We’re halfway through Summer already, can you believe it?! I can’t-and let me tell you, being stuck inside every.single.afternoon. from these Florida rain storms has us going crazy! So, when our  Camp Castle Play Mat delivered, you can imagine our (my) excitement!
I spend hours every week planning out our lessons, activities, and whatever I think will keep the boys eager to learn and busy but, it gets tough when screaming and fighting is the daily soundtrack of life. Normally, the argument starts over a single NERF bullet out of about 2500 laying around the house and ends with someone screaming and crying at my feet because someone else didn’t want to share that exact bullet (again, THAT bullet even with 2499 identical bullets hiding in various other places in our home).
We’ve been desperate for something to fill the floor of the boys’ room that would invite them to play in their own space together (quietly) while I cook, clean, and do our weekly planning. BUT (huge one here), I couldn’t imagine utilizing one of those God-awful, old school, rubber rugs with the hideous road designs all over it. You know the one-It’s a pain to keep clean, one that even though it has a rubber bottom it still slides all over the place, you can’t get all the sand and grime out of it without the suction of your vacuum pulling it into the wheels and getting stuck in your Roomba. The kind that when a single spill destroys your kid’s favorite tree on the print, (even though its the same tree in the other 3 corners) you’re cursed to buy a new one. After some time, I’m sure it stinks, the color fades, and I’ll say what we’re all thinking here: it’s just plain ugly.
I don’t mean to sound like a rug buzz kill but, let’s be real. MOMS NEED THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE EASIER not harder. End of story. When we first saw Camp Castle Play Mats, I knew they’d be a total game changer. Not just for us but, for tons of other families like ours. They’re designed and created by a Texas mom with a heavy duty WIPEABLE vinyl, genius I know. They’re easy to roll up for storing, have bright, beautiful graphics, and easy-to-read fonts for kids beginning to read.
When our play mat delivered, I let the boys loose on it with a set of small pull back cars from amazon. Side note: Do you know what the best thing about a busy kid is? They’re busy because they want to learn and play. These busy boys (all 3) played for 2 straight hours without a single argument during their first go at their mat. I didn’t even consider rolling it up to put away because I knew this would be a new element in our morning routines. To say Camp Castle has drastically changed our days would be an understatement.
They play together seamlessly at least twice a day making the sweetest “vrroooommm” sounds and police arrests with their pull back cars.
You know, its incredibly heartwarming to know that another mama like me, created something so simple yet, perfect for a family she didn’t even now existed at the beginning of her journey to success. The coolest part? She has mini mats for car rides and restaurants, custom art prints, and everything is designed by her own.two.hands. Amazing, right?
Keep scrolling for our full video review!
