9 Best Silicone Placemat for Babies

Every parent knows that feeding a baby or toddler isn't just about the food. It's a full-on battle of wits and patience, involving more than a few flying peas and surprise spills.

And this is just eating at home – the fun really begins when young families start venturing out to restaurants.

I tip generously since my children never fail to create a complete disaster zone under and around (and all over) their highchairs. A mixture of crackers, juice, and drool that someone on staff is inevitably going to have to attend to (oh please forgive us).

As your little one grows more curious and independent, mealtime can (and does) quickly turn a bit chaotic. That's where the right feeding accessories come into play, and one of the most crucial is a good placemat.

Silicone placemats have become a favorite among parents for numerous reasons. Not only are they functional, but they also help make clean-up a breeze while keeping feeding areas sanitary.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best silicone placemats available on the market as well as provide a couple of alternatives.

From innovative designs that cater to your baby's development to simple durable options, the goal is to help you navigate the choices and find the perfect match for your messy little eater.

Silicone is a non-toxic material that does not harbor bacteria, making it an ideal choice for baby products. It's free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates, which are harmful chemicals often found in plastics.

Silicone has a natural grip on smooth surfaces, which helps the placemat stay in place, reducing spills and dropped foods as your baby learns to eat independently.

By choosing a silicone placemat, you're not only ensuring a safe and clean eating environment but also investing in a product that will last through the developmental stages of your child.

You can assume every placemat on this list is safe for the dishwasher.

All mats are also made of BPA-free 100% food-grade silicone. A few brands go above and beyond with third-party testing, but no mat was penalized for failing to go that extra mile.

Let’s get to it, here is the list of top choices in Silicone Placemats.

Unique to this mat, the integrated tether system allows parents to attach toys, utensils, tethers, and even bottles, directly to the mat. This keeps necessary items within baby’s reach and off the floor, ensuring a more focused and less messy mealtime.

This key attribute is tied to numerous developmental benefits for your child, and it’s what makes this placemat top tier.

Included with the mat is a travel sleeve that fits into most all diaper bags and purses.

One of the most significant features is its ability to stick to any flat surface. The mat's four corners have strong suction cups preventing it from being thrown around, which is common with toddlers. 

This helps the Busy Baby mat function in ways other silicone placemats can’t.

$30.00 (including 4 toy straps and travel sleeve)

EzPz may be best known for their flagship product, the Happy Mat. More of a bowl or dish, the mat measures 14 x 9 x 1 inches.

That’s right, an extra bonus dimension because this placemat has height. The three raised compartments are a hallmark of ezpz. This height factor gives parents the ability to stack trays, a good choice for larger families eating at home -- but not really made for travel.

The brand does however offer a Mini Placemat. Highlighted for this review, the Mini falls more in line with the current list of silicone products.

An elevated lip around the entire outer edge of the Mini helps capture messes and keep them from spilling over to the floor. Its dimensions are 16.5 x 12.25 inches, available in 3 distinct colors.

$19.99

Bumkins is known for their portion-dividing raised grip dishes, not truly the same as a placemat. 

Their grip dishes use one big suction cup to stick to surfaces and are available with lids, allowing parents to pop in the refrigerator easily. Great for at home, but like many ezpz products, not built for travel.

Bumkins does offer a portable Silicone Sensory Placemat for mealtime, which made the list. The mat comes in 5 colors and has a fun textured design across the surface.

It’s unique in its half-oval shape, dimensions are 11.9 x 8.7 inches. The mat also provides two smooth corners for use with their Silicone Accessory Tethers ($14.95 two-pack sold separately).

$19.95

The Table Tyke is the second Shark Tank success story to make the list, its claim to fame being a distinct bumper design that hugs the table edge. 

The bumper helps keep those germs from ending up on your child’s hands (or mouth). It is especially nice for teething children looking to gnaw on the edge of the table.

$24.99 (XL $34.99)

Lalo teamed up with Nickelodeon to develop a line of PAW Patrol dinnerware for children. If your kiddo’s just gotta have Chase on the case at mealtime, Lalo has them covered. They even offer matching PAW Patrol Chopsticks for sale (two-pack for $14.95).

The Paw Patrol Silicone Placemat is 19.5 x 11.5 inches, although sizes may vary slightly depending on the character. The company also offers a standard (non-PAW) 16 x 11.5 inch version.

$19.50 (PAW) $16.50 (Standard version)

Shaped more like a half circle than a square, Mushie is the crescent moon of the baby placemat world.

Designed in Sweden, Mushie mats measure 18 x 8.87 inches. Again, those dimensions may be misleading due to the mat curvature.

This product is offered in a wide variety of colors and prints (cars, bees, planets), although some reviews do complain about the patterns disappearing after multiple washes.

$15.99

1 ^st Generation Busy Baby Placemats encourage the same cognitive development, motor skills, and self-feeding as the Original. 

These mats are only available in spearmint color, come with two fewer toy straps, but offer the same great Busy Baby qualities, at a lower price point.

$13.95 (including 2 toy straps and travel sleeve)

This placemat from Chamos is created in a Montessori style, encouraging children to place utensils as pictured on the mat. This could foster more independence and provide a bitesize table setting helper come mealtime. Dimensions are 16 x 12 inches.

$22.99 (two pack)

Nothing extremely noteworthy about these placemats, aside from their bright colors and low cost. These silicone placemats from Munchkin may not offer any special perks, but they get the job done.

$10.49 (two pack)

For those looking for natural materials, organic cotton is a soft, washable option, though it lacks the durability and ease-of-cleaning found in silicone.

Sometimes I daydream about a fancy cotton placemat for my child that’s going to match my existing kitchenware and home décor. I pull it out at that once-in-a-blue-moon dinner party to make everything look perfect.

Then I quickly snap out of it and realize -- if my baby’s coming to the dinner party, I can pretty much already expect a mess. In these situations, I’d rather have the protection silicone offers and the normal mealtime setup my child is used to seeing daily.

Another heat-resistance material, both Cork and Bamboo can withstand temperatures of about 212*F. 

While impressive, they cannot compare to silicone, which can stand up to about double that (446*F). Williams Sonoma offers a popular cork-backed placemat priced at $12.95.

One great feature of plastic, the price. IKEA offers a plastic placemat currently selling for $2.29. However, having to replace it multiple times and the thought of microplastics in your child’s food should convince you this is not a good long-term solution.

All of these options typically prove insufficient in both durability and suction. Perhaps nice to have as emergency backups or to provide to visiting toddlers, but unreliable for the long haul.

Bumpkin Grip Dishes along with the ezpz Happy Mat are examples of products that fall in a bit of a gray zone, living life in-between bowl and placemat. 

Although they lack the portability of a placemat, they typically offer similar suction along with the resilience parents have grown to expect from silicone. 

These options are built more for home base than on-the-go, but they provide some unique qualities and are worth consideration depending on your family’s needs.

Added features such as toy tethers and educational designs can help parents manage meals as well as entertain children while they eat. Choose the option that’s going to suit your family best.

By considering these factors, you can pick a placemat that not only makes mealtime less messy but also contributes positively to your baby's eating habits.

Be sure to read the reviews for your placemat, especially if you plan on suctioning to a Lalo or Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair. These two popular highchair brands do not allow good suction, worth noting if you plan on trying silicone with these products.

Lalo and Stokke Tripp Trapp highchairs are notorious for not their ‘non-sticky’ textured surfaces. The trays on these chairs are removable and washable (not necessarily requiring a placemat), but many parents want to suction a silicone placemat to the tray itself, which is virtually impossible.

Australian company Brightberry offers a sticker for the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair tray, allowing the silicone to get proper suction.

There are also some ‘magnet’ hacks which can make this possible, but parents should be cautious of silicone placemats made for these specific highchairs – typically manufacturers promise a great fit, but that ends up being size, not suction.

The Ezpz by Stokke placemat is one example of a product giving the impression it’s able to stick to these highchairs. Included in the reviews are many dissatisfied customers.

Colt in the USA says Do not buy: Placemat doesn’t stick to the tray. False advertising doesTripp Trapp not buy. I bought 3 and they are a total waste of money.

Si from Manchester writes Do not buy this for a Tripp Trapp tray: I bought this as it is a recommended accessory advertised for the Stokke tripp trapp highchair tray. It sticks if you try to pull it upwards, but try to move it side to side/back to front and it comes off… I will be returning it.

If you are specifically buying a silicone placemat for either of these two highchairs, keep the receipt.

Regularly inspect the placemat for any signs of wear or damage. Although silicone is durable, it can degrade over time, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures or sharp objects.

Proper care and maintenance will extend the life of your silicone placemat, making it a lasting addition to your baby’s mealtime essentials.

Silicone placemats for babies are available at most baby supply stores, major online retailers, or directly from manufacturers' websites. This list includes links to the manufacturer's website wherever possible.

Prices can vary widely based on the brand, features, and design quality.

Generally, you can expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $30 per placemat. When considering price, factor in the durability and the additional features that might make mealtime easier (yes please) or more fun for your child.

Silicone is non-toxic, easy to clean, and resistant to heat and stains, making it ideal for baby use.

Silicone placemats can be washed in the dishwasher or cleaned with soap and water.

Choosing the right silicone placemat can transform dinnertime from a messy chore into an enjoyable and developmental experience for your baby. 

Whether you prioritize easy cleanup, fun designs, or the portability a travel bag can provide, there’s a placemat out there to meet your needs.

With options like the Busy Baby Mat and other leading brands, you're equipped to make an informed decision that suits your lifestyle and your baby’s growth.