Anyone have a good toy farmyard?
I'm looking for one for Matthew but so far they've all been way too expensive wooden ones with large outbuildings that can't be "un-constructed" and we don't have the space to keep it out all the time or else they are way too flimsy. I don't really mind about the money if it was what we wanted (obviously within reason) but I'd like a mix of buildings and fields if that makes sense. The ELC one is the type I think I want but I have heard bad reviews and in the shop it looks very flimsy, or maybe it was the way they put it together? When we were little (all those moons ago!) we had a big plastic rectangle farmyard with raised bits on, with fields, bridges etc which would be good but I can't see anything like that. Anybody seen/got the ideal one?? Thanks Jo x

The one in ELC looks remarkably like the farm I had when I was a tiddly (and can remember playing with) and it has stood the -*test*-('") of time. Although of course, "things aren't made like they used to be" so bear that in mind! I am going to get that one for Isaac I think, or a different wooden one but I cannot stand plastic toys anymore. :(

Sorry to leap in - and this isn't one of the ones that I'm allowed to sell, but my supplier has the following farm set which has collapsible buildings http://www.hibba.co.uk/html/castles_and_farms_0.html I know what you mean - we had a big flat board type thing with fences and walls - but that took up a large amount of space, I seem to remember. I suppose it would be possible to get a piece of plywood and paint it green to make a big field for the buildings and animals to sit on.... this is the one I'm allowed to sell - again, it's collapsible. http://www.hibba.co.uk/html/castles_and_farms_7.html or how about the following - then you can put your own set together! http://www.toyfarmers.co.uk/ Anyway, thought it might help.

I have the ELC one. It's flimsy in Emma's eyes as she just wants to take it apart and put it back together again. I also found that because there are so many bits to put together she loses interest by the time t's made up - if we had room we'd leave it made up and glue it togetehr!

Urchin.co.uk have some lovely ones but I'm not sure if they are foldable :0) http://www.urchin.co.uk/product_categories/351/products/21112-oldfield-farm-multibuy http://www.urchin.co.uk/products/5179-oldfield-farm-with-animals This one is a soft fabric version http://www.urchin.co.uk/product_categories/44/products/3606-farmhouse-and-animals

We have the old version of the ELC one (its been revamped since we bought ours). Erin got it for her 2nd birthday, we tried to play with it once and it was a disaster as she kept knocking bits over so it went away for a while. I brought it out again this summer and its been much more successful - the buildings are pretty sturdy and she's enough co ordination now not to knock the roofs flying (as they aren't attached). Mine has lots of little fences and walls (don't know if the new one has?) but I just leave them in the box and get out the buildings. It is a lovely looking set though - I liked the fact that it wasn't all plasticky I like the look of this Letterbox one otherwise http://www.letterbox.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_461_31_49423_-1__country-farm

Thanks everyone. Good ot hear some reviews of the ELC one, I'm still undecided. I like the one that you've suggested Fiona as I'd seen that one somewhere else and as you get a felt field free, it seems a good deal, I'm definitely leaning towards that one. Thanks April for your links, they look very nice and I definitely prefer the one that you sell as opposed to the bigger one so I'll have a chat to DH and see what he prefers as I can't decide! Thanks Jo