January 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

Celebrate the couple’s recent marriage under the Party Tent.  Includes three figures, two-layer wedding cake, white tent, table for presents, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— Playmobil means “cute, exciting and detailed figure play,” said Patricia Fiedler, owner of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., where the toys were named best sellers in spring 2009.

Help the Police monitor the Police Headquarters. Prison cell comes with working door lock and breakout window and wall. The Police Headquarters is equipped with surveillance cameras and has a reception area, interrogation room, and a wall for equipment. Also includes three figures and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., likes Playmobil because its products are "not made in China, customers come back for more [and it offers] good play value," he told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Thirteen percent of 52 retailers named the company as a favorite.

Listen to the pianist as he performs a song for all to hear.  Includes a figure, white grand piano, sheet music, and stool.  Press the keys of the piano to play two wedding melodies. 2 AAA batteries required.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Help the pirates row their treasures to shore.  Includes two figures, parrot, rowboat that floats, hammock, rocks with hiding place for treasure filled chest, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Assist the Vet with surgeries in the Operating Room.  Includes two figures, two puppies, kitten, turtle, X-Ray equipment with changeable slides, CT scanner, and many other accessories.  Also comes with removable casts that can be placed on animals.  Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Play and do a puzzle at the same time with the Wild Animal Puzzle. Includes a figure, monkey, giraffe, zebra, lion, cloud, and a colorfully decorated puzzle board.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up. 

Watch the newlyweds drive off in their yellow convertible.  Includes groom, bride with veil and bouquet, convertible with trunk space for luggage, and detachable flower decorations.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Check out the new Playmobil Family Home!  The two-story house comes with attic windows that tilt, extendable marquee, garden, and grill.  Also includes four figures.  The house has a functioning door bell.  Two AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 26 x 16.9 x 18.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Spend the day outside playing at the Playground.  Includes three figures, bench, red slide, and a yellow dinosaur that rocks back and forth.  A figure can also sit on top of the dinosaur.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Help the veterinarian treat the animals at the Animal Clinic.  Includes three figures, pony, peacock, birds, puppies, and rabbits. Also comes with ultrasound device, removable cast, bandages, bird cage, and many other accessories. Compatible with Animal Nursery (#4344) and Vet Operating Room (#4346). Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the roads safe with the Road Maintenance Truck.  The truck comes with blinking lights, removable snow plow, and 190º rotating arm. The loading bin tilts and the cabin roof is removable.  The dispenser also functions to release contents onto the ground.  Comes with a figure and many other accessories. 2 coin batteries included. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Sail along the Nile River in the Royal Ship of Egypt.  Includes three figures, functioning crossbow catapult, and many other accessories.  The battering ram hinges.  The ship rolls on wheels or floats on water, and it can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).  Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 13 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the Pyramid from being invaded by releasing various traps with your very own amulet.  Intruders will have to overcome the collapsible staircase, chute, and scorpion trap.  There is also a secret treasure chamber, trapdoor with slide, and rotary secret chamber. The pyramid walls are removable. Set includes 4 figures, tomb, and many other accessories. Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 14 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages 5 and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

— "We sold out and are taking orders for it," Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly of this high-ticket item in late November 2009. He cited unit sales of about 25 per week.

— Eight of 44 retailers surveyed in late fall 2009 named the Playmobil Pyramid as one of their top sellers. Seven others cited the Playmobil line in general as a popular purchase.

Board the Expedition Ship to explore the waters.  Expedition Ship floats on water, comes with a functional anchor winch, and can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).   With the cable winch, the Playmobil Shark Diver (#4500) or Deep Sea Diving Bell (#4478) can be hoisted into the water. Set includes three figures, binoculars, treasure filled chest, and many other accessories.  Dimensions: 18 x 6 x 10 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Cheer on the newlyweds as they make their way out the Church.  Press the windows of the church tower and hear the bells and organ music.  Also comes with three figures, many accessories, and a pink jewel case with rings for the child. 2 AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 22 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

Kidzsack is an eco-friendly, creative backsack for kids. The fabric is 10-oz. canvas, made from 100-percent recycled cotton and soda bottles. The front of the sack is screenprinted and eight washable, non-toxic markers are included. Kids color, parents wash, and kids recolor — a great reusable activity kit. "It isn't a one-time craft that sits on a shelf collecting dust. As a parent of four, I'm very interested in long-lasting crafts that encourage creativity," Owner Tina Hill of Kidzsack told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: October 15, 2007.

Schleich is building off the success of its popular World of Elves series by introducing eight new hand-painted figurines. Zahor is one of two new fantasy figurines specifically targeted to boys. Launch date: March 15, 2009.

This adorable Smurf is ready for the Big Screen and is part of the 2009 Smurfs movie thematic, for which there are eight new Schleich models. Launch date: January 2008.

America’s No. 1 horse breed is one of 33 new animals available. It is extremely realistic and hand painted for a natural finish. "Schleich is the world’s leading designer of high-quality, realistic animal and historical figurines and fantasy play worlds for children and collectors of all ages," Martin Gour, marketing director for Schleich North America, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009.
— Schleich animals were listed as top sellers in spring 2009 at At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, by Storeowner Candace Gooch. “This June, my store will take part in a merchandising program with Schleich,” she told TDmonthly. “I will be putting in two, 4’ backlit Schleich displays for farm and wild animals.”

CYCLE-OPOLY shows that a bicycle is more than just a pedal-and-chain-driven, human-powered vehicle with two wheels — it’s one of the greatest inventions of all time and it’s a whole lot of fun. Even on a rainy day, players can go exploring. "The board includes every style of bike imaginable along with some of the country’s greatest rides," Carla Miller of Late for the Sky told TDmonthly. "The six, 100-percent lead-free pewter custom tokens for CYCLE-OPOLY feature a sprocket, bike horn, water bottle, bike helmet, cycling shoe and, of course, a bicycle." Launch date: August 14, 2008.