It’s a familiar scene: You’re scrolling online, looking for an engaging, mess-free activity to keep your child entertained. You come across a silicone colouring mat - it’s exactly what you need! But then you notice something… there’s a cheaper version that looks almost the same. Same concept, similar design, but a fraction of the price. Sounds like a win, right?

Not so fast.

As parents, we all want to make smart choices for our kids - choosing products that are fun, durable, and safe while also getting good value for money. But what if that bargain buy isn’t such a bargain after all? Let’s break down the differences between Little Change Creators' reusable colouring sets and cheaper alternatives flooding the market. Because, as we’re about to show you, not all reusable colouring mats are created equal.

Sustainable Packaging: How Little Change Creators Reduces Waste Compared to Budget Options

The first thing you’ll notice about budget-friendly reusable sets is the packaging. Typically, they arrive in some form of plastic – a plastic wrap or bag, a plastic window, plastic inner wrapping, and sometimes even a plastic tray for the markers – most of which is single-use plastic. Since 2022, Australia has largely stopped recycling soft plastics due to the collapse of the REDcycle program (source: ABC News). What does this mean for all that excess plastic? It goes straight to landfill.

Now, let’s compare that to Little Change Creators:

✔️ Eco-Conscious Packaging – Designed for reuse and reduced waste, our card sleeves double as a craft activity where kids can turn the box into postcards and bookmarks. We print locally using FSC-certified card, vegetable inks and a carbon-neutral process.
✔️ Long-term storage – Our mats come in a durable fabric carry bag, making it easy to pack away and keep everything together at home or on-the-go.
✔️ Repeat-play value – We’re committed to reducing waste while creating durable products that truly deliver years of creative play.

With many cheap mats, the question isn’t just how long will the product last? - it’s how much waste will it create?

Premium Silicone: The Key to Long-Lasting Colouring Mats

Silicone quality is paramount when it comes to reusable colouring mats. Cheaper alternatives often use thin, low-grade silicone, which compromises the mat's versatility and durability. This can lead to:

❌ Tearing and Discolouration: Thin mats are more susceptible to tearing, especially with frequent use. They may also discolour over time, making them less appealing.

❌ Faded Colours: Low-grade silicone often results in a translucent surface, making colours appear dull and less vibrant.

❌ Scratchy Texture: A rough, sticky texture can hinder the colouring experience, making it less enjoyable for children.

Little Change Creators' mats are crafted from premium, durable silicone:

✔️ Built to Last: Our mats are thicker and designed to withstand years of use, even with regular trips through the dishwasher or washing machine.

✔️ Vibrant Colours: The bright white, opaque surface ensures colours pop and delivers a double-sided colour-in activity that keeps kids engaged.

✔️ Smooth and Silky: The smooth texture provides a delightful colouring experience and makes the mats perfect for other activities like playdough, slime, sensory play, and even baking.

Investing in high-quality silicone means investing in a product that will last, providing your child with years of creative fun.

Features & Play Value: More Than Just a One-Time Activity

Many cheap mats feature generic clip-art designs - the same basic images you’ll find on thousands of other kids’ products. Generic designs quickly bore children.  Some budget mats also include a maze or simple puzzle, but the novelty quickly wears off after completing it.

Little Change Creators takes a different approach:

✔️ Unique, hand-drawn illustrations created at our Brisbane studio to spark creativity and engagement.
✔️ Double-sided designs – Two sides for colouring, drawing and other open-ended creative activities, meaning kids stay engaged and use them again and again.
✔️ Versatile beyond colouring – Our mats are non-stick, making them perfect for sensory play and messy activities like playdough, slime, and painting.

Keen to discover other ways to use your reusable colouring mat?  We share lots of creative ideas using silicone colouring mats on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s not just about having a reusable mat—it’s about supporting children’s creative development with a product kids love to use!

  FIND YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITE DESIGNS >  

Vibrant Markers: Using Quality Pens for a Great Colouring Experience

Budget-friendly mats often come with mini half-barrel markers - the kind that runs out quickly. Worse still, they tend to have a limited colour selection (often missing key shades like brown, grey, black, or dark blue, which most kids want for colouring animals and sea creatures!).

Little Change Creators provides:

✔️ 12 full-size markers with a broader range of colours.
✔️ Non-toxic, low-odour ink that’s vibrant yet wipes off easily.
✔️ Ventilated caps for little ones’ safety.
✔️ In-built roll-stops to prevent runaway pens and missing lids.

Because there’s nothing more frustrating than a colouring set that doesn’t have the colours your child actually wants!

Want to take your child's colouring to the next level? Check out our blog post on ‘9 Amazing Techniques To Try On Your Silicone Colouring Mat’.

Easy Cleaning: The Eco-Friendly Way to Care for Your Colouring Mat

Cheap mats often lack a cleaning cloth, leaving parents scrambling for a suitable solution or resorting to disposable wipes - a hassle when travelling with kids, and an extra expense.  With the price of disposable wipe packs averaging close to five dollars, this incidental cost soon adds up.  Disposable wipes also contribute to environmental waste.

With Little Change Creators, you get:

✔️ A washable cloth wipe included with every full-size set.
✔️ Easy cleaning - just use a damp cloth or mild soap and water.
✔️ A commitment to sustainability - less waste, more convenience.

For more eco-friendly cleaning options, read ‘5 Sustainable Ways To Clean Your Silicone Colouring Mat’.

The Intangible Value: Giving Back & Inclusivity

One of the biggest differences between Little Change Creators and mass-produced alternatives isn’t just the quality - it’s the impact.

💜 Every purchase helps donate products to children in need, supporting charities that provide creative resources to disadvantaged kids.
💜 Every set is assembled by disabled workers, providing employment opportunities to marginalised members of society and supporting the local economy.
💜 Each product includes a scannable token, allowing customers to track their impact and learn more about the social good their purchase supports.

These values are often overlooked but make a significant difference.  Buying from a brand that values people and the planet means your money makes a difference.
 

Comparing Reusable Silicone Colouring Mats

You might be thinking, 'These mats sound great, but they're more expensive.' And that's a fair point. Our mats are an investment. But consider this: how many cheap mats will you go through with each child? How much will you spend on disposable wipes? With Little Change Creators, you're investing in a versatile product that's built to last for years, saving you money in the long run and reducing waste. Plus, you're supporting ethical manufacturing and giving back to the community.

Final Thoughts: Which Reusable Colouring Mat Delivers The Best Deal?

At first glance, a cheaper alternative may seem like a steal. But when you look deeper - at quality, inclusions, longevity, play value, and sustainability - it’s clear that Little Change Creators offers far greater value.

A product that lasts longer, keeps kids engaged, and supports ethical business practices isn’t just an investment in your child’s creativity - it’s an investment in a better future.

So next time you’re comparing reusable colouring sets, ask yourself: Is saving a few dollars really worth it?  For reusable colouring mats that are good for your child and the planet, shop the full range of Re-FUN-able™ Colouring Sets today!