Maileg Mice Guide: Sizes & Choosing Your First Mouse

Welcome to our Maileg Mouse Guide. We’ve been sharing the magic of these charming toys since 2018, and from circus mice to beach mice, we’ve seen them all! So we're perfectly placed to help you choose your first Maileg character. Maileg mice are the heart of the miniature world, and this guide will introduce you to the whole mouse family while helping you decide which one is the perfect start for your collection.

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An introduction to Maileg mice

Maileg mice are suitable for ages 3+ and are wonderful for imaginative, small‑world play. They come in four sizes, each representing a different member of the family:

• Mum/Dad/Grandparents
• Big Brothers and Sisters
• Little Brothers and Sisters
• Baby Mice

Matchbox mice are some of the most iconic Maileg toys. They come with a mattress, pillow and blanket all neatly stored in a beautifully illustrated vintage-style matchbox. 

Some mice have magnets in their hands, allowing them to hold accessories, grip scooter handlebars, or ride tricycles, while others do not. 

Many mice are designed around themes, including ballet, royal life, hiking or tricycle riding - making it easy to choose one that reflects a child’s interests.

Maileg releases two collections each year. Some classic mice, especially the iconic matchbox mice, remain in the collection but are refreshed with new fabrics and bedding. Others are discontinued, becoming sought after collector’s pieces over time.

How to Choose Your First Maileg Mouse

When choosing your first Maileg mouse, it helps to think about what will spark the most joy. You might pick a mouse based on a theme or interest, such as a ballerina for a child who loves to dance, or a hiking mouse for a grown-up who enjoys the outdoors.

You can also choose by family role, such as a big brother or a little sister mouse, or lean into fairy tales with a mouse from the royal collection.

Finally, consider how your child likes to play: will they enjoy dressing their mouse, sending it off on a tricycle or scooter, tucking it into bed or hosting tea parties?

Choose your first Maileg mouse by interest 

Choosing a mouse that already fits a child’s interests makes it easier for stories to flow naturally. Maileg mice are wonderful at reflecting a child’s interests (or a grown-up’s too).

• Love ballet or dance? A ballerina mouse is an obvious choice. 
  
• Enjoy the outdoors and adventure? A mouse from the Maileg hiking collection would be perfect!
  
• Drawn to fairy tales and castles? Princesses and any mouse from the Royal Collection would be a wonderful gift, 
  

Choose a mouse for how your child likes to play

If scooters or tricycles are going to be part of the fun, you’ll need a mouse with magnets in their hands to help them hold on. For children who love bedtime routines, a matchbox mouse comes with an instant cosy sleeping setup. And if dressing and re-dressing their mouse sounds appealing, it’s a good idea to consider clothing availability too, so that their mouse can build a little wardrobe as they play.

Mice with magnets in their hands

Some Maileg mice have magnets hidden in their hands, which makes play extra fun because they can hold onto metal items like scooter handlebars, cooking utensils and other accessories. If you’re planning to add a scooter or tricycle to your mouse’s world, it’s important to choose carefully. Only Big Brother and Big Sister mice with magnets can hold handlebars properly and ride wheeled accessories comfortably. Some Little Sister and Little Brother mice do have magnets, but they’re not tall enough to use scooters or trikes with ease. Mum and Dad size mice don’t generally have magnets and are also too tall for scooters and tricycles.

Still not sure? Here's our recommendation for your first Maileg mouse

Of course, the choice is always yours, but if you’d like one Maileg mouse that offers the most versatility, we usually suggest starting with a Big Brother or Big Sister mouse with magnets in their hands. This size fits all mouse-sized furniture, has a wide range of outfits available, and can use scooters, tricycles and other accessories. A big brother or sister is a lovely all-rounder and often chosen by many of our customers as a first mouse.

Explore more guides

Ready to get to know Maileg Bunnies and Rabbits?  Explore the Maileg Rabbits & Bunnies Guide →

Thinking about starting a dolls house project? Explore the Maileg Dolls House Guide →

Want to understand Maileg sizes? Explore the Maileg Size Guide →