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Children playing on a playground with a black rubber mat covering the ground.

Why Rubber Playground Mats Are Important

Rubber playground mats are designed specifically to create safer outdoor play areas by reducing the risk of injury from slips and falls.

Tested to certified Critical Fall Heights, these safety mats provide reliable impact absorption where children are most at risk, making them suitable for schools, parks, nurseries and residential play spaces.

Built for outdoor use, playground safety mats offer excellent slip resistance and weather durability, while open-hole and grass-friendly designs allow for effective drainage or grass growth beneath the surface. This helps prevent standing water and enables semi-permanent installation without disrupting the surrounding ground.

Available in a range of surface styles and fall-height ratings, rubber playground mats provide a practical, long-lasting way to improve safety in outdoor play areas, whether covering individual play equipment zones or larger recreational spaces.

Key Advantages of Rubber Playground Mats

Rubber playground mats are designed to improve safety and durability in outdoor play areas, making them a trusted choice for schools, parks and recreational spaces.

Manufactured from weather-resistant rubber, they provide a cushioned surface that helps absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury from falls.

All mats in this range are Critical Fall Height (CFH) tested, ensuring they meet recognised safety standards for playground use. With ratings from low-level play equipment through to higher climbing structures, these safety mats provide dependable protection where it matters most.

Open-hole and honeycomb designs allow water to drain freely or grass to grow through the mats, helping maintain a natural appearance while preventing standing water. Combined with slip-resistant surfaces and long-lasting construction, rubber playground mats offer a practical, low-maintenance solution for safer outdoor play areas of all sizes.

How to Choose the Right Rubber Playground Mats

Choosing the right rubber playground mats depends on the type of play equipment, surface conditions and safety requirements of the outdoor play area.

  • Safety & Fall Protection: Always select mats that are Critical Fall Height (CFH) tested to match the height of the play equipment, ensuring effective impact protection in the event of a fall.
  • Surface & Installation Type: Honeycomb or open-hole mats are ideal for grassed areas, allowing drainage and grass growth for a natural finish. Solid rubber playground tiles provide a stable, cushioned surface for higher-use zones.
  • Outdoor Performance: Look for weather-resistant, slip-resistant mats designed specifically for outdoor play area use, helping maintain grip and safety in wet conditions.
  • Installation & Maintenance: Interlocking designs allow for quick installation and secure fitting, making the mats suitable for semi-permanent playground installations.

If you’re unsure which rubber playground mats are best for your outdoor play area, our team is always happy to offer expert advice.

See what our customers are saying

Real feedback from our valued customers

The mats were manufactured and arrived as promised. We are very pleased with their professional service and highly recommend.

Anonymous

Great price, great quality, great customer service!

Adam Robinson

Cannot fault the service & quality of the product we purchased. David was fantastic & we couldn't be happier. 10/10

Dean Lavisher

We bought three 10m rolls of ribbed matting for our alpaca barn. Really easy to lay and makes a tough comfortable floor.

Clair Gregory

First time using First Mats, and will definitely be using them again. What you are getting is great quality mats that are so well made, a lot better quality than other places.

Anonymous

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, we’re here to help

What are rubber playground mats used for?

Rubber playground mats are used to increase safety in play areas by providing a cushioned, slip-resistant surface. They are commonly installed in schools, parks, and nurseries to reduce the risk of injuries from falls.

Are rubber playground mats suitable for outdoor use?

Yes, rubber playground mats are designed specifically for outdoor play areas. They are weather-resistant, slip-resistant and built to perform in wet conditions, making them suitable for year-round use in schools, parks and recreational spaces.

Can grass grow through playground mats?

Yes, honeycomb-style mats are designed with open patterns that allow grass to grow through, helping to maintain a natural-looking play area while providing protection from falls.

How do you install rubber playground mats?

Most mats are easy to install and can be laid directly onto grass, soil, or solid surfaces. Some models include interlocking edges for added stability, while others can be secured with ground pegs.

Do rubber playground mats require maintenance?

Rubber playground mats are low-maintenance. They can be cleaned with water and mild detergent, and grass-friendly mats can be mowed over without damage.

How do I choose the right Critical Fall Height rating?

The required CFH rating depends on the height of the play equipment being installed. Mats should always be selected with a CFH rating equal to or greater than the maximum fall height of the equipment to ensure effective impact protection.

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rigorously tested to ensure they meet your safety
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available to support and assist you.

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Most orders are shipped the same day, with express delivery available on selected products.

Learn More About Rubber Playground Mats

Discover how mats can improve safety, durability, and aesthetics in outdoor play areas. With a variety of designs and safety-tested options, First Mats offers the perfect safety matting for your playgrounds.

How Do Rubber Playground Mats Work?

Rubber playground mats are designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury from falls in outdoor play areas. Manufactured from durable, flexible rubber, they create a shock-absorbing surface that helps protect children when playing on or around equipment. Textured and perforated surfaces also improve slip resistance and allow water to drain away quickly in wet conditions.

For natural or grassed play spaces, honeycomb playground mats are a popular option. Their open structure allows grass to grow through while reinforcing the ground underneath, helping prevent erosion and maintaining a natural appearance. This makes them ideal for semi-permanent installations where safety and aesthetics are equally important.

Interlocking rubber playground tiles provide a stable, cushioned surface for higher-use zones such as swings, climbing frames and slides. Designed for outdoor use, these safety mats offer long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance, helping create safer, more comfortable play environments in all weather conditions.

Children playing on a playground structure with a black rubber matting system in a park.

Critical Fall Height (CFH) Explained

Critical Fall Height (CFH) refers to the maximum height from which a person can fall and still be protected from a life-threatening head injury when landing on a safety surface. For playgrounds, this is a key safety standard used to assess whether surfacing provides adequate impact protection beneath play equipment.

All rubber playground mats in this range are Critical Fall Height tested, with ratings from 0.6m up to 3.3m, making them suitable for a wide variety of outdoor play equipment, from low-level activity areas to higher climbing structures.

Choosing a mat with the correct CFH rating helps ensure outdoor play areas meet safety requirements and provide reliable fall protection where it matters most.

Children playing on a playground with a textured safety mat.

Expert Customer Support

Our team is always ready to help

Fast Delivery

Rapid delivery across the UK

5-Star Rated

Based on thousands of reviews

30 Day Accounts Available

Pay in 30 days with no extra cost