We think your preschool gear should work as hard as you do. Between drop-offs, pickups, snack time disasters, and the endless cycle of laundry, the last thing you need is gear that can't keep up. A good preschool nap mat should give your little one a cozy place to rest and outlast the general chaos of life with a tiny human. 

Every Piece Should Be Machine Washable
Preschoolers aren’t exactly known for their tidiness. Their juice box is going to leak. Someone's going to lie down with paint on their clothes from art class. Mystery stains will appear out of nowhere. Even if nothing sticky gets spilled, it’s important to regularly wash anything that’s traveling to and from buildings full of toddlers. (They may be cute, but all parents know they’re also walking germ factories.) 

Machine-washable nap mats are a necessity for busy parents. You need something you can toss in the washer on a Friday afternoon without special spot-cleaning instructions or hand-wash-only requirements. Just throw it in, dry it, and have it ready for Monday morning.

Frequently Used Gear Needs to Be Durable
Preschool gear has a tough job. It gets dragged across classroom floors, stuffed into cubbies, and used as play equipment. A flimsy mat might survive the first month, but by winter break, you'll be shopping for a replacement. Your little one’s nap mat isn’t just decorative bedding. It’s a highly-used piece of gear that also happens to be adorable. (Come on, have you seen those tiny pillows?) 

Durability is a must when something gets used daily and washed weekly. A well-made nap mat quickly pays for itself when you're not replacing it every few months. Besides, you never know if you’ll need to save it for a sibling!

The Best Mats Are Conveniently Portable
Between backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and whatever art project is coming home that day, you're already carrying enough. The last thing you need is a bulky nap mat that won't stay closed or takes you ten minutes to shove into a tote bag. A quick roll-up system with a secure handle makes the daily back-and-forth a lot more manageable. (And the “do-it-myself” phase is a whole lot easier when you don’t have to watch your toddler drag a blanket across a dirty parking lot.)

A compact and portable nap mat is especially helpful if you’re able to walk to school. You need something that stays rolled, fits comfortably under one arm, and doesn't become a tripping hazard on the sidewalk.

The Right Gear Makes Everything Easier
Preschool is full of transitions for both kids and parents. Drop-offs can be emotional, pick-ups can be chaotic, and it’s easy to forget important items. Having gear that keeps up with your new daily routines can make a real difference as you navigate the changes. 

We designed The Tot Cot Nap Mat with these real-life needs in mind. It’s truly portable, genuinely durable, and completely washable. And when your child sees their name on their mat and tucks their special lovey into its own little pocket, those first naps away from home will be easier to handle. 

The right nap mat won’t change the fact that preschool is a busy time with lots of messes, emotions, and transitions. But the right gear does help make everyday life a little bit easier for parents and their preschoolers.