BWLO: Foam play mats?

heatherkj · September 2011

Can anyone recommend a particular foam play mat?

We have a very large living room in addition to a family room, and we don't have any furniture to go in it. And, needless to say, we have about 80 million other house things we need to spend money on, so it'll probably be a while before we furnish it. The result? Completely open playroom for Miss Nora.

The room is hardwood, which is pretty hard/uncomfortable to sit on for more than a few minutes, plus it is cold in the mornings for her little hands and feet. I've been thinking about getting a play mat of some sort for that room, but there seems to be a lot out there. Some are super expensive, too!

Bonus points if your rec is available at Target, as we have gift cards/a return (duplicate toy) for store credit from her birthday.

LaurenSweat · September 2011

I would recommend an area rug instead if the budget allows. I have heard a lot of talk about the chemicals in the foam play mats.

amybyrd · September 2011

They have this at Elle's daycare

RazzleDazzleJAM · September 2011

LaurenSweat:
I would recommend an area rug instead if the budget allows. I have heard a lot of talk about the chemicals in the foam play mats.

And you could pick a rug that may match future designs for that room.

heatherkj · September 2011

LaurenSweat:
I would recommend an area rug instead if the budget allows. I have heard a lot of talk about the chemicals in the foam play mats.

I hear you. But in all honestly, I would think that most cheap area rugs would likely contain some sort of chemical from manufacturing as well.

Something to consider, for sure, but I was hoping to have something large and easily cleanable at an affordable price. Area rugs (of a good size) tend to be $$$!

ETA: I feel like my initial response may come off as dismissive. I have read some of the info about the EVA foam, but the problem is that nothing is conclusive and I don't know what to think. Just seems like EVERYTHING has chemicals in it these days (which was what I was trying to say about the cheaply manufactured rugs), so it is just so hard to know what to do as a parent.

morrigan08 · September 2011

We have the (don't use it anymore) skip hop foam mat. I really liked its look, but it is a lot of pieces.

heatherkj · September 2011

Morrigan, why don't you use it anymore? Did you get something in its place, or does Evelyn just play directly on the hardwood?

LaurenSweat · September 2011

heatherkj:
LaurenSweat:
I would recommend an area rug instead if the budget allows. I have heard a lot of talk about the chemicals in the foam play mats.
I hear you. But in all honestly, I would think that most cheap area rugs would likely contain some sort of chemical from manufacturing as well.
Something to consider, for sure, but I was hoping to have something large and easily cleanable at an affordable price. Area rugs (of a good size) tend to be $$$!
ETA: I feel like my initial response may come off as dismissive. I have read some of the info about the EVA foam, but the problem is that nothing is conclusive and I don't know what to think. Just seems like EVERYTHING has chemicals in it these days (which was what I was trying to say about the cheaply manufactured rugs), so it is just so hard to know what to do as a parent.

Makes sense that cheap rugs may also have the chemicals too. I probably just really have sensitive nose but I always feel like the foam are worse because of how stinky they are. It makes me feel like they put out gases more.

morrigan08 · September 2011

heatherkj:
Morrigan, why don't you use it anymore? Did you get something in its place, or does Evelyn just play directly on the hardwood?

She just plays on the hard wood now. I didn't like cleaning it and she is fine just on the hardwood. We didn't have it covering the whole floor area anyways, and realized she rarely played on it, it was becoming a toy storage area. And she is everywhere so no keeping her in just one area of the room. But if we had a whole room, I may get one.

They are not the easiest to clean either. Vacuum works well on them, but I always hand sprayed them to wipe them down.

ChelseyMiller · September 2011

We never had one but I like the area rug idea too. I mean yes they can be expensive, but it would add to the overall decor of the room and be used for years vs a not very stylish foam mat that may be used a couple months at most. When we purchased our house the owners left a foam flooring down in the unfinished basement. It's just grey and I have no clue where they got it so I'm no help there, but the entire basement is covered with it. We are leaving it until we can finish it and lay carpet because it does beat the alternative-cold concrete.

MrsL628 · September 2011

We have something very similar to what Amy posted (I think we got it from BRU for $20, maybe $25) I definitely preferred it over an area rug when she was a baby, since it was so much easier to clean spit up off of than a rug would be, and it's still great now. Like morrigan said, we do have to wipe it down here & there.... the vacuum doesn't seem to pick up everything & it attracts everything under the sun. But she still plays on it, and for DH & I it's nice to have to sit on rather than the floor when we're playing/reading books with her.

mrsjanks · September 2011

Someone on the March 2011 Fb page said IKEA has play mats/rugs for cheap.

BWLO: Foam play mats?

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