10 Best Nap Mats 2024 in the US

Working parents usually enroll their children in a day care center or a kindergarten for a good part of the day. The kindergarten will probably arrange time for the kids to take a nap in the afternoon. If so, there are all sorts of nap mats that you can roll up and pack it away. This way, the child can take it with them. You'll also want a nap mat that is easy to clean, and made from comfortable materials. Last but not least, you might want the nap mat to feature an interesting design (maybe even one of their favorite comics superheroes). There is an interesting selection of nap mats available nowadays. Here is a guide to the best nap mats on the market.

• Original Nap Mats—These are usually made from cotton and/or polyester. But some versions (such as the Minds in Sync Nap Mat Set) are made from memory foam, for extra comfort.

• Easy Clean Nap Mats—Wildkin makes a nap mat from water-resistant coated polyester. They also have a space for a separate pillow.

• Licensed Nap Mats—These are nap mats which feature personalities: a cartoon character, or DC or Marvel comics superhero.

• Sleeping bag-style-- Some nap mats are more like a sleeping bag for toddlers. It combines a blanket and mattress in one product. They can slip inside the mat, all nice and snug.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Make sure it fits the child: Some notice that their child doesn't fit on the mat, and that they were forced to add some more material to the nap mat. Typically a 50” long mat is sufficient even for a 5 year old.

• Thickness: Since you place the mat on the floor, you might be concerned that it keeps the child warm. Make sure that the mat is sufficiently thick: The Wildkin Nap Mat is 1.5 inches thick, and has an attached blanket that is another ½ inch.

• Laundering Instructions: Make sure that you observe the laundering instructions. Some notice that it's not ideal to use a dryer, since it tends to wear out the material prematurely. It's preferable to just hang it out to dry.

• Other uses: If the child is a bit finicky about taking a nap, you can use it as a play mat, or just to sit on the floor for different activities. You can also use it on a cot.

• Easy to carry: The Urban Infant “Tot Cot” comes with a zippered travel case, for added convenience for the child to carry it along. You should also take note of the dimensions of the mat, and whether it folds up to a convenient size. They typically are 20 inches by 50 inches, and weigh around 2 pounds.

• Pillow and Blanket: Instead of having to remember to give your child a pillow, some nap mats have a pillow and blanket as part of the package. For example, the Urban Infant Tot Cot Toddler/Preschool Nap Mat has a removable pillow, quilted lining and attached fleece blanket—all in one piece.

• Name tag: You can imagine what confusion will ensue if some kids have the same nap mat. You'll want to attach your child's name to his/her mat. Some mats (like the Urban Infant Tot Cot) have the name tag sewn into their product.

Olive Kids—was founded in New Hampshire in 2001. The company originated with the idea of creating affordable kids bedding and room products, without the extra expense of featuring a Disney movie character or TV personality.

Wildkin—was started in Nashville, Tennessee in 1996. They purchased Olive Kids in 2014, and they run a line of home décor products together. Besides bedding, they also market backpacks, sleeping bags, and lunch bags.

Urban Infant—was founded by a brother-and-sister team, Kelly Friedl and Eric Eichhorn, and their headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. Their Tot Cot is essentially a nap mat. They also make teething toys for children, as well as backpacks, totes, and school products.

Minds in Sync—was started in 2005, and have their headquarters in New York City. They originally started with an idea to market a kids' bed and bathroom collection and home solutions. They make mats and cushions for the bath, kitchen, and office, as well as bedding.