Yoga for kids is starting to become a trend nowadays with many kids yoga classes emerging everywhere. There are kids yoga classes in gyms, schools, and yoga studios. While yoga is mostly done by adults, many parents are starting to introduce their children in yoga classes to teach them how to focus and improve their well-being.
See Also: 7 Best Kids Yoga DVDs for Home Practice
That being said, it’s imperative that you know which yoga mat suits best for your kid. You should get a decent mat for your kid to avoid the risk of injuries and bacteria infection. If you don’t know where to start, here are our guides and reviews for the best kids yoga mat.
Quick Answer:
Gaiam offers the best yoga mat for kids because of its interesting prints and textured surface. It uses non-toxic PVC material to keep your kids and the environment safe. We’re impressed with its lifetime guarantee and bonus downloadable kids yoga class to help your child get started.
Another good yoga mat for kids is from TOPLUS which offers a reversible design. It comes with a drawstring strap bag to store and carry your yoga mat anywhere. The surface is textured and slip-resistant to keep your kids safe from injuries.
If you want a thick yoga mat for your kids, then this Yogi Junior mat might be a good option. This mat is 6mm thick to give extra cushion to the knees, joints, and other parts that might get in contact with the hard floor. You have 20 designs to choose from, including lilac boho fox, bubble gang pals, and glacier boho fox.
Editor’s Pick: Best Yoga Mat for Kids
Kids Yoga Mat Buying Guide
Benefits Of Yoga For Kids
Introduce yoga to your kids to help them learn how to cope with stress in this fast-paced world. Our kids have to deal with school, competitive sports, video games, and other lessons. According to Yoga Journal, yoga can help kids battle these pressures.
Kids can learn the techniques of relaxation and inner satisfaction so they can deal with life’s challenges with a bit more ease. Yoga practiced at a young age boosts self-confidence and body awareness with a non-competitive physical activity. Encouraging cooperation and sympathy, instead of rivalry, is a great trait to teach our children.
Other benefits of yoga include improved flexibility, coordination, and strength. Also, your kids’ concentration and balance improve. Combining yoga with playtime lets your kids develop a close relationship with the natural world.
What To Look For On A Good Yoga Mat For Kids
Colorful Designs
Kids love bright colors and whimsical designs. They feel happier and more comfortable in bright colors, like red and orange. One trick to make yoga more fun for your children is to let them use a colorful yoga mat with a kid-friendly design, like animal characters.
Size
Give your kids the right size of the yoga mat. The width and thickness of kids yoga mats are similar to regular yoga mats- 24 inches in width and 3-6mm in thickness. The length, however, varies from 52 to 60 inches.
Material
Kids yoga mats are usually made of PVC and TPE. Your choice of material depends on your preference. Regardless of your choice, find one without phthalates, latex, and BPA. The material should offer great grips and prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
Texture
The texture determines the traction of the yoga mat. A little stickiness on the surface will help prevent slipping and sliding. To prevent your kids from getting off-balanced, look for a textured, non-slippery surface.
5 Best Kids Yoga Mats Review
1. Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat
The Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat impresses with its bright colors and interesting patterns to help your kids do yoga in a fun way. It offers nine fun prints including blue rocket, animal surprise, and owl. The mat is 60 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 3mm thick, making it the best yoga mat size for kids.
The surface of this mat is slightly sticky to offer a safe and secure grip for your active child while on the mat. This PVC yoga mat is 6P-free meaning that it doesn’t contain any of the six commonly used phthalates: DBP, DEHP, BBP, DINP, DNOP, and DIDP. You can bet on its quality because Gaiam offers a lifetime guarantee.
Your yoga mat purchase also includes a downloadable yoga class to help your child get started. Download the Gaiam Yoga Studio App to access the free yoga class.
Real Also: Top 5 Gaiam Yoga Mats Review
PROS:
- Textured, non-slip surface
- Available in nine colorful prints
- Offers a lifetime guarantee
- Comes with a downloadable yoga class
- Non-toxic and free from six phthalates
CONS:
- Strong odor right out from the box
Best For:
The Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat is perfect for kids 5-8 years old who are beginners to yoga. It comes with a downloadable yoga class for you to enjoy it in your home.
2. TOPLUS Yoga Mat
The TOPLUS Yoga Mat is non-toxic and eco-friendly. It’s made of PVC without the harmful six phthalates, such as DEHP, DBP, and DINP. A strong odor may be present when you unwrap this mini yoga mat but it’s harmless. To remove the unpleasant odor, unroll and air out for up to three days.
We like TOPLUS because of its interesting reversible design. The front and back have different prints which make this mat fun to use for kids. There are three available color options: ocean, forest, and black. The ocean and forest colors are 3mm thick while the black one is 6mm thick.
The actual size of this mat is 60 inches long and 24 inches wide. It can be folded to a small size and carried everywhere, thanks to the drawstring strap bag that comes with the mat. The textured, non-slippery surface offers good traction to keep your kids’ balance to any yoga position.
PROS:
- Comes with a drawstring bag for easy carry
- Eco-friendly, non-toxic, and 6P-free
- Interesting reversible design
- Non-slip surface for safety
- Foldable and lightweight
CONS:
- A bit difficult to clean
Best For:
The TOPLUS Kids Yoga Mat is perfect for travel. It’s foldable and lightweight, plus it comes with a drawstring strap bag for easy transport anywhere.
3. Yogi Junior Kids Yoga Mat
Yogi Junior offers the thickest mats out there. Its yoga mat is 6mm extra thick to ensure great support and comfort. The size is 52 inches in length and 24 inches wide. It’s slightly shorter than its leading counterparts but it offers dual layers to give excellent grip.
This yoga mat is made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is known to be non-toxic and earth-friendly. It’s free from harmful chemicals, like the six phthalates, latex, and BPA. The rounded corners make this mat easy to roll for storage. Its closed-cell construction makes this mat durable and hygienic because no bacteria will be absorbed.
PROS:
- Available in 20 unique designs
- Hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals
- Durable construction
- Good traction and grip
- Extra thick for maximum support
CONS:
- A bit heavy to carry for kids
Best For:
The Yogi Junior Kids Yoga Mat is perfect for babies to large kids who want a durable and hygienic mat. It has a closed-cell construction to prevent the absorption of bacteria.
4. Yoga Direct Fun Yoga Mat For Kids
This fun yoga mat for kids from Yoga Direct stands out with its playful colors and designs. It’s available in three design themes: butterfly, sun, and turtle. The size is 60 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 6mm in thickness – a perfect size for your children and very cushy.
The surface is textured and non-slippery to keep your kids safe while on the mat. We love its rounded edges because it helps the mat stay in place on the floor. It’s safe for your kids’ health because it contains no heavy metals and phthalates. This foldable mat cleans easily with water and soap.
PROS:
- Cushy and comfortable
- Available in three nice prints
- Phthalates-free and contains no heavy metals
- Lightweight and easy to fold
- Non-slippery surface
CONS:
- Strong chemical smell when you unwrapped
Best For:
The Yoga Direct Kids Yoga Mat is great for kids who want a cushy mat for yoga practice and a portable space to roll on. It’s 6mm thick but it’s lightweight for kids to roll and carry.
5. Chi Universe Kids Yoga Mat
More than just a yoga mat, Chi Universe is also an educational mat that transforms an ordinary yoga session into a fun game. It comes with a how-to Game Poster and online access to videos showing every exercise. The symbol system helps the kids position their hands and feet in every yoga position.
This kids yoga at measures 60 inches in length, 18.5 inches in width, and 5mm in thickness. It’s made of non-toxic PVC and contains no phthalates, making this mat eco-friendly. You can choose between pink and blue colors.
PROS:
- Includes an easy-to-follow poster
- Fun to use with the family
- Contains no harmful phthalates
- Gives access to free online videos
- Easy to clean
CONS:
- Game cards are sold separately
Best For:
The Chi Universe Yoga Mat is perfect for kids who want to turn yoga into a fun game. It comes with a poster to show you where your hands and feet should go.
FAQs:
Q: Should I get a thin or thick yoga mat for children?
Choose a thicker mat such as 6mm if you want the best comfort and support for your children. If you more portability, get a thinner mat (3-5mm) because they’re more lightweight to carry around.
Q: Why do yoga mats smell?
The strong smell of a newly unwrapped mat may not signify that it contains hazardous chemicals. Some mats contain natural rubber which can cause that stinky odor at first. To remove such an unpleasant odor, air it out for two days. If the smell hasn’t faded yet, spray a solution of water, vinegar, and your favorite essential oil.
Q: How to clean yoga mats?
For soiled yoga mats, spray a bottle of water and dish soap. Rub the solution to the dirty areas then wipe it with clean with water then dry.
For heavily soiled mats, submerge it a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Wash the mat and rinse it in clean water, then dry.
Or you can use the Yoga Mat Cleaners for mats.
Q: How often should I wash kid’s yoga mat?
Ideally, give the mat a quick spray after each yoga session. If that’s not possible, wash your kids yoga mat once a week.
Q: How long do yoga mats last?
Generally, yoga mats that are used regularly should last up to 12 months. It’s important that you replace your mat regularly to practice successful yoga.
Conclusion
All the yoga mats above are great for kids but if we have to recommend only one, we choose Gaiam as the best kids yoga mat. This mat offers nine colorful, fun patterns to choose from. It has a textured, non-slip surface to make it safer and more secure for your kids. Plus, it comes with a free downloadable yoga class to help get your kids started.
The TOPLUS Kids Yoga Mat is a good alternative to those who want a more travel-friendly yoga mat. This mat comes with a drawstring bag for easy carry. It features a double-side unique pattern to make it more fun for kids to use it.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
