Is a baby activity mat necessary?

that was one of our most used things when he was a baby

Agreed with Sydney. Definitely very useful.

Doesn't necessarily have to have all the bells and whistles on it but something cushion to keep baby safe while learning to roll and crawl is helpful. I enjoyed using the alphabet puzzle foam mat.

It helps because it is softer than the floor but I wouldn't say it's necessary unless you have hard will floors. Putting a blanket down works too if on carpeted floors. They are useful though.

I think what’s super helpful is when babies have something to look up at that is colorful/ moves. If you think about it, they spend so much time on their back for their first 4-6 months, and staring up af a ceiling is so boring. Their little brains need visual stimulation!
So while the mat itself isn’t necessarily necessary, giving baby something to stimulate them when they are on their back definitely is