In 2017 a little Playmobil Martin Luther, complete with quill and German Bible became the fastest selling Playmobil toy in the history of Brandstätter Toys. 34,000 of these “little Luthers” sold in under 72 hours! Created to honor the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the sales figures astonished everyone in the company known for its imaginative toy sets, and the factory was put on overdrive to keep up with the incredible demand. (I managed to grab one a few years later while visiting the Wartburg). But the Luther figure is just one of THOUSANDS of wonderful Playmobil toys, there are Castles and Pony sets, Police Stations and Rocket Ships, Ice Skaters and Guinea Pig farms. Just what is Playmobil? And what drives people to buy these amazing German Toys?
Playmobil Martin Luther visiting the Wartburg
What is Playmobil? A little Playmobil history
How does Playmobil retain popularity in these days of electronics?
In 1973 the oil crisis gripped the toy world… a tightening of petroleum meant that plastics were also in short supply. The Geobra Brandstätter company… developer of the Hula Hoop, was in trouble, they needed a toy that used less solid plastic to manufacture. Hans Beck of Zirmdorf, Germany spent the early 1970’s developing Playmobil toys, and in 1974 he and his partner Horst Brandstätter were ready to premier them at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair. The friendly looking little people were based on children’s drawings with big heads and big smiles. Best of all, they were also designed to be played with, since Playmobil toys are flexible and sturdy. The figures and playsets are exactly right for imaginary play; just enough parts and movement to keep things interesting, but not so complete that a story can’t be woven around them.
“I would put the little figures in their (children’s) hands without saying anything about what they were,” Beck remarked. “They accepted them right away … They invented little scenarios for them. They never grew tired of playing with them.”
While kids loved them, they were a little slow to take off. Luckily, a Dutch company placed a large order, and within the year, ‘Playmos’ were flying off the shelves in Holland and in Germany. In fact, the early Playmobil figures were assembled by hand in the factory from 7 parts, but as demand increased, the company switched over to machine assembly.
In 1976, Playmobil released their first female figure with curves and longer hair, they followed up in 1987 by creating even more body types, young and old. The hands were changed so that the wrist joint moved. And they also developed clothing that could be snapped on and off.
Then in 1991, first Playmobil Fun Park was opened in Zirndorf, Germany, adjacent to the company headquarters. The park was designed to emphasize play and movement. Rides are downplayed, but there are many play stations. (Sounds like FUN!!)
Tower of Playmobil figures in the Nürnberg Spielzeugmuseum
The Playmobil company understands how to make toys that are fun to play with, and will allow kids to entertain themselves for hours.
When I was a child visiting Germany, I was amazed and astonished to see these wonderful toys in my cousin’s Spiel Keller. We would play for hours, moving horses and riders, around the room. It was a treat to go to the Toy Store to pick out a set to bring back to America with me. I treasured those pieces, and so did my children. Amazingly enough, some of them still live in the toy box in my attic waiting for the next generation.
In 1982, Playmobil made the leap to the United States in the form of figures in Mac Donald’s Happy Meals. (Naturally, American laws being what they are, the first toys were recalled because of choking hazard… even though no one ever choked). Today, Playmobil has become almost as popular in the US as it has in Germany.
Playmobil – Fresh for a New Generation
Playmobil toys were designed to be sets, the first ones were Native American Indians and Construction Workers. Later sets include Beach, Circus, Fairy Tale Castles (my daughters LOVED these), a Grand Victorian House (perfect for the other daughter), Pirates, an Animal Clinic, Space (my son!) and Jungle. You can even buy a Playmobil Nativity (This way the kids get to have their “Own” this way, and they don’t play with the good one).
Many of the sets have some assembly required, but they come with detailed instructions to make this easy. I know from firsthand experience that putting these together may take time, but it is not a torture. I’ve even managed to put together a house without the instructions, just from looking at the photo. (After all the time I spent building, I am delighted to report that my kids played for hours with Playmobil, carefully staging elaborate scenarios, and acting them out. The Fairy Tale Castle was the scene of many reenactments from bedtime stories, while the city landscape was regularly visited by giant play dinosaurs!)
Playmobil 5422 Alpine Lodge Playset
&
&
Special Playmobil Figures
Playmobil regularly releases special figures and playsets in limited quantities to correspond with events. This year, in honor of the 500 anniversary, a Martin Luthor Playmobil figurine was introduced, and has quickly become the fastest selling Playmobil figure in the company’s history, knocking the painter Albrecht Dürer, out of the top spot.
Another famous Painter, Rembrandt, became a Playmo figure as did several famous paintings in the Rijks Museum. Including Vermeer’s The Milk Maid and the Night Watch. And now there is Mozart and Levi Strauss (not wearing denim)!
PLAYMOBIL 9295 Levi Strauss figure in tails – limited german exclusive editionPlaymobil Historic Figure Wolfgang Amadeus MozartPLAYMOBIL 6107 – Exclusive – Artist Albrecht DürerPlaymobil 70688 Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller Limited EditionPlaymobil #5067 The Milkmaid From Rijks Museum LIMITED EDITION -New-Factory Sealed!PLAYMOBIL 5090 Rembrandt: The Night Watch Exclusive Special Edition
Some of these special Playmobil Historical Figures can only be ordered from Germany.
Martin Luther, Schiller, Goethe, and even Napoleon!
9325 Martin Luther – 10 Pieces – 500 Years of ReformationAMAZON.DE
9124 Johann Wolfgang von GoetheAMAZON.DEPlaymobil 70688 Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller Limited EditionAMAZON.DE 70135 Composer Johann Sebastian BachAMAZON.DEPlaymobil 70679 Kaiser Napoleon 1AMAZON.DE
&
Playmobil is 50 Years old
2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of this iconic German Toy Company… and they show no signs of slowing down.
Today the toys collected and played with by young and old. Stop action videos and war games have given the toys new life. People have used the figures for art, as well as wedding cake toppers. They really are everywhere, ready to be played with by a new generation.
Playmobil Volkswagen T1 Camping BusGrandparents with ChildWater Park with Slides My Figures: Pirates’ IslandEnvironmental Expedition with Dive BoatPlaymobil Explorer Quad with T-Rex Adventure Pony Ride
The Playmobil Castles
When my daughter found a Fairy Tale Castle under the Christmas Tree her eyes lit up, and she disappeared into a wonderful world of fantasy for ages.
The castle itself needed assembling, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. Directions are straightforward… and no extra tools or batteries are required! Once it’s together, the furniture can be arranged and re-arranged any way you want. The people are a perfect size for young hands to manipulate, and are sturdy enough to be played with. There are a multitude of accessories for the Castles, you can add everything from extra rooms, to fountains, to furniture, to musical instruments. There are Unicorns and a variety of other animals.
&
&
For Boys and Girls…. (although, I think my girls would have preferred cannons to glitter)
Vintage Toys!
Did you have a Playmobil set that you absolutely loved, but it’s lost? You can replace the vintage sets here…
29 Pc Vintage 1974 Playmobil Geobra Western Cowboys & Indians Figures Horse Totem Pole
Playmobil Gas StationUNOPENED 1992 PLAYMOBIL ZOO Set 3145Vintage 1992 Playmobil Geobra Hospital Recovery Room Play Set #3495 w/ Box plus Extra Beds Includes 11 Adult & Child Figures
Stop Motion Video
These figures are a great medium for making MOVIES!
I still have my sons Train Station!! Hes 33ys old. Its great!! He really loved it@
Did you know Playmobil were also manufactured in New Zealand in the late 1970’s until early 1980’s? Manufactured by E. Allen Brooker Ltd in Auckland, New Zealand. The figures were slightly differently molded compared to the German ones. However, the accessories were pretty much the same. I still have some of the NZ made ones from my childhood.
Oh! I did not know that! So cool!