PLAYMOBIL - good starter sets?

[PlasticinePolly]

There's so much choice!
I only want to get one set really. Which is a good one for starting off with?

[shamelessly marks threads to nick ideas]

I've heard excellent things about the hospital set.. I have heard that it takes until NYE to put the bloody thing together though

the recycling truck. (there's a deal on at ELC at the moment, check the promo codes topic)

Ds has had lots of fun with the vet's surgery (we've not the big one, just the operating theatre). We've got a few little animal sets over the last year to go along with it.

Under £20 from Tesco.

This is the big one.

DS's faves are Noah's Ark which is really good - you get a book of the story - and the pirate ship.

DD got a beach scene first with a family and a pool.

We now live in a Playmobil house or so it seems.

BUY A BOX WITH A SECURE LID TO KEEP THE BLINKING STUFF IN BEFORE BUYING ANY PLAYMOBIL WHATSOEVER.

And take a degree in patience as you will be constantly told to 'fix this mummy'

Oh yes one good thing is we take out at least half of the very small stuff and store it away for when the played with very small stuff goes missing iyswim!

{shamelessly marking thread too}

saw on another thread that the Pirate Ship, normally £50, is 1/2 price in Tesco at the moment (and on their website).

DS has the big pirate ship and loves it.

Ark!

Loads of animals and a boat! What's not to like.

Do they do any suitable for a 2 yr old?

Like Teth I would also like to know about age - what age did your DC's start with Playmobil? Mine are 5 and nearly 3 and Playmobil has so far passed us by.

OK just had a look at some and I'm warming to the theme for DD (5). Can anyone recommend a good starter set that's a little less 'boyish' (she'd be into people & buildings more than animals I suspect). That said, the vet's clinic looks good Suzi.

ELC have 20% of all Playmobil btw.

The ice cream parlour is fab as is the plane.

Haven't read whole thread so apologies if someone has mentioned this but ELC have the police station at £20 instead of £50 for a short time only!!!

I thought that was a great deal so got it for ds.

We have loads of Egyptian stuff (pyramid is fab!), Castle/knight stuff and pirate stuff. DSs not really interested in 'real life', more history, so we went with their interests.
I'd say get a catalogue (or go on their website) and look at the themes.
We started with Playmobil Specials-little boxes about £3 each with one or 2 figures and a couple of bits-that way it's not too overwhelming at once!

I've ordered the farm for DD (3) for this Xmas as she loves animals. It seemed a safe bet! It's her first set so well see how popular it is,

Arg - I was going to get the Playmobil campervan for my DD(3) for Christmas but now I've seen the Zoo and the doll's house and want all 3 ... for her obviously [ahem]
Dam you Boots and your 3 for 2 ...

The playground set (only available from Toys R Us I think) is FAB as a starter set - maybe with an ice cream parlour to be the cafe in the park?

im getting the playmobil zoo 123 set for my DS who will be 2.4 at xmas. Get it from elc though, its actually £10 more expensive from amazon then elc (bizarre)

here

My eldest 2 (4 and 2) are just getting into Playmobil so I have become slightly obsessed with deal-hunting. Make sure you sign up to the PM damaged box sale email by ringing them.

Be careful with ELC - last time they had 20% off PM some items showed as in stock on website, but were then mysteriously cancelled off my order when it was dispatched.

On a lighter note, M&S have 25% off toys inc. PM and John Lewis appear to be price matching them (but not saying so ).

DD1 (4) loves her takealong fairy castle thing and DS (2.6) adores his police motorbike. DD1 has the camper van for Xmas (marked as discontinued on recent damaged box sale email?) and DS is getting the fire engine.

Ta for advice re: boxes and keeping tiny bits back.

Teth they do a range of slightly chunkier stuff for littlies. Check on their site.