
Buying Guide for Classroom Carpets

Why buy a classroom carpet?
If you’re in charge of decorating a classroom or if you’re a home educator, it may be a good idea to incorporate a fun and colorful classroom carpet into your space. Children love the softness of an area rug, and they love bright colors and shapes.
What should you consider in a classroom carpet?
- Area: When ordering a classroom carpet, one important thing is to get the area right. How much hard floor or low-pile carpet needs to be covered? How much space is available between furniture? Do you want a lot of space for little ones to sit and gather? Measuring before you buy (twice, if you’re so inclined) ensures that you will have the best classroom carpet to fit your space.
- Content: Not every classroom carpet is designed the same. Some are simple with just a few designs or a border with letters and numbers. Others have beautiful designs featuring science, math, or other fundamental learning material. Others still are designed by children’s authors to awaken the imagination.
- Thickness: If comfort is what you’re going for, a thicker pile rug will be best. If you’re covering space on the floor, the thickness doesn’t matter. Graphics show up better on a low-pile carpet, too.
- Backing: If you’re in a classroom with a hard floor, a rubber, nonslip backing is a must. If your chosen carpet doesn’t come with one, it may be good to purchase one separately. Rubber backings provide an added layer of safety which is very important for a classroom full of kids.
What is the best way to keep your classroom carpet clean?
It is recommended to vacuum or sweep your carpet for daily upkeep, depending on the material. You can use a typical dry cleaner or carpet cleaner for a deeper clean since it can be vacuumed easily out of the carpet. When cleaning, you will always want to blot, as rubbing or scrubbing may create a larger fuzzy area. If you use a new cleaner, you will want to spot-test it on a small section of the carpet for colorfastness.
Our Picks for the Best Classroom Carpets
blue page Round Kids' Playroom ABC Rug
Available in many adorable color choices, this sweet round rug fits perfectly into a nursery, playroom, or classroom.
Pros: This cute round carpeted rug is made of 100% cotton that is skin-friendly for little ones. The simple alphabet print creates a fun yet comfy learning environment for your nursery or classroom. It weighs around four pounds and measures 47 inches in diameter, big enough for your baby to play on or a few children to sit for circle time at the beginning of class. It’s also machine washable, a saving grace for busy parents and educators.
Cons: This carpet does not come with a nonslip rubber backing.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an adorable, super soft alphabet carpet for a nursery or classroom, this is an excellent pick.
teytoy Kids' Educational Play Mat
Bright and colorful, this educational classroom rug introduces children to the fun of learning fundamental, introductory math skills.
Pros: With many different educational features, this lovely carpet will keep your little ones inspired to learn. There are animals, fruits, and numbers one through nine for your child or student to look at. It has a nonslip bottom and is stain-resistant—just wipe it down with a cloth for quick, simple cleaning. It measures 3.4 x 5 feet and can be folded up without creasing, making it easily portable from a classroom to a playroom.
Cons: It’s thin, so it may easily roll or slip out of place.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a colorful educational classroom carpet with a little bit of everything, this may be a good choice. It’s not too big and not too small, great for tight spaces, and the material is soft and inviting.
FADFAY Outer Space Kids' Rug
Blast off with this adorable planetary rug, perfect for bedrooms or classrooms full of future scientists and junior stargazers.
Pros: This sweet space carpet features images of the planets, an astronaut, and its accompanying rocket ship. It is made of nylon polyester material and has excellent nonslip traction, perfect over hard floors. It measures 39 x 51 inches to create the ideal addition to any playroom or class. All you need to do is toss it in the wash and line dry for maintenance.
Cons: It’s on the thinner side.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an outer space-themed kids’ rug, this may be an excellent option. It’s durable and heavy enough not to slip out of place when kids are at play.
Home Dynamix Eric Carle U.S. Map 35 x 51-Inch Area Rug
Beautiful, nonskid, and educational, this map rug is the perfect complement to any preschool or early school-age classroom, homeschool, or kids' bedroom.
Pros: One of the best things about this rug is its more than one educational function. It shows both the alphabet in upper and lowercase letters, and it has a vivid map of the U.S. It also has the artistic stamp of a beloved children’s author. On top of that, it’s got a thick, nonskid backing, perfect for hard floors.
Cons: This rug may snag, so the fibers may get pulled out. It is also lightweight, so it may not stay in place.
Bottom Line: If you love geography and so do your kids or students, this may be a fun carpet for your space. It makes a great gift for kids, parents, or teachers.
Kev & Cooper Playtime Collection ABC, Numbers and Shapes Educational Area Rug
This large 8 x 10-foot area rug is perfect for carpet time with fun shapes, colors, and bright graphics perfect for early learners.
Pros: This classroom carpet is an excellent value for the dollar for the size and quality. It offers many educational tools for young children, including the ABCs, numbers one through ten, and basic shapes. When you open the packaging, it’s easy to roll out and takes almost no time to flatten into place. And best of all, the colors are vibrant, even after several washes.
Cons: There may be minor flaws in the fine details, such as the stitching.
Bottom Line: Perfect for a classroom, this bright and beautiful rug draws children in. So if you’re in the market for a larger rug, this one may be worth a glance. It’s a reasonable budget buy for teachers, too.
Final Thoughts
Young children love to learn new things and explore new concepts. When decorating a classroom or an educational space in your home, choosing the right accessories to inspire young minds is vital. A bright and fun classroom carpet can make a difference when you gather together and learn as a group.