Pretend to be the zookeeper. (Playmobil 3242: Zoo Keeper with Service Vehicle)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Playmobil 3242: Zoo Keeper with Service Vehicle
Date:	18/12/06 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots

Disadvantages: none

During my career working with children in various settings nursery schools, playgroups, infant schools, children’s homes and now a special needs school I have often encountered toys made by playmobil. They have always been a well regarded toy by care staff and children alike.

The company Playmobil is a German company its roots are in a metal and lock factory making locks and other sheet metal products. This company was started by Andreas Brandstätter in 1876 and after several name changes became the Brandstätter group that now produces Playmobil. The company made locks, telephones and as well as other products made from sheet metal products for toy shops. In 1954 they started using plastic.

In 1958 this company produces the hula hoop. After the craze for hula hoop the company developed more toys and the brand name Playmobil was born. It was not until 1974 that Playmobil was introduced at the international toy fair in Neuremberg. Now Playmobil toys are enjoyed by children worldwide. Their designer Hans Beck created Playmobil figures and vehicles in the early seventies and Playmobil was introduced at the 1974 International Toy Fair in Nuremberg.

One of the Play Mobil products I have played with recently is a zoo keeper with his service vehicle. I will tell you about this toy it is Playmobil zookeeper with service vehicle number 3242.

What do you get for your money?

This toy is a hard plastic toy. Included in this set is a zoo vehicle with a cage on it. This comes with a service vehicle which is a 2 wheeled cart that can be attached to the main vehicle. I did not measure the vehicles bit I guess they are about 11cm tall. With this set comes a zookeeper who is resplendent in his uniform the zookeeper is 7.5cm tall and he can wave his arm to greet you. He as all the playmobil people have has a friendly face. There is a kangaroo with a baby peering out of her pouch that the zookeeper can drive around the zoo to put in another cage there is some food that the zookeeper can deliver and feed the animals with. There are bananas, lettuce, and carrots.

Cost and availability

I looked on line and have found a lot of sites offering this toy, I am sure you could also buy it at any good toy shop.
At http://www.toys-hobbies.co.uk/trolleyed/25/29/52/i ndex.htm it costs £11.99 plus postage, it is also £11.99p at http://www.busybeetoys.co.uk/catalogue/?cat=15#62. You could buy it from http://www.toyboxligonier.com/zooseve.html $18
Look on EBay someone is selling it for £4.50
.
Suitability

This toy is recommended to children aged 4 and over.
Play value.
Lots… This play set lends itself to many play opportunities pretending to be the zoo keeper, tending to the animals needs. Good to use pre a zoo visit and after one too. Good for assisting storytelling. This toy is good for when you are doing a project about zoos and animals.

This toy would be a good starter to a zoo play set, or as a stand alone toy. I think it would be a good addition to the toy box both at play /nursery school and at home. Have fun playing with your children’s toys, I know they will.

Summary: A zoo keeper and vehicle plus kangeroo and a joey