Do you want to encourage your child to join your daily yoga or exercise sessions? Or maybe you are looking for a reliable mat that will protect them from playtime tumbles? Then buying a yoga mat might be a good move.
However, one cannot help but be overwhelmed with all the available options and considerations highlighted in the market. Find out the essentials through these tips in choosing your kid’s yoga mat.
Choosing the Designs that your Kid will Love
The first thing that captures attention is its design. Do you want something brightly colored? It can show a favorite animal or cartoon character. Or it can just be a simple mat, as preferred.
Children’s yoga mats also come in different shapes or forms. It can be the typical standard long exercise mat style. Or you can go for something round or square, which may also be used as an accent piece in a child’s playroom. Connecting foam tiles are also available.
A mat’s thickness and texture are also important features. Thicker mats are preferable for better cushioning. It must also provide great traction and non-slip abilities.
Easy to use and carry with you
Where do you plan to use the yoga mat? Will it be a permanent fixture, or will it be stowed away when not in use?
With this, portability comes into the picture. Depending on the usage, a mat may need to be lightweight and travel-friendly. You will also need to look for one that has a carrying strap or case.
Choosing Safe and ecofriendly materials
Everyone wants a comfortable, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic mat for the children. But that safe and non-toxic tag has a lot of considerations behind it.
For example, a yoga mat can be made from rubber, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Rubber is produced from a natural material. But it is heavy and might cause an allergic reaction to children who are sensitive to latex.
TPEs are a mixture of plastic and rubber that is eco-friendlier than PVC, given its recyclability. However, it is still manufactured through chemical processes and is still a synthetic material.
PVCs are often used for yoga mats as they can be cheap raw materials. But many are against this as it may contain harmful industrial chemicals, like phthalates (also called as 6P), which are used to make plastics more durable. These chemicals are toxic and can pose a great risk to anyone in contact. This is why some yoga mats claim that they are 6p or phthalate-free.
Easy to clean and maintain long term
You want your mat to last longer. So, you need to check if your mat is water-resistant. Can it withstand being dried out in the sun? Is it easy to clean, and washing machine-friendly?
A mat’s capacity to absorb moisture is also a factor. Moisture might cause bacteria to form and will need a thorough cleaning before and after an exercise or play session.
Getting a kid’s yoga mat may seem to be more complicated now than initially thought. But just like any parent or guardian, there will never be enough safety precautions when it comes to the well-being of our children. Ready to buy the first yoga mat for your little one? Check out the best kids yoga mats in Australia