Whether you live near the snow or not, the PLAYMOBIL Ski Lodge is a great way to take your kids to the snowy mountains without leaving the warm house! All you need is a little imagination, which kids are naturally full of anyway.
My two kids are 9 and 5. This playset was really ideal for them, and I’m eager to share why.
Assembly is half the fun. It was really exciting for my son and daughter to open the box and have to put the set together themselves.
It gave them a feeling of accomplishment. They had to think carefully, work together, and use their fine motor skills and logic to put the pieces together. Since my daughter is a bit older, she was able to snap everything fairly easy. I may have snapped in one or two things. My son (5) was able to help by putting together the more obvious pieces, like the chimney. He mostly bossed his sister around and was more interested in the placement of the people, snowman, tree, and ski rack.
Everything was well packaged and included. None of the pieces were damaged and it has just the right amount of pieces. Included is the lodge itself with two beds that go in the loft, a ladder to get to them, and a fireplace. The house isn’t overly packed with stuff and furniture, but is well balanced.
Once put together, it was time for some fun! This playset is the perfect basis for creative stories that can surround the people figurines and the house. There are 5 people, 2 of which are child-like. The great thing about the ski lodge is that there is a purpose behind it—it’s not just a playhouse. The characters are meant to go skiing! Skis are included, as well as fun accessories such as firewood, snow shovels, a lounge chair, and some food and drinks.
I got some real ice/snow to make things more realistic and to provide more interest. It really set the mood and engaged my kids, so I encourage anyone who are not able to get real snow to consider buying some material that acts as “snow”, like white felt or fake snow.
In no time at all my daughter and son were setting up the people in the house, getting them ready to go skiing, and zooming around on pretend mountains. They played both separately and together while the lodge was out. My son ran the “ski rental shop” and then participated skiing with his sister. When they were done, they warmed up by the fire, had some hot cocoa, and took a nap. They also had the figurines on the patio talking and enjoying the snowy views. I love how they can get so creative with this toy.
In a time where many kids are using tablets and watching TV, toys like the PLAYMOBIL Ski Lodge are really special because they give that spark of imagination and encourage interaction play. This is so important (and an underrated aspect) in children’s lives. As a mom, I admit that I do sometimes get caught up in all the technology available to my kids. However, there is a time and place for everything. I’m not saying only toys like the Ski Lodge should be around the house, but it certainly was a nice break from those screens!
Even though my daughter and son have a 4 year age gap, the PLAYMOBIL Ski Lodge was able to keep them both happy and entertained. It was so nice seeing them play together peacefully! I will have to remember to pull it out often, if they don’t beat me to it.