5435 Family Tent

[DrDalek6]

I just picked up this camping set which I was planning to get this summer on a visit to Toysrus  seeing as there wasn't much else  to peek my interest and the new figures don't seem to have landed. I know this set's been out for a while but, I haven't seen anyone review it so here goes.



First off generally I'm not one to take photos of sets bagged up but, this one's quite ridiculous must have had at least 4 big bags probably over 10 in total rather excessive I think.



Better view of the family (more on them later) and the tent



Campsite set up this is the first sort of plant base I've had, it's quite nice with some good looking plants.I don't understand why they've done a plant with space for 4 flowers then included 5 flowers and in 2 different colours surely better just to include the right amount of flowers in one colour or several extra flowers so you can choose which colour to sue or to mix and match. Also the tree I like but, it looks a bit odd with the different coloured foliage hanging from the side so decided to just use the darker green piece on my tree.



The tent and table complete with loads of cooking gear and utensils. The tent doesn't seem to want to stretch out fully so might get some wooden canes and stick them inside so that it stays extended when in use. The range of cooking utensils is quite good pans, cups, plates BBQ tongs, a selection of canned foods and a little stove the table and stools are quite nice looking as well suppose some cutlery would be helpful as well.
 

[DrDalek6]

Hanging out the washing quite a neat little way they've found to hang it in the tree, like the towels and little pegs. The cool box is nice enough and has plenty of space for food and several bottles, The electric cable is made up of some striped thread which slots into 2 little plugs one of which can be fitted into the back of the cool box or they can both be stowed away tidily in the holes inside the power box



My BBQ chef decided to join them I think he looks like a good Dad for the little girl or possibly one of them could be the Uncle. He's just looking to see what he can cook up for tea. Oh yes didn't get a proper close up of the map but, it's great really detailed



Like the can labels particularly the processed pasta (well it reminds of filled pasta squares I've had at any rate)



Better look at everyone. I'm generally not much bothered about female adult klickies but, the woman they've included with this set is quite nice and the floral pattern on her top looks good, the Dad's also quite good, nice tshirt though not sure if the wider stripes make him look slightly fat maybe just me. I particularly like the little girl I think she looks rather a tomboy in fact reminds me rather of me as a kid  she's got a great outfit nice bright colours the lizard print looks great and love the simple sandals and shorts .

[DrDalek6]

Finally the child chilling in the tent I didn't think she looks like the sort of child who'd want to play with the pink doll they included but, she looks quite happy with the orange Teddy I got with Santa's Advent Calendar. I think I'm going to call her Sophie

A few points:

1.  The cat, it has good articulation in the head and tail but, who takes a cat camping? 
2. If you're going to have a camping set with a tent surely you should include some sleeping bags even if they're just simple ones 
3. Would be good to include some backpacks for the family seeing as a lot of campers like to do outdoor pursuits such as hiking even if they don't then most campers'll probably have at least a backpack full of stuff
4. The tent could do with a few improvements to help it stay fully extended and something to hold the doors in place even just a extra bit of velcro or a little popper so that you can take proper photos of the tent interior
5. As stated above match the toys to the figures that kid really does not look like the sort to be playing with a pink doll   

All in all though a pretty good set although with mine they seem to have swapped the apple juice container and two little birds
for extra stool parts (unfortunately the extra stool is missing the material that you sit on so not much use)   

[Tiermann]

Nice review Scott. It looks like a nice set. If you are missing parts just phone up the Parts department and tell them what was missing from your box and they will send them out.
I agree the cat is a bit weird, maybe it's a stray that wandered in to see what was available to eat?

[playmofire]

Great review, Scott, with good photos to show off the set.  At one time I would have seen that tent as a possible basis for a fire brigade decontamination unit.

As for the cat, one of my pupils used to go camping with her family and they always were accompanied by the cat, and its kittens!

[Rasputin]

Great first review. We had to get this set early on for a camping trip.

Your set recommendations are spot on to greatly improve the accessories.

[tahra]

Thanks for the review - I have that set too (didn't get to it yet).. Mostly for the tent (costs as much as the set in parts) - think it must be great for polar

I also love the kid's colors

1.  The cat, it has good articulation in the head and tail but, who takes a cat camping? 

Any family who has a cat? I remember once we did - bitchy and the 2 cats... I am not sure it was more than once, basically cause we took to staying home when my parents went, so then the cats stayed.

It is not "easy" for most cats (though I suppose that's just cause they are not used to it), but if everyone goes, either they go, or you need someone to look after them home.

[Raven]

When I first got this set, I was very surprised at how the tent would not stay properly stretched out, but instead looked exactly like your fourth photo above.

I fixed it with some cardboard inserts.  I used a piece of card to make a 'floor' to the tent, making sure it was big enough to push the sides of the tent to their full stretch; and then I added a rectangular strip of strong card along the 'roof' - like a ridge pole, from the centre of the front of the tent to the centre of the back.  I deliberately cut the strip of card too long and then curled over the ends where they touched the tent, so that there weren't any sharp angles poking into the canvas.

It doesn't show:



And I was so pleased with the result, that I went and bought another set. 

[Rasputin]

- bitchy and the 2 cats...

  Is that a person or a cat?

[DrDalek6]

Nice review Scott. It looks like a nice set. If you are missing parts just phone up the Parts department and tell them what was missing from your box and they will send them out.
I agree the cat is a bit weird, maybe it's a stray that wandered in to see what was available to eat?

Thanks I was thinking that I'd do that perhaps in a few weeks thought then I can possibly enquire about ordering some  other small parts at the same time not that I'm particularly bothered about two little birds but, that's not really the point if it says it's in there it should be in there and there's not really any point having an apple juice sticker and no carton. 

Great review, Scott, with good photos to show off the set.  At one time I would have seen that tent as a possible basis for a fire brigade decontamination unit.

As for the cat, one of my pupils used to go camping with her family and they always were accompanied by the cat, and its kittens!

Thanks glad you like the photos, I suppose the the tent could be good for that apart from the giant squirrel on the side  might ruin the feel a bit 

I'm not really a cat fan in real life but, hey some of the Playmobil cats are quite cute particularly the ginger striped ones but, I just don't think it's the most well thought out animal for a campsite. That is kind of a cute story I suppose

Great first review. We had to get this set early on for a camping trip.

Your set recommendations are spot on to greatly improve the accessories.

Thank you glad you like my recommendations it's pretty common sense really I'm sure it wouldn't need much effort or money to add some sleeping bags and rucksacks and perhaps a bit of cutlery would be useful as well.  That was my thinking as well to get the camping set in time for my next camping trip but, decided to get it early seeing as there wasn't much else that interested me that much, maybe later this year might experiment with some skewers and some fabric I cut off from a ripped pair of trousers and maybe make some very simple makeshift tents as well.

Thanks for the review - I have that set too (didn't get to it yet).. Mostly for the tent (costs as much as the set in parts) - think it must be great for polar

I also love the kid's colors

Any family who has a cat? I remember once we did - bitchy and the 2 cats... I am not sure it was more than once, basically cause we took to staying home when my parents went, so then the cats stayed.

It is not "easy" for most cats (though I suppose that's just cause they are not used to it), but if everyone goes, either they go, or you need someone to look after them home.

Thanks the kids clothes are great bright colours and a cool design, following my own suggestions Sophie is now sporting the bright green and red rucksack from the Advent Calendar unfortunately don't have any adult backpacks for the grown ups.

I suppose another reason a lot of cats don't go camping is the worry they may just wander off into the great unknown and not come back.

  Is that a person or a cat?

   

  I think that raises  quite a few questions from that one sentence

When I first got this set, I was very surprised at how the tent would not stay properly stretched out, but instead looked exactly like your fourth photo above.

I fixed it with some cardboard inserts.  I used a piece of card to make a 'floor' to the tent, making sure it was big enough to push the sides of the tent to their full stretch; and then I added a rectangular strip of strong card along the 'roof' - like a ridge pole, from the centre of the front of the tent to the centre of the back.  I deliberately cut the strip of card too long and then curled over the ends where they touched the tent, so that there weren't any sharp angles poking into the canvas.

It doesn't show:



And I was so pleased with the result, that I went and bought another set. 

Hmm thanks for the advice that's certainly another idea I could certainly do that for the floor and then look at doing poles or card for the top jsut got to see what card we've got knocking about, I did notice after taking the photos how unpopped out it looked in the photos.