11 Organic & Non-Toxic Play Mats For The Most Eco-Friendly Fun
As a new parent you’ll quickly discover the value of play mats.
Aside from staging the cuuuuutest baby photos, they provide a clean and safe surface for feeling, discovering, and development.
Between tummy time, crawling, rolling, tumbling, and playing, little ones spend a lot of time on their mat.
But that also means they come into close contact with materials that pose a risk to your baby’s health. Playtime should be fun, not fraught with concerns.
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Only The Best Non-Toxic Play Mats For Baby
That’s why we’ve done some discovering of our own and turned over brands like Makemake Organics and their ethically-made organic play mats.
We love every item by Lovevery, especially their non-toxic play mat and learning gym combo.
Finn + Emma’s elegant organic cotton play mats won’t just feel nice for your newborn but they’ll look nice in any room of your house.
To learn more about how we discovered these organic baby products, crawl to the bottom of the article.
The Full List Of Organic Baby Play Mats
Non-Toxic Play Mats
Best Organic Play Mats
1. Makemake Organics
Makemake Organics’ Organic Cotton Play Mats
Price Range: $99
Makemake Organics’ washable organic cotton play mats are available in three quilted, round, reversible styles.
They’re perfect for both tummy time and playtime, featuring a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover dyed with non-toxic dyes and polyfill filling that bears on OEKO-TEX certification.
The high-quality materials ensure long-lasting play and many hand-me-downs to any younger siblings to come.
If it can’t be handed down though, the cover (but not the filling) is entirely compostable.
About Makemake Organics
Florida-based Makemake Organics produces a range of organic, non-toxic products that all promise pure materials, minimalist designs, and quality.
They utilize ethical, fair trade Indian manufacturing (a team of mostly women) and rigorously test products to ensure they’re free of harmful chemicals at all stages.
2. Toki Mats
Toki Mats’ Non-Toxic Foam Play Mats
Price Range: $145—$295
The non-toxic foam play mats by Toki Mats are designed with a firm (yet comfortable) OEKO-TEX-certified natural dunlop latex foam or GOLS-certified organic latex filling to cushion little ones learning to get on their feet.
The flame retardant-free filling is anti-bacterial, self-ventilating, non-allergenic (except for latex allergies), and biodegradable.
They can easily be folded for traveling, and have several removable cover options, either made of 100% organic cotton, OEKO-TEX-certified water resistant bamboo, or vegan leather.
The latter is in the Everywhere mat covers, made with OEKO-TEX-certified, water-based microfiber polyurethane (PU) that is weather-resistant and easy to wipe clean (but not machine washable).
Given the potential health concerns with PU, we’d opt for the organic cotton mat covers instead.
About Toki Mats
Toki Mats was born during naptime, inspired by a mother’s need for a safe, comfortable, and supportive platform for her and her newborn to spend time playing on the floor.
We have yet to hear back from Toki on where these mats are manufactured.
Also available on Amazon
3. Lovevery
Lovevery’s Non-Toxic Play Mat
Price Range: $140
We have a lot of love for Lovevery and their selection of eco-toy range—which includes interactive play mats.
Designed for ages 0-4, the Play Gym is a jungle play mat made with an FSC-certified wood frame.
More than just a mat, this Parent’s Choice award-winning activity gym comes with organic cotton or silicone batting and teething toys, hiding and finding pockets, a play-safe cover, texture tools, and learning card sets.
The mat itself is made from tested baby-safe polyester, that’s free of all flame retardants, lead, BPA, and PVC. Any mouthable pieces are not polyester.
Or stick to simplicity with 100% organic cotton outer and OEKO-TEX-certified polyfill in the Organic Nap Mat. Its reversible, high-contrast patterns are designed to promote brain development.
About Lovevery
Certified B Corp Lovevery focuses on stage-based play to optimize baby brain development.
Everything is made in ethical factories in Ningbo, China, and sent via carbon-neutral shipping that funds Green-e® certified renewable energy projects. They hope to be net-zero by 2030.
Their Lost Parts Program helps ensure their products never lose life because of missing or broken components.
As one of the best eco friendly toy brands, 90% of their product and packaging will be either biobased, renewable, or recycled materials by 2025.
4. Finn + Emma
Finn + Emma’s Organic Play Mats
Price Range: $89—$299
Finn + Emma’s boho-chic playmats are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and heirloom-quality cotton that’s so soft you might mistake them for organic baby blankets.
Perfect for babies and toddlers, the roomy playmats have a removable, machine-washable cover atop OEKO-TEX-certified polyester fiber.
They are dyed with non-toxic and eco-friendly dyes and are free of PVC, acrylic, esters, and petrochemicals.
About Finn + Emma
This brand was mom-founded, and you know what they say…Moms know best!
Between their baby clothes, cozy blankets, and adorable pajamas, they can fill a nursery with non-toxic goodies.
Like everything in their supply chain, the organic cotton play mats are made with fair trade raw materials in fair paying factories in India that employ mostly women to help them achieve economic independence.
5. Wee Gallery
Wee Gallery’s Organic Baby Play Mat
Price Range: $98
Wee Gallery offers reversible and packable organic play mats in adorable patterns like that of the Wildlife Reversible Playmat—or any other nature-inspired black-and-white prints.
Why black and white?
“High-contrast imagery offers the best opportunity for newborns to focus on visual stimuli and promotes visual exploration and engagement.”
Each one is made of non-chemically softened organic cotton voile paired with a machine-washable polyester filling that’s OEKO-TEX certified.
About Wee Gallery
Founded by parents who took an extreme interest in baby development, Wee Gallery was founded with the goal of creating baby products that provide “effective visual stimuli and interactive experiences ideal for their development”.
This also includes wooden toys, soft books, learning cards, and other interactive activities for children of all ages.
These organic mats come from a GOTS-certified Indian factory which must adhere to a code of conduct that requires them to provide fair pay, among other rights.
Wee Gallery uses FSC-certified paper and soy inks for anything printed and minimizes use of plastics. They still use plastic wrap in packaging but are looking for an alternative.
A portion of profits goes to various One Tree Planted reforestation efforts. This year, they’re planting fruit trees in India, supporting communities with future livelihood opportunities.
6. Pillobebe
Pillobebe’s Organic Play Mat for Baby
Price Range: $179
The CorkiMat® is what sets Pillobebe apart.
This organic non-foam play mat is OEKO-TEX 100-certified and features a removable organic cotton cover (some of which is non-dyed) with an anti-slip bottom. The insert tiles are made with hypoallergenic layers of compressed polyester.
They also have an Organic Cotton Play Mat range that has a 100% organic cotton designer print cover and 100% organic cotton inner batting.
About Pillobebe
Pillobebe got their start when they needed a play mat for their son—but then learned about the cancer-causing formamide found in foam mats.
So they invented an eco-friendly alternative, along with a blanket and several burping cloths.
Everything is handmade in the USA and tested by independent labs to confirm they’re free of formamide, formaldehyde, flame retardants, PU, PVC, BPA, BPS, phthalates, lead, latex, and VOCs.
7. Hemp Organic Life
Hemp Organic Life’s Organic Hemp-Filled Play Mats
Price Range: $48—$132
Hemp Organic Life provides our babies and toddlers with organic hemp products.
They offer a few simple organic play mat choices, from a padded “blanky” to the round Activity Tummy Time mat.
All are non-dyed with a quilted linen cover and organic hemp filler. Some feature additional cotton stuffing.
While hemp is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, babies are still messy. Luckily, these organic hemp play mats are machine washable and dryer-friendly.
About Hemp Organic Life
The Ukrainian Etsy shop sources organic hemp locally from local, chemical-free farms.
All products are also manufactured in Ukraine by a small team of four seamstresses who craft sleeping bags, bedding for adults and babies, floor cushions, and more.
Oh, and for those who’s only baby is their fur baby, they also make sustainable dog beds.
8. Finch & Folk
Finch & Folk’s Organic Baby Play Mats
Price Range: $115
For a non-toxic play mat from Australia, flit on over to Finch & Folk.
They have a variety of organic baby playmats to choose from, so you’re sure to find the one your baby will love—especially as they all feature gender-neutral and brain-stimulating designs.
Start their love of travel young with the Organic World Explorer play mat.
Regardless, a GOTS-certified organic cotton top is combined with an OEKO-TEX-certified polyester inner layer, all ethically made by a small family-run business in India.
For budding artists, some feature a reusable coloring cloth that can be decorated and doodled on, washed, re-colored, and even hung on the wall.
About Finch & Folk
Hailing from Australia, Finch & Folk offers some of our favorite sustainable Etsy gifts for little ones and their parents.
In addition to playmats, their blankets, soft books, and organic baby toys are all made with 100% organic cotton.
Non-Toxic Baby Play Mats
9. wander & roam
wander & roam’s Eco-Friendly Play Mat
Price Range: $99—$189
wander & roam—the most aptly named brand on this list, wouldn’t you agree?!
Behold the wander mat: a one-piece, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, nonflammable, easy-to-clean, comfy mat for babies, toddlers, kids, pets, and adults.
The non-toxic reversible foam mat features a single piece of eco-friendly, biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam that’s been tested as exceeding all US and European Toy Standards.
Being free of latex, BPA, formamide, and PVC, TPU “does not harm the environment in production, use or disposal”. It’s often used in medical devices, replacing PVC and EVA as a non-toxic alternative.
The durable mats are easy to wipe clean and designed to last for many years.
Their vegan leather line features a vegan leather top and flocked suede bottom. We’re not certain what this vegan leather is made from and would stick to other options in the meantime.
About wander & roam
Mama-founded wander & roam also started with a search for an easy-to-use play mat.
After some at-home product testing, the wander mat was born.
To prevent the waste of returned mats, you can shop their discounted open-box returns.
They have not yet responded to our queries regarding where these are made and any ethical precautions in place.
10. Pehr
Pehr’s Eco-Friendly Play Mat for Babies
Price Range: $128
Browsing the selection by Pehr is like a peer into what your non-toxic nursery could look like.
Their non-toxic baby playmats are made with 100% cozy quilted cotton, screen printed by hand into several designs using natural, AZO-free dyes.
They’re also washer and dryer friendly.
About Pehr
The female-founded, female-led company also prioritizes working with women, and they partner with groups like Care & Fair and Good Weave that provide opportunities for women in developing nations.
Pehr is a regular contributor to Good+ Foundation, an organization that supports low-income parents with needed essentials.
They’re also on their way to eliminating single-use packaging and adopting more sustainable manufacturing practices.
11. ALZiP MAT
ALZiP Mats’ Eco-Friendly Play Mats
Price Range: $279—$369
ALZiP Mats have taken something as simple as an eco-friendly play mat and poured an impressive amount of thought into optimizing it.
They developed a unique, absorbent structure, featuring nine layers of high-density polyethylene foam.
Parents: Take comfort in the mat’s impact-absorbing layer for babies who have just started toddling and noise-absorbing layer for toddlers who just won’t stop.
All mats utilize this structure but there are several options.
Their Eco Color Folder is a non-toxic foldable play mat with a reversible vegan polyurethane leather cover that is free from hazardous substances.
The Eco Silicone Mat is also made with a waterproof eco PU leather cover, but it’s coated in FDA-certified food-grade silicone—making it safe for curious children to bite and suck on.
That’s just the start…
You can literally cover your living room with their impressive mat selection, just like you would a rug.
About ALZiP Mat
ALZiP Mats is an award-winning and highly-certified brand—by the FDA, ECO Label, LOHAS, SGS Testing, and KCR Testing—so you can rest easy knowing your baby’s playtime is as innocent as it should be.
The brand is based in South Korea, which is also where all raw materials are sourced.
Having started as a PU leather company three decades prior, they really know their stuff about the material.
All manufacturing is done by hand in-house (no third parties or outsourcing).
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Why Non-Toxic & Organic Play Mats?
Got a little one who’s scooting around or a babe in need of a soft landing for tummy time?
Looking for the best eco-friendly play mat is time well spent.
Why?
Because babies spend a lot of their own time on the ground, of course. As curious tiny humans, they also love to lick, suck, and bite nearly any—and every—thing in reach.
For the same reason parents are increasingly seeking out organic baby shampoo and organic baby skin care products, they’re now also considering some of the other problematic materials babies come into contact with.
This leads to the important question more parents should be asking: are play mats toxic?
Like most items around the house, they certainly can be, and that’s extra dangerous for babies.
With an immature body and a still-developing system that would struggle to process and metabolize chemicals, many products—even those designed for babies—can become toxic as the baby breathes or ingests it.
EVA foam and formamide
Ah, the burden of being a new parent… more questions!
Are foam mats safe for babies? Are EVA foam mats toxic?
EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is commonly found in foam-based products. Think: sporting equipment, costumes, craft materials, and, yes, play mats.
But it’s also dangerous.
Although a safer alternative to PVC, it’s associated with toxic off-gassing of a chemical called formamide, which has been linked to reproductive issues and cancer. This has resulted in play mat-related formamide bans in a few European countries.
While recent conflicting research sometimes suggests the safety of EVA (unless a child were to practically eat the mat), it’s also not recyclable or biodegradable—giving it a thumbs-down from us.
PVC and dangerous phthalates
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is found in play mats, balls, dolls, inflatable swimming pools, and more.
Unfortunately, as flexible and useful as this type of plastic is, it is the worst kind.
Releasing lead and phthalates, PVC has been linked to cancer, premature puberty, reproductive and developmental disorders, and more.
It’s also responsible for releasing cancer-causing dioxins into the environment. It emits 160 toxic gasses when disposed of.
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are often from a class called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which have been linked to negative health effects for children, including early puberty and delayed development.
Polyurethane and potential VOCs
The jury’s still out about polyurethane (PU) play mats. Although considered to be non-toxic, the material is flammable, meaning it may be treated with those pesky flame retardants.
Additionally, in a study looking at PU foam mattresses, a significant release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was reported. Because of their smaller body weight, babies inhale 10 times as much of these dangerous compounds as adults.
Still, polyurethane is considered to be one of the least dangerous materials often used in baby products. If you do go with a PU playmat, avoid those treated with flame retardants.
This option is fully recyclable, making it one of the less insidious plastics out there.
XPE Foam
XPE foam is often marketed as “non-toxic” material, but it’s thin and lacks the softness found in TPU.
It’s also made of cross-linked polyethylene (PE) foam, which presents a similar risk as PE itself (i.e. offgassing, leaching plastic additives).
How To Choose The Best Non-Toxic Play Mats
Whew, that’s a lot of chemical exposure to expect when you’re expecting!
Fortunately, playtime isn’t canceled.
In order to make the best organic play mat for babies, these brands have looked high and low for earth friendly materials and processed them in a way that’s better for people and our planet.
Materials:
What is the best material for a baby play mat?
The answer is (always) natural materials like organic cotton, hemp fabric, linen, or natural latex—especially when compared to synthetic fabrics.
Not only are these sustainable fabrics processed with fewer chemicals, are hypoallergenic, and more breathable, but they also have a far better end-of-life story.
From a durability and washability standpoint, however, some synthetic fabrics have a place in the playpen.
Polyurethane is strong, long-lasting, and good at absorbing shocks for little ones learning to walk. However, it does present some risks if treated with harmful chemicals.
Considered to be a safer alternative, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is also strong and durable, but unlike PU it does not off-gas VOCs, nor does it contain BPA, BPS, BPF, or plasticizers that can irritate skin or cause other health problems.
No matter the material, we always look for “free of” claims, chemical testing, and third-party reassurance. Sustainability certifications are the best way to ensure safe, non-toxic baby play mats.
- Certifications: OEKO-TEX® 100, GOTS, Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS); Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
Supply chain & business practices:
The best non-toxic baby play mat will contribute to a world worth raising our kids in. AKA one in which we actually care about the well-being of our planet and everyone on it.
That means we prioritize non-toxic play mat brands utilizing ethical manufacturing, paying fair wages, and supporting disadvantaged populations.
While a lot of these brands did not quite have the manufacturing transparency we usually like to see from our slow fashion, some did, especially those with very small supply chains.
For those that didn’t, we’ve reached out directly and will update this guide when they confirm.
Green business practices:
We were extra goo-goo-ga-ga over non-toxic and organic play mats from brands that also took extra steps to look after the environment.
This included using carbon-neutral shipping via carbon offset programs, plastic-free packaging (anyone else trying to raise a zero waste baby?!), and goals to keep improving their manufacturing practices.
Final Thoughts On Organic & Non-Toxic Play Mats
Nothing puts a pause on playtime like toxic materials.
Fortunately, as this list shows, the fun doesn’t have to end.
You can’t totally baby-proof your home, and make it safer (and supportive) by choosing consciously-made products like eco-friendly diapers, sustainable baby clothes and, of course, organic kids’ play mats.
But in all our baby fever, it’s important we don’t forget that toxins exist in many other conventional products—and if we keep talking about this issue, manufacturers will have no choice but to adapt and evolve.
Let’s keep the rolly polly momentum by sharing this article with some new or expectant moms and dads.
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What are your thoughts on the mats by rugabub an Australian business that claim to be ecofriendly and nontoxic?
Hi Phoebe, I think I vaguely remember looking at these when I was looking for my bub (since we are personally in Australia too) but didn’t do a thorough deep dive. Just looking at the site now and if toxicity is what you’re most concerned about, I’d say they look good as they use TPU which is considered a safer material. I can’t see much on their sustainability policies (the ethics of their supply chain and so on) so not sure about that aspect.
What are your thoughts on Gathre mats?
Hi Tori, we’re about to update this article and took a look at the Gathre mats, they’re gorgeous but we didn’t quite make the top mats for this list because of the bonded leather material – we couldn’t easily find much about how this leather is sourced (we take a sustainability/ethics lens as well as a toxicity lens when we search for brands so this is important for us). Also leather is typically treated/tanned with a ton of chemicals so we couldn’t see any information on the tanning or treatment process. That’s not to say they don’t source ethically and treat their leather with a non-toxic tanning process, we just couldn’t find that information easily. So it might be worth reaching out to them for more information if you really love their mats. Hope that helps!
The lovevery mat is not organic cotton….
Hi Ashley, thank you for letting us know about this. I’m disappointed to see that you’re right and I have updated the post to make that clear. We will look for a replacement for Lovevery unless we receive further detail from them (we had reached out but yet to receive a reply). Thanks again!
I cannot wrap my head around how many of the mats recommended are filled with polyester fibres. Polyester fibres shed regularly are are some of the most pervasive, having been found everywhere and in everything from the depths of the ocean to human placenta and blood, and researchers increasingly concerned about impacts on human health. Certified or otherwise their properties remain the same, polyester sheds, attracts and transports other chemicals, and for something that a child spends so much time on their tummy on (inhaling microfiber particles) I cannot fathom why anything containing polyester is on the list?
Hi Laura, thank you for taking the time to comment. Fully agree polyester is less than ideal. We do struggle to find perfect products though and chose these 3 brands (at the time of the comment) for their organic/non toxic covers. Please do let us know if you find any incredible brands on your travels as we’re often updating these lists as we find more options with better sustainability credentials.