Play Mats Themed to Where You Live

We're bringing familiar places to life through original illustrations created by talented human artists. Discover the locations we're exploring and follow the journey towards our 2027 collection.

We're looking for 50 illustrators.

Artists from across our featured locations are helping shape the next Hippo Mat™ collection. We're looking for creative people who love bringing places, landmarks and imaginative worlds to life.

Locally Themed

Human Illustrated

Trusted by Thousands

Discover Your Hometown on a Play Mat

Discover Your Hometown
on a Play Mat

Pick Your Town/City

Play & Learn

Imagine & Explore!

Not sure where to start?

Whether you’re choosing a play mat, exploring locations, or hoping to request somewhere special, these are the best places to begin.

Hippo News

Young girl playing with a toy car on an illustrated town play mat, with gentle memory-themed scenes showing familiar places and everyday play
Rob Hurford PhD

Why Early Memory Development Is So Important (And How An Educational Toy Can Help)

Written for Hippo Mat™ by Dr Robert Hurford, a neuroscientist with a PhD in Neurology from the University of Oxford, this article explores why early memory development matters, how children begin to form and strengthen memories, and how simple, sensory play with educational toys can support learning in the early years.

Reg points to a toy car route on a colourful Hippo Mat™ play mat, showing roads, a bridge, a river, parks and town buildings in a child’s playroom.
Reg the Hippo

How Map Play Helps Children Explore Memory, Routes and Places

How Map Play Helps Children Explore Memory, Routes and Places Children often love maps before they can properly read them. They point at roads. They follow lines with their fingers. They move cars from one place to another. They remember where the park is, where the bridge goes, where the

Parent and toddler choosing the best play mat for toddlers in a calm playroom
Reg the Hippo

How to Choose the Best Play Mat for Your Child

Choosing the best play mat for toddlers is not just about finding something soft for the floor. The right play mat should feel safe, practical, easy to clean, comfortable in your home, and genuinely useful for everyday imaginative play. This guide explains what parents and gift buyers should look for before choosing a children’s play mat.

Young girl playing with a toy car on an illustrated town play mat, with gentle memory-themed scenes showing familiar places and everyday play
Rob Hurford PhD

Why Early Memory Development Is So Important (And How An Educational Toy Can Help)

Written for Hippo Mat™ by Dr Robert Hurford, a neuroscientist with a PhD in Neurology from the University of Oxford, this article explores why early memory development matters, how children begin to form and strengthen memories, and how simple, sensory play with educational toys can support learning in the early years.

Discover More from Hippo Mat™

Helpful pages about our pledge, supporters, FAQs and the Hippo Mat™ journey.

Share Hippo Mat™ & Join the Hall of Fame

Every Hippo Mat™ helps fund play and learning for children through Reg’s Pledge.

Would you share Hippo Mat™ with someone who’d love it too? A friend, family member, school, nursery, or local group is a great place to start.

Once you’ve shared, you can leave your name, location, and a short message for the Hippo Mat™ Hall of Fame.

No sign-up needed. Just a quick share.