Hello Tired Troopers,
This Finding Nemo activity mat was a hand-me-down from my bestie, Tulip Mama. At the time I was thankful, but I honestly didn’t think our kids were gonna use it that much. Which is why we didn’t buy one, but why we were so thankful. Cause if it’s free, why not?! So we tried it and our kids loved it! Go figure lol something designed for babies that babies like… whaaaaaat?! Lol and it pays music and flashes lights too. The songs aren’t that bad, but the underwater sounds is my personal favorite!!! So calming and comfy.
The clown fish, Nemo, even has a wimpy fin on the right side! As a major fan, I’m impressed with this level of attention to detail! And I’ve had plenty of time to sit and stare at this thing well lay and stare cause we put it on the bed, but I’ve really noticed the little details, like they put textures on everything! Even the little stars hanging off Nemo look smooth, but they added little bumpy dots around the edges.
My hubby lovingly named this “going to the beach”.
Now anytime the kids need to be worn out or are fussy we say, “Let’s go to the beach!”
If you haven’t, you have to try putting your activity mat on the bed!!! It’s so much better than the floor!!! And the finding Nemo activity mat has a tall border around the back, so it’s really secure! I feel completely comfortable having my kids take a nap in this on the bed right next to me. So, so nice!!! Then if one or both wake up, they usually just go back to playing with the toys hanging above them. SO, SO NICE!!!!! Usually them swatting at the toys and clanking them together is what lets me know they’re up again… and it’s time to play!!!
This has saved us multiple times! Meltdown? Let’s go to the beach! Need the kids to get energy out and then immediately take a nap? Let’s go to the beach! Even just saying, “You want to go to the beach?” Puts a positive spin on any meltdown, hey every little bit helps!
My hubby perfected the magic concoction for guaranteed sleep…
Step 1: Setting the Finding Nemo Mat up on the bed.
Step 2: Lay the kids on the mat under the hanging toys with blankets/sleep sacks to stay warm.
Step 3: Turn the mat music box on and set it to the “boogie song” trust me, you’ll know what the “boogie song” it is for this particular mat. There’s 2 sound modes, boogie songs or underwater/beach sounds.
Step 4: Warm up the kids Warmies in the microwave.
Step 5: Wedge the Warmies between the kids. We started doing this for their safety to create safe separation for their flailing, uncoordinated arms swinging around. They kept smacking each other. The Warmies were perfect for this. Plus, you warm them up and they smell of lavender, yum!
Step 6: Let the kids play with the hanging toys until the boogie songs stop playing (it has an auto shut off).
Step 7 (if needed): if the kids are still awake, then turn on the underwater/ocean sounds AAAAAAAAND BOOM! Sleep City!
P.S. After discovering the Warmies and how much my kids love them, I started gifting them to all my fellow Tired Trooper friends and they are the #1 favorite by far! Everyone I’ve gifted these to has said how much they and their kids love them!!! Highly, highly recommend! There are choices for everyone and they constantly come out with new ones!
P.P.S. My twins are now over a year old and we still use this activity mat to get them to take their mid-day nap… It’s STILL A LIFESAVER!!!! Shout out to Tulip Mama, who has gifted me so many hand-me-downs that absolutely saved us! And I plan on handing them down to my sister! I’m so, SO lucky to have her and her family as part of my tribe!