Play matting protects your child during play and creates a safe space. Depending on your play area and intended use, your needs will likely differ. Whether you have an outdoor play area for older children with a climbing frame or an indoor soft play area for a toddler, play matting is an important decision.
In this article:
- Must-Have Qualities of Play Matting
- What Are Your Choices for Play Matting?
What Makes a Good soft Play Matting ?
The primary aim of a play mat is to create a safe place for play. A good play mat has the right features and properties to make this happen in your intended environment. An outdoor playground has different requirements to a soft play area in the home. The best play mat suits your needs and allows you to craft a safe space.
Key qualities of a good play mat include:
- Non-slip
- Good traction
- Durable
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Simple installation
- Weatherproof for outdoor play
To create a safe play space, you need to reduce the risk of a serious injury. Naturally, kids of all ages tend to fall, run, and jump. It’s normal for children to fall over or jump from a height when playing. The aim of play matting is to reduce the risk of a fall turning into a serious injury. With the right foundation, children should simply stand back up and carry on playing.
The key safety features of a good play mat are thickness and traction. So, when a child falls, a thicker play mat has the right amount of cushioning to prevent serious injury. Good traction reduces the chances of slips and falls as it has non-slip properties designed for running and play.
What Are Your Choices for Play Matting?
When it comes down to your choices for play matting, the first decision you need to make is whether it’s an indoor or outdoor play area. This will help you find the best product for your intended use. You can then narrow down your choice further by figuring out your play equipment and the age range of the children who will be using the space.
1. Safety Playground Rubber Tiles
Safety Playground Rubber Tiles are the ideal solution for an outdoor play area with climbing equipment. The tiles feature fall height protection and offer ultimate durability while providing great traction to avoid slips, falls, and serious injury. The play mats allow for proper water drainage and are fully weatherproof for year-round fun. These are most suitable for schools, parks, back gardens, and leisure centres.
2. Puzzle Interlocking Foam Tiles
For indoor play, these Puzzle Interlocking Foam Tiles are a great solution. With a super easy installation process, you simply put the mats together like a puzzle. What’s good about these play mats is they can double up as flooring for light and low impact fitness. You can also use these in garages or sheds for a durable foundation and to protect the subfloor.
3. Play Turf
Children love to play on grass. Play turf is a synthetic grass that comes in rolls or tiles to provide a soft, easy maintenance surface for kids indoor or outdoor activities.
4. Coloured Gym Tiles
These Sprung Coloured Gym Mats are available in six vibrant colours. This is another option that’s a dual purpose. You can create an indoor play area and multipurpose fitness zone to make the most of the room you have available.
As children learn through play, creating a safe space for children is essential. Whether it’s a school playground with a climbing frame or indoor play zone for your 2-year old, it all starts with choosing the right play matting for your set-up.
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