The 10 Best Crash Pads For Kids
This wiki has been updated 27 times since it was first published in September of 2016. For athletically-inclined, high-energy tots who love to jump, flip, and roll around, these crash pads provide a cushioned and supportive place to land. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, and made from a variety of materials, they are perfect for use at home, school, the gym, daycare centers, and even under climbing walls with the proper adult supervision. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Milliard Sensory
2. Z Athletic Open Cell
3. Giantex Gymnastics Mat
Editor's Notes
July 06, 2020:
When I was a kid, I used to love jumping on trampolines. I would imagine myself an astronaut walking around on the moon or some other planet with very little gravity. I distinctly remember visiting Lake Tahoe with my family one summer and renting a cabin that had a giant trampoline on the property. If I recall, this one happened to be anchored to a pretty big rock wall as well. Despite its large diameter, I shutter to think about what may have happened had I lost control over my body in mid-air because I jumped too high and missed the platform on the way down. I definitely could have used some extra crash pads around the base of the trampoline to break my fall. Thankfully, I came away from that situation unharmed.
While our list of crash pads is designed to provide kids with a cushioned landing platform for a variety of fitness activities, it's important to properly supervise them when they exercise.
The Milliard Sensory is testament to the fact that an ordinary crash pad doesn't have to be boring. This one is filled with foam blocks and it can even be used as a therapeutic tool for kids (and adults) who are recovering from surgery or other trauma. Of course, it's dependable as a regular crash pad for little athletes too.
We've included the Z Athletic Open Cell for its thick design and puncture-resistant vinyl exterior.
Both the Giantex Gymnastics Mat and Tumbl Trak Junior are equipped with Velcro for connecting multiple pads together, the latter of which can be used for gymnastic bridges and rollovers when folded into its block shape.
The incline of the Matladin Wedge makes it a great option for tumbling and stretching exercises and it can be folded into a cube to assist with jump training and the strengthening of a kid's core leg muscles.
We've also added the Tumbl Trak Pit Pillow for its hook-and-loop fasteners, which makes it easy to stack multiple mats vertically or connect them side by side.
Finally, the outer nylon fabric on the Metolius Session II is ideal for withstanding harsh outdoor environments and breaking falls from bouldering, while its carpeted logo can be used to wipe the bottom of your child's shoes clean. It also has a convenient flap closure system for gear storage.
Special Honors
Amateur Athletic Union Founded in 1888 as a non-profit and volunteer-based multi-sport event organization, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has been solely dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs throughout the United States. The organization currently has around 700,000 members and 150,000 volunteers spanning 55 districts nationwide and over 41 sports programs. Some of these programs include the AAU Junior Olympic Games, AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, and AAU Cares. The AAU Cares program provides athletic activities to kids aged seven and under, allowing them to participate in a non-competitive environment that promotes self-confidence and physical fitness. aausports.org
4. We Sell Mats Bi-Folding
5. Tumbl Trak Junior
6. Matladin Wedge
7. Tumbl Trak Pit Pillow
8. Metolius Session II
9. Skil Care Jumbo
10. Petzl Alto
Jeff is a dedicated writer and communications professional from San Francisco with a bachelor of arts in anthropology from UC Berkeley. He began his career in computer consulting and later branched out into customer service. Jeff focuses on making complex topics easy to understand. With over 10 years' experience in research, his relentless curiosity fuels a love of writing and learning how things work, and has helped to build expertise in categories such as heavy-duty power tools and computer equipment. Jeff's passion for animals affords him a strong understanding of pet products, including dog houses, beds, and grain-free foods. When he's not writing, he prefers spending time with his family and three dogs, while kicking back and relaxing with a nice glass of red wine.