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Original poster

Are Play Mobil sets good value for money?

44 replies

aderyn · 08/12/2006 15:15

I'm looking at stuff for DD1 (4) for Christmas.

Cringe as I say this but a lot of the sets appear to be geared towards typical boy interests, forts, knights, pirates. And I want to be able to play with it

But I equally don't want to get a set that is too girl-orientated. We already have a dolls house and pink Duplo Lego which makes into a house. I'm thinking of getting a family campervan. I feel that is something she'll get some play value out of and then I can easily get add ons for it like the dad BBQing, the ice cream cart, shops, pets, beach set, boat etc... - without it all being orientated around a house.

I'm looking at these things online and the price of the larger sets are staggering. It's not clear how many little bits you get in these sets.

Is everything shown in the picture all I'll really get for £30? Or will I buy it, open up the box and find it is, well, a box of delights?

Also, is vintage playmobil compatable with the new stuff?

OP posts:
EniDeepMidwinter · 11/12/2006 09:49

aderyn

dd2 (4) loves playmobil

she got the campervan a year or so ago and plays with it constantly

yes thte bits get everywhere but that's life with small girls I find

I bought the magic castle off Ebay for her xmas present - fab

I would recommend the campervan or the magic castle carriage (both about £30) also the zoo stuff very popular here, also the ark, THE AMBULANCE (how could I have forgotten) and the recylcling truck.

gingermonkey · 11/12/2006 09:54

dh hates everthing with small bits. The kids would have a ball and a box each if he had his way (bah humbug!) It's only because he stands on the bits all the time and hurts his foot. Shouldn't be so clumsy.

paulaplumpbottom · 11/12/2006 09:54

My DD loves her playmobile. Definatly a good buy.

Anchovy · 11/12/2006 09:55

I would agree that Playmobil is probably one of the best things we have had on a "value per play" basis. You do have to be a bit relaxed about the small bits though - DH went and bought a lot of small cheap see through clip-top pots from Rymans for ours, but they really do get everywhere (and we got the digger yesterday with a trailer full of coal - aaarrrggghhh).

Original poster
aderyn · 11/12/2006 09:57

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will go back and read your replies now.

OP posts:
paulaplumpbottom · 11/12/2006 10:01

I have had that problem to. I would keep some of your gift boxes from Christmas and try to store them in those. I use an old clothes hamper.

admylin · 11/12/2006 10:03

My 2 have grown out of their playmobil so it has gone in a box for them to save for their own kids, nothing is broken and it got played with for years.

EniDeepMidwinter · 11/12/2006 10:04

those little plastic stacking boxes from ikea are brill

most of ours in the dolls house or in shoeboxes though

EniDeepMidwinter · 11/12/2006 10:04

(and...you can always superglue the tiny bits on permanently...)

Spicedfennelwine · 11/12/2006 10:09

Our playmobile has been played with a lot. Favourites include (for my 3 dds)

Camper van family
Pirate ship and treasure island.
Knights/kings/queens set

less favoured is the hospital set and the builder/cowboy bits we only have random bits of.

paulaplumpbottom · 11/12/2006 10:10

LOL I though I was the only one who superglued them.

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 11/12/2006 11:04

I don't have any experience of playmobil cos we have got loads of lego

BUT on GMTV this morning they were trying to build a playmobil castle and it was taking ages so if you are thinking about getting it and wanting to build it on christmas day -- BE WARNED

either allow DS/DD to build it like lego

OR build it before the big day

Clary · 11/12/2006 11:20

We love Playmobil. DS2 has the pirate treasure chest which is good for £20, tho yes, a bit boyish. But DD plays with it.

To answer yr question, what you see on the back of the box is what you get. I think some boxes are better value than others, eg for £15 I bagged a helicopter with winch and stretcher, boat (with working motor) and four people inc a diver with heavy boots for DS2 earlier this year. A friend has a the camper van and it?s very good too. A little set of a family with pushchair and toddler might only be £8 which is pretty good I reckon compared to a lot of toys. we also love the paddling pool which comes with several people and a working shower for £20.

There are lots of bits but we just have it all in a big box and the kids get out what they want. I findit pretty well indestrucible actually (unlike lots of other stuff).

BudaBauble · 11/12/2006 12:22

gingermoney - My house is a complete mess as I am so untidy - I think the playmobile advent calendar tidy thing is a sign of my frustration with my house!

gingermonkey · 11/12/2006 12:54

Buda,that's good,I do worry about tidy people, don't believe tidy house, tidy mind theory - more frustrated maniac!!! I have been looking at the crap lying in my kitchen now for the past 6 hours, but can't do anything about it. I put the dishwasher on, it's a start!

BudaBauble · 11/12/2006 14:04

LOL gingermummy - still haven't emptied my dishwasher today!

gingermonkey · 11/12/2006 19:53

The dishwasher finished, Buda, but has sat unemptied all day. and I didn't make the beds (except ds - his room is always immaculate!!!) Now the dinner stuff is just sat about too. If it was all playmobil sized I could hide it under the sofa...

Original poster
aderyn · 12/12/2006 19:02

Ok - I've ordered the campervan. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun playing with it and adding to it

OP posts:
belgo · 12/12/2006 19:05

I've just bought the campervan for my dh's niece who's three. It looks great, wish someone would buy it for my dd.

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