Where to Buy Large Interlocking Foam Mats for Play Areas

Deciding Which Type of Foam Mat to Buy

• Interlocking foam play mats come in primary colors--blue, red, yellow--as well as orange and green, and are designed to complement just about any playroom decor.

  You can buy mat sets in plain, solid colors, or mats with built-in letters These mat pieces allow you to remove and replace the letters as a fun way to teach preschoolers the alphabet. The letters usually are all capitals.

  Whichever type of play mat you prefer, it's a good idea to buy a set with textured surfaces to reduce skidding and slipping. Some playmats can be incredibly slippery when a little one spills a cup of juice or water, so avoid potential injuries by buying a mat with a non-skid surface.

How Many Mat Pieces to Buy

• Interlocking foam mat pieces are typically manufactured in 12-inch squares with puzzle-like cutouts that fit together no matter which way you turn the pieces. Knowing the size, you can decide how many sets to buy in order to assemble a mat large enough to cover the floor of your playroom. A 10x12 playroom, for example, would require 120 foam pieces. If you find a set you like that contains 20 pieces each, then you will need to buy six sets to fill the room.

Pricing the Playmats for Value

• The cost of setting up a foam playmat in even a medium-size room can quickly add up, so shop around for the best deals. In the previous example of a 10x12 playroom, if each set of mats sells for $40, the cost of covering the playroom floor suddenly balloons to $240.

  Watch for sales at big-box retailers and take advantage of discount coupons in the advertising flyers.

  Although some online retailers may offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, others do not, so consider the cost of delivery if you buy over the Internet.