There has been much research into what colours your baby can and can't see from birth, and the general consensus is that black and white, with its strong contrast, makes the perfect combination for many first toys. This monochrome marvel takes that thinking to ground level, providing a 3x4ft surface for your baby to play on, encouraging him to roll over, lie on his tummy and sit up on his own, all while scrutinising the bold geometric patterns.
It's made of EVA (think trad-style flip-flops), so it's cushioned and comfortable to lie on, a great solution if you have hard wooden or tiled floors rather than carpets. And, unlike a fabric play mat, you can just wipe this clean - excellent for the inevitable dribbles and other accidents (you could even change your baby on this).
The 12 interlocking pieces can be put together in any permutation you wish, great for stimulating your baby's curiosity, and after use they pack away neatly into their own bag, ready to stow in the car when visiting relatives and friends. A neat alternative to the more traditional fabric mat, it costs £15, plus £4.95 p&p, from SoftPlayZone: tel 0113 269 8181, www.softplayzone.co.uk.
