Although not as well-known as the market leaders, there are some first-rate construction toys available, providing hours of fun for children of all ages. Apart from the amusement aspect, construction toys play a very important role in the improvement of a child's motor skills, mental agility and resourcefulness. Whereas Lego and K'Nex can be very fiddly and exasperating for small hands, other creative construction toys such as Webbys, Clics and Playmobil can be more easily used, and provide a more fulfilling play experience for younger children.

Clics
Developed by a Belgian company, Clics have taken the USA and Europe by storm. Though not well known in the UK at present, that is set to change as they become more easily available. Designed specially for younger children, Clics are appropriate for children from age 3, but will continue to provide play value for many years after that. The main Clics pieces are square, with clips on all four sides, enabling them to be clicked onto other Clics pieces at any angle. This allows for the construction of a large range of models, from the very simple to the impressively complicated. Clics are available in tubs, ranging from 175 pieces, right up to 1000 pieces for the more advanced child. Obviously, all tubs are totally compatible with each other, so a small Clics collection can easily be expanded as required. Almost all Clics sets include varying numbers of axles, wheels and other parts. These allow a greater flexibility in the range of models that can be built. There are also three Clics model kits available, from the moderately simple "Choo Choo Train" , containing 130 pieces, through the more complex "Crazy Tank" with over 300 pieces, right up to the more advanced "Raving Sails" boat, containing over 460 pieces. Each of these model kits includes three Clics figures. The figures are also available separately. There is a set of laminated building plans available for Clics that give clear, detailed instructions on how to build twelve different Clics models. Overall, Clics is a useful introduction to the world of creative construction toys. It is suitable for young children, and will help them develop and refine their motor skills, as well as help them broaden their imagination as they dream up more and more exciting models.

Webbys
In the tradition of high-quality wooden toys, Webbys is an example of a construction toy that will last for years. Designed by a professional architect, the wooden pieces have dimensions and ratios that allow the maximum flexibility when building. The pieces can be placed on any side, and built into quite complex structures. Teaching balance and co-ordination, Webbys offers another way in which to stimulate and develop a child's motor skills. The simple nature of the bricks means that even very young children can use them, but the balance needed for the more complex models will provide enough of a challenge to keep older children amused for hours. Webbys are available in traditional wood, in boxes of either 200 or 240 pieces , and in coloured wood in boxes of 200 pieces . Al types are fully compatible, so the Webbys collection can grow as much as you like. Each set comes with an ideas leaflet that shows you how to build a variety of models. After that, the only limit is imagination. Further model ideas are available for free download after purchase.

Playmobil
Playmobil is a high quality German product that's been produced since 1974. Befitting its German parentage, it is durable and well made. The vehicles and accessories operate very much like their real world counterparts. Attention to detail, along with consistent design makes Playmobil appealing. From an educational point of view, Playmobil encourages children to use their imagination and explore the world through role-play. It encourages dexterity and small motor skills (developing the muscles in the hands and fingers). However, Playmobil isn't suitable for children until they can be relied upon not to put the toys in their mouths (roughly ages 4+). It encourages language skills, concentration and teamwork. All accessories are interchangeable, so with a few quick moves, your Roman Gladiator can become a clown. All the figures fit in the vehicles, on the horses and on the furniture, leading to endless permutations. There have been three broad generations of Playmobil but the majority of accessories work with all three.

Buying Second Hand Playmobil
Playmobil is a durable toy and worth buying second hand. Generally, most Playmobil sets will survive several generations of children. Of course, one of the main attractions of buying Playmobil in online auctions and classifieds sites is that it is possible to find sets and characters that have been discontinued, often for a long time. It's also possible to find sets that were never available in some countries. For example, the British Bobby was produced only in the UK, by Marx toys under license. There are infinite themes available in the Playmobil world, knights, construction, city life, Victorian, Wild West, firemen, hospitals, zoos, farms etc.

What to look for when buying Playmobil

Playmobil, although durable, does get damaged. Small pieces such as clips, handles, tow bars etc get snapped off. Although this kind of damage does not always detract from the play value, it does make it less attractive and for collectors, particularly it is very disappointing to receive something that is damaged. Reputable online sellers will always point out any damage they have noticed. Check particularly the following, as they appear to be particularly vulnerable:
  • the dustbin lorry lifting action.
  • horns on cows, ears on giraffes.
  • flag holes and safety rails on boats (they get snapped off and the little plug stays in.)
  • flagpoles and prows on the pirate ships.
  • clips around the edge of covered carts and horse boxes.
  • the clip that attaches the bumper to the oldest style cars.
Second hand Playmobil will undoubtedly have some scratching, marking or scuffing, especially to vehicles, such as cars and boats, which by their nature have been involved in heavy play action. Finally, by definition, Playmobile sets come with many pieces: in some cases literally hundreds. Few children will manage to keep all of these pieces together so you should be realistic in expecting a few, particularly smaller items to be missing from any given set unless it is being sold as new or as new boxed.
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