When my husband was a child, he kept all his “Brio” train set pieces in this handy drawstring bag:

This old idea now has a new look!

I call it a Playmat Purse…because it is a purse that is a playmat and a playmat that is a purse. (Aren’t I clever ) I made one for myself at about the time Josiah could sit up and have used it countless times since then. It’s not rocket science, but let me share with you how it works: I fill it with toys and carry it over my shoulder as a purse. When we get where we are going, it converts to a playmat. Clean up is literally a snap: snap together the magnetic clasps, pull the straps back through the casing, and we are ready to go.

I love that the bubble dot fabric which makes up the playmat surface is so playful and soft…but I love even more that the outer fabric isn’t all baby. I picked blue for my baby boy, but the damask pattern also makes it feminine enough to wear over my shoulder as a purse (and use for my future baby girl?). You can get one for yourself at my etsy store.

Click here to see my entire line of Playmat Purses in various colors and styles.