Why Reusable Colouring Mats are a Must-Have for Every Busy Parent

Being a parent can be challenging. You’re wearing a few hats all at once – home manager, chef, driver, educator, cleaner, and of course mum or dad. While you’re juggling all that, it’s perfectly normal to wish your kids had an activity that frees up your time. 

Thankfully, there’s a solution: Reusable colouring mats! These lightweight and durable activity sets check all the boxes and more. They provide hours of fun for children while freeing you from cleanup, extra costs, and stress. 

Curious? Well, tuck that iPad away and let’s dive into why they’re a lifesaver for busy parents. 

What Are Reusable Colouring Mats?

Reusable colouring mats are sheets of silicone activity mats specifically designed with graphics for children to colour and draw on. These mats usually come with washable or erasable markers, which can be easily wiped off after the activity is done. This means kids can use the mats over and over again, giving them hours of self-entertaining fun while you get to use that uninterrupted time to get meals prepped and laundry done! 

Why Busy Mums and Dads Just Love These Mats

As parents, it’s challenging to find time to do everything all at once and give our kids attention all the time. It’s just not possible. Most kids’ activities that don’t require an adult to participate, still need a certain degree of time and effort to set up.

Reusable colouring mats cut through all that hassle and gives busy parents exactly what they need. 

Here’s how: 

Saves Time & Money

Forget searching for and printing pages for colouring activities or spending time digging up a new toy from the toy chest. A reusable mat is ready to roll out and colour. Because it can be used in many ways, it’s like a favourite toy that’s always new. No more setting up elaborate activities or spending money on something that’s used once and then forgotten. You get to save both time and money!

Fuss-Free, Mess-Free

Putting colour to paper is a great way for kids to stretch their creativity and express themselves. But imagine the hassle and mess that comes with paintbrushes, paints, paper, and water! In contrast, your child can express their creativity with a reusable colouring mat, without the fuss and mess. All you need is the mat and erasable markers that come with it. When they’re done, you just wipe away the mess with a damp cloth. There’s no need to worry about spillage, clutter, or lost pieces. 

Durable and Washable

Reusable colouring mats are made of high-quality silicone materials that make them extremely durable and reusable. They are also easy to clean with a damp cloth or a wet wipe (if you’re out and about). You can even pop it in the dishwasher!

Excellent On-The-Go

Reusable kids’ colouring mats are the perfect way to keep your kids entertained while on-the-go. The lightweight design makes them easy to take anywhere. Their non-toxic material ensures safe playtime for your little ones so you don’t have to worry. Plus, they’re easy to quickly pack up and store away when you need to head somewhere so you don’t have to worry about forgetting a piece or two.

Getting Creative with Reusable Colouring Mats

At this point you might wonder, “How entertaining can the same mat really be for a child’s short attention span?” 

You’ll be surprised. Reusable colouring mats are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some of the best ways to use them:

Drawing and Colouring: The most obvious use of reusable colouring mats is for drawing and colouring activities. Kids can use washable markers or crayons to colour in the designs on the mats or create their own designs.

Learning and Practising Writing: Reusable colouring mats can also be used for learning and practising writing. Kids can trace letters or numbers on the mats, or use them as a surface for practising handwriting. This is a great way to help kids develop fine motor skills and improve their writing abilities.

Playdough and Sensory Mats: Reusable colouring mats can also be used as play dough mats. Kids can use playdough, or even water droppers to create their own designs on the mats, or use the designs on the mats as a guide. This is a fun and mess-free way to keep kids entertained and engaged.

Games and Puzzles: Reusable colouring mats can be used as a surface for playing games and solving puzzles. Kids can use the mats as a surface for playing tic-tac-toe, hangman, or other games that require drawing or writing. They can also use the designs on the mats to create their own puzzles or mazes.

Spark Conversation: Reusable colouring mats are a great way to get conversations going between kids and parents or caregivers. Kids can ask questions about the pictures or designs, and parents can use this as an opportunity to teach them about different concepts. For example, a mat with pictures of animals can be used to teach kids about different types of animals and their habitats.

Mealtime Activities: Reusable colouring mats can be used as a fun activity during mealtime. Kids can colour in the designs on the mats while waiting for their food to arrive, or while eating. This is a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged at the table. 

The best ways to use reusable colouring mats depend on your child’s interests and needs. With a little creativity, there are endless possibilities for how these mats can be used to keep kids entertained, engaged, and learning.

Types of Reusable Colouring Mats Available

There are a variety of reusable colouring mats available today to suit different needs. Here are some of the most popular types from HeyDoodle: