Ready to charge into battle at any second, the sturdy plastic Knight Baron from Playmobil comes with charming details and a cartoonish, endearing face. The knight’s generous red beard is covered by an intricate helmet and his armor is completely removable. Knight Baron comes with a sword, shield and trusty dog companion. He is fully compatible with all the Playmobil knight accessories. Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., told TDmonthly, “I sell lots of those. Altogether, I probably sell 50 units a month of Playmobil. Kids actually do collect the Playmobil and try to get every one in a category, and then a new category will come along.”

Aye aye, matey. Kids can now add the One-Eyed Pirate to their Playmobil treasure. This particular find comes with an adjustable action figure, a treasure chest, gold pieces, a sword and an old-style pirate revolver.
— "Pirate-themed stuff like figurines — Playmobil specifically," said Alex, lead clerk at Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., when asked about popular gifts in his store.
— Four of 45 retailers said Playmobil makes for great gifts with their customers. Thirty units a month was the most common sales figure given to TDmonthly.
— "The Playmobil One-Eyed Pirate is a captivating 3” figure wearing gold hoop earrings, while protecting a chest full of gold. It is a wonderful addition to the Playmobil Pirate Playworld and perfect for the Playmobil collector," said Playmobil's Michelle Winfrey.

This charming Summer Meadow set features farm animals and a wagon. The 1-2-3 sets encourage young children to explore a variety of settings and environments through imaginative play. 
— Playmobil is a great seller at G. Willikers in Portsmouth, N.H., the Breneman family of owners told TDmonthly.

Where do all the farm animals belong? Put the animals in the right places to solve the puzzle. Puzzle board includes figure, cow, horse, pig, cat, sheep and accessory. Also available: Circus Puzzle Board.
— Playmobil’s puzzles are so popular in Toy Zone in San Antonio, Texas, that the store sells “around 100 a month,” manager Mark Lopez told TDmonthly in early 2008.
— According to Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., “the Playmobil line” is the store’s hottest selling line.
— Two of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008 singled out Playmobil puzzles as the best-selling puzzles in their stores.

Alert! Alert! A boat is on fire and the crew needs your help! Now with your fire rescue boat you can save them! Includes floatable boat with ability to be equipped with the underwater motor, fillable and working water pump and removable roof.
— At Let’s Play in Hillsboro, Ore., adults buy Playmobil and probably play with it too, said Owner Shirley Reilly told TDmonthly.

Learn about exotic animals at the zoo with this new set. Includes two figures, zebra, elephant, giraffe, monkey, animal pen and tree.
— "I think Playmobil would be our best [playset]. For example, a zoo with animals. They do all kinds of stuff," said Jordan Walden, store manager for Finnegan's Toys & Gifts in Portland, Ore.
— In spring 2007, Walden reported a monthly sales figure of up to 200 units of the Playmobil; for another retailer, two dozen per month was more the norm.
— Playmobil was cited by 10 of 39 retailers TDmonthly spoke with about popular play sets in their stores.

Emergency! You've been dispatched to help someone in rouble! With this new medical 'copter, you can get there faster through the air - includes pilot, rescuer and adjustable copter with movable blades, sound and retractable grappling hook. helipad also included!

Available at speciality stores nationwide for a suggested price of $34.99

Jump on your horse and head out west for this western adventure superset! Pitting native Americans against prospecting cowboy, this set has it all: two native American figures, cowboy figure, horse, vulture and all sorts of accessories in an old west setting to ensure hours of imaginative play!

Available at speciality stores nationwide for a suggested price of $16.99

The jet contains room for cargo and passengers, movable seating for more cargo space, mobile doors and four figurines with luggage. "Reality playsets are a feature of Playmobil," Playmobil Inc. Advertising and Marketing Manager Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. Launch date: August 2007.

Kids can grind the halfpike, shred the railings or gleam the cube in their very own skate park. The set includes four figures with skateboards and helmets, orange cones, a toxic waste barrel and accessories. This product was selected for the Parents Magazine "Toys of the Year 2007" guide.

Kick up your heels after a long day of exploring with this fun-filled forest lodge set. comes with the lodge, a family of four, farm animals, birds, a tree fort, deer care center and accessories for hours of enjoyment. This product received a 2007 Excellent Product iParenting Media Award.

Navigate the mysteries of the seas with this new deep sea submarine. Comes with figure, submarine with grasping arm, underwater motor, depth regulator and waterproof cabin.

Available at speciality stores nationwide for a suggested price of $17.99

Engage your gladiators with competition in the arena. Features include audience seating with trap doors to the lions cages, wide gate and large battle area. Also comes with eight figures, two lions, a double-harness chariot and lots of accessories for hours of fun. "Playmobil toys allow the child's imagination to soar, while playing and learning!" Michelle Winfrey, advertising and marketing manager of Playmobil Inc., told TDmonthly. This product is a winner of the 2007 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: August 2007.
— The Roman arena includes a lot of little pieces to assemble, but it’s also a lot of fun to play with, offering opportunities for creative play with characters and animals that come to life in a sizeable play space. It earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for its detailed figurines and accessories, its playful recreation of an historic landmark, as well as Playmobil’s widespread, positive reputation with specialty stores.
— This Roman arena and accompanying accessories are best sellers for Brain Station and Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., Owners Hans and Tricia Masing told TDmonthly in fall 2007.
— “I’m a big fan of Playmobil,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly, “especially in today’s environment of toy recalls.”

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

Selected for Parents Magazine's "Toys of the Year 2007" guide, this playset allows kids to care for the sick residents of their own little town. This new hospital includes several figures, functional elevator, adjustable operating table with light, movable patient's bed, reception area, children and babies' sections and tons of accessories. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award, 2007 iParenting Media Award and 2007 Oppenheim Gold Award winner. Launch date: September 2007.

The knight's castle playset features a drawbridge, boulder-drop and trap-door to fend off invading knights.However, the castle also has a break-through wall that invaders may succeed in knocking down.
— Over 20 percent of retailers revealed to TDmonthly that Playmobil’s playsets will most likely be their wow item of the holiday season.
— “As far as Playmobil’s line goes, we have been selling 30 to 40 percent of those [items],” Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly.
— “This year, there are a couple of Playmobil items that are going to do very well, [including] the airport and the castle,” Peter Scott, owner of Perfect Toy in Avon, Conn., told TDmonthly.

This chest offers three exciting playscapes to provide fun and exciting imaginative play experiences. With one side open, the chest reveals the pirates’ cove, an inlet that needs to be protected from invading enemies. With both sides open, the chest reveals Treasure Island. The chest also acts as a storage container with a carrying handle so children can take the fun wherever they go. Moms will appreciate it as much as their kids.
— “Playmobil is made from high-quality indestructible plastic,” is one of the reasons the toy does so well, according to Harry Bolles, manager at Sweet Dreams in Berkeley, Calif.
— “My hands-down best-selling toy is Playmobil. Kids like it because you can play with it without it falling apart. It’s a play system. Everything snaps in,” was the enthusiastic feedback from Linda Graham, owner of Scheffel’s Toys in Jacksonville, Ore.
— Graham had even more to say about why this toy stands out in her store, “The hands, arms, legs and heads move. ... Their boats float. A lot of toys out there have boats that don’t float.”
— Carol Pilarski-Remis, owner of Marblehead Toy Shop in Marblehead, Mass., provided her reason for stocking Playmobil as a last-minute gift item: "We try to bring families together, while at the same time we want to encourage childhood independence."
— "Playmobil: we sell all their stuff. They just capture the interest of the child," commented Gerri Garniss, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash.
— Rosie Morris, manager of Whiz Kid Toys LLC in San Luis Obispo, Calif., believes Playmobil is a great gift idea "for both girls and boys."

A new cannon, more pirates, more gadgets and a hoist to swing through the air! The new Skull Pirate Ship is a pirate's dream come true. It's filled with secret compartments for booty and all the accessories needed for a swashbuckling adventure at sea. Available at Target, Toys “R” Us and specialty for an estimated retail price of $29.99.

Little girls are transformed into princesses as they wear the golden crown that comes with the set. Set the table with precious porcelain and silverware under the dazzling chandeliers in the magnificent mirrored dining room. As the Princess awaits her handsome Prince’s arrival on the balcony, his Highness rides up on his noble white stallion. Shhh, don’t tell anyone about the secret hiding place in the roof! Available at specialty stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $129.99.

With a large storage compartment, the Cargo Ship is fully equipped to transport children’s items around the playroom or even in the bathtub! To speed up delivery, the Ship can be fitted with the Underwater Motor accessory and the roof can be detached for the Captain to access the bridge. Don’t look now, but is that a stowaway in the secret hatch? Available at specialty stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Kids use their motor skills to transport the set’s bulk load, PLAYMOBIL accessories or other favorite toys with the Harbor Crane, which carries cargo up to a quarter of a pound. With a fully mobile arm that bends at several angles and a body that rotates 360 degrees, the crane easily picks up items within a large radius. Available at specialty stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $44.99.

Next up in the popular PLAYMOBIL My Take-Along series, the My Take-Along Farm! Imagine fitting an entire farm, including stables and bunny hutches, into one convenient, easy-to-carry portable set consisting of animals, plants and crops, tools, hay, farmhands and more – the Farmer (and Mom!) would never have to worry about losing stray animals again. Available at specialty stores for a suggested retail price of $29.99. Also available at Target and Steinmart.

The buried treasure is in the hands of those pirates. Can the Royal Soldier get it back? This Starter Kit features a playscape, fully accessorized figures and an assortment of props to create a first-time Playmobil adventure. Starter sets can also add on to existing Playmobil collections. A carrying case makes these sets easy to store and portable enough to take anywhere.

— “Playmobil [is a top seller],” said Katie Culotta, owner ofVictoria's Toy Station in Baton Rouge. “They like building it.”

— Playmobil is popular with boys and girls because “their parents grew up with it,” reported Amanda Toupes, manager ofMagic Box in New Orleans.

— Pirates are still a hot trend for boys, retailers and manufacturers report.

Part of the company’s Sun Beach Vacation line launched in April 2006, this snazzy yacht floats on water and when combined with the Underwater Motor moves around. The deck is removable and the anchor winch works. The cabin comes complete with beds, a kitchen, furniture and a bathroom. It is 17.3” by 5.9” by 7”.
— “The police set has always been huge here. Also, the boys like the arctic collection, too,” said Warren Brown, owner of French’s Toy Shop in Concord, N.H.
— “Playmobil sets of all kinds” sell well for Village Toy Shop general manager Lee Ann Stern, in North Easton, Mass.
— Marc Truax, store manager of Try & Buy Toy Stores in Katonah, N.Y., said that these are a hit with his male clientele ages 4 to 8.

This stately mansion gives Playmobil characters plenty of room to relax. It features an interlocking wall assembly system with workable doors and windows. Two large rooms on the first two floors and a sprawling attic allow kids to manipulate the space in a variety of ways. Whether peopled with modern or period characters, this home will surely be somebody’s castle. Characters and furniture sets are available separately.
— "We sell the Playmobil Grand Mansion," David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly about best-selling play houses in his store.
— Two of 62 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2007 said the Playmobil brand is a customer favorite for play houses in their store.
— “The Playmobil Grande Mansion, a five room house, offers hours of imaginary play. You can set up house, pretend to cook, clean and explore the world of dollhouse play,” said Michelle Winfrey, marketing and public relations manager for Playmobil USA.

All the knights in all the kingdoms can duke it out at this magnificent castle … if they dare brave the treacherous moat. Residents of the castle can cross to the other side with the aid of a working drawbridge. The set also includes a king’s throne, a functional hoist and — for kids who are eager to impose their own “time-out” — a mini dungeon, too. Characters available separately.