Plan Toys

[Raidra]

My mom wants to start a Playmobil collection for when Colwyn gets older, but I'd prefer her to get some wood playsets. Are the Plan Toys sets good quality? And how appropriate are they for a two year old? Colwyn doesn't put stuff in his mouth much anymore, but we still try to avoid having small pieces around. Should we wait until next year?

Thanks!

[brittone2]

I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think there have been posts on this in the past indicating Plan toys aren't the same quality as other Brio toys. I think they may be made by a different company but licensed to Brio or something like that?

I don't have any personal experience with them but I think I remember there being several mentions that the items didn't hold up as well as some mamas would have liked.

[ett]

Here are some old threads discussing their quality.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=34913&mesg_id=34913&listing_type=search

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=25518&mesg_id=25518&listing_type=search

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=21412&mesg_id=21412&listing_type=search

The wooden cutting food from Plan Toys that we have is definitely better in quality than the Melissa and Doug stuff that we have.

I can't comment on whether the playsets would be appropriate for a 2 year old as I don't have any. However, I have seen them IRL and the pieces seem quite small and delicate so I probably wouldn't get any for my 2 year old DS right now because he can be pretty rough on his toys.

[new_mommy25]

We have a bunch of Plan toys from Hearthsong that DS recieved for his 2nd birthday. We have the Construction City special and the wooden roadway. http://tinyurl.com/bhhnd The roadway is compatible with wooden train sets btw.

So far we have been pleased with them. They are made out of rubberwood. Some people don't like that but it doesn't bother me. The quality is, IMO, better than Melissa and Doug. DS plays with them daily and there aren't any paint chips or nicks in the wood yet. I think they are good for the price and perfectly approiate for a two year old who loves trucks like my DS.

To answer your last question, my DS hasn't mouthed anything in a very long time so I don't usually worry about small pieces. He's been playing with Thomas trains which are 3+ since he was 15 months old without incidence. I think it just depends on your child.

HTH

[aim]

We have the Parking garage and DS (21 mo) is getting the roadway system for christmas. He loves this toy. THe cars are little and so I don't let him play with them unsupervised yet, but he thinks it is great. (and I like the look of it compared to the LP ramps around garage) I think that the quality is good (not awesome) but good for the money (I bought it at www.kidsurplus.com) We have been happy and if Ds continues to be interested I plan on adding to this collection (maybe the airport or the citycenter)

Amy
DS Bennett 1-14-04

[sadie427]

We don't actually have the plan toys sets, but from what I've seen I prefer Woody Click, I was just talking about it on another thread.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=42016&mode=full&page=

However, the pieces are quite small- Sammy is also two, and I think they are fine, since he is exposed to small objects all the time and doesn't put them in his mouth. But if you are worried about small pieces, I would think you would want to skip both Woody Click and Plan toys.

I do like the playmobil sets too though--they make a recycling truck, how cool is that? :-) And they do have a 3 and under line without small parts.

[dules]

I have not had any for DD but wanted to say there were some at Marshall's today. A stable and I think a firehouse? Anyway, they looked cute but I did not open the boxes. Might be a good cheap way to try one though.

Best,
Mary