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Our team of moms has researched and tested countless play gyms and tummy time mats to find the ones that are safe, supportive, and truly baby-approved. These are our favorites for nontoxic materials, comfort, and developmental support, all designed to make tummy time a joy for your little one.
When it comes to tummy time, we know how important those early minutes on the mat are for helping babies build strength and confidence. Pediatricians generally suggest starting tummy time as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital, recommending a few minutes a day and then gradually increasing as your baby grows to help develop neck, shoulder, and arm strength (and prevent flat spots on your baby’s head). A systematic review published in “Pediatrics” likewise recommends 30 minutes total tummy time per 24-hour period for healthy motor development.
That’s why we’ve chosen play gyms and mats that are as gentle and nurturing as they are functional. Made from organic cotton, sustainably sourced wood, and non-toxic, baby-safe dyes, these pieces create a soft, breathable, and chemical-free space for your baby to explore. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist organic play mat or a Montessori-inspired gym with natural wood toys, our selections are designed to fit seamlessly into your home — no harsh plastics or loud colors in sight!
Why choose a nontoxic tummy time mat?
Babies spend hours exploring the world face-first, which means their skin and lungs are in close contact with whatever surface they’re on. Choosing a tummy time mat made without PVC, flame retardants, or synthetic coatings helps reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals while creating a cleaner, safer space for play. Organic fabrics like GOTS-certified cotton or OEKO-TEX-certified linen are naturally soft, breathable, and gentle on sensitive skin.
Our criteria:
We tested and researched dozens of options to find tummy time essentials that support your baby’s development without compromising on safety, quality, or style.
- SAFETY | Every play gym and tummy time mat meets or exceeds strict safety standards and is designed for stability and comfort.
- NONTOXIC, ORGANIC MATERIALS | We prioritized materials certified by trusted third parties (like GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX) to ensure a toxin-free environment.
- FUNCTIONAL DESIGN | These picks are easy to clean, built to last, and beautiful enough to stay out in our living room.
Whether you’re introducing your newborn to tummy time for the first time or looking for a mat that can grow with your baby through rolling, crawling, and sitting, these thoughtful designs make each stage of development a little more comfortable and a lot more fun.
Looking for more baby essentials? Check out our guides to the best organic crib mattresses and organic cotton onesies.
1. Lalo
Best For | A play gym and tummy time mat that can grow with your baby
Nontoxic Materials | sustainably sourced FSC Certified beech wood, lyocell play mat (made from Eucalyptus trees)
Price | $125+
Lalo was founded by parents who care about thoughtful, functional design, and it shows in every piece. The Play Gym is a favorite for new parents—it easily transforms from a tummy-time mat and play gym into a playful tent as your baby grows. The frame is made from FSC-certified beech wood, and the mat is soft, eco-friendly Lyocell from sustainably harvested eucalyptus. Every detail meets high safety standards, including ASTM and Prop 65. It’s lightweight but sturdy, perfect for first reaches, tiny head lifts, and rolling practice. The plush tummy time mat creates a cozy, supportive little corner where babies can explore, play, and grow. It doesn’t hurt that it’s gorgeous enough to leave out in the living room, either!
Our Editor Review | “Our daughter spends hours on the Lalo tummy time mat every single day – it’s her favorite spot when she’s not out on a walk or behind held. She’s obsessed with the mirror and has little morning chats with herself while we make her bottle and our breakfast. And I love how soft yet durable the mat is (it’s more of a blanket!). After what feels like hundreds of washes, it still looks brand new. Hands-down one of our top five baby must-haves.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [read more reviews]
2. Lorena Canals
Best For | Washable play rugs and handcrafted play mats
Nontoxic Materials | GOTS cotton, recycled cotton
Price | $145
It’s no secret our editors love Lorena Canals for all things nontoxic nursery, and their tummy time play mats are no exception. Each quilted mat is handcrafted by skilled artisans in the brand’s own factory in India, using ancestral techniques that make every piece feel intentional and unique. Made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton, the mats are soft, breathable, and gentle on delicate baby skin, perfect for early exploration. For something a little extra cozy, Lorena Canals’ handmade play rugs are equally beautiful, practical, and machine washable. They create a plush, safe space for play while adding subtle style to any nursery.
Customer Review | “Buying a rug off the internet can be tough when it comes to color and texture and we couldn’t be more excited about this sweet little rug that arrived for our nursery! It’s SO soft, delicate but is durable and the colors are PERFECT! I know exactly where I’m coming when we need more for the house.” – Kristen V. [read more reviews]
3. Lovevery
Best For | Tummy time mat with developmental zones
Nontoxic Materials | organic cotton, baby-safe silicone, and OEKO-TEX®–tested polyester
Price | $150
The Lovevery Play Gym supports babies from day one with purposeful, stage-based play. This tummy time mat features five developmental zones, five detachable toys, and three sets of cards to encourage rolling, reaching, and sensory exploration. It also has a double-sided play space cover that adds a high-contrast pattern and even converts into a cozy play fort for toddlers. As for safe and nontoxic materials, this play gym is made with organic cotton, baby-safe silicone, and OEKO-TEX®–tested polyester, ensuring every surface is safe for little hands and mouths. Finally, a chance to sip our coffee in peace!
Customer Review | “This playgym is absolutely worth the money. I bought it when my daughter was 4 months old and she has been enjoying playing with it every single day like the first day. She’s now 6 months. It’s incredibly stimulating and I love the fact that it can become a tent for when she’s older.” – Julia W. [read more reviews]
4. Wildbird
Best For | Soft quilted playmats that are double-sided
Nontoxic Materials | linen, cotton, polyester fill (OEKO-TEX® Certified)
Price | $98
We love the Wildbird Linen Quilted Playmat as a thoughtfully crafted space for babies to explore and play. Made from a soft, breathable 55/45 linen-cotton blend with cushioned polyester batting, it’s OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, so it’s gentle and safe on delicate skin. The reversible and seasonal designs add subtle, timeless style to any nursery, and at 40 inches in diameter, it’s generously sized to grow with your little one. Lightweight and easy to fold, it’s just as perfect for at-home play as it is for on-the-go adventures!
Customer Review | “What a beautiful playmat. I am so impressed by the quality and the size! It is plushy, the pattern and colors are very vibrant, and my baby loves to do tummy time even more now!” – Melissa S. [read more reviews]
5. Toki Kids
Best For | Large selection of tummy time mats in various sizes and colors
Nontoxic Materials | OEKO-TEX®-certified cotton, vegan leather, viscose from bamboo, OEKO-TEX® certified foam insert
Price | $185-$225
Toki Kids makes tummy time and play mats that are as stylish as they are functional (and yes, they’re seriously cute). At the heart of each mat is 100% natural Dunlop latex, tapped straight from rubber trees and OEKO-TEX® certified. The covers come in thoughtfully chosen options like GOTS-certified organic cotton, OEKO-TEX® bamboo jersey, and soft vegan leather. And, every product is tested for harmful substances including phthalates, PFAs, BPA and heavy metals. From tummy time to those first wobbly steps, Toki Kids turns everyday play into something a little more intentional and a lot more beautiful!
Customer Review | “Obsessed! Our home is all wood floors so this felt like such a great addition for our little guy! So soft and the mega size is perfect for when he starts rolling around! For now it’s all things tummy time but know it’ll be perfect for when he starts sitting up and getting more mobile.” – Chelsea [read more reviews]
Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.
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