Level 1 · Splash Mats
SwimSchool Baby Splash Play Mat with Adjustable Canopy
4.3 (4,042)
A shaded, inflatable splash spot for the backyard or beach, with a backrest and three stacking play rings.
$24.88
Level 1 · Start Swim Skills
Splash Mats for Water Play on Dry Land
Not every first meeting with water needs a pool. Our splash mats bring a shallow, friendly layer of water to the patio or the lawn, so babies and toddlers can pat, sit and squeal at their own speed.
Level 1 · Splash Mats
SwimSchool Baby Splash Play Mat with Canopy, Seafoam Blue Lemon
4.0 (475)
An inflatable dry-land splash mat with a backrest, tilting UPF 50 canopy and three stacking toy rings for babies.
$30.99
Level 1 · Splash Mats
SwimSchool Baby Splash Play Mat with Backrest, Seafoam Blue Lemon
4.3 (359)
An open-top splash mat in Seafoam Blue Lemon, with a supportive backrest and three play rings to stack.
$6.67$19.99−67%
Setting up the mat
Lay the mat on a flat, soft surface such as grass, clear of sticks and stones. Follow the setup steps on the listing, keep the water shallow and fresh, and check that the surface has not grown hot in direct sun. Stay right beside your child, and empty and dry the mat after play.
Who are splash mats for?
Splash mats belong to Level 1 of our system, for the youngest water explorers. They are a gentle way to let a baby or toddler feel water on hands and feet before, or between, trips to a real pool.
Where should I put a splash mat?
Choose level ground with a soft surface, ideally grass, away from steps and hard edges. Shade is a bonus. Avoid rough concrete and gravel, which are hard on little knees and on the mat itself.
Do I still need to supervise?
Always. Even a thin layer of water calls for an adult within arm's reach and paying attention. A splash mat is a toy for supervised play, not a babysitter and not a safety device.
SwimSchool splash mat: backyard water play for babies and toddlers
A splash mat is the gentlest step there is on the way to swimming. Before the pool, before the float, there is simply water you can sit in and slap with an open hand. SwimSchool splash mats give babies and toddlers that experience in the backyard, where everything is familiar and nothing is deep. For children who are wary of water, a few afternoons on a splash mat can change the mood of the first pool visit completely.
When you choose a splash mat, look at the size of the play surface, how it sets up and how easily it dries and folds away; all of that is on our product listing. Use it on soft, level ground, keep an adult within arm's reach, and treat it as part of the same journey as the rest of Level 1. Once your child is delighted rather than surprised by water, a baby float in the shallow end is a natural next move.