From the giant people in my previous post, to teeny tiny people in this!
Not many people know that Playmobil is Bavarian, its creator Hans Beck came up with the idea 40 years ago, after an oil shortage made smaller toys more economic. The little plastic figures that featured so highly in many of our childhoods, continues to do so in our own children’s too, and is still produced today in its original birthplace of Zirndorf (a little over an hour and a half from Munich) where you will also find Playmobil Funpark (by no coincidence I should imagine!).
I must apologise in advance for the quality of the photographs in this post, I don’t feel they meet with my slightly OCD standards, but having spent three days (and taken over 900 photographs in Rothenburg Ob der Tauber – more on that soon!) my appetite for photography was somewhat depleted on this particular day. On top of that it was bitterly cold, and I was worried about frostbite! Anyway despite the pics, you should be able to tell that Playmobil Funpark is worth a visit?!
It might be a theme park of sorts, but there are no rides here, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing considering what else is on offer. It’s completely dedicated to imaginative play, and you will find huge scale models of favourite sets (and animals and people) scattered all over the place instead. And everywhere but everywhere you can find piles of usual sized figures that you can pitch up and play with – there’s enough to go round, I didn’t see any arguing – not even between my two!
The one big thing I wasn’t that happy about though? The fact that I must have spent a vast percentage of the last few years of my life tidying and sorting Playmobil, so someone might have told me that you can actually get paid for this? There are staff here whose entire working life is dedicated to making sure the right bits go with the right sets, and doubtless re-attaching countless heads and finding the correct hair for rightful owners!
It’s not expensive here either, just about everything’s reasonable (including the entrance fee: – 10 Euros, free for under 3’s!) From food and drink (if you don’t want to bring your own) to the few experiences that you do pay for. Build your own Playmobil person cost 1 Euro for example (we constructed ours limb by limb before giving them a satisfying full body “compression” to make sure they didn’t lose their heads – quite literally)!
Panning for gold in “The Wild West” was a massive hit (as were the paddle boats which we didn’t have to queue for hours to use given the temperatures!) – whilst you wait your turn, you can also search for “precious stones” in the surrounding sandpit – something I was a little sceptical about, but as we stood and watched people around us really were uncovering tiny colourful stones left, right and centre (no diamonds though sadly!)…
“The Farm” proved popular too, and many a horse was washed and groomed. Cows were also milked, before we moved onto the giant Knight’s Castle – yet another great playground area. The Pirate Ship was also worth a clamber over and surrounding this are rafts to punt about on. But, sadly dear reader, after a few hours in Arctic conditions, the older members of our party were beginning to lose the feeling in their hands. Thankfully the welcome warmth of a hot chocolate (free cake – nice touch!), and another smiling face or two soon sorted that (I did find one of these faces quite scary however, but nobody else seemed to!)!..
And back at home it has rekindled an interest in the Playmobil residents in our house too, which is nice to see. A large (slightly Heironymous Bosch-esque) city consisting mostly of a vets practice (run by Saint Nicholas, a Snowman and an Alpine farm boy) is central to what can only be described as a massive adventure playground/free range zoo neighbourhood that has sprung up in our sitting room. And guess what? If it gets left out, I know that people are paid to sort it and put it away now… I take most forms of payment, even pocket-money!
Address: PlayMobil FunPark, Brandstätterstraße 2-10, 90513 Zirndorf, Germany
Phone:+49 911 96661455
*disclaimer – we were not asked to mention Playmobil Funpark in anyway, or recompensed for doing so…
I followed your link from Instagram! This is so cool. I also love that you could make your own. That would be such a fun place to spend a day with kids.
It really is. And not overpriced like many “theme parks”…. Thanks Elizabeth! :)
I want to compress a play mobile person, I have self selected, I also really want a playmobil mug. Badly.
When I go there next time, I will get you one! :D
That looks s much fun! I’ve seen the gold prospecting kind of activities before elsewhere but was never sure whether they would be all they were cracked up to be – good to hear this one was entertaining.
I thought it would be rubbish too Kate, but they must chuck a load in each morning and then rake it back over again! Thank you! :)
My type of theme park, no scary rides! Do find the vast vats of plastic limbs slightly macabre, but love the imaginative play concentration and those giant miniature plastic ponies!
Thanks Sarah! I thought that about the body parts too, none of the kids batted an eyelid! :D
Whoa! That place spells C-O-O-L! Thats like the best place on earth! So many toys! Endless possibility on playmobil characters! SO COOL! #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda! :)
This looks like so much fun! I would have loved it as a kid.
Me too Adelina, me too! Thank you! :)
This is the first time I’ve heard about Playmobil toys, let alone the entire Playmobil FunPark. It seems like a great and imaginative place (and not only for kids). Would love to build my own Playmobil person.
Frank, you’ve been missing out! It’s never too late for Playmobil! Thanks for your comment! :)
I used to love playing with Polly Pockets. I think this is such a great idea to keep kids imaginations flowing. It reminds me of build-a-bear as well. All those tiny parts seems dangerous for young children though. . .
Thanks Angela… There was no problem with the tiny parts as this is a supervised area with staff helping out. To be honest all the kids in this part were a bit big to think about putting anything in their mouths anyway! :D
I knew there are many LEGOlands, but this is the first I’ve heard of Playmobil Land. It looks like a ton of fun, and I like the emphasis on imaginative play. I wonder if the employees who get paid to do all that pickup and sorting go home and have to do it in their playrooms for free.
Thanks Michele! :) I think there might be one other one but I am not sure whereabouts! :D
Most children’s dream to visit Playmobil Land and there are quite a few Mums out there that would immediately qualify for the sorting job! Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thank you Fiona… We did spend most of the time here outside, I promise! :) x
Very cool place to take kids. Even nicer that they do not gouge on the price and have interactive exhibits! This brought back some nice childhood memories :)
Thanks Dave… I am not a big “theme” park fan, but this one was definitely different! :)
I was laughing out loud at the spending time picking up playmobil! I’m right at that stage with playmobil, duplo, Lego and loom bands! Looks like a fantastic place!
Thanks Bron… I hear you on the loom band things as well, rubber band hell! :D
I’d like to go there myself, let alone with Monkey! I loved Playmobil as a child, it’s changed so much since then.
Thanks Mary… I must admit I would have pushed to go here whether the Small People had wanted to or not! :D
What a coincidence!! That last photo in your post? The exhibition we visited during the Easter break (on the blog too)… Loved it!
Sounds like you had a great time. :) xx
Thank you FW… I have a lot of catching up to do. Will be over soon! :) xx
This looks like a wonderful park – we love a bit of Playmobil in our house. And Emma the photographs are great (as ever!)
Thank you Sarah, too kind! :) x
I have not got around to getting the kids into playmobile yet – no idea why as I loved it as a kid. Which is why now I am clearly going to have to thrust it upon them because I WANNA GO HERE!
Right, thet’s sorted then.
Quick, pick the sets you like best before they really get into it! Thank you! :D
Happy memories. I was a big fan of Playmobil and bought the sets for my son that I wanted to play with!
(I might have done that too!) Thanks Trish! :D
My kids loved Playmobil when they were younger. I didn’t know it was German or knew of this land. This looks like a fun place to roam around for a few hours for some nostalgia.
Lots of nostalgia to be had! Thanks Mary! :)
I can’t let T see this post, he’d demand that we immediately hop on a flight to Germany! Sounds like the ethos of the park is just like the ethos of the playsets – so good to see somewhere that encourages imaginative play and isn’t just out to squeeze lots of money from you! Lovely post, have pinned x
That’s completely what I liked about it as well, a great consumer/company relationship without a lot of extra money squeezing! Thank you! :) x
who knew there was a playmobil park what amazing fun it looks you always find the best places to visit.
I know your two would love it! Thanks Helen! :)
I loved Playmobil as a kid myself but my kids have never really got into it in a big way, it has always been Lego here. Looks like fun though. Mich x
Thanks Mich, we have a bit of an obsession with that stuff too! :D x
Oooh I love the pictures and I can’t believe my friend never took me here all those times i visited Bavaria!
You just need to revisit! :D x
ooh reminds me of disneyworld where they have a huge lego area. I love playmobil.
It’s a great toy isn’t it? I love the scenarios that go on in our house with it! :D Thanks Emma
Looks far more friendly and less commercialised than Leggo Land. x
We love Legoland too, but yes, it is a little less “you must spend all your money on this”… :D xx
I didn’t even know that PlayMobil was German. How’s that coming from a German? ;) I’ve never really been into the figures. They look really strange to me for some reason, but PlayMobil land as an experience or day out looks great.
Thanks Carolin! They do look too happy don’t they? :D
This looks like it was a lot of fun ….. Little A would love this – she loves her playmobil farm. I remember having the famous playmobil garage when I was a kid and the lift that went PING! X
It’s timeless isn’t it? I plan on keeping most of ours for future generations. Who knows, they might be rushing around on flying roller skates by then, but I bet they will still like Playmobil! :D xx
Right to start with I’m filing away for future reference the bit about people being paid to make Playmobil figures, could come in VERY handy indeed.
Shame it was so cold on your visit as it looks fabulous but what a great price – compared to some British parks which are extortionate!
I was surprised at the cost Mari, considering you can spend the whole day there… Thank you, we will go back on a warmer day! :D xx
HOW COOL IS THIS!? Kitty is squealing away beside me too! Huge Playmobil lovers here – oh seeing them all lined up and bits organised in boxes is just WOW Emma!
I loved this idea of being able to make your own person too, I secretly wanted a go! Thanks Annie xx
My boy would love this place! As would I, playmobil is a big thing in our house hold. Great post, thank you for sharing you experience x
Thanks Vicky! :)
That looks like a wonderful place to visit – amazing, and my kids are massive Playmobil fans too. Also, you are too harsh on your piccies, they look fine to me! *hope you don’t check my blog photos out*
It was a brilliant place to visit, so much fun! Thanks Helen, you are too kind! xx
Oh that looks a brilliant day out! Love the idea of compressing the heads ;)
That was the best bit, and gave a very satisfying clunk! Thanks Amanda! :) x
This looks absolutely brilliant! I love the fact that there aren’t any rides and that it is all about playing and interacting. Major bonus with no tidying up afterwards too!
I think I loved that bit the best! Thanks Kirsty! :) x
Forget the kids, I want to go! Love the idea of sifting through boxes of body bits to make a person. We’ve quite a lot of Playmobil – more to do with me than the kids if I’m honest – none of them have played with it as much as I’d hoped and we seem to have loads of figures with no hair! x
I might have purchased the alpine set, just for me (to keep as a future antique of course!)… :D Thanks T xx
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous day out! My kids would SO LOVE to go there!!
I am sure they would love it! Thanks Maggy! :) x
How funny to see giant Playmobil animals!
Looks like a great place t visit, although those body part pictures have freaked me out slightly!
Sorry about that Lizzie! :D Thank you! :)
Oh Mr B would be all over this, never mind the toddler! What a great day out and I love that you could make your own figures. How brilliant.
I am sure Mr B would love it! Thank you! :)
Playmobil seems to have passed my girls by but this looks fabulous fun. I want to play!!
It’s never to late to start a Playmobil addiction! Thank you! :D
Ooh, that looks like great fun. (And you are incredibly harsh on your photos!!) x
Thank you, you are too kind! :) x
I love Playmobil! What a fun place to visit. Certainly, my boys would enjoy this sort of thing. Nice to hear of something still made in Europe too. I try and buy European products wherever possible! : )
That’s one of the things I love about it too! Thanks Louisa! :)
This looks absolutely brilliant – I looove(d) Playmobil. And what I wouldn’t I’ve for a life-size Playmobil pony!!
Terrific photos, as ever.
Thank you… The cows were hilarious too, they were filled with water and you could “milk” them! :D
We love playmobil but they are so expensive here (in Israel). Ditto Lego and all the other similar toys. I’d love to go to the factory and fill a few bag with random fist-fulls.
If you are ever on the look out for a particular set, let me know, it is cheaper here than the UK too… :)
Although she’d never tell her friends, my 11 year old still plays with her Playmobil. I’m pretty sure both of my kids would love Playmobil Land, sounds right up their street.
Thanks Christine, it’s brilliant stuff for imaginative play isn’t it?
I should not have looked. Deep breaths. My kids love playmobil and would love to go here(with their dad)
Haha… You were very brave Becky! :D