The summer heat is coming, but the children are still too small for the pool? Then a water mat comes to the rescue. The mats filled with cool water allow even babies to cool off in the water.
Advantages of good water play mats?
In summer, water mats are a great way for children to play, cool off and improve their coordination at the same time. The little ones can practise crawling on the mats, play with the mats or lie on them to cool off.
Avoid buying mistakes:
Different water mats should be chosen depending on how big and how old the children are. We present the 7 most popular water mats 2024 in our recommendations and have compiled the most important features for a successful purchase in our Checklist.
Contents:
- Top picks: The best water mats 2024 reviewed.
- Checklist: These features are important in the test.
- Bestsellers: Overview of the most popular water play mats.
- Buying a water mat: How to make the right decision.
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about water mats.
The best water play mats 2024 reviewed
1. best water mat for babies
This water mat from NouBaby promotes the child's motor and sensory development. The material is robust and contains no harmful substances.
Why we like it: The mat can be filled with warm or cold water, making it the perfect way for babies and small children to cool off on hot days. The unique design arouses the interest of the little ones and keeps them occupied for a longer period of time.
Recommended for: This NouBaby water mat is suitable for children from 3 months.
2. best water mat with fish
This water play mat is made from BPA-free materials. It is easy to set up and, when it is no longer needed, it can be folded and stowed away to save space.
Why we like it: The small fish figures floating in the water keep the water mat particularly interesting. Perfect as a toy or simply as a place for the little ones to lie down!
Recommended for: This water mat with a size of 70 x 50 cm is suitable for both babies and toddlers. It strengthens the neck and shoulder muscles.
3. best water mat with sprinklers
Thanks to the water pressure adjustment, the sprinkler height can be changed. The scope of delivery includes a practical repair kit.
Why we like it: Fed up with the heat? This water mat with sprinklers provides the necessary cooling. Simply set up in the garden and connect to the garden hose. The water mat is made from non-toxic and hard-wearing materials.
Recommended for: With a depth of 10 centimeters, this water mat is suitable from toddler age. According to the manufacturer, the mat should be aired for two days before first use.
4. best water mat with movable swimming elements
This Haba water play mat contains play elements that can be gripped and moved by hand. The cover is made of a soft, comfortable fabric.
Why we like it: The Haba water mat invites children to explore the seabed. The fish, jellyfish, submarine or message in a bottle floating in the water stimulate baby’s imagination and promote the development of motor skills.
Recommended for: From 6 months, small babies can playfully immerse themselves in the underwater world thanks to this water mat.
5. best water mat for dogs
The material of this water mat is 0.5 mm thicker than most other water mats to ensure extra durability. The height of the water sprinklers can reach up to 1.7 meters.
Why we like it: Summer heat and fur can sometimes be too much. This water mat provides the perfect way for dogs to cool off. The low entry allows smaller dogs to get into the pool themselves.
Recommended for: This mat can be installed on uneven surfaces. Thanks to its robust material, it is ideal for large and small dogs, for cats and also for children and adults.
6. best round water mat
This water mat can be filled with both cool and warm water and can therefore be used in all seasons. The mat has 10 floating sea creatures.
Why we like it: This water mat features a unique sea motif that attracts children and provides a great activity. Ideal for crawling on and improving hand-eye coordination. The manufacturing materials are free of harmful substances and harmless.
Recommended for: With a size of 100 × 100 cm and the round shape, this water mat is perfect for babies and toddlers.
7. best water mat in farm design
The fabric cover in a farm design makes this mat particularly pleasant to touch. All elements in the water can be moved back and forth by hand.
Why we like it: This water mat from Haba has a soft fabric doll that can be removed and played with separately. The play elements make different noises, which is particularly attractive for babies. The sun crackles, the pig squeals and the doll rattles.
Recommended for: This Haba water play mat is particularly suitable for infants and babies.
Water mat Checklist: These features are important in the test
- Size: To decide on the size, you should be sure what the mat will be used for. Should the child only play with it or also lie on it and practise crawling?
- Material: The material of the water mats should be BPA-free. The mats should be well bonded so that no water comes out where it should not. Some mats are partially covered with fabric, making them more pleasant to the touch.
- Suitability age: Water mats can be offered for children from 3 months. However, toddlers are often not able to use the mats fully until they are 6 months old, as they have significantly improved their coordination when crawling.
- Closed: Water mats for small children are closed mats that are filled with water. The children can lie on the mat and play with it without getting wet. Water mats for older children are designed like very shallow paddling pools and often have sprinklers.
Also interesting: The best kiddie pools 2024.
Bestsellers: The most popular water mats
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
More articles you might find interesting:
- Inflatable pools
- Baby pool
- infant swim ring
- Children’s bathing cap
- kiddie pool
- Mermaid fin children
- Kiddie pool with slide
- Pool ladders
- Poolseat
- Pool toys
- Pool accessories
- Pop up beach tent
- kids snorkel set
- Swimming goggles for children
- Floating islands
- Floating animals
- Children’s swim vest
- Beach balls
- Beach tents
- Beach accessories
- kids diving mask
Buy a water mat:
How to make the right decision
Size: small or large?
The water mat should be the right size for its function. Small mats with a width of 50 cm are sufficient for water mats that are used for toddlers to play on. If the toddler is to crawl on the mat, it should be at least 70 cm wide. Water mats with sprinklers should be around 150 cm wide.
Material: what must be taken into account?
It is important that the mat material is BPA-free and does not release any harmful substances. Soft textile covers are particularly comfortable for babies. These are pleasantly soft and babies can snuggle up on them.
Most water mats are filled with movable elements. This allows children to learn through play and reach for the figures. Animal shapes such as fish are particularly popular.
Suitability age: who is the mat suitable for?
Most water mats are recommended for children aged 6 months and over. There are also mats advertised for children aged 3 months and over. However, the age given here is only a rough guide and depends on the child’s development.
Parents can see from the motor skills whether their child is ready for a water mat. Babies who can already push themselves up in the prone position and straighten their upper body a little are ready for a water mat.
Closed: play in the wet or not?
Closed water mats are the right choice so that toddlers can practise crawling. The children stay dry and can cool down on the mat. Mats with sprinklers are more interesting for older children. Here the children can play in the water and have fun.
Children from the age of 2 have fun in small paddling pools, with or without sprinklers, in front of which closed water mats should be used.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
- 1 What are water play mats?
- 2 What to look out for when buying a water play mat?
- 3 Is a water mat safe for babies and toddlers?
- 4 When is it worth getting a water mat for babies?
- 5 How expensive are good water play mats?
- 6 Where can I buy water mats?
- 7 Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on water mats?
- 8 What alternatives are there to water mats?
- 9 Which water should go into the water mat?
What are water play mats?
Water play mats for babies and toddlers are filled with water in the middle section. There are often small figures, e.g. fish, in the water. Due to the water filling, babies train their balance and coordination on the mats.
Water mats for older children are like small paddling pools with additional sprinklers on the side.
What to look out for when buying a water play mat?
Is a water mat safe for babies and toddlers?
When using for the first time, check that the seams are leak-proof. It is also very important that the mat does not have any small parts that can easily come loose and be put in the child’s mouth.
When is it worth getting a water mat for babies?
How expensive are good water play mats?
Where can I buy water mats?
Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on water mats?
What alternatives are there to water mats?
Which water should go into the water mat?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
Add comment