Car Play Mats are
generic
boring
Southend Hippo Mat™ is
designed by you
local to you
nostalgic
original
creative
quirky
individual
retro
fun
imaginative
magic
one-of-a-kind
educational
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introducing the...
Southend Hippo Mat™
Design updates
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
- London Southend Airport
- Southend Fire Station
- Kids Kingdom Indoor Play
- Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre
- Southend Police Station
- The Royals Shopping Centre
- Southchurch Hall
- Hadleigh Castle
- Southend Central Train Station
- Adventure Island
- Sealife Adventure
- Cliffs Pavilion
- Pier and Railway
- East Beach
Want to submit a suggestion? Click here
Product description
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 Southend-on-Sea Hippo Mat™. Combining playing, learning, and wholesomeness all in one, this unique accessory will liven up and inspire your play area.
Featuring over ten landmarks, places, or quirks of Southend, opportunities are rife for adventure. From London Southend Airport to the pier, 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 Southend-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 Southend 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
Product size
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)
Care instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth.
- When storing, please ensure you roll the mat with the design on the outside.
- Vacuum and rotate frequently.
Materials
- 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
*Shipping ⚠️
🚚 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
Refunds and Returns 🔒
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's Pledge
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.
Where's Reg?
Go ahead, pick which size mat you're after:
Order
yourRegular Southend Hippo Mat™
-
100cm X 100cm (10,000cm²)
-
Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Southend
-
Explore Southend 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 Southend Hippo Mat™-
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 Southend
-
Explore Southend 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 Southend Hippo Mat™-
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 Southend
-
Explore Southend 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)
🦛 Who am I?
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!
Help Design Your Hippo Mat™
Win a Hippo Mat™ Bundle - and go down in history at the same time!
Which Southend landmarks, features, or quirks just HAVE to feature on the Southend Hippo Mat™?
24 entries so far including
Rossi ice cream kiosk
Olympus HQ
BP London Road
Southend Pier with train on it and Jamie Oliver filming
Kursal
Royals Shopping Centre
Hadleigh mountain biking track (olympics)
Southchurch Hall including pond with turtles
The Palace Theatre
Doughnut Hut
Adventure Island
Longest pier in the world!
Sealife Centre
Open top bus
Leigh Elim Church (First Elim Church in England)
Queen Victoria Statue
Toby Carvery
Belfairs woods
Read Me!
⏳ Competition closes on 14th May 2022 11:59pm
🗓️ One suggestion (and the person who suggested it) will be picked at random on 31st May and be posted on our Instagram and our Facebook (the winner will be contacted directly)
🏆 Prize:
- 3x Hippo Mat™s of your choice
- £200
- £50 worth of accessories
- The pride that your suggestion was added to such a cool item!
Share
Local
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Landmarks
Landmarks
Reg's Pledge
Designed by YOU
Community-driven
Educational
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Key Stage One Curriculum
Improve Road Safety
Original
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Certified
Hippo Mat™ Quality
Free UK Delivery*
*Extra charges apply for Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, Scilly Iscles)
Design updates
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
- London Southend Airport
- Southend Fire Station
- Kids Kingdom Indoor Play
- Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre
- Southend Police Station
- The Royals Shopping Centre
- Southchurch Hall
- Hadleigh Castle
- Southend Central Train Station
- Adventure Island
- Sealife Adventure
- Cliffs Pavilion
- Pier and Railway
- East Beach
Want to submit a suggestion? Click here
Product description
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 Southend-on-Sea Hippo Mat™. Combining playing, learning, and wholesomeness all in one, this unique accessory will liven up and inspire your play area.
Featuring over ten landmarks, places, or quirks of Southend, opportunities are rife for adventure. From London Southend Airport to the pier, 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 Southend-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 Southend 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
Product size
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)
Care instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth.
- When storing, please ensure you roll the mat with the design on the outside.
- Vacuum and rotate frequently.
Materials
- 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
*Shipping ⚠️
🚚 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
Refunds and Returns 🔒
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's Pledge
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.
Where's Reg?
Ready to Hippofy Your Space? Pick Your Size:
Order
yourRegular Southend Hippo Mat™
-
100cm X 100cm (10,000cm²)
-
Over twenty unique landmarks/features/quirks unique to Southend
-
Explore Southend 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 Southend Hippo Mat™-
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 Southend
-
Explore Southend 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 Southend Hippo Mat™-
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 Southend
-
Explore Southend 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