What Are the Best Outdoor Rubber Playground Tiles & Mats?

When looking for outdoor playground flooring ideas, do you know how to tell if one product is better than another? You'll find plenty of options when it comes to outdoor playground mats, but some products offer distinct advantages over others. We've included some tips below to help you out, and have highlighted the 5 best outdoor playground flooring ideas to help you with your project planning.

What Makes a Great Outdoor Playground Flooring?

So, when you're shopping for exterior playground flooring, what should you look for to tell if one product is better than another? You'll want to consider these factors as you evaluate different playground outdoor flooring products.

Fall Height Protection Rubber Playground Tiles

Fall height protection is a must-have for any playground that features equipment of any sort. When a product offers fall height protection, it has been tested and determined to help minimize injury in a fall from a particular height.


You'll find that many outdoor playground mats and tiles feature fall height protection. The ratings will vary in height, though, so it's important to choose a product that has a rating that's at least equivalent to the height of the tallest piece of equipment on the playground.

Weather-Resistant Factors in Playground Tiles

Playground flooring that's intended for outdoor use needs to be able to withstand many different weather elements and the challenges that come with each. Look for a flooring product that:

• Is UV resistant so that it won't fade or degrade when in the sunlight
• Can withstand extreme temperatures, especially if you're in a harsh climate
• Offers excellent traction even when it's wet
• Is designed to channel water away from the surface, and is completely waterproof

We offer many different products specifically designed with these features needed for outdoor use.

Durability in Rubber Tiles for Playgrounds

Durability is another factor to consider when choosing your outdoor playground flooring. When you're working with a public playground or a space that will see significant traffic, then you'll want to invest in a durable product that will last. Our outdoor rubber playground tiles are highly popular because of their durability.


At Greatmats, we've carefully selected outdoor playground flooring ideas that offer you quality at an affordable price. We've highlighted five of the best outdoor playground flooring options to help you get started.

Sterling Rubber Playground Tiles

For an option that's easy to install, consider our Sterling Rubber Playground Tiles. These tiles feature a unique installation method that eliminates gaps in the finished surface. They're available in various colors and are made to be highly durable, even in outdoor environments.

We love these tiles because:

• Their installation method makes for a safe, cohesive surface
• The commercial design can withstand significant traffic and use
• The tiles are ASTM fall height rated up to 10 feet, depending on the thickness, to help keep kids safe

It's important to note that the black and standard colors of the Sterling Tiles can have the color rub off. To prevent this, we recommend the 95% Premium Colors Sterling Playground Tiles, which feature an EPDM wear layer designed to prevent color rub off. The EPDM wear layer is the best choice for high-traffic playgrounds at daycares, schools, and public parks.

Max Playground Rubber Tile Daybright Colors

Combining durability with excellent fall height protection, our Max Playground Rubber Tile Daybright Colors are a popular option for playgrounds. These outdoor rubber playground tiles are available in many eye-catching colors, and you can even mix and match colors to create fun patterns and designs. With up to a 5-foot fall height protection rating and a low-maintenance design to save you time and energy, these tiles are a great choice for any outdoor space.

We love this product because:

• A 5-foot fall height rating helps to keep kids safe
• Interlocking rubber playground tiles are easy to install
• Tiles are made in the USA with recycled materials
• EPDM wear layer prevents color rub off

StrongPlay Playground Tiles with Optional Foam Pads

If you're looking for superior durability and an eco-friendly product, then consider our StrongPlay Playground Tiles. These tiles are four-foot ASTM fall height-rated and are even made of recycled rubber for an eco-friendly benefit. They feature a non-slip outdoor safety surface to help keep kids safe while they're playing. These tiles feature a unique cross-hatch pattern.

For a higher fall-height rating, you can pair these rubber tiles with the StrongPlay Foam Pads in either the 1-inch or 2-inch thickness. Using the 1-inch pad under the rubber tiles will provide a 6-foot fall height rating, while the 2-inch pad will provide an 8-foot fall height rating. If you pair both the 1 and 2-inch pads with the rubber tiles, the playground flooring will be 10-foot fall height rated.

We love these outdoor rubber playground tiles because:

• Their non-slip surface helps to prevent slips and falls
• An ASTM fall height rating of up to 10 feet, when paired with Foam Pad underlayment
• Mix and match colors to create a unique look

Playground Slide and Swing Set Mats

The Playground Slide and Swing Set Mats have been created specifically for outdoor use. When you aren't looking for a complete playground flooring system, a playground mat is an excellent choice. These mats can be laid over mulch to help prevent mulch from migrating out of the playground area. The playground mats can be used in high-wear areas over other playground flooring.

We love these playground mats because:

• 4-foot ASTM fall height rating provides additional safety
• Use with swing sets or as slide landing mats
• Convenient 32x52 inch size
• Heavy-duty rubber mats that are 2 inches thick

Max Playground Rubber Tile

For extreme durability, consider the Max Playground Rubber Tiles. They're full of features that are perfect for outdoor use, including UV fade resistance and a design that allows water to drain around and under the tiles. Choose from different thicknesses and color concentrations for the exact surface that you're looking for.

We love these tiles because:

• A 6-foot ASTM fall height rating makes them a great option for most playgrounds
• Their design allows water to drain around and under the tiles, helping to prevent the buildup of standing water in your playground
• Their connection with the Quad Blok makes for a unified, stable surface

Choosing Rubber Playground Tiles for Outdoors

When it's time to choose the outdoor playground mats for your project, don't hesitate to give us a call. Any of the above options are great choices, but we're also happy to help you find a product that's just right for your specific playground project.