Polar themed play mat
While exploring new ways to support my son’s learning through play, I came across the most beautiful play mats I had ever seen. These Waldorf-inspired play mats instantly caught my attention, offering rich opportunities for open-ended sensory play and imaginative learning for toddlers and young children. They showed every kind of play setting imaginable — forests, houses, polar landscapes, fantasy worlds — and I was instantly drawn in.
Naturally, I went to the first place most of us look for inspiration: Pinterest. I was curious whether there was a particular play-based learning approach behind these mats, or a deeper reason why they were designed this way. I wanted to understand whether there was a particular methodology behind these mats or a reason they were designed this way. From what I could find, many of them are inspired by Waldorf education. This made so much sense to me, as the mats allow for truly open-ended play without fixed parameters. A polar bear figure can wander into the desert, and nothing about the play is ‘wrong’.
I found so many stunning versions for sale on Etsy — ideal if you’re searching for handmade Waldorf play mats or felt play scenes. However, However, with Etsy comes Etsy prices — which are completely valid, as these mats are handmade and clearly take time and skill — but they simply weren’t within our budget. So the next best option was obvious: make one myself.
I’m very much a hobby collector, especially when it comes to fibre arts. I’ve tried almost everything at some point, which means I also have a lot of leftover materials from past projects. I had a huge bag of felt and an entire box of embroidery thread ready to go. The felt dated back to my early childcare days, when I used to make song bags for my classes, and the thread was left over from cross-stitch projects. I already had the resources — I just needed the inspiration.
When planning the mat, I wanted it to sit somewhere at my little one’s height, but also be easy to swap out for other designs. This was important for encouraging independent toddler play and keeping the activity accessible. Our IKEA sensory table was the perfect solution. I removed one of the lids and used it as a rough template, with the long-term idea of adding Velcro to both the table and the mats to stop them sliding around (a bit of helpful foresight, as it turns out).
For the design itself, I ended up learning far more than expected about icebergs — how they form, and whether they’re flat, rounded, or angular when they break away from ice sheets. This kind of incidental learning is one of the reasons I love creating open-ended play invitations. I also decided to include an ice-fishing lake. I’m currently in the process of needle-felting fish to add to it.
Once the mat was finished, and after a trip to HEMA to buy polar animal figures (and, accidentally, some fantasy animals at half price), it was ready for a test run.
Anyone who has a toddler — or works with them — knows that the first introduction to something new can go either way.
Why Waldorf-Inspired Play Mats Work So Well
Waldorf-inspired resources focus on simplicity, natural materials, and imagination-led play. Rather than telling a child how to play, these mats invite them to create their own stories and experiences. There are no fixed rules, no right or wrong outcomes — just space for curiosity, problem-solving, and sensory exploration.
For toddlers especially, this kind of open-ended setup supports:
imaginative and symbolic play
early cognitive development
sensory processing
language development through shared play
emotional regulation and connection
The beauty is that the same mat can be used differently at every stage of development.
Anyone who has a toddler — or works with them — knows that the first introduction to something new can go either way. The real test is what happens after the initial excitement wears off. The first time my little one saw the mat, he absolutely loved it. He even handed his papa a toy to play with him, which was huge, as he usually doesn’t like sharing. He played beautifully.
The next day, however, he wasn’t quite as impressed. The mat slipped off the table, and he kept pulling it down — which is exactly where the Velcro idea will come in handy.
I know it was a big ask for a 15-month-old to use this play mat in the way I had imagined, but honestly, he did so well. This experience hasn’t put me off making more mats at all. In fact, I’m already designing the next one for our fantasy toys — a dragon, a few unicorns, and some wonderfully strange coloured rocks and trees.
I’m also planning a mat for our rainbow-painted meeples. I’d completely forgotten about them — they were the wrong size when he was younger, so they’ve been sitting in a box. Now, though, he’s ready to use them with supervision, and I can’t wait to see how his play evolves next.
How to Play With Your Child Using a Play Mat
One of the biggest misconceptions about open-ended resources is that adults need to teach children how to use them. In reality, your role is much more about observing, supporting, and joining in when invited.
For younger toddlers (around 12–24 months), start by simply sitting alongside them. Name what you see, model gentle play, and follow their lead. You might narrate actions — “The polar bear is walking across the ice” — or copy what your child is doing to build connection and confidence.
As your child grows, you can gently extend their play without directing it. Ask open-ended questions like:
“Where do you think the bear is going?”
“What else could live here?”
“What happens next?”
These kinds of prompts support language development and imagination without interrupting their ideas.
It’s also important to allow for movement in and out of play. Toddlers may engage for a few minutes, leave, and then return later — this is completely normal. Open-ended mats are designed for short bursts of deep play rather than long, structured sessions.
If frustration appears — such as pieces slipping or the mat moving — see it as useful feedback rather than failure. Small adaptations (like adding Velcro, changing the setup, or offering fewer figures) can make a big difference.
Most importantly, remember that there is no “right” way to play. A dragon can live on an iceberg, a meeple can become a tree, and a story can change every single day. That freedom is where the real learning happens.
Winter Play Prompts for an Open-Ended Play Mat
These prompts are designed to gently support play without taking over. You don’t need to use all of them — simply choose one or two, or let your child lead entirely.
For early toddlers (12–24 months):
“What can you see on the ice?”
“The bear is walking… stomp, stomp.”
“Cold ice, soft snow.”
“Shall we put the animal here or here?”
Focus on naming, copying actions, and sensory language rather than storytelling.
For toddlers (2–3 years):
“Who lives in the cold place?”
“Where does the bear sleep?”
“What happens if the ice cracks?”
“Can the animal find food?”
At this stage, children often enjoy simple cause-and-effect stories and repeating familiar ideas.
For preschoolers (3+ years):
“What story is happening here today?”
“Who is visiting the iceberg?”
“What problem do they need to solve?”
“How does the story end?”
Older children may naturally create longer narratives and imaginative scenarios.
Sensory & movement prompts:
Slide fingers slowly across the ice
Tap gently like falling snow
Blow softly to make a snowstorm
Hide animals under felt and find them again
Remember, a winter scene doesn’t have to stay ‘winter’. Animals can travel, landscapes can change, and stories can move freely between mats. That flexibility is what makes open-ended play so powerful.
Final Thoughts
This project reminded me that you don’t need expensive resources to support meaningful, developmentally appropriate play. Sometimes, the best toys are the ones you make yourself — shaped by your child’s interests, your budget, and a little creativity.
If you’re thinking about creating your own play mat, I’d love to encourage you to give it a try. Start simple, use what you already have, and let your child lead the play.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other sensory play ideas, printable resources, and play-based learning guides over at Summers Sensory & Co. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more inspiration and behind-the-scenes projects like this one.
