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

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 Mats

Silicone quality is the single most important factor when choosing a reusable colouring mat. Cheaper alternatives often use thin, low-grade silicone that compromises the mat's durability, safety, and usability. This can lead to:

• Tearing and Discolouration — thin mats are more susceptible to tearing with frequent use, and may discolour over time.
• Faded, Dull Colours — low-grade, translucent silicone makes colours appear washed out rather than vibrant.
• Scratchy or Sticky Texture — an unpleasant texture that makes the colouring experience less enjoyable.

Little Change Creators' Re-FUN-able™ mats are crafted from food-grade silicone — the same standard used in food storage and baby products:

• Built to Last — thicker and designed to withstand years of use, including regular dishwasher cycles.
• Vibrant Surface — a bright white, opaque finish ensures colours pop and delivers a genuinely satisfying colouring experience.
• Smooth and Silky — the surface is perfect for colouring and also for other activities like playdough, slime, sensory play and even baking.

Design & 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 genuinely love to use, again and again

  FIND YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITE DESIGN >  

Marker Quality: More Colours, Better Performance

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.

The difference in the colouring experience between 4 mini markers and 12 full-size markers is significant - both in terms of what children can create and how long the markers last.

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: Less Waste, More Convenience

Cheap mats often lack a cleaning cloth entirely, leaving parents scrambling for a suitable solution or reaching to disposable wipes - a hassle when travelling with kids, and an extra expense.  With the price of disposable wipe packs averaging around $5 per pack, this incidental adds up - and contributes to environmental waste.

With Little Change Creators, you get:

✔️ A washable cloth eraser wipe included with every full-size set - no disposable wipes needed
✔️ Easy cleaning with a damp cloth or mild soap and water.
✔️ A sustainable approach - 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 make a real difference.  Buying from a brand that genuinely values people and the planet means your money does more than buy a toy.
 

Comparing Reusable Silicone Colouring Mats

*Cost per use estimate based on 200 colouring sessions. Individual results will vary.

Is The Higher Price Worth It?

You might be thinking: these mats sound great, but they're more expensive. That's a fair point. Our mats are an investment - but consider this:

• How many cheap mats will you go through before they tear, discolour, or bore your child? One mat at $8 that lasts three months costs $32 per year — the same as a quality mat that lasts years.
• How much will you spend on disposable wipes? At $5 per pack, buying a pack per month adds $60 per year to the 'cheap mat' cost.
• A double-sided mat with 12 markers provides far more play sessions than a single-sided mat with 4 mini markers — the cost per use comparison makes this very clear.

With Little Change Creators, you're investing in a versatile product built to last, saving money in the long run, reducing waste, supporting ethical manufacturing, and giving back to the community. That's a lot of value in a mat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are cheap silicone colouring mats safe for toddlers?

A: Not all cheap silicone mats specify their silicone grade or hold verified safety certifications. For toddlers who may mouth objects, it's important to look for food-grade silicone (the same standard used in baby products) and non-toxic, low-odour markers. Little Change Creators' Re-FUN-able™ mats use food-grade silicone and non-toxic markers with ventilated caps.

Q: What is the difference between food-grade silicone and regular silicone?

A: Food-grade silicone has been tested and certified to meet the safety standards required for contact with food and mouths — meaning it's free from harmful toxins, heavy metals, and chemical migration. Regular or 'basic' silicone used in cheaper mats may not be tested to the same standard and may contain fillers or additives not suitable for young children.

Q: How long does a reusable silicone colouring mat last?

A: A high-quality, food-grade silicone colouring mat should last for years with normal use — including regular wiping and occasional dishwasher cleaning. Cheaper, thin-silicone mats may tear, scratch, or discolour within months. Little Change Creators' mats are designed to withstand years of use and dishwasher cycles.

Q: Can reusable colouring mats go in the dishwasher?

A: Food-grade silicone mats — like Little Change Creators' Re-FUN-able™ sets — are dishwasher-safe on the top rack. Cheaper mats made from lower-grade silicone may warp, discolour, or degrade in the dishwasher. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions before washing.

Q: What makes double-sided mats better than single-sided?

A: A double-sided mat provides two completely different designs in a single product, doubling the play value and extending interest for longer. It also means children can use both sides on different occasions — one side for structured colouring, the other for experimenting with colour themes, techniques or patterns. Most cheap mats and even some competitor brands offer only a single-sided design.

Q: How many markers do reusable colouring mats come with?

A: This varies significantly by brand. Cheap mats often include only 3-9 mini markers with a limited palette. Little Change Creators includes 12 full-size markers with a comprehensive colour range, including brown, grey, black, and dark blue — colours kids consistently need for colouring animals, characters, and scenes. HeyDoodle includes 9 markers; Scribble Mat intentionally includes 4 (a deliberate minimalist philosophy).

Q: Are reusable colouring mats worth it compared to colouring books?

A: Yes — when you compare total cost over time. A colouring book is used once and discarded. A quality silicone mat used 200 times at $39.95 costs approximately $0.20 per session. A $12 colouring book used once or twice costs $6–$12 per session. Reusable mats also reduce paper waste, require no additional supplies, and work for multiple activities beyond colouring.

Q: What certifications should I look for in a reusable colouring mat?

A: Look for: food-grade silicone (same standard as food storage and baby products); non-toxic markers (often indicated by AP or ASTM D-4236 certification); BPA-free materials.  Verified social enterprises or certified brands that disclose their manufacturing practices offer an additional layer of trust.  Ask any brand directly if they cannot clearly state their certifications.

Next time you’re comparing reusable colouring mats, 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!