I have to admit it – the whole Mighty World thing kind of passed me by. And when we got asked to review I was a bit dubious. I mean – I have a house bursting at the seams with Lego (son. No.1) and Playmobil (son No.3) – really, how can this compete or compare?
Hmmm.

Wrong.

Mighty World is Playmobil – with a bit of an attitude. It’s just… more. I have to admit it – I love the stuff.

Like the other two big names in this kind of toy, it comes in ‘Worlds’ – Town, Construction, Adventure, Emergency etc. And in each worlds there are sets of various complexity, each a toy in its own right, but also building with each other to form a complete ‘world’.

First, and most important for me, it’s well built. At least as durable as Playmobil. The people look like real people (though slightly freakish in their egg-heads when not wearing helmets!), and are really poseable. And the small detailed pieces of equipment which are the joy of Playmobil are there in plenty.
But it goes deeper. We have the Mobile Marine Rescue kit - and not only has it got kits and vehicles enough to keep two small people occupied for AGES, but that big vehicle has lights that flash and a siren that wails. The hose actually runs out and is soft, and, you know. Hose-ish. All the sturdy little doors open on the rescue truck to reveal loads of secret compartments for stashing… er… STUFF in.
And there’s MORE.
Oh yes.
This is the clever bit that isn’t really made clear on the web site or on the outside of the packaging. Because you can strip the vehicle down – you can dismantle the engine, and you can even change the ride height of the wheels.
So like all the best toys on the market, this one has a huge audience. The three year old loves to play with the ‘mans’ and push the truck around making it flash and wail. And wail. And wail (there is, thank goodness, a conveniently placed OFF switch. Another essential!).

The 7 year old LOVES this set – he has it set up on his bedroom floor, and plays with it a LOT. Bearing in mind he has half-a-roomful of Playmobil, it has some stiff competition for his attention – but this one wins.

And occasionally the 11yr old will muscle in – despite the design really being too young for him, he can’t help the attraction of being able to dismantle it, figure out how it all works, and then rebuild it before his younger siblings start to wail too loudly.

The 7yr old’s verdict?
“well… You know what I think Mummy? When I turn the steering wheel the wheels move too! That’s WICKED! That means it’s a real proper really real good design, isn’t it? Yes. I love it.

I don’t have to give it back now, do I?”

Mighty World is an American company, and it doesn’t seem to have caught on massively over here yet. But hold tight, because I am sure this one is here to last as a household name and childhood staple. At least – it totally deserves to be.

If you get a chance visit the US site – it really shows you more about how great these sets are http://www.mightyworld.com. There’s a really good range available on Amazon here – it’s very well priced for what you get, you honestly won’t be disappointed. And more to the point, nor will your children.

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Posted by Laura on 1 July 2010