How to Set Up the Schleich 42477 Wild Life Play Mat

By GASCHer's Spielwarenshop | Published: 2026-11-02

Category: How-to Guides

A practical step-by-step setup for the Schleich 42477 Wild Life play mat, from checking the 133 x 95 cm footprint to laying out animal figures and storing the mat flat.

Quick answer

Unroll the Schleich 42477 Wild Life play mat on a flat floor, let it settle until it lies flat, then place Wild Life figures along the printed scenery rather than in the middle. Store it rolled loosely or flat, never folded, so the next setup starts flat.

Measure the floor space before you unroll

The mat measures 133 cm x 95 cm, so it needs a clear area larger than a typical coffee table. Measure that footprint first and check door swings, furniture legs and walkways. A mat that overhangs a rug edge or sits half under a sofa will curl at the border and make figures tip over during play.

If the room is tight, the mat can run along a wall instead of across the middle of the floor. Keep at least a hand-width of bare floor on the sides you walk past so the mat edge is not stepped on constantly.

Choose a surface that lets the mat lie flat

The mat is 0.5 cm thick, which is thin enough to follow the surface underneath. Short-pile carpet, laminate and playroom foam tiles all work, but deep shag carpet and thick rug edges create ridges that make standing figures wobble. A hard, even floor gives the most stable base for small animal figures.

Avoid placing the mat directly over floor heating vents or in front of a radiator. Heat can soften the mat and encourage it to curl at the edges, and the printed scenery will not sit flat again until it cools.

Plan the scene around the printed backdrop

The mat is designed as a scenic backdrop for Wild Life animal figures, so the printed areas suggest where different animals belong. Look at the mat before adding figures and group animals by the terrain printed beneath them. That keeps the scene readable and makes it easier for children to invent stories.

Keep the busiest printed area clear of large figures so the scenery stays visible. A few well-placed animals look better than a full mat, and leaving open space gives room to move figures during play.

Setting up the play mat step by step

Clear and measure the floor area: Move furniture and toys out of a rectangle at least 133 cm by 95 cm, then lay a tape measure along both sides to confirm the mat will not overhang a rug edge or sit under a door swing. If the space is smaller than the mat, choose a different room corner before unrolling.
Unroll the mat and let it settle: Unroll the mat with the printed side up and press the corners down by hand. Leave it for a few minutes so the material relaxes, then check for raised edges before adding figures. A mat that still curls after settling needs a flatter surface, not heavier weights.
Identify the printed terrain zones: Walk around the mat and note where the scenery shows grassland, water, rocks or trees. Decide which animal groups will go in each zone before placing anything. Grouping animals by printed terrain keeps the scene clear and gives children a starting story.
Place the largest figures first: Set the biggest animals in their zones, then fill in with smaller figures. Leave the busiest printed details uncovered so the backdrop still reads as scenery. Stop adding figures when the printed scenery starts to disappear; fewer figures look better.
Check figure stability and reach: Press each figure gently to see whether it stands without wobbling. Move wobbly figures onto flatter parts of the mat, and make sure children can reach the middle of the mat without stepping on the edges. Figures that keep tipping over are a sign the mat is not flat, not that the figures are faulty.
Store the mat rolled or flat, never folded: When play is finished, roll the mat loosely with the printed side out, or slide it flat under a bed. Keep figures in a separate box so nothing presses into the mat during storage. Folding the mat along the same lines repeatedly creates permanent creases that stop it lying flat.

Product facts

Schleich 42477 Spielteppich Wild Life: The Schleich 42477 Wild Life play mat measures 133 cm x 95 cm x 0.5 cm and is part of the Schleich Wild Life series. That footprint sets the minimum clear floor area you need, and the 0.5 cm thickness means the mat follows the surface underneath rather than hiding bumps.
Schleich 42477 Spielteppich Wild Life