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Hippos are magnificent, adorable, and wildly underrated in the toy world. If you have a child who is obsessed with hippos — and once a kid decides hippos are their thing, it becomes their entire personality — this guide is for you. We’ve gathered the best hippo toys, plush hippos, hippo books, and hippo-themed gifts that will make any hippo-loving kid ecstatic.
Table of Contents
From cuddly plush hippos for babies to educational figurines for older kids, there’s a hippo gift here for every age and budget.
Best Plush Hippo Toys
For more cuddly options beyond hippos, check out our best plush toys and stuffed animals guide. You can also explore our Jellycat review for more on the brand.
Jellycat Mellow Mallow Hippo
Price: $25.00 | Ages: 0+
Jellycat makes the gold standard of stuffed animals, and their hippo is no exception. The Mellow Mallow Hippo is buttery soft, perfectly floppy, and sized just right for cuddling (about 12 inches). Lavender-gray, nursery-friendly, machine washable — a critical feature for any plush destined to become a child’s constant companion. Our #1 plush hippo pick.
GUND Hippo Plush (12-Inch)
Price: $18.99 | Ages: 1+
GUND’s classic hippo plush is round, huggable, and built to last. Surface washable, embroidered eyes (safe for babies), and that signature GUND softness. The sitting posture makes it a great shelf or bed companion. Available in gray and pink. A solid choice at a more accessible price point than Jellycat.
Wild Republic CK Hippo (12-Inch)
Price: $14.99 | Ages: 3+
For kids who want a realistic-looking hippo rather than a cartoonish one, Wild Republic delivers. Their Cuddlekins line features lifelike proportions, realistic coloring, and a satisfying heft. Made from recycled materials — a nice bonus. The realistic style appeals to kids who are into animal science and wildlife.
Squishmallows Hank the Hippo (12-Inch)
Price: $14.99 | Ages: 3+
If the child in question is riding the Squishmallows wave (and at ages 5-10, they probably are), Hank the Hippo is the pick. Ultra-squishy marshmallow texture in hippo form. Hank’s tag says he loves gardening and making smoothies — extremely relatable. Collectible, tradeable, and soft enough to use as a pillow. See our Squishmallows vs Jellycat comparison for more.
Manhattan Toy Velveteen Hippo
Price: $22.99 | Ages: 0+
A vintage-style velveteen hippo with a sweet face and velvety fabric that feels luxurious. The floppy limbs make it ideal for baby cuddling and toddler carrying. Manhattan Toy’s quality is excellent, and this hippo has a timeless look that parents appreciate. Embroidered features make it safe from birth.
Best Hippo Figurines & Action Toys
Schleich Hippopotamus Figure
Price: $7.99 | Ages: 3+
Schleich makes the most realistic animal figurines on the market, and their hippo is beautifully detailed — accurate proportions, textured skin, hand-painted features. Used in schools and by collectors worldwide. Compatible with Schleich’s Wild Life playsets and other brands’ animal collections. An affordable gift that sparks imaginative wildlife play.
Schleich Baby Hippopotamus Figure
Price: $5.99 | Ages: 3+
Pair this with the adult hippo for a parent-baby set. The baby hippo has its mouth open in an adorable yawn. Schleich’s attention to detail is impressive even at this small scale. Under $6 — a perfect stocking stuffer or party favor for a hippo-loving kid. For more stocking stuffer ideas, see our dedicated guide.
Hasbro Hungry Hungry Hippos
Price: $19.99 | Ages: 4+
The classic game. Four hippos compete to gobble the most marbles in a frantic, noisy, joyful race. A family game night staple since 1978 and still just as fun today. Every hippo-loving kid needs this. Fair warning: it is loud. Very, very loud. See our board games for kids guide for quieter alternatives.
National Geographic Hippo Figure Set (6-Pack)
Price: $12.99 | Ages: 3+
Six hippo figures in various poses — swimming, yawning, walking, with baby, charging, and resting. Includes a fold-out info card with hippo facts. Great for creative play, diorama building, and learning about hippo behavior. Realistic scale makes them compatible with other toy animal brands.
Best Hippo Books for Kids
“But Not the Hippopotamus” by Sandra Boynton
Price: $6.99 | Ages: 0-3
A board book classic about a shy hippo who watches others play until she’s finally invited to join. Sandra Boynton’s simple rhyming text and charming illustrations make this a perfect first hippo book. Babies and toddlers love the repetitive text pattern, and the inclusion message is sweet without being preachy. A must-own for any hippo-loving family.
“The Hiccupotamus” by Aaron Zenz
Price: $8.99 | Ages: 3-6
A hippo with hiccups that cause increasingly silly chaos. The wordplay and illustrations are genuinely funny for both kids and adults. Great read-aloud material that encourages giggling — which, somewhat counterproductively, can cause actual hiccups. A favorite in our testing households.
“A Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake” by Hazel Edwards
Price: $9.99 | Ages: 4-7
An Australian classic about a child’s imaginary hippo friend who lives on the roof and has elaborate adventures. The surreal humor appeals to kids with big imaginations, and Deborah Niland’s illustrations are wonderfully expressive. A beloved children’s book for decades — and a nice introduction to Australian children’s literature.
“National Geographic Readers: Hippos” (Level 2)
Price: $5.99 | Ages: 6-9
For the kid who wants real hippo facts, this National Geographic reader delivers. Stunning photography, accessible text about hippo habitats, behavior, diet, and conservation, plus a “cool facts” section for playground bragging rights. Reading level 2 is appropriate for independent readers ages 6-9.
Best Hippo-Themed Decor & Accessories
Hippo Night Light (LED Color-Changing)
Price: $16.99 | Ages: 1+
A soft silicone hippo that glows in seven colors with a tap-to-change function. Rechargeable via USB with a 30-minute auto-off timer. Adorable as room decor, functional as a night light, and the squishy silicone makes it safe even if it topples off a nightstand. One of our parent testers’ kids claimed it as their favorite bedside companion.
Hippo Hooded Towel
Price: $24.99 | Ages: 1-6
A plush cotton bath towel with a hippo hood featuring ears, eyes, and a snout. Makes bath time more fun and keeps little ones cozy afterward. Quality cotton, absorbent and soft. Sized for babies through age 6. A practical gift that combines function with hippo fandom. Makes a great addition to an Easter basket too.
Hippo Backpack (Plush)
Price: $19.99 | Ages: 2-5
A small plush hippo backpack with adjustable straps, zipper pouch, and a name tag inside. Big enough for snacks, a water bottle, and a small toy. Perfect for preschool, day trips, or any outing where your hippo-lover wants to bring their obsession along. Plush exterior is huggable; straps are toddler-friendly.
Hippo Wall Art Print (Set of 3)
Price: $18.99 | Ages: All
Three watercolor-style hippo prints — swimming, smiling, and with baby — in a nursery-friendly color palette. Unframed 8×10 prints on quality card stock. A tasteful way to incorporate hippo love into room decor without going overboard. The watercolor style is charming enough for adults to appreciate too.
Best Hippo Games & Activities
Hungry Hungry Hippos Junior
Price: $12.99 | Ages: 3+
A simplified version of the classic game designed for younger players. Larger marbles (safer for toddlers), simplified mechanics, shorter game length. If your hippo fan is under 4, start here before graduating to the full-size version. Same hippo-gobbling excitement, toddler-friendly design.
Hippo Jigsaw Puzzle (100 Pieces)
Price: $12.99 | Ages: 5+
A 100-piece puzzle featuring a stunning photograph of hippos in their natural habitat — partially submerged with just eyes and ears visible. The image is National Geographic-quality and the finished puzzle works as temporary wall art. Builds patience, spatial reasoning, and focus.
Hippo Coloring & Activity Book
Price: $7.99 | Ages: 4-8
Forty hippo-themed coloring pages plus mazes, dot-to-dots, word searches, and fun facts. Perfect for travel, restaurant waiting, or quiet time at home. Single-sided printing prevents bleed-through with markers. Budget-friendly and provides hours of entertainment.
Hippo Gift Sets & Bundles
For the ultimate hippo-loving gift, consider bundling items from this guide:
Budget Bundle (Under $25)
- Schleich Hippo + Baby Set ($13.98)
- “But Not the Hippopotamus” board book ($6.99)
- Total: $20.97
Mid-Range Bundle ($25-50)
- GUND Hippo Plush ($18.99)
- Hungry Hungry Hippos game ($19.99)
- Total: $38.98
Deluxe Bundle ($50-75)
- Jellycat Mellow Mallow Hippo ($25.00)
- Hippo Night Light ($16.99)
- National Geographic Readers: Hippos ($5.99)
- Schleich Hippo Figure ($7.99)
- Total: $55.97
For more animal-themed toy ideas, see our dragon toys guide and our gifts for animal lovers. You can also use our Gift Finder to browse by interest and budget. Shopping for a specific occasion? Check our Christmas Gift Guide or Easter Basket Ideas for seasonal hippo gift inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Jellycat Mellow Mallow Hippo ($25) and Manhattan Toy Velveteen Hippo ($22.99) are both safe from birth with embroidered eyes and washable construction. Both are exceptionally soft and become beloved comfort objects. For a more affordable option, the GUND Hippo Plush ($18.99) is also excellent and surface-washable.
The original Hungry Hungry Hippos is rated ages 4+ because of the small marbles. For toddlers, Hungry Hungry Hippos Junior ($12.99, ages 3+) has larger pieces and simplified gameplay. Always supervise young children during play and check for loose parts.
“But Not the Hippopotamus” by Sandra Boynton is the classic for babies and toddlers. “The Hiccupotamus” is hilarious for ages 3-6. For factual learning, “National Geographic Readers: Hippos” is excellent for ages 6-9. For an imaginative adventure, “A Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake” appeals to ages 4-7.
Amazon has the widest selection of hippo toys, books, and decor. Specialty brands like Jellycat and Schleich are available at Barnes & Noble, toy boutiques, and directly from brand websites. Target and Walmart carry Squishmallows Hank the Hippo and Hungry Hungry Hippos. For unique handmade hippo items, check Etsy.
Schleich hippo figurines teach realistic animal anatomy. National Geographic books and figure sets combine play with wildlife facts. Hungry Hungry Hippos develops hand-eye coordination and turn-taking. Jigsaw puzzles build spatial reasoning. Even plush hippos support emotional development and comfort. The best hippo toys blend learning with hippo-loving joy.
