10th October 2024 7:08 pm

Swamp Noticeboard

🎉

Happy New Year!

We're working on New

Designs as we speak!

Car Play Mats are
generic boring

Bedford Hippo Mat™ is
designed by you local to you nostalgic original creative quirky individual retro fun imaginative magic one-of-a-kind educational

REG10 REG10 REG10

introducing the...

Bedford Hippo Mat™

landmarks, buildings, features unique to Bedford
+
epic sizing options to choose from
Happy Hippo Mat™ owners (so far!)
+
Reviews
1 Star

Help Design Your Hippo Mat™

Hippo Mat™ strives to provide up-to-date designs at all times. Combining this meticulous and diligent research with our creative and playful illustrations is what makes each Hippo Mat™ so special.

This is why, now and always, we openly receive suggestions and feedback of any kind to what YOU want to see on YOUR Hippo Mat™.

So, if a building’s been demolished – let us know and we’ll update the design. Likewise, if interesting new buildings/statues/features have gone up in the area, let us know and we’ll hippo-fy it and add it the the next design release!

Current design: V1 | Released December 2023

  • Bedford Park
  • Bedford Blues Rugby
  • John Bunyan Statue
  • River Great Ouse
  • Classic Bus
  • Bob on his bike
  • Gold Post Box
  • Suspension Bridge
  • Bedford Town Bridge
  • Longholme Bridge
  • Newnham Bridge
  • Iron Bridge
  • Bedford Train Station
  • Harpur Shopping Centre
  • Reflections of Bradford
  • The Meeting Sculpture
  • Castle Mound
  • Bedford Fire Station
  • Butterfly Bridge
  • Abbey Bridge
  • Russell Park
  • Bedford Charter Market
  • St Paul’s Church
  • Moot Hall Museum
  • Oasis Beach Pool
  • Priory Country Park
  • Captain Tom Moore
  • Bedfordshire Police HQ
  • Bedford Hospital South Wing
  • Cardington Hangars with R31 Airship
  • Herrings Green Activity Farm

Want to submit a suggestion? Click here

Remember those car play mats everyone had when they were young? Well, they’re BACK – but refreshed, revitalised, and here to revolutionise the nostalgic and retro product!

Introducing the Bedford Hippo Mat™. Combining playing, learning, and wholesomeness all in one, this unique accessory will liven up and inspire your play area.

Featuring over twenty landmarks, places, or quirks of Bedford, opportunities are rife for adventure. From Bedford Park to the Butterfly Bridge, children (and adults!) love spotting things on their Hippo Mat™ that they’ve seen in real life. How many landmarks can you spot?

Not only will the user be having awesome Bedford-themed fun while using this mat, they’ll also be developing their hand-eye co-ordination, social skills, and cognitive abilities too. The latter is even more important, since learning about Local Geography is in the Key Stage One curriculum!

Children’s skin can be sensitive – we know that. But not to worry, the Bedford Hippo Mat™ has been tested and approved ‒ the microfiber velvet surface is not only completely free from substances that may harm your child’s skin or health, but soft and smooth to the touch too.

Each and every Hippo Mat™ is built with a non-slip latex backing for when the playing gets intense and you need a solid foundation. Not only that, the pretty floral non-slip pattern protects your floor and acts as a noise dampener all in one.

CE and UKCA Certified.

Recommended for ages from 12 months.

10% of profits go towards Reg’s Pledge

Regular:

  • Height: 100cm
  • Width: 100cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 10,000cm²
  • Road widths: 8cm (4cm each lane)

Large:

  • Height: 140cm
  • Width: 140cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 19,600cm²
  • Road widths: 12cm (6cm each lane)

XL:

  • Height: 180cm
  • Width: 180cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 32,400cm²
  • Road widths: 16cm (8cm each lane)
  • Wipe with a damp cloth.
  • When storing, please ensure you roll the mat with the design on the outside.
  • Vacuum and rotate frequently.
  • Microfiber velvet surface
  • Thick felt
  • Anti-slip backing with eco-friendly silica gel dots for extra grip
  • Clear plastic packaging

“EYFS had a very exciting delivery this week from @hippomatuk. The children will be able to explore the London mat to locate landmarks linking to their current topic.” – Park Primary EYFS Teacher, Colne Park Primary School

“One happy boy today with his new Glasgow Hippo Mat™. Would highly recommend!” – @weeneilson (Twitter) & Son, Glasgow Hippo Mat™ Owners

“We are absolutely loving our new #BathHippoMat of Bath designed by @finola_stack it is incredible thank you so much we are really getting a chance to understand Bath and love pointing out landmarks we know” – @littleblossomnurseryschool (IG), Bath Hippo Mat™ Owners

“The colours are bright and I like the beach!” – Isabella, Resident Hippo Mat™ Model

“When my cousins were here we went all the way to the pier and along the seafront to the helter skelter.” – Pupil, St Nicolas CE Primary School

“The boys loved seeing the old Trafford and the fire station, Hawa loved seeing Manchester Arndale and the water fountains!” – @kellysfamilylife (IG), Manchester Hippo Mat™ Owners

“I’m dealing with the city’s recycling” – Lucas, Brighton Hippo Mat™ Owner

“I like how soft it is, and also the grippy flower pattern on the back!” – Gracie, Brighton Hippo Mat™ Owner

🚚 FREE when you spend over £30 and use code ‘FREESHIP’ (tracked and signed for 3-5 working days)

*Extra charges apply for Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Scilly Iscles)

Contact us for international shipping

In the unlikely event you don’t love your Hippo Mat™, we’ll give you a full product refund if you get it back to us in 30 days.

 

Reg and his Hippo Mat™ are committed to sharing the love of loving your local area. As such, worthy organisations are given one free Hippo Mat™. This includes schools, nurseries, pre-schools, hospitals, and more – places which may have limited resources and are doing the best they can with what they’ve got.

10% of profits go towards Reg’s Pledge

Click here to learn more about Reg’s Pledge.

Each and every Hippo Mat™ has a unique Reg somewhere on it, in a homage to another classic nostalgic item we all knew growing up. Can you find your Reg?

Go ahead, pick which size mat you're after:

Order

your
Regular Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 39
99
  • 100cm X 100cm (10,000cm²)
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £13.33 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)

Order

your Large Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 89
99
  • 140cm X 140cm (19,600cm²)
  • Free Bundle Worth £10 Containing Stickers, Colouring in Sheet, Coloured Pencils, 2x Licensed Toy Cars
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £29.99 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)

Order

your XL Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 199
99
  • 180cm X 180cm (32,400cm²)
  • Free Bundle Worth £25 Containing Stickers, Colouring in Sheet, Coloured Pencils, 2x Licensed Toy Cars, Toy Dinosaurs, RC Fire Truck
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £66.66 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)

Well I’m Reg of course, your friendly neighbourhood Hippo!

As the proud ambassador of your brand-spankin’ new play mat (after all, it is named after me!), I strive to bring even more fun to the scenario 😀

Just imagine the lucky owner of this fantabulous play mat having HEAPS of FUN as they explore their local area on their coolest new toy. The only issue is their friends and family being jealous of them!

I’ve even dressed up in a unique outfit especially for your Hippo Mat™. I challenge you to find me on your design!

Local

Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info

Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info

Landmarks

Landmarks

From Bedford Park to the Butterfly Bridge, children (and adults!) love spotting things on their Hippo Mat™ that they've seen in real life. How many landmarks can you spot?

Reg's Pledge

Reg's Pledge

10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
What is Reg's Pledge?

Designed by YOU

Community-driven

90% of everything you see on your Hippo Mat™ has been suggested by the public - after all it's going to be in your homes/schools/hospitals etc! The other 10% is magical hippo dust, sprinkled by the hippo gods.

Educational

Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info

Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info

Key Stage One Curriculum

Local Geography is part of the KS1 Curriculum, and is just one of the many reasons schools across the country love using their Hippo Mat™!

Improve Road Safety

Many of the most common UK road markings and signs are included to get your little one aware of road safety without even realising it! Added realism with the roadworker fixing the potholes 😉

Original

Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info Hover over a tile to see more info

Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info Tap a tile to see more info

Certified

Every single Hippo Mat™ adheres to the Directive 2009/48/EC on Toy Safety, which ensures products in this category are safe to use.

Hippo Mat™ Quality

The gorgeous microfibre velvet surface of a Hippo Mat™ is perfect for children's skin - it's soft and leaves no nasty friction. The rugged non-slip latex backing is made-to-last: it strengthens the mat and prevents it slipping around or damaging your floors.

Free UK Delivery*

With every Hippo Mat™ when you use code 'FREESHIP'

*Extra charges apply for Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Scilly Iscles)

Help Design Your Hippo Mat™

Hippo Mat™ strives to provide up-to-date designs at all times. Combining this meticulous and diligent research with our creative and playful illustrations is what makes each Hippo Mat™ so special.

This is why, now and always, we openly receive suggestions and feedback of any kind to what YOU want to see on YOUR Hippo Mat™.

So, if a building’s been demolished – let us know and we’ll update the design. Likewise, if interesting new buildings/statues/features have gone up in the area, let us know and we’ll hippo-fy it and add it the the next design release!

Current design: V1 | Released December 2023

  • Bedford Park
  • Bedford Blues Rugby
  • John Bunyan Statue
  • River Great Ouse
  • Classic Bus
  • Bob on his bike
  • Gold Post Box
  • Suspension Bridge
  • Bedford Town Bridge
  • Longholme Bridge
  • Newnham Bridge
  • Iron Bridge
  • Bedford Train Station
  • Harpur Shopping Centre
  • Reflections of Bradford
  • The Meeting Sculpture
  • Castle Mound
  • Bedford Fire Station
  • Butterfly Bridge
  • Abbey Bridge
  • Russell Park
  • Bedford Charter Market
  • St Paul’s Church
  • Moot Hall Museum
  • Oasis Beach Pool
  • Priory Country Park
  • Captain Tom Moore
  • Bedfordshire Police HQ
  • Bedford Hospital South Wing
  • Cardington Hangars with R31 Airship
  • Herrings Green Activity Farm

Want to submit a suggestion? Click here

Remember those car play mats everyone had when they were young? Well, they’re BACK – but refreshed, revitalised, and here to revolutionise the nostalgic and retro product!

Introducing the Bedford Hippo Mat™. Combining playing, learning, and wholesomeness all in one, this unique accessory will liven up and inspire your play area.

Featuring over twenty landmarks, places, or quirks of Bedford, opportunities are rife for adventure. From Bedford Park to the Butterfly Bridge, children (and adults!) love spotting things on their Hippo Mat™ that they’ve seen in real life. How many landmarks can you spot?

Not only will the user be having awesome Bedford-themed fun while using this mat, they’ll also be developing their hand-eye co-ordination, social skills, and cognitive abilities too. The latter is even more important, since learning about Local Geography is in the Key Stage One curriculum!

Children’s skin can be sensitive – we know that. But not to worry, the Bedford Hippo Mat™ has been tested and approved ‒ the microfiber velvet surface is not only completely free from substances that may harm your child’s skin or health, but soft and smooth to the touch too.

Each and every Hippo Mat™ is built with a non-slip latex backing for when the playing gets intense and you need a solid foundation. Not only that, the pretty floral non-slip pattern protects your floor and acts as a noise dampener all in one.

CE and UKCA Certified.

Recommended for ages from 12 months.

10% of profits go towards Reg’s Pledge

Regular:

  • Height: 100cm
  • Width: 100cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 10,000cm²
  • Road widths: 8cm (4cm each lane)

Large:

  • Height: 140cm
  • Width: 140cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 19,600cm²
  • Road widths: 12cm (6cm each lane)

XL:

  • Height: 180cm
  • Width: 180cm
  • Thickness: 0.6cm
  • Area: 32,400cm²
  • Road widths: 16cm (8cm each lane)
  • Wipe with a damp cloth.
  • When storing, please ensure you roll the mat with the design on the outside.
  • Vacuum and rotate frequently.
  • Microfiber velvet surface
  • Thick felt
  • Anti-slip backing with eco-friendly silica gel dots for extra grip
  • Clear plastic packaging

“EYFS had a very exciting delivery this week from @hippomatuk. The children will be able to explore the London mat to locate landmarks linking to their current topic.” – Park Primary EYFS Teacher, Colne Park Primary School

“One happy boy today with his new Glasgow Hippo Mat™. Would highly recommend!” – @weeneilson (Twitter) & Son, Glasgow Hippo Mat™ Owners

“We are absolutely loving our new #BathHippoMat of Bath designed by @finola_stack it is incredible thank you so much we are really getting a chance to understand Bath and love pointing out landmarks we know” – @littleblossomnurseryschool (IG), Bath Hippo Mat™ Owners

“The colours are bright and I like the beach!” – Isabella, Resident Hippo Mat™ Model

“When my cousins were here we went all the way to the pier and along the seafront to the helter skelter.” – Pupil, St Nicolas CE Primary School

“The boys loved seeing the old Trafford and the fire station, Hawa loved seeing Manchester Arndale and the water fountains!” – @kellysfamilylife (IG), Manchester Hippo Mat™ Owners

“I’m dealing with the city’s recycling” – Lucas, Brighton Hippo Mat™ Owner

“I like how soft it is, and also the grippy flower pattern on the back!” – Gracie, Brighton Hippo Mat™ Owner

🚚 FREE when you spend over £30 and use code ‘FREESHIP’ (tracked and signed for 3-5 working days)

*Extra charges apply for Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Scilly Iscles)

Contact us for international shipping

In the unlikely event you don’t love your Hippo Mat™, we’ll give you a full product refund if you get it back to us in 30 days.

 

Reg and his Hippo Mat™ are committed to sharing the love of loving your local area. As such, worthy organisations are given one free Hippo Mat™. This includes schools, nurseries, pre-schools, hospitals, and more – places which may have limited resources and are doing the best they can with what they’ve got.

10% of profits go towards Reg’s Pledge

Click here to learn more about Reg’s Pledge.

Each and every Hippo Mat™ has a unique Reg somewhere on it, in a homage to another classic nostalgic item we all knew growing up. Can you find your Reg?

Ready to Hippofy Your Space? Pick Your Size:

Order

your
Regular Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 39
99
  • 100cm X 100cm (10,000cm²)
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £13.33 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)

Order

your Large Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 89
99
  • 140cm X 140cm (19,600cm²)
  • Free Bundle Worth £10 Containing Stickers, Colouring in Sheet, Coloured Pencils, 2x Licensed Toy Cars
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £29.99 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)

Order

your XL Bedford Hippo Mat™
£ 199
99
  • 180cm X 180cm (32,400cm²)
  • Free Bundle Worth £25 Containing Stickers, Colouring in Sheet, Coloured Pencils, 2x Licensed Toy Cars, Toy Dinosaurs, RC Fire Truck
  • Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Bedford
  • Explore Bedford from the comfort of the indoors in a fun and new way
  • Brighten up and inspire your play zone
  • Trademark Hippo Mat™ microfibre-velvet surface is gorgeous to touch, vibrant colours, and leaves no nasty friction. Easy to clean too
  • Green embroidered stitching edge
  • Durable non-slip backing
  • Trusted by schools as teaching tools for KS1 curriculum
  • 10% of profits go towards Reg's Pledge
  • Use code 'FREESHIP' for free UK delivery
Pay in 3 instalments of £66.66 with PayPal (options will become available on the checkout page)
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