The Ultimate Maileg Guide: Sizes, Comparisons & FAQs
March 24, 2021
We welcomed Maileg to Oskar's Wooden Ark in March 2021, and since then, it has grown in popularity for its charm, versatility and storybook whimsy. Unsurprisingly, we are huge advocates of play—especially when it encompasses imagination, creativity, small worlds and open-ended thinking—and Maileg fits perfectly into that philosophy.
In this informative and fun-filled guide, we delve a little deeper into the magical world of Maileg, answering your most frequently asked questions. Whether you've been a part of Maileg's fairytale for a while or just learning about them for the first time, you'll find everything you're looking for right here!
What is Maileg?
Maileg (pronounced My-Lie) is a Danish company that creates high-quality heirloom toys to inspire our children's favourite playtime stories. Known for their charming mice, whimsical rabbits and sweet bunnies, Maileg has created a timeless world filled with beautiful accessories and enchanting characters to be collected, cherished and shared with friends and family for generations.
Maileg was founded in Denmark in 1999 by Dorthe and Erik Mailil, who combined their last name 'Mailil' with 'leg'—the Danish word for play—to produce the memorable brand name. Dorthe, a designer and illustrator, remains the company's Creative Director and says her childhood play and imagination inspired the brand's signature modern Scandinavian designs.
Maileg works hard to produce organic and environmentally friendly toys of intrinsic design value using primarily recycled and natural materials. All of their products are BPA-free and lead-free, so you can feel humbled to know you are supporting and promoting a more sustainable way of living when you buy your next Maileg item.
Image: Triplet Mice in Box by @mailegworld
Browse Maileg by Category
Sizing Guide: Mice
The mice are undoubtedly the most iconic piece in the Maileg range, and it's not difficult to see why. They are noticeably smaller than the rabbits and bunnies and fit perfectly into children's hands, pockets and hearts, making them the ideal companion for small world play.
Are they all the same but in different clothes?
Each mouse is unique, even the ones in the same collection (Royals, Hikers, Superheroes etc.) Given each mouse is handmade, no two are ever identical.
Generally, each mouse will have a different body. Some are plain, while others will have a built-in bodysuit or undergarment. Their ear colour may also vary.
What range of clothing and accessories fit each mouse?
The beauty of the Maileg mice is that you can swap clothing and accessories within the same size mouse (for example, the Big Sister). All product names and description will disclose what range of mice the accessory or clothing item is intended for. Please refer to the table below for a complete overview of the mice sizing. All measurements are taken from the tips of the ears to the feet (length) and arm span (width).
Image: (From left to right) Baby, Little Sister, Little Brother, Big Brother, Big Sister, Mum, Dad and Grandma by @exploringlifetogether_
Sizing Guide: Bunnies and Rabbits
If you’re new to Maileg, the sizing and terminology of the bunnies and rabbits can be somewhat tricky to decipher. To add to the confusion, Maileg has recently updated the sizes of their bunnies and rabbits. Therefore, there will be a period when the terms 'Size 1' and 'Mini' will be used interchangeably; they are the same size. As stock changes, the term 'Mini' will be phased out.
What's the difference between the Bunnies and Rabbits?
Generally (but not always), 'bunnies' refer to the girls, and 'rabbits' refer to the boys. Bunnies have their ears down, while the rabbits have their ears up. The ears account for some extra length in the rabbits. All measurements are taken from the tips of the ears to the feet (length) and arm span (width). Due to Maileg’s handmade nature, measurements are approximate. Please refer to the table below for a complete overview of the Bunnies and Rabbits sizing.
What sizes do you recommend for replicating a family?
When planning a bunny and rabbit family, you might like to consider the My Rabbit to portray a newborn baby. Whilst the Micro Rabbits and Bunnies represent an older baby or young toddler. The Size 1/Mini Rabbits and Bunnies could portray both older children and adults.
Image: Micro Rabbit by @exploringlifetogether_
Sizing Guide: Houses and Furniture
Maileg has a beautiful and expertly crafted range of Houses and Furniture for your mice, bunnies and rabbits to enjoy. Most furniture is designed to suit the Micro and Size 1/Mini Bunnies and Rabbits; however, many pieces also work well with the Mice. Baby Mice fit the My Furniture range. Other sized mice fit the Micro Furniture range. Micro Bunnies and Rabbits fit the Micro Furniture while the Size 1/Mini fit the Miniature/Small Furniture.
What Maileg houses are available within the range?
The range of houses within the Maileg range may be limited, but that's not to say they aren't mighty. The Maileg Doll House, also sometimes referred to as the Maileg Mansion, is the perfect blank canvas for all of your dreams and the ideal stage for your everyday family dreams. If you prefer a more fantastical home for your treasured friends, consider the Castle Collection. All three parts of each collection can be used as stand-alone pieces, but are designed to be used in conjunction with one another.
What furniture is suited to each house/castle?
Generally, the Miniature Furniture range is best suited to the Doll House and bonus rooms and the Micro and My Ranges for the Castle Collection. Most items in the Miniature range run too large for the Castle Collection. For example, the popular Fridge won't fit. However, some things, like the Fireplace, will fit. We recommend always cross-checking the measurements (found on each product's page on our website) with the castle or house you own before purchasing. Alternatively, we invite you to send us a message via our website with your question, and we are always happy to offer advice or clarity before making your purchase.
Are Maileg Mice, Bunnies, Rabbits and furniture compatible with other dollhouses?
If you want to incorporate Maileg elements into an existing or different branded dollhouse, you must consider the scale. Dollhouses come in a range of sizes/scales. 1:12 is a common scale and is generally the most widely available choice for young children. This sized dollhouse will generally feature doorways that are between 15-19cm tall and is ideal for the Maileg mouse family along with the My Rabbit, Micro Rabbit and Micro Bunny. Dollhouses that are scaled to 1:6 fit the Micro and Size One Rabbits and Bunnies well. Maileg furniture varies between 1:12 and 1:6 scale; their furniture sizing is unique to the brand and differs between each piece. This means that with a different house, some pieces of furniture would look exceptionally large, particularly in scale to the ceiling height.
Caring and Cleaning
Naturally, toys are meant to be loved, transported and played with, which can often lead to them getting dirty. It is important to follow the care and cleaning instructions provided by the brand to ensure to the longevity of your treasured toys.
How do I clean my Maileg Mice, Bunnies and Rabbits?
Maileg recommended hand-washing your beloved friends at 30 degrees Celsius with mild soap or machine washing in a garment bag on a gentle cycle with cold water before allowing them to air dry. Once dried, you should gently massage it to get its body back to its original shape.
Can I get my Maileg Mice, Bunnies and Rabbit wet?
Maileg friends are designed to go everywhere your child goes, which includes the pool and bath!
Starting Your Collection
The decision to begin a Maileg collection brings with it an opportunity to immerse yourself into a charming, imaginary world of play. One of the most difficult decisions is knowing where to begin.
An excellent place to start is by selecting mice or bunnies and rabbits and introducing these characters to your little ones. You could begin by choosing a couple of characters you think your child might love the look of and then see how they fit within your toys and child's play.
Alternatively, a popular option is to select characters with the intent of recreating the members of your immediate family. Later you could add some additional clothing or introduce some furniture or a house.
Wherever you begin, one thing is certain, once your hold the first piece of Maileg in your hands, you will see the value and be entranced by the magical charm of a new world full of imagination and possibility.
Image by @mumz.world
Credit
This blog post was originally written by Kate Kwijas (@exploringlifetogether_) for Oskar's Wooden Ark. This blog was revised and rewritten by Erin Kemppainen in April 2023.
