Eight years ago, Totter + Tumble began with a simple question: why did family homes have to choose between practical and beautiful?

Fast forward to today and our play mats have become part of thousands of homes and family routines, from tummy time and first steps, to movie nights, yoga stretches, LEGO marathons and everything in between.

As we step into year nine (how did that happen?!) we sat down with our founder Susie to reflect on the last year of Totter + Tumble, the mats still living in her own home,and what continues to inspire her as a founder.

Because while a lot has changed since those early days… our mission hasn’t.
Beautiful, practical play mats. For them, for you, for all. 🧡

What has been your favourite Totter + Tumble launch from the last year?

The Games Room Collection takes pride of place in my home now. My children are now 11 and 9 years old and it is so wonderful having this conversational, yet beautiful mat that I always find them and their friends gravitate towards playing on too. As our children grow, so do the ways our mats are used. What started as soft support for my toddlers is now a backdrop for board games, homework, handstands and family life in general. The Games Room Collection really captured that feeling for us — playful, design-led and made to be lived on.

 

Which Totter + Tumble design has lasted the longest in your own home?

I may rival some Totter + Tumblers for the oldest play mats, with the original Wanderlust and the original Globe Trotter still getting lots of use. One is in our playroom and one is in my son's room, which is perfect to muffle out the thumping around 9 year old boys tend to do!

My own parents have the very first Wanderer to be made and the first Mariner + Roamer to be produced going strong in their homes too!  I always say our mats are designed to stand the test of time and in our home we are certainly still appreciative of the wipeable surface, supportive memory foam and stylish design years later!

What has been your proudest moment from the last year?

Our business has had a bit of a spotlight this year. From starting the year as part of a growth accelerator with Goldman Sachs, presenting our business to an incredible cohort of business leaders and experts, to taking part in international delegations and speaking at conferences, and then to be featured in The Times just recently, has been wonderful.

This past year has been incredibly special for our small but mighty team. To see Totter + Tumble recognised not only as a leading play mat brand, but as a growing British business championing thoughtful family interiors, has been such an exciting moment. But behind every milestone is our community of Totter + Tumblers — the families sharing our mats in their homes, recommending us to friends and supporting us every step of the way. And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

 

What is inspiring you as you head into Totter + Tumble’s ninth year?

It’s a really interesting time to be in business and working in ecommerce. AI is rapidly evolving and showing again how important human connection is beyond the screen. So the people in our team and our Totter + Tumblers remain an inspiration and a priority 🧡

As trends, technology and algorithms continue to evolve, one thing remains constant for us: people first. The parents trying to create homes that work beautifully for family life. The grandparents searching for the perfect play space. The customers who message us saying, “I don’t know how we lived without it.” That connection will always matter most!

 

Thank You For 8 Wonderful Years

Whether you joined us eight years ago or discovered Totter + Tumble last week, thank you for being here. Thank you for every order, every recommendation, every tagged photo, every lovely review and every message telling us your visitors thought your play mat was a rug (our favourite compliment!) We truly couldn’t do this without you.

Here’s to more thoughtful design, more family moments on the floor and many more wonderfully wipeable years ahead.