Play Village Farm by Chicco ~ Serving Up Farm Fencing… Anyone Want Some?
Written: Jul 31 '05 (Updated Oct 05 '05)
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Pros: ● The farmers, and the tractor are quality pieces
● No batteries required
Cons: ● Too many hazards
The Bottom Line: The Play Village Farm does not live up to the quality I’m used to with this company.
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| marybatson's Full Review: Chicco Play Village Farm |
Chicco pronounced kee-ko is an Italian company that makes outstanding toys for babies and toddlers among other things. I discovered them over 4-years ago when my son was just a few weeks old. I was so impressed with the quality of their toys that I have since hunted for them. Many times, I’ve scored at discount stores such as TJ Maxx, and Tuesday Morning. The Play Village Farm was an impulse purchase that falls short of the excellence I’ve come to know from the line; however, my son enjoys it, so I guess that’s what matters most.
The Play Village Farm is a pretend playset for toddlers and preschool aged children 3 to 5 years. It is completely made of plastic, and is sturdy. The playscene consists of a farm with two farmers, a tractor, a horse, a pig, a cow, and two haystacks. The farm has a door that pivots up, and a hayloft. There’s a pulley system that glides from one end of the loft to the other. The pulley system includes a very durable cord with two hooks. The haystacks are round like barrels and they have a tab with a hole in the center, so the pulley system can lift them. The playset includes fencing along one side, and a paddock for the animals on the other side.
The farmer and his wife have moving arms and legs, but their heads are stationary. The animals do not move. For an inexpensive set, the paint is excellent. There’s not a great deal of detail in the toy, but it’s well done, and long lasting. The playset measures 11” wide x 8” deep x 6 ½” high, and probably weights 2 pounds. The haystacks are the smallest parts of the set, and measure 1½” x 1¼”. They could pose a choking hazard to young children, so caution is advisable.
Our Experience:
My son was 2½ when I purchased the Play Village Farm from TJ Maxx. I thought I was getting a deal at $9.99, because Chicco toys have a tendency to be a bit pricier than a say Fisher-Price. When I got home, I discovered that Amazon was selling it for the same price. Oh well, my son was already deep into a long play session, and I wasn’t about to take it away because it wasn’t the bargain I thought it should have been. It’s been 2-years now, and he still plays with the toy every now and then. It’s not a favorite, but I’d say I got my money’s worth.
On top of the farmhouse rests a weathervane shaped like a rooster. It’s not a permanent fixture, and snaps in, and out. I discarded the weathervane instantly because it measures less than an inch, and it concerned me for ingestion purposes. In addition, soon after the Play Village Farm was introduced to the playroom, the fencing had to be tossed as well. The fencing is made of a pliable plastic that snaps in, and out of the grassy knoll, which became a chew toy. The ends were sharp, and I was concerned that it might poke my son in the eye. I’m not really sure why the weathervane, and the fencing weren’t attached like the rest of the farmhouse, but their absence hasn’t made any difference in the play value of the toy. William has especially enjoyed the tractor, and the farmer and his wife. They are quality pieces that are sure to outlive the playscene.
Overall, I’m giving the toy a below average rating not because my son hasn’t take pleasure in it, but because I think there are too many potential hazards. In addition, the quality of the Play Village Farm doesn’t stand up to the excellence I’m used to with this company.
Chicco U.S.A. Inc
4E Easy Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Phone: (732) 805-9200 Fax: (732) 805-3376
www.chicco.com/
Recommended Chicco Toys:
Pop-Up Castle
Flip 'n Play Table
Bear Ville Activity Center
Light ‘N Sound Circus Train
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): $9.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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marybatson
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Member: Mary
Location: Phoenix
Reviews written: 169
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