Best Splat Mat for Baby & Toddler Mealtime Messes

Last Updated on September 21, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

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Starting solids is an exciting time, but it can be messy, too! Your baby is exploring tastes and textures, they haven’t mastered the use of baby spoons and other utensils, and food goes flying. You’re left to clean up a mess on the floor 3 times a day…or more. 

Mealtime is messy, but there are some tools that help contain the mess. While bibs and smocks help keep clothing clean, a splat mat is the true hero for your floor. 

What is a splat mat?

A splat mat is a large, wipeable, waterproof mat that sits under a high chair to catch dropped (or thrown) food during mealtimes. Instead of sticky strawberries and glops of yogurt getting stuck to your nice kitchen or dining room floors, they fall on the mat. Then everything is easily wiped away with mild soap and water! Splat mats are especially helpful if the area you eat in has carpet in it. 

How can I use my splat mat?

While splat mats are used at mealtimes in the baby and toddler years, they can be used in other ways, too! 

Mealtimes – Pop a splat mat under your high chair to catch any dropped food or liquids. 

Arts & Crafts – Place a splat mat under toddler tables, easels, or wherever you’re doing arts and crafts. This keeps the floor safe from glue, markers, glitter, etc. 

Sensory Play – Any time you’re doing something like a sensory bin or messy play, use the splat mat! You can also use them when carving pumpkins, or under the table when you’re playing with something like Play-Doh. 

Tummy Time – If you get a more cushioned splat mat, you can use it for tummy time or as a play mat!

Travel – Take it on the go! Many splat mats are travel-friendly and roll or fold up for easy storage. There are also disposable options to pack in your diaper bag for vacations, going out to dinner, etc. 

A splat mat can be incredibly versatile. Once your child outgrows it during mealtimes, you can use it as an outdoor play blanket, tablecloth, or during any kind of messy play. 

Our Favorite Splat Mat

Lalo Splat Mat

Price: $65
Dimensions: 67″ x 67″

We have the Lalo Splat Mat and it was a gamechanger when we started solids. It covers more area than most other splat mats on the market. This really comes in handy for littles who like to throw their food and have good range!  

Their splat mat is more cushioned so it can also graduate to be a play mat. Once my first two littles were finished with the high chair, we transitioned to using the splat mat under our toddler table and chairs. It was perfect for containing the messes that come with crafts, Play-Doh creations, etc.

The Good Stuff

• Reversible designs
• Simple, neutral patterns to match any home 
• Free from PVC, phthalates, and lead 
• Cushioned and comfortable under your feet 
• Easy to clean 
• Can transition to be placed under Lalo’s Play Kit table and chairs – an arts and crafts splat mat 

Considerations

• More limited patterns, less to choose from in comparison to other companies 
• More expensive than other splat mats that serve the same purpose 

Splat Mat Options We Love

House of Noa Splat Mat

Price: $68
Dimensions: 48” x 48”

House of Noa makes a high chair mat that feels like an interior designer came right to your kitchen. The designs are beautiful, and the mat is cushioned and soft under your feet. This is a high-quality mat that users love!

The Good Stuff

• Free from PVC, formaldehyde, and latex
• Non-slip backing
• 6 different styles that look high-end and sleek
• Square or circular design 
• Covers larger surface area to catch more mess

Considerations

• More expensive than your average splat mat 

WeeSprout Splat Mat

Price: $27
Dimensions: 51” x 51”

This is a great option if you’d prefer a circular mat. The green color is pretty and makes a nice statement. This mat can be easily folded for indoor and outdoor use!

The Good Stuff

• Affordable price 
• Can be used indoors and outdoors 
• Machine washable 
• Comes in a square or circle shape

Considerations

• This mat only comes in one color

Bumkins Baby Splat Mat

Price: $21
Dimensions: 42” x 42”

We love Bumkins smock bibs for their thin, waterproof material and fun patterns. Their splat mat is more like a waterproof tablecloth. Without cushion, it doesn’t make a great tummy time or play mat, but it does make a functional mat for under the high chair.

The Good Stuff

• Versatile – splat mat, tablecloth, or picnic blanket 
• Easy to pack into a diaper bag
• Affordable price range 
• Lots of bright, vibrant designs to choose from 
• Machine washable

Considerations

• While it makes a functional splat mat or tablecloth, the thin material is not good to double as a baby play mat 
• Smaller footprint than other comparable splat mats

Blissful Diary Baby Splat Mat

Price: $15
Dimensions: 50.4” x 50.4”

This highly-rated mat comes in solid colors and cute patterns for little boys and girls. It’s thin enough to fold up when not in use and can even be machine washed!

The Good Stuff

• Affordable price, under $20
• Machine washable 
• Easy to fold and store away or travel with
• Can be repurposed for a picnic blanket, craft mat, etc.

Considerations

• Smaller dimensions than other splat mats 
• Not cushioned

Disposable Splat Mats

Price: $30 for 30 mats
Dimensions: 49” x 49”

If you’re going to a friend or family member’s house for dinner, you don’t want to roll up the splat mat for just one night. You can use these instead! Disposable splat mats are great for keeping in your diaper bag for when you need them on-the-go. They can be used for a lot when traveling with kids, too. 

The Good Stuff

• Waterproof 
• Lightweight and compact for travel
• Versatile in terms of use – can be used for sensory play, potty training, arts & crafts, etc.

Considerations

• Not quite as large as other splat mats, so food could still be thrown into the floor depending on your child’s range 
• Reviewers mention the black and white pattern is double printed and can feel dizzying to look at 
• One splat mat = $1, which can add up if you are using these as your everyday mat

Catchy Food Catcher

The Catchy Food Catcher

Price: $50

This food catcher is something I didn’t think I would love until I actually used it. Now I can’t envision a meal without it! Babies are so messy (which is good), but your floor will be covered (which is not so ideal). The Catchy really helps catch the mess.

Even better, food that falls into the catcher can be used again! My first daughter was a spoon dropper, so this really came in handy. I would just pick it up and put it back on the tray!

My floors aren’t covered in mess and food isn’t wasted. Plus, they make a version of this catcher for tons of different high chairs!

When used with a splat mat, the Catchy saves a lot of the dropped food, and the splat mat catches food that’s thrown. They’re a dynamic duo keeping mealtime a little more tidy!

The Good Stuff

• Compatible with lots of high chairs 
• Saves food before it gets dirty from the floor 
• Easy to wipe clean after each use 
• Comes in a couple different colors and patterns 

Considerations

• You may have to disassemble part of your high chair in order to secure the Catchy, which can be a pain
• Once you’ve outgrown your high chair, you’ve outgrown the Catchy

Looking for more?

Find our favorite bibs and smocks to protect clothing during mealtimes and more. 

See all the baby spoons and utensils we love using when starting solids as well as our breakdown of the best high chairs and booster seats for the table.