Rating of TOP 8 sets of toy soldiers: descriptions, characteristics, tips for choosing, reviews

Sets of toy soldiers have been known to mankind for a long time - figurines with weapons and equipment corresponding to the era are regularly found by archaeologists studying the ancient Egyptian, Sumerian and Roman civilizations. It is believed that initially they had more of a religious function, in particular, they played the role of an army, which was buried with the pharaoh, but already in the Middle Ages, figures of soldiers were widely used to teach children of the aristocracy in military affairs. In the 18th century, the classic tin soldiers, known to us from Anderson's fairy tale, first appeared - they depicted soldiers of the Prussian army, which was considered the best in Europe at that time.

Nowadays, the assortment of toy soldiers is very large and includes both classic miniatures and the so-called action figures with movable limbs, the ability to change weapons and equipment. Sometimes parents simply “run up their eyes”, and they often cannot decide which toy to choose. In this article I will give you some tips on how to choose the right toy set of toy soldiers, what they are, and I will also make a mini-review of a number of sets popular on the domestic market.

Ranking Top 8 sets of toy soldiers

This rating included sets of toy soldiers from well-known domestic and foreign brands. I tried to cover the assortment on the market as widely as possible, having considered all types of soldiers: historical, modern, in the style of fantasy and sci-fi. At the same time, soldiers from various plastics pile up in the ranking - models from other materials are too rare and are often made to order, without going on free sale.

Biplant Company Soldier

A classic toy toy set, suitable for playing at home or in the sandbox. Consists of two equal sets of soldiers, each with 45 figures. One detachment is molded from green plastic, the second from silver-white, so the young commanders are guaranteed not to confuse their soldiers with the enemy. The set also includes a watchtower, with which you can designate a checkpoint, field headquarters, and other fortifications. If desired, the set can be supplemented with any toy military equipment available to the child.

The child is happy. Strong plastic won't break

Technologist Legionnaires

The Legion Gladius set featuring Roman legionnaires armed with authentic swords, throwing pilums and shields. The figurines are made of soft plastic, which reduces the risk of accidentally breaking off weapons or other protruding parts. The set is delivered unpainted, but if desired, the child can arrange it on his own.

The set is suitable both for a regular game according to home rules and for use in tabletop wargames according to the “Fantasy Battles” rule system. In this case, the legionaries begin to play the role of the necromancer's soldiers. In the second case, you will need an artifact card and an armlist, which contains all the characteristics of each fighter in the squad: maneuverability, armor, melee and ranged attacks, cost.

A very interesting historical series of toy soldiers for children. High-quality performance of each character. Drawn small details of weapons, clothing, faces. Very high quality and strong plastic. There are historical sets. There is a fantasy style.

Games Workshop Paladin Squad

A set of miniatures from Games Workshop, the owner of the rights to the Warhammer 40,000 wargame board game, set in a scientific dark fantasy setting. The set includes 5 figures of Space Marines from the Order of the "Gray Knights", Chaos Demon Hunters from the Warp.

The models are prefabricated, their parts must be removed from the sprue and glued on their own, and the finished figures must be painted. The figures are very detailed, equipped with banners, heraldic signs, sacred seals and other decorative elements can be seen on the armor.

High quality plastic, strong and amenable to correction. A great hobby for Warhammer lovers, well, just for creative people. Figures have to be collected and painted, which is very entertaining. My 21-year-old “child” is very happy, but this is a very painstaking work that requires resources and patience (well, depending on how you want to do it), and so be sure to try, with experience everything will come: 3

Chap Mei Soldier Force 521015

An excellent set from the Chap Mei company, known for its series of soldiers and military equipment. The kit includes a large modular military transport aircraft with electronics, thanks to which it can make sounds, and three figurines with movable arms and legs: one pilot and two commandos paratroopers. A large selection of additional equipment is provided for each of the soldiers: weapons, grenades, backpacks. All figures can be easily placed on the plane, each in its place. The vehicle is equipped with machine guns, bombs and missiles, it allows you to play not only the landing of the assault force, but also its subsequent air cover.

The aircraft is delivered disassembled, easy to assemble. All parts are made of durable plastic.

The plane is very large, the plastic is good, the figures of the soldiers are functional, the doors open from the side and the back, you can put the pilot in the cockpit, for example, the window is pulled out, musical, it rolls, you can hold the handle as if to fly, machine guns are installed in small windows, there are rocket shells under wings. In general, I liked it!

Tech Soldier Army 10

A set of soldiers from the Technologist company, which includes three detachments at once: werewolves from the Werewolf battle pack, the Uruktag orc gang and the lizardmen from the Hydra Battle Pack.In addition, the set includes 3 siege vehicles: the Bulldog cannon, the Crab cannon and the Bedbug throwing machine, mountains that can be used to decorate the battlefield by creating additional obstacles.

The toy soldiers are distinguished by excellent detailing, made of soft plastic, so they are suitable for children. Their weapons bend. Therefore, the risk of breaking a sword or ax is minimal here. Figures from the set can be played according to the rules of "Fantasy Battles" - for this, the set includes instructions and special magic cards. However, no one bothers to come up with your own rules.

There are no shortcomings, design, quality are all up to par. The child is delighted. We master tyrraine together, here I am already happy. Quite a decent, scalable toy for which you can instill many useful qualities in a child, and it's just fun to feel like a little boy again.

Nordplast Soldiers of the Airborne Forces of Russia 323

A set of 8 soldiers from the St. Petersburg firm Nordplast. Figures depicting airborne troops are made of special soft plastic, which makes them more reliable. Small parts, such as knives and gun barrels, bend rather than break when pressed, which has a good effect on the durability of the set.

The soldiers are distinguished by good detail - they can be seen on vests, elements of weapons, and other small details. The models are large enough, they will be comfortable and safe even for a small child. The soldiers in the set are diverse: there is a sniper, a submachine gunner, a machine gunner, two fighters with pistols, hand-to-hand fighters with a knife and a sapper shovel. In the assortment of the Nordplast company you can also find artillery pieces, transport trucks and other equipment, which can be supplemented with a set.

My little brother was so happy for such a birthday present. But I also liked these soldiers because I myself played in them as a child.

Set of toy soldiers Biplant 1291

The set "1291" from the Biplant company is dedicated to the theme of the Crusades, in particular - the siege and storming of the fortress of Acre, which took place in 1291. The box contains 6 figurines of crusader knights, including one equestrian, and 5 Saracen warriors. The set also includes 4 walls and 4 towers, from which you can assemble a full-fledged fortress, stairs that allow you to put defenders on the walls, two workable catapults with a set of shells, and even several trees as decorative elements. This configuration allows you to significantly diversify the game battles.

The toy soldiers are made of soft plastic, which ensures their weapons and other protruding parts are durable.The soldiers are well detailed, their height is about 5 cm (7 for a cavalryman). If desired, the ranks of attackers and defenders can be supplemented with the help of soldiers from other sets from Biplant.

Great toy for a child. Good elaboration of details. You can play 2v. Excellent value for money. Tactilely pleasant to handle. Recommend.

The era of great battles

A set of 5 figurines depicting the Crusader Knights. The set includes an archer, scout, templar, teuton and paladin. Each soldier is unique, has its own posture and weapons. They are made of rubberized plastic - it is soft enough that weapons and other protruding elements, such as jewelry on helmets, bend, but do not break when accidentally pressed. The soldiers are stable, large enough.

Figures are detailed, they show belts, folds on clothes, chain mail links. Fighters without helmets have well-defined faces. The set can be supplemented with the "Crusaders 1" set of three figures, and the Saracens from the set of the same name are ideal as opponents.

Beautiful models and practical material. Satisfied with the purchase

comparison table

In order to make it easier for the reader to navigate the presented rating, I have collected the main characteristics of all sets of soldiers in a single table:

The benefits of playing toy soldiers

Playing with sets of toy soldiers is very useful for developing logical and strategic thinking. The child does not just move the figures around the field, he draws up a plan for a military campaign, thinks over his actions several steps ahead, trains to predict the consequences of his actions. In addition, such games are useful for developing fantasy.The sofa cushions here easily turn into a castle, the chair - up the hill on which the artillery battery is located, and the place under the desk - into the headquarters of the command.

Also, soldiers, especially if they are well made and well detailed, open up new opportunities for role-playing games, allowing you to come up with a lot of plots, sometimes going far beyond the usual battles. When playing together, the kid will have to discuss the rules and situations that arise on the field, which helps to develop communication skills. Finally, some sets are made in such a way that the owner can color them on their own - such an activity contributes to the development of fine motor skills, perseverance, helps to better understand the basics of coloring and develop creative skills.

Some parents are prejudiced towards the toy soldiers, fearing that the children will become aggressive after the game. In fact, this risk is greatly exaggerated. Playing toy soldiers is more likely to provide a child with an opportunity to release stress and aggression in a safe and socially approved way. Aggressive behavior is more likely to be triggered by the child's real life examples and patterns.

What are the soldiers

There are several criteria for classifying toy soldiers sets, such as the material of manufacture and the theme of the set. Let's analyze each of them in more detail.

Frequently used materials

For the production of toy soldiers, the following are most often used:

• metal alloys;
• plastics;
• wood;
• paper and cardboard.

Each of these materials has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Toy soldiers made of tin and other metal alloys are very durable and strong. Their final quality is highly dependent on how detailed the mold was used in production. Such soldiers are rare due to the high cost of production, and are focused more on adult collectors, lovers of historical reenactments and the creators of dioramas dedicated to specific battles and events.

Plastics are the most popular material today. It is lightweight, quite practical, and allows you to significantly reduce the cost of production. At the same time, such figures can be of sufficient quality, provided that the manufacturer does not save on material and painting, uses high-quality molds. This material is used to make both classic soldiers and simple action figures with movable limbs.

Wooden toy soldiers are most often environmentally friendly and pleasant to the touch, but they are very rare. Finally, paper and cardboard are short-lived, but such soldiers often need to be cut and painted by themselves, which will become additional entertainment for the child.

Recruitment theme

Sets of toy soldiers can be roughly divided into:

• historical;
• modern;
• fantasy;
• sci-fi.

Historical sets depict fighters from famous armies from different centuries. An excellent example here will be the sets of the Donetsk Toy Factory, famous on the territory of the former USSR, depicting cowboys, Vikings, Neanderthals, Roman legionnaires and Indians.

Modern - sets depicting soldiers of the second half of the 20th century. They can be both quite schematic and highly detailed, depicting the fighters of real-life armies. Soldiers of this category can be distinguished by their small automatic weapons in their hands, in addition, such sets are often supplemented with tanks, helicopters, jeeps and other military equipment.

Fantasy sets depict armies of elves, orcs, gnomes and other fictional races or people with appropriate design - paladins, barbarians, etc. Finally, sci-fi-themed kits can feature a variety of robots, cyborgs, aliens, and humans in futuristic armor.

Regardless of the theme, the sets can be divided into two main types: the first contains 2 equal in composition of the army, the second - a set of figurines of the same theme, for example, crusaders, legionaries, paratroopers. In this case, it may be necessary to purchase two sets at once so that the child has the opportunity to play out full-fledged battles.

How to choose soldiers

The first aspect to pay close attention to is the quality of the toys. You should not take toys made by unknown Chinese companies - they are rarely strong enough, often made of low-quality, smelly plastic, and are distinguished by low detail. It is better to pay attention to the products of factories with a certain reputation and experience. Check if the kit has the appropriate certificates, evaluate the quality and detail of the kit, smell the figures and rub them with your finger to see if the paint will peel off in the first days.

Be sure to consider what the child is interested in, whether he loves modern soldiers, knights, Vikings, video games in the manner of Warcraft or Warhammer. The set, chosen in accordance with the interests of the child, is guaranteed not to collect dust on the shelf. It's good if the kit contains figures in different poses and with different weapons - this significantly diversifies the game.

Sets of toy soldiers can be given to children from 3 years old. It is better to start with simple sets with large figures, on which there are no moving parts and small elements. Older children can be offered more complex sets, including action figures, which can be changed in position and weapons in their hands. Finally, the pinnacle of the evolution of the toy soldier game is tabletop wargames, in which players follow strictly prescribed rules and roll dice to determine the results of their actions. Usually this is an expensive pleasure, so wargames are mostly fun for adults, older teenagers.