Junior Design Awards 2023 / Toy Awards 2023 / 19 September 2023

Best Play Gym / Mat | Junior Design Awards 2023

These award winning play gyms and play mats for babies got top scores at the JDA this year

Junior Magazine Junior Design Awards 2023 Best Play Gym / Mat | Junior Design Awards 2023

Who:Play&Go

What:EEVAA foam puzzle playmat

Why:

These beautiful play mats really appealed to our judges who loved the sweet graphic designs in soft muted colours, with each mat offering two designs in one, with a contrast design on the reverse side.

The panel felt this was a well-made, super springy floor mat with great attention to detail and reassurance for parents that they are made from non-toxic and sustainably made EVA foam.

These play mats are so gorgeous. Beautiful designs you’ll want to have in your home with a lovely educational twist.

Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior

Love the roadmap design – perfect for creating a fun play zone that will grow with your kids.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, Junior

A well thought out product with lovely colours.

Emma Tunbridge, Children’s fashion photographer, @emmatunbridge

Nice colour palette and designs

Laura Normanton, Interiors Editor, @lauramnormanton

Who:gus + beau

What:Rainbow Baby Playmat

Why:

The sweet rainbow print on these interconnecting floor tiles really charmed our judges who loved the clean, graphic design of this cheery motif that feels bright and uplifting without being garish.

The panel felt that this design would fit into any décor scheme adding a lovely happy feel! Made with premium, non-toxic eva foam that felt robust yet soft under knee, our judges agreed that this mat would provide the perfect surface for crawling, playing and toddling on.

I absolutely love this rainbow print that feels like it would brighten up any room without being overpowering. A playmat that will look good for years.

Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior

A really lovely looking playmat with a simple subtle design that children and parents will love.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, Junior

Who:FOLDiMATS

What:FOLDiMATS foldable playmats

Why:

These foldable and reversible playmats looked great and really stood out with their jaunty palm prints. The stand out feature had to be the easy-to-fold aspect of this mat that doesn’t separate into jigsaw style pieces but exists as one large mat that can be quickly and easily folded along grooves into a compact, easy to store square.

Perfect for anyone who wants to reclaim their space in an instant and pop their playmat behind the sofa! The panel loved the soft memory foam, which had just the right amount of give and could see that this playmat was super portable and ideal for anyone low on space.

I can see this mat becoming a much-loved and much-used family item. From playmat to picnic mat to beach base. Fab!

Bonita Turner Editor of Junior

Useful design and nice graphics.

Emma Tunbridge, Children’s fashion photographer, @emmatunbridge

So great to be able to fold away and store in a cupboard or under the sofa when the little ones are out the house or tucked up in bed.

Laura Normanton, Interiors Editor, @lauramnormanton

Who:Heidi Rose London

What:Bonnie Play Mat- Dream a Little Dream Collection

Why:

This super sweet quilted fabric mat trimmed with a pretty ruffle really beguiled our judges. Made from high-quality, GOTS certified organic cotton, the judges felt this mat provided a great alternative for anyone who would rather stay away from plastic and didn’t want to cover such a large floorspace.

The delicate reversible prints were also admired with the ruffle edge and contrast neon stitching giving this item a luxury, interior design feel.

A really lovely entry. Lovely British vibes with gorgeous attention to detail.

Emma Tunbridge, Children’s fashion photographer, @emmatunbridge

This is such a sweet playmat that will look lovely in any room of the house. Love the subtle prints and sweet details and the eco-conscious production. Easy to roll up and store too.

Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior

Love the circular shape, ruffle edge and reversible design. pretty enough to have around the house and no need to tidy it away when guests come over.

Laura Normanton, Interiors Editor, @lauramnormanton