Designing and decorating your child’s nursery is a fun and exciting way to prepare for your new baby. But did you know that your baby’s rug could also double as a great place for your child to play, crawl, sit, and learn to walk? Most nursery rugs have features that make them great for tummy time and the other uses I mentioned.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 7 rugs that encourage your child to play on the floor and would be perfect for any nursery.
Why it’s great: This rug is big, round, and padded. It has a non-skid back, so you don’t have to worry about it or your child sliding around. The thick padding makes it perfect for a tummy time/playtime mat and it folds up nicely, so you can take it with you to visit friends and family and still have a place for your child to play. It even has a little bag to carry it in. It’s also super cute and works great as a background for milestone photos. It’s also made from organic cotton, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals or dyes irritating your child’s skin.
Keep in mind: This one comes in blush pink, so it might not be great for a boy.
Good for: Parents that want a soft rug that they can take with them if needed.
Why it’s great: This one is completely reversible, giving you double the options with how it looks. There are a few different prints available, but most have one side that’s cute and fun and one side that is a little more laidback and plain, so it fits in with any decor. It’s nice and cushiony, which protects your baby from getting hurt in a fall. It’s also nice and big, so your child will have plenty of room to play, roll over, crawl, or learn to walk. It is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean, making it very easy to care for it.
Keep in mind: While this one can be rolled up and moved, it is quite big and not the easiest to tote around.
Good for: Parents that want to be able to have their choice of design.
Why it’s great: This one is a super soft, Merino wool lambskin. The soft texture will soothe and calm your baby. It is perfect for tummy time and playtime, as well as for naptime or bedtime. Lambskin breathes exceptionally well, so it can help to regulate your baby’s body temperature and keep them from getting too hot or cold. This helps to keep your baby asleep for longer periods of time. It’s also small enough that your child could use it as a liner for their crib or as a security blanket.
Keep in mind: This rug is smaller, so it doesn’t cover a huge area of floor.
Good for: Parents that just want a soft spot on the floor for their child to play.
Why it’s great: This rug is a cute, little circle with the alphabet knitted around the edge. It’s very soft cotton and perfect for your child to play or nap on it. Your child will be comfortable and will be able to familiarize themselves with letters at the same time. It has a non-slip back, so it won’t be sliding around. The edges are flat as well, which means you don’t have to worry about catching the edge with your toe and tripping. It is small enough that you could potentially move it from room to room if you wanted but large enough to cover a nice area for your child to play.
Keep in mind: This one does shed a little fuzz in the beginning.
Good for: Parents that want an educational rug.
Why it’s great: This one comes in a variety of sizes, so you can pick what works best for your room. The largest size is about 6.5 feet by 7.75 feet. You can also contact the seller for custom sizing! It also comes in a variety of colors, so you can match it to your room decor. Not only that, this rug is very padded and perfect for giving your child a nice, soft, cushioned area to play, especially if you have hard floors. It does have a non-skid back, so it won’t be sliding around either. It can easily be used as an area rug as your child gets older as well.
Keep in mind: It is pretty thick, so it’s possible you could trip over the edge.
Good for: A bigger room that needs a soft, cushiony rug.
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Why it’s great: This one is a soft foam rug that has pull apart tiles. This means you can make it any size you want and change the shape. The side pieces can also be inserted vertically, to create a small little wall. This is great because it’ll keep your baby contained when they’re just learning to roll around and crawl. It is gender-neutral and has a cute, sky themed design with a moon, cloud, star, and sun. The foam gives your child a generous amount of cushion to keep your child from getting hurt when they’re learning to walk. It’s also very easy to clean as all you need to do is wipe it down.
Keep in mind: This one is grey and white, so it can look dirty quite fast.
Good for: Parents who may want to rearrange the rug for bigger or smaller areas.
Why it’s great: This is a really cute chevron design that is attractive enough that it could easily be used as an area rug in any part of the house. It’s very soft, thick, and comfortable, promoting playtime, tummy time, and nap time. Your child will love crawling on its soft cotton surface. It’s also machine washable, so it’s easy and convenient to clean up any messes that may happen on it. It’s 4×5 feet, making it a pretty nice size rug and it doesn’t slip or slide on hard floors.
Keep in mind: This one is a pretty pink color, so might not be right for a little boy.
Good for: Parents that want an attractive rug that can still be used as their child outgrows the nursery.
The MakeMake Organics Nursery Rug is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
Rugs are made out of many different materials. When picking out a rug for your baby’s nursery, the only thing you should really be concerned about is if it’s natural and safe for your child. Most materials are fine, as long as they’re non-toxic and chemical-free. Whether you choose cotton, foam, lambskin, or any other material, make sure it’s soft and won’t irritate your child’s skin.
This really depends on what uses you want to get out of a rug. If you just want to cover the floor, generally you’ll want one big enough to cover the whole room, with just 2 feet left over on each side. In a nursery, you may just be looking for a soft, safe spot for your child to play. Or you may just want something to brighten up a certain area of the room. The size of the rug doesn’t matter in those cases. You’ll just want to pick one that is big enough to fit your needs.
You can put a rug over carpet as long as it is a very long-pile carpet. On top of the long-pile carpet, the rug won’t have enough support and will buckle and wrinkle. It just won’t work right. Any other type of carpet is fine to use a rug on.
This will vary based on the rug. Babies usually equate to messes, so nursery rugs are usually machine washable or wipe clean. Check the tags or directions on the rug so that you know what you’re getting into ahead of time.
The main safety concern with a nursery rug was covered in the first FAQ. Make sure your rug is non-toxic and chemical-free. Other than that, you want to have a non-skid back so that your child doesn’t slip on the rug. Having a flat edge or seam will also help to keep you and your child from tripping over the edges.
Picking out a nursery rug should never be hard or cause stress. It should be a fun experience and leave you feeling confident that your child will be comfortable and safe on their floor. Think about the features that you’re looking for in a rug ahead of time.
Do you just want a cute rug to cover the floor? Do you want something that can teach your child something? Do you want one that is soft and comfortable for naptime and tummy time? Or do you want one that is super cushiony for learning to crawl and walk?
Take the time to think about exactly what you’re looking for before you shop and you’re sure to find the right rug for your child’s nursery.
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