New for 2011: Schleich Farm Life Animal Families Review + Giveaway

Schleich has been around for 75 years, but they’re not sitting on their laurels and resting. Rather, the company known for beautifully detailed animal figures continues to create new toys and figurines for kids (and adults!) to enjoy. Part of this year’s new line of Schleich figures includes Farm Life Animals – some of whom have found their way into our playroom and with the giveaway below will find their way into your home, too.

Schleich Animal Families

Spring is a season of renewal and growth. A time when every living thing is positively blooming with new life. Help your children celebrate nature’s wonders this spring with an all-new collection of Animal Family figurines from world leader Schleich. Perfect for inspiring imaginative play, Schleich’s figurines are hand-painted, stunningly realistic and designed to stand the test of time.

From wild life families including Water Buffalo and Kudo to more familiar farm life families such as Texas Longhorn Cattle and Pinto Horses, Schleich collections spark young imaginations as children identify with “animal babies” and play with the family groupings.

Cows, Bulls and Ponies – Oh My!

The new Farm Life Animal collection is classic Schleich – beautiful, detailed and realistic. Schleich animal figures are recommended for kids 3 years and older and the farm animals are a great grouping to be a “child’s first Schleich toys”. Both my kids can recognize and are playful with the farm animals because they’re more familiar with them than, say, the fantasy toys. Some of the details, like the silver-painted horseshoes in the photo to the right go over my kids’ heads, they do create little farm life stories. And then my son decides the horses need to jump on one another. He is a boy, after all.

In a world of toys that tell the story – whether based on an existing movie or through structured play – I like the open-ended nature of the Schleich toys. There’s no right or wrong way for my kids to play with them. They can just play. And use their imaginations and have fun.

Anywhere’s a Playground Book

Whether Brontosaurus or Smurf – Schwäbisch Gmünd has been the birthplace of children’s dreams for generations. This is where the world’s most popular children’s toys are made. True to the company philosophy “Anywhere’s a playground”, we have been making realistic animal figures, comic and fantasy heroes – toys which need no explanation or instructions – for more than half a century. With the extraordinary book “Anywhere’s a playground: Schleich 75th anniversary“, we invite children and parents along on a unique journey of discovery our company´s story.

To celebrate the story of Schleich and its 75th anniversary, the book Anywhere’s a Playground is a lovely coffee table book that tells the company’s story. And, while it may sound like a bit of a snooze – it’s not! The coolest part of a very visually lovely book is following a horse being created from the very beginning of the process until the finished product. It’s really amazing to see all the hands that touch a single toy before my kids’ hands do. Even my son loves leafing through the book to see the horse transform.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… With such a huge, HUGE variety of animal and toy figurines in the collection you’re sure to find something to meet your child’s interests.

Or Not to Buy… Most kids probably won’t get into the coffee table book, so it’s probably best suited for the biggest Schleich fans.

Shop! Schleich animal figures can be purchased online, in Target stores and from Amazon. Prices range from $5 for baby animals to $8 for big figures. Anywhere’s a Playground: Schleich 75th Anniversary is available on Amazon for $15.

Win! Farm Life Animal Family Figurines & Anywhere’s a Playground – over a $50 value.

How to Enter: Leave a comment with your favorite animal from the new for 2011 Schleich Farm Life collection.

Bonus Entries - valid only after the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

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Giveaway ends April 8. Open to US & Canadian residents.

Thanks to Schleich for providing samples and the giveaway prizes.