 

Fabrics 

Another one of the major types of playmats for kids is fabric playmats. These are the best options compared to foam play mats, where artificial material is used. However, different types of fibers are used in fabric play mats or rugs. Every fiber has its own benefit that may suit kids, allowing them to play comfortably. Let’s explore different fibers used in playmats: 

• Natural: The fibers used in their natural form are high-end fabric play mats or rugs. These are not only suitable for kids but also for the environment. Natural fibers like cotton, jute, and wool are known for their properties as well as environmental benefits. The wool used for making kids’ playmats provides natural warmth, softness, and comfort. So, if you have experienced winters for a long time, these playmats are good for adding warmth to your floor surface, giving your kids a comfortable space to play in winter. Similarly, jute and cotton are soft, comfortable, and cool in nature; during summer, these fibers work wonders for kids. If you prefer providing your kids with natural products, invest in good quality natural rugs. 
• Synthetic: Synthetic fibers are another one of the fibers used in developing play mats. These are usually soft and comfortable. However, they will not provide benefits like natural fibers. The synthetic fibers are man-made and can be irritating to delicate skin. However, they are affordable compared to natural eco-friendly fabric mats. The synthetic fibers, which include polyester, synthetic wool, etc., are used for playmats. 
• Blend: The blend of natural and synthetic fibers is another one of the good option for playmats. They are affordable compared to natural fiber mats and have more benefits compared to synthetic fibers. So, you can search for blended fibers in kids’ playmats.

One thing about fabric playmats is that they are slippery, unlike foam-based playmats. So, it becomes difficult for kids to stay in one place. You have to rearrange every time kids play. If you are comfortable with this arrangement, you can check out fabric mats. Otherwise, there is the option of layering the foam play mats with a fabric playmat. You can use non-slip underlay for fabric mats instead of layering. 

To Wrap Up 

These are some of the major materials used to make rugs or foam play mats. You can choose playmats depending on factors like cost, style, size, and requirements. However, when it comes to kids, it’s always recommended that they choose natural fabric rugs for a comfortable and safe space. Miss Amara has a vast collection of fabric rugs of different materials.  You can explore these rugs and select one for your kids.