The five best yoga mats for kids—whatever their age and ability

Our round-up of the best yoga mats for kids  will help you little one become a mini yogi, kickstart a regular meditation and breathing practice, or support them in everything from gymnastics to Joe Wick's PE workouts. 

Finding the best yoga mat for yourself can seem tricky, but finding one kids will love can almost seem in impossible. Luckily, there are some great non-slip, colorful and thick yoga mats for kids that are sure to put a smile on your little one's face. 

A good yoga mat for kids should be free from toxins, heavy metals and phthalates. The material should be soft and non-slip (think PVC or TPE) and thick enough to provide plenty of cushioning for little hands and feet. 

To help you find the best yoga mat for your little yogi or aspiring gymnast, we assessed the comfort, grip, stability, design and size of the yoga mats in our round-up. Our top pick was the Yogistar Children’s Yogamatte Yoga Mat. It's the most versatile mat, and will last children the longest. Plus, it's durable with great grip and it can be easily cleaned in the washing machine. However, it's (unsurprisingly) often out of stock online, so we've got you covered with the rest of our top picks. 

The best yoga mats for kids, as chosen by our experts 

Often available in bold block colors of either pink, mandarin (orange) or kiwi (green), the Yogistar mat may look rather plain, however, it means children won’t get bored or grow out of the design in a hurry. And with the mat at 152cm x 51cm, kids shouldn’t get too big for it too soon, either. It’s made with PVC, meaning the grip is exceptionally sturdy, especially on hard floors (where the insulation will also help to keep tiny feet warm), which can make all the difference when youngsters are learning. 

Plus, it’s non-toxic and free from phthalates and heavy metals, so won’t irritate the skin or cause allergies. But what makes this our top mat for children is the fact that you can wash it at 30ºC in a washing machine—it takes the hassle out of keeping it clean.

What better way to start and end the day than by getting your little ones to stretch on this sunny yellow yoga mat with its ultra-cute bumblebee design? Not only is the Merrithew premium pick non-slip, but it’s also free of toxins, heavy metals and phthalates—basically, all the nasties that no one wants to get up close and personal with when exercising, least of all children. Plus, it’s waterproof (ideal for those unwanted spillages) and, if kids do get it dirty, it’s easy to clean with mild soap and water (see our guide to how to clean a yoga mat for more advice). 

Great for all ages, there are five other designs available in the same range, with options such as Pixel The Robot or Funky Monkey, so you’ll be sure to find something to suit even the pickiest of mini yogis. The best bit? If your child does decide yoga is not for them, if you bury this eco-friendly mat in the garden it will biodegrade after six months! 

There’s nothing worse than paying a lot of money for equipment only for your child to quickly lose interest in an activity. While there are so many benefits of yoga for children, and it's well worth getting them involved in the activity—if their interest does only last for a few months, this Decathlon yoga mat won't break the bank. And, thanks to the size, you'll still get a lot for your money. This pick is only around 15cm shorter than a standard adult yoga mat, making it ideal for older children, teens and any grown-ups who feel other options on the market are too long for them. 

Not only is this mat durable, but it’s also covered by a two-year warranty. Available in blue with yellow bears or magenta with black chihuahuas, the drawings of the animals in various yoga poses are said to inspire children and help them understand there’s no competition when it comes to yoga. Non-slip (even for gymnastics), the only downside we found is that it doesn’t lie as flat as some of the other options.

Out of all the styles we’ve found, Myga definitely is the best when it comes to design. We'd challenge anyone—even adults—not to immediately stand up and try to balance on this surfboard-style pick when it’s rolled out on the floor. But one of the best things about youngsters learning yoga is that it can really help relax them. And seeing as this one is super soft and contains no nasty chemicals, the extra few millimeters can make such a difference to comfort levels when lying down, or lessening the impact on joints when jumping around. Say goodbye to scuffed knees! 

And once any (limited) quiet time is over, kids will enjoy flipping this mat over and copying the eight basic yoga poses printed on the underside. If your child isn’t keen on the surfboard design, this range is also available with unicorns, dinosaurs, or ice-cream cones. 

Toddlers can benefit just as much as older children from movement and yoga, which makes this Yogalette buy essential for mini yogis. Although it’s marketed for babies to five-year-olds, we think it’s best for those around three years, as it’s quite small. It’s free from PVC and 100% non-toxic, which means you don’t have to worry about any nasties, toxins or artificial smells. Plus, being lightweight and small means youngsters can get into good habits and help roll it up to put it away after use.

Available in blue, pink and purple, the wave, flower, or geometric designs will appeal to little learners. Non-slip on carpet or wooden floors, this is waterproof and easy to clean, so could even be used for a picnic or when camping. The only downside is that, at just 92cm, this is almost half the length of a standard child’s mat, so the recipient could potentially grow out of this quite quickly.