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Are toy animal figurines still fun?
Toy animal figurines have been a household staple in Australia for generations. They're not just for kids anymore. Many people have been adding them to their collections, to use as educational displays, or just for the fun of it. They're colourful, detailed, and come in a very wide range of shapes and sizes.
Whether it's for fun pretend play, or to serve as a model collection, toy animal figurines offer a lot of value to kids and adults alike. They provide a way for kids to learn more about the, animal kingdom, and how varied it is. For adults, collecting these figurines can become a deeply rewarding and exciting hobby, as they look for better and more unique models to add to their ever-growing collection.
There's a lot more to these little animal figurines than meets the eye. Let's take a deeper look at the world of toy animal figurines and what makes them so loved.
The history of toy animal figurines
Archaeologists have found toy animal figurines in ancient Egyptian tombs, showing how old our love for these models really is. These toys have been around since at least 2500 BCE. Back then, people would create simple models that resembled animals, mostly out of clay, and offer them as religious offerings and prayers.
This gradually evolved through the centuries. They were made out of different materials - straw, bone, stone, even ivory in some places. By the 1700s, these toys took their modern form. The animals also changed, depending on the culture and the region. Some cultures saw them as toys for kids, some saw them as status symbols.
They've been around for a very long time, and it's likely that they've stuck around for a reason.
They're not just toys
Toy animal figurines are more than just playthings. For some families, these are very effective and useful educational materials. For others, they're keepsakes and reminders of childhood. Some may even want to use them as miniature pets, if they can't afford or take care of real ones.
They offer a world of imaginative play and creativity to kids. They can visualise realistic scenarios based on real animals, or let their imaginations run wild with fantasy. These figurines offer opportunities for role play, which helps build language and communication skills.
Models such as the Schleich Horse Arab Stallion are excellent examples of how these toy animal figurines can teach kids about the real world while still letting them have fun with it. They're accurate models of real animals. Some even come with moving parts, such as jaws or legs. The Collecta Medium Furcatoceratops, for example, is an accurate model of a 1/40 scale dinosaur, which is great for teaching kids about prehistory.
Even though toy animal figurines are seen as educational, parents should remember to supervise play time with these toys. They can be very small and pose a risk of choking in young kids.
Collecting toy animal figurines
kids may love to play with them, but adults may see these as collectibles. They're often accurately modelled after real animals and come with hand-painted detail to make them look as realistic as possible.
Some pieces are made with more moving parts than others, such as the Collecta Deluxe Phorushacos With Movable Jaw. This makes them very attractive for collectors and enthusiasts, as these pieces are often high-quality, accurate models of real animals that come with extra features that can make a display more dynamic. They can also add more value to the hobbyist's collection.
It's not all about collecting either. Some hobbyists may want to build dioramas or scenes out of these figurines. Some models such as the Schleich Lionhead Rabbit are perfect for more complex dioramas and displays due to their extremely detailed design. Many collectors will often search for the most accurate model they can find to add to their display, as different manufacturers will have different results for the same species.