Hape x The Met Tree of Life Tummy Time Mat is designed for babies ages 0–12 months, combining artistic inspiration with early sensory development through high-contrast visuals and multi-texture play features. Inspired by The Tree of Life, a 17th-century English tapestry in The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, this play mat transforms motifs of trees, animals, and decorative patterns into an engaging sensory experience for tummy time and seated play.

The mat includes a variety of interactive elements such as a baby-safe mirror, teether, crinkly flip page, sensory ribbons, and a hidden squeaker, all designed to stimulate babies’ visual, tactile, and auditory development. The high-contrast black-and-white imagery supports early visual tracking and attention, while the 2-in-1 play design allows the mat to lie flat or fold into an upright mirror setup for different stages of development. It also features a photo pocket where parents can place familiar family pictures to encourage recognition and emotional connection.

Lightweight and foldable, this mat is easy to carry and store, making it ideal for daily sensory play, travel, or gifting for newborns and young infants. Developed by Hape in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with guidance from early childhood development experts, this mat brings together art, beauty, and developmental play in one thoughtfully designed baby essential.

Item No.: E0141

Hape x The Met William® the Hippo Baby Stacker is designed for babies and toddlers ages 10–24 months, transforming one of The Met’s most beloved collection icons into an engaging early learning toy. Through stacking, grasping, and hands-on exploration, little ones can build hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills. Inspired by William®, the famous blue hippo from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian art collection, this toy features soft blue tones and delicate lotus motifs that reflect the look and symbolism of the original artwork.

The toy includes soft-toned stacking rings and a hippo-shaped topper, allowing babies to stack each ring in sequence and finish with the William figure on top. As they play, children practice ordering, size recognition, and hand control. The rounded, easy-to-grasp pieces are designed for little hands and encourage repeated stacking, removing, and knocking down, supporting sensory exploration, visual observation, and early problem-solving skills in a natural and playful way. Its gentle color palette and art-inspired design also make it a charming decorative piece for a nursery or playroom.

Developed in collaboration with Hape and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with guidance from early childhood experts, this stacker thoughtfully blends art, culture, and early developmental play. Whether chosen as a baby’s first stacking toy, a nursery display piece, or a thoughtful gift for a newborn or first birthday, William the Hippo Baby Stacker offers a beautiful and educational everyday play experience.

Item No.: E0142

Hape x The Met Flower Rattle Set / Artful Flowers Rattle Trio is designed for babies and toddlers ages 6–18 months, combining a teether, rattle, and flexible flower toy to support sensory development and early fine motor skills through grasping, shaking, chewing, and visual exploration. Inspired by Auguste Renoir’s Bouquet of Chrysanthemums from The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, this set brings together artistic color and baby-friendly play in a charming floral theme.

The set includes 3 different flower toys with unique play features: a bright yellow flower-shaped teether to help soothe teething discomfort and capture visual attention; a wooden flower rattle with a gentle sound and natural tactile feel; and a flexible flower rattle that can be twisted, flipped, and reshaped to encourage active hand exploration. Together, these varied textures, sounds, and movements stimulate touch, hearing, and sight, while also supporting grasping ability, hand flexibility, and sensory integration.

Designed with input from early childhood development experts, this set is made with eco-friendly materials and child-safe finishes, offering a balance of safety, function, and beauty. Whether used as an everyday sensory toy, a developmental grasping tool, or a thoughtful gift for a newborn or art-loving family, this floral trio provides an engaging early play experience inspired by art and designed for growth.

Item No.: E0144

Hape x The Met Walk with William Pull-Along Toy is designed for toddlers ages 1–3 years, transforming an iconic work of art into an engaging toy that supports early walking and exploration. As children pull, observe, and interact with William, they naturally develop balance, coordination, and motor control through active play. Inspired by William®, the famous blue hippo from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian art collection, this toy features a vivid blue body and lotus-inspired details that reflect the original figure’s distinctive look and cultural significance.

As little ones pull William along, the hippo’s belly spins while in motion, adding visual movement and sensory interest with every step. This playful cause-and-effect feature encourages toddlers to keep moving, stay curious, and enjoy independent discovery. Designed with sturdy wheels, a soft pull cord, and smooth rounded edges, it is easy for small hands to handle and ideal for repeated everyday play. Pulling and following the toy helps strengthen gross motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, and early sensory integration.

Developed in collaboration with Hape and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with guidance from early childhood experts, this toy is both an active learning companion and an art-inspired introduction to culture in everyday play. Whether chosen as a toddler’s first pull-along toy, a screen-free play essential, or a thoughtful gift, William the Hippo offers a playful, educational, and beautifully designed experience.

Item No.: E0535

Hape x The Met Animal Friends Wooden Peg Puzzle is designed for toddlers ages 12–24 months, offering a simple and engaging animal puzzle experience that helps build early hand skills, shape matching, and animal recognition. The puzzle includes 4 friendly animal characters—a hippo, owl, rabbit, and boar—including a design inspired by William®, the famous blue hippo from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian art collection, giving children a playful introduction to art and cultural imagery.

Each puzzle piece features a large wooden peg handle that is easy for little hands to grasp, lift, and place back into position. Through repeated play, toddlers can strengthen hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and early spatial awareness. The soft shapes and gentle colors help children recognize different animals, while encouraging naming, imitation, and interactive conversation to support early vocabulary and language development. Made from smooth, durable wood with rounded edges and non-toxic finishes, the puzzle is designed for safe everyday play.

Developed in collaboration with Hape and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with guidance from early childhood experts, this puzzle thoughtfully blends art, nature, and early learning. Whether used as a child’s first puzzle, for quiet independent play, or as part of parent-child interaction, it offers a gentle and enriching developmental experience.

Item No.: E1462