My daughters use heavy quilts, Warm and Natural batting, as playmats for their babies. They keep it folded up right next to the toy box in the living room.
If it is a boy could the mom want a playmat with train tracks or a road on it? Like some one else mentioned there are also circular quilted playmats you can pull a string to clean it up. I think an I Spy quilt 40x40 or larger made with heavy batting would make a great playmat. I would be hesitant to add loops etc. because of safety. Maybe little lift up windows sewn over some of the pictures?