A Revival of the Ambulance Toy Craze? Playmobil and Bruder – ‘Light and Sound’ Realism That Captivates Adults Too

A scene I witnessed last weekend at the local fire station’s New Year parade is still fresh in my mind. Families were queuing up in front of a real ambulance, and among them, a little boy was excitedly showing his father something on his phone, shouting, "This one, this one!" On the screen was a blue Playmobil ambulance. Come to think of it, I’d heard recently that the Playmobil ambulance with working lights and sirens has quietly become something of a collector’s item for adults, transcending its status as just a child’s toy. That boy must have seen it online and become captivated by it too.

The landscape surrounding ambulances has changed significantly in recent years. The number of emergency call-outs continues to break records, with crews operating in a constant state of high alert. Perhaps reflecting this societal backdrop, there seems to be a growing admiration among children for paramedics and firefighters. Symbolising this trend, and currently garnering particular attention, are these high-quality ambulance toys, like the Playmobil model mentioned earlier.

This Playmobil ambulance with light and sound, featuring the brand's signature blue as its key colour, is arguably one of the most feature-packed models Playmobil has ever created. It's far from just a piece of plastic. Complete with siren sounds, flashing LEDs, a realistic stretcher, opening rear doors, and even detailed replicas of medical equipment used in the field, it sparks the imagination just thinking about the high-stakes rescue scenarios a child could create with it.

Then there's the other standout contender: the Bruder/Mercedes-Benz ambulance (with figure), crafted by the German company Bruder. Setting itself apart from Playmobil, its immense appeal lies in its overwhelming sense of authenticity. The body, produced under licence from Mercedes-Benz, looks like a finely detailed scale model. The moving parts are engineered to an exceptional standard – from the satisfying click of the side and rear doors to the front wheels that steer in sync with the steering wheel. The level of craftsmanship is enough to make even an adult let out an impressed "wow".

Choosing between these two really comes down to personal preference.

• Team Playmobil: Prioritises character and imaginative play. Seamlessly integrates with figures, offering the joy of storytelling and creating scenarios.
• Team Bruder: Prioritises realism and fidelity to detail. Offers a more display-oriented experience, allowing you to appreciate the authentic form of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Either way, these modern ambulance toys go far beyond being simple "playthings". They're in a completely different league from the cheap plastic ambulances we might have had as children. With the Bruder Mercedes-Benz ambulance, in particular, you could be forgiven for thinking you were holding a proper miniature model car, given the attention to detail on the bonnet emblem and wheel trims. Models that come with a figure allow you to recreate scenes from real-life emergency responses, which can only help fuel a child's imagination.

While "ambulance toys" might typically conjure up images of children's playthings, that perception is changing. I encourage you to search for hashtags like "#PlaymobilAmbulance" or "#BruderAmbulance" on social media. You'll find numerous accounts showcasing their collections or creating dramatic dioramas. It's also surprising to see how many fans are men in their 30s and 40s.

These "realism-focused" ambulance toys, designed to be genuinely enjoyed or displayed by adults, are generating quiet excitement. The reason, I suspect, is a deep respect for the real thing. The work of emergency services is, of course, no game. Yet, we've entered an era where parents and children can share an appreciation for the professionals who protect our society through these intricately crafted models. I think that's a wonderful thing.

In our own house, my wife and I are currently deciding which one to get for our eldest son's birthday next month. If we want lights and sound, it's Playmobil; if we want driving realism, it's Bruder… It's a tough choice, but the deliberation itself is part of the fun.