Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Soft Play Matting?
The primary aim of play mats 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 accident.
The key safety features of soft play mats are thickness and traction. So, when a child falls, a thicker play mat surface 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 soft mats, 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, Puzzle Interlocking Foam Tiles are a great solution. With a super easy installation process, you simply put the mats together like a jigsaw. The tatami texture surface is resilient and non-slip minimising the risk of slips and falls.
What’s good about these play mat foam tiles 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.
"our little ones are delighted with their new play matting. It has created an extra cushioned and bright play zone in our community nursery that is easy to handle and change about"
3. Play Turf
Children love to play on grass. Artificial lawn play grass is a synthetic turf that comes in rolls or tiles to provide a soft, easy maintenance surface for kids indoor or outdoor activities. The high comfort surface and 'real grass' look add extra appeal for kids engaging and relaxed play.
Final Thoughts
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.
Explore our vibrant selection of play mats for safety-approved play surfaces you're kid's will love.
