Fisher-Price Little People Playtime Pals came out in 2003, officially as an add on for the newest Little People home, the Little People Sweet Sounds Home. But, there is no reason why you couldn't add this set to your Home Sweet Home or any Fisher-Price Little People set. I purchased the Fisher-Price Little People Playtime Pals set a few months ago for my 2 1/2 year old son. He thoroughly enjoys playing with the Little People Home Sweet Home playset.

What's Included
Included in the Playtime Pals set is a small 2 story playhouse, an arbor swing, a fence piece, a baby buggy, a table set for tea, 2 chairs, and 2 figures - Maggie and Sonya Lee. I purchased this set for under $10, I believe it was actually $8.99 at the Fisher-Price toystore in East Aurora, NY.

Similar in color scheme to the Little People home sets the playhouse is a creme color (instead of the white Home Sweet home), with a purple roof, teal flooring and fence post attachments and pink double doors which actually swing open. The playhouse is 2 floors and has many molded into the plastic details including siding, rooftiles, lattice doors and curtains and more. On the inside there's a toy trunk with a teddy bear and baby toys and bottle as well as a dress up trunk with a bag, hat, dress, beads and of course.. shoes. Had these details been actual pieces they would be miniscule sized so they are merely molded into the plastic. On the second floor is a pillow, dolly, a book and eeek - a mouse. The outside of the playhouse is complete with a flower box and flower pots, butterflies, hose spicket, and even a turtle in a puddle.

On either side of the playhouse there are fence post attachments so that you can attach any Little People fencing, or the teal fencing included to the set. The fencing also attaches to the arch-style arbor swing which is made to hold any Little People figurine.

Included with this set are 2 figures - Sonya Lee (Asian) and Maggie (Caucasian) who are playing dress up. Sonya is in a yellow hat with a red flower, mary jane shoes, a pink dress, and a purple feather boa. Maggie's in a pink hat with a purple bow, green dress, yellow bag, purple mary janes, and pearls. They are playing dress up for a tea party and a small purple table set for tea (with a teapot and cookies) and 2 chairs. Also included is a small pink baby buggy (for a dolly) that actually rolls.

Our Thoughts on Playtime Pals
Fisher-Price's choice of color scheme for this set as well as Home Sweet Home and Sweet Sounds Home is definitely on the stereotypically girly side. Of course, my son and I would have loved a more primary color scheme, but that wasn't an option. I maintain that this set can be enjoyed by both girls and boy who enjoy Little People and imaginary playtime. The inclusion of an Eddie or Michael figure would have made the set more appealing to boys, also.

Probably the best aspect of the Playtime Pals set is the fact that you get so many pieces for under $10. There are enough pieces included so that they can be played with alone or with any other playset. My son enjoys playing the playhouse and the swing and will give any of his Little People figures a ride in it and say "Weeee!". He'll even let the puppy or kitty figures take a turn, and just today I spotted Santa going for a ride.

This particular set is powered 100% by your child's imagination and requires no batteries, and makes no sounds. The set is appropriate for kids 1 1/2 years and up. Its made entirely of a sturdy plastic that can be washed easily with soap and water. The actual figures could pose a choke hazard in younger children, but are way less chokable than the barrel shaped round-headed figures that I grew up with many years ago.

Overall
Fisher-Price Little People Playtime Pals is an affordable, fun, playset which will be enjoyed by Little People fans of all ages. As far as the sets go, this one is one of the better values out there in the under $10 market.


www.fisher-price.com/us/littlepeople


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 8.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months