If you’re in desperate need of a moment of peace and quiet away from clamorous family life, then listen up.
There’s no greater way to entertain your children than with a dance mat. The fun pieces of kit will keep your tots bopping away while you enjoy some well-deserved R&R. Not only will a dance session a day bring much joy to your clan, but they will wear your youngsters out, in turn guaranteeing an interrupted night's sleep for parents.
They are also a great way for children to socialise. Dance mats can be used for solo dancers or groups depending on the make. Select the challenge mode and watch your kids enjoy a fun fitness session with friends or siblings. Play dates have never been groovier.
What’s more, most options are completely devoid of tech complications. Simply plug in and watch your living room transform into a disco. Features typically include a non-slip design and non-toxic materials, so parents can relax and watch their children unknowingly tire themselves out. Bliss.
The mats are also easy to store and portable, meaning you can pick yours for holidays when active tots need to release some energy. You can tailor your choice to the age of your child or children and encourage them to exercise their cognitive abilities while expanding their musical taste.
Plus, they’re not just for the under 10s. As evidenced in films such as The Kissing Booth and Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, interactive dance mats are a great workout alternative to the gym for tweens and teens. Not to mention, they make for an adorable (if not somewhat cliché) date spot.
Get them moving and grooving with a brand new dance mat to provide endless hours of entertainment.
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Best dance mats at a glance:
- Best for all-round excellence: Acelufly Dance Mat - £157.24, Amazon
- Best for value for money: KIZJORYA Dance Mat for Kids - £49.99, Amazon
- Best for buying on a budget: Smyths Dance Mat - £24.99, Smyths
- Best for budding dance queens: Rodzon Dance Mat Toys for Girls - £33.40, Amazon
- Best for gifting: Hamleys Dance Star Mixer - £28, Hamleys
- Best for tweens and teens: Science Museum Retro Dance Mat - £35, Science Museum
- Best for smaller spaces: URMYWO Dance Mat - £26.99, Amazon
- Best for easy storage: My Little Darling Dance Mat - £62.99, My Little Darling
Acelufly Dance Mat
Best for: all-round excellence
Featuring three epic dance modes, nine immersive camera games, 150 songs, 45 yoga guides and much, much more, Acelufly’s dance mat is a gadget that’s got it all. Enjoy a dance session with your kids or let them tear up the floor solo on the easy-clean piece, which further features non-slip rubber plates, a user-friendly set-up and a portable design. Plug in and get ready to party.
Buy now £157.24, Amazon
KIZJORYA Dance Mat for Kids
Best for: value for money
Enjoy endless fun for under £50. KIZJORYA’s affordable toy for kids is an extra large pick to see your youngsters through the growing stages. LED lighting informs the user where to step, while non-slip features promise a safe, secure boogie. The mat is a highly versatile piece as it can be paired with your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device. Select your favourite song from your music library and control the volume directly.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Smyths Digital Dance Mat
Best for: buying on a budget
Smyths’ digital dance mat is a more basic pick for those on a budget. However, it's still guaranteed to delight little ones. Connect to your MP3 player to select a personally curated playlist and make the most of the two modes on offer: Dance Challenge or Memory Game. The piece is ideal if you don’t have a large TV or screen as the mat does all the work for you. Check the scoreboard using the LED scoring system and see who comes out on top.
Buy now £24.99, Smyths
Rodzon Dance Mat Toys for Girls
Best for: budding dancing queens
A purple pad with style, this dance mat for girls is the sweetest idea for a playdate. Made from an environmentally-friendly material that is dirt-resistant and easy to clean, the affordable piece has five levels for varying abilities, a challenge mode and nine songs for tots to tap away on.
Buy now £33.40, Amazon
Hamleys Dance Star Mixer
Best for: gifting
Aunts, uncles and godparents - we have got you covered. Anything from Hamleys is a surefire hit among kids. Curry favour while saving the pennies and shop the iconic brand’s dance mat which is currently in the sale. Suitable for kids aged seven to nine, the mat puts the control in the hands of the kids, who can choose a playlist of their own picking. Mission accomplished.
Buy now £28.00, Hamleys
Science Museum Retro Dance Mat
Best for: tweens and teens
Help your sulky teens shake off some angst with a mat to get even the moodiest moochers on their feet. This retro-themed item is the ultimate boredom buster. It features 110 songs and three difficulty modes that will keep them off their phones and on their toes. Plug the Retro Dance Mat Game into your TV using the RCA and power cables and let the fun begin.
Buy now £35.00, Science Museum
URMYWO Dance Mat
Best for: smaller spaces
Most of us (sadly) don’t reside in a mansion, so space-appropriate toys are always a bonus. This girly gizmo comes in a bright pale pink hue and encourages kids to dance to their heart’s content. Parents and offspring can join together and follow the cues of the LED indicator while tapping into the beat of the built-in music system. Place in your child’s bedroom or living room and watch your kiddos hop to it.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
My Little Darling Dance Mat
Best for: easy storage
Feel the rhythm with My Little Darling’s dance mat. Choose from princess or dinosaur prints and take advantage of all the gadget has to offer. Let the LED lights guide your feet and witness your child’s hand-eye coordination strengthen. The piece even has a piano mode for when the S-Club 7 tunes become a bit too much.
Buy now £62.99, My Little Darling
Verdict
It may be more costly, but the Acelufly Dance Mat takes the biscuit. You get what you pay for in terms of versatility and handy features, such as ample modes to choose from and a huge song choice.
