Schleich Toys: The Importance of Figurine Pretend Play for Young Children

I’m sure you’ve read pretty much every child-related topic since you became a parent, including play. Depending on how old your child is, you’ve surely heard your friends talking or you may have even read about the importance of pretend play. Imaginative, or pretend, play is when children use their imagination to create stories, characters, and scenarios that provide a safe and controlled environment to explore the world around them.

While many toys can help kids play pretend, figurines such as the highly realistic, handmade Schleich toys are a favourite! And that’s not just for toddlers but also for kids aged 8 and older, depending on the theme. Why is that so? Children love their figurines because they’re an instant ticket to imagination land. A kid holding a lion, roar! And he’s going on a safari. A fairy lets her fly across a gorgeous, enchanted forest. Best about figurine pretend play? Your child is in charge then, and who doesn’t want to make all the important decisions?

What Positive Effects Can Dolls and Action Figures Have on Children?

I can think of at least five reasons to invest in high-quality Schleich figurines for your children. Besides boosting their emotional, cognitive, and language skills, dolls, action and other figurines have immense play value and easily become playful décor that a kid will cherish for years to come.

They Encourage Pretend Play

Figures are unquestionably the best option for playing pretend. Children enjoy making up stories about them, ranging from taking their toy fox on a pretend run through woodland to tending to their assortment of farm animals. Once, my daughter sighed and replied, “Just doing my work,” when I asked her what she was doing with her horses. “They’re quite hungry today.” A child and figurines create an instant spark of creativity.

They Help Children Develop Emotionally

This generation of parents understands the importance of emotional intelligence. A child who can relate to their emotions, show empathy for others and identify other people’s emotional states is more likely to grow up to be a loving, compassionate adult.

Additionally, they will have a significant advantage while managing relationships, employment, and education in the future. While they did their best back then, most of our parents failed to help us gain this essential skill, making us not want to repeat that mistake.

Figures are a fantastic addition to a toolkit for emotional intelligence. Children use them to “practise” emotional scenarios. The baby fox may have injured its paw and its mother has to tend to it. Or it may be exercising its independence by walking off by itself. Perhaps a couple of bunny siblings must cooperate to play together.

Families of figures promote resolving family conflicts, such as sibling arguments or parents who are too busy to play. You can learn much about your child’s emotions and how they internalize your speech patterns by listening to them or playing with play figures. You will undoubtedly hear your words as they are spoken. That’s why even many therapists use figurines in their sessions with children.

They Boost Language Development

When children play with figurines, they’re showcasing a whole new vocabulary! You might hear them using gentle, nurturing phrases as they step into roles like parent, teacher, or doctor, saying things like, “Hold still, this won’t hurt a bit.” Kids use pretend play to try out words and expressions they’ve picked up, weaving them into their unique, imaginative worlds. These storytelling moments, with a beginning, middle, and end, help lay the foundation for literacy and narrative skills.

They Have Great Play Value

Figurines offer lasting play appeal, capturing the interest of toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids. Unlike most toys, figurines grow with your child, adapting to more detailed play scenarios as they grow. A single purchase can lead to years of enjoyment and evolving play.

They Become Charming Décor

Figurines aren’t just for play—they’re charming décor that adds a playful, whimsical vibe to your home. A tiny elephant on a shelf or a deer beside flowers can be delightful reminders for adults to keep a sense of fun in their lives, creating an inviting space for everyone.

Schleich Toys: The Importance of Choosing High-quality Figurines

Many toy brands today make figurines, so the available range is vast. But, not as many are exceptional as Schleich toys. Are Schleich animals worth it, and what’s so special about them?

Founded in 1935 by the young German Friedrich Schleich, the Schleich company released its first toys after years of development. They originally were simple bendy figures made of wire and wood covered in velvet in a very labour-intensive process, and not as durable as today’s versions.

Thankfully, innovation won when the brand filed a patent for a toy made of a metal frame encased in a rubbery material in 1948. In 1967, their first unbendable toy was released, leading to Schleich finally achieving worldwide recognition. Today, Schleich produces figures in a million shapes, colours, and sizes, all with one thing in common – each toy is of high quality, detailed, and authentic.

Since toy safety and material have always mattered to this company, their full product range is made of non-toxic PVC, TPE, and/or ABS that passes all quality standards in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia. Moreover, every material that the business uses is examined for toxicity. They aren’t only checked once and approved! Every material, including paints and plastics, is routinely inspected.

Likewise, all businesses that provide materials for Schleich toys are expected to maintain the same high standards. There is absolutely nothing in a Schleich lion’s head to injure your child, so you can feel secure watching them chew on it. That level of commitment to genuine quality is what makes Schleich unique to its competition.

Finally, if you’re a parent who values sustainability, you’d be happy to learn the brand has developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy, creating products not only for today but for life. Their toys are passed down from generation to generation, naturally contributing to sustainable play. In fact, according to their survey, 91% of people have never thrown away a Schleich figurine. Families pass them down to their grandchildren, friends, neighbours, or other kids. Some people may even give them to nonprofits.