Janod Wooden Fire Station Parking Garage | Toy Review
Janod fire station allows a junior firefighter to keep his rescue vehicles fully tuned up. Standing 14.5in. From floor to sign, The all wooden fire station is 17.75in. Long, 12in. Wide and features 3 levels of fun! Take the elevator to the top and use the ramps to work your way down each level. There’s even a helipad! Park your trucks and practice your rescue maneuvers in this fun playset. The set can be used with your car collection and it also comes with 10 adorable wooden pieces to play with; a rescue copter, ambulance, fire truck, flames, fire hydrant, stop light, 3 rescue workers, and a ladder. Janod fire station is recommended for children 3 to 8 years of age.
Product Description:
- Exciting multi-level firehouse provides endless hours of fun – roll the (included) firetruck and ambulance down the firehouse levels or land the helicopter on the roof to put out the fire. Flame, stoplight, and ladder accessories can be moved for hundreds of play scenarios.
- A durable firehouse that can be passed down through generations – made with safe, non-toxic materials, this sturdy wooden set will delight Generations of children. The station is compatible with figures up to approximately 5 cm (2 inches) tall.
- Beautiful design with 10 accessories – features whimsically painted details like parking spaces, windows, flames, and helipad. The elevator mechanism works with a directional wooden hand-knob 27.5 x 5 x 20 cm (10.8 x 2 x 7.9″).
- Spark the imagination through play – we place a strong focus on child development – physical, social, creative, and imaginative play is integral to our products. Since 1970 Janod has focused on bringing classic, heirloom-quality toys to families around the world that spark the imagination. This toy is recommended for children aged 3+ years.
- Meets all European and American Safety standards with a focus on craftsmanship and quality – quality and safety is the most important part of our designs at Janod. Our toys are traditional in concept but “Contemporary European” in design and all of our timeless products are made with a distinct focus on craftsmanship, quality, and education.
- Skill level: Beginner
| Best Sellers Rank | #716,110 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #4,571 in Preschool Toy Figure Playsets #7,733 in Play Figure Playsets |
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| Customer Reviews |
12 ratings
3.8 out of 5 stars |
About Janod
Janod is a French brand specializing in the manufacture/creation of traditional toys and games from wood and cardboard. It has stood the test of time by adapting to the needs of children discovering its toys for the first time, and the memories of their parents who have grown up with them.
Janod not only creates beautifully designed toys but believes in promoting learning through play. Our toys are traditional in concept but “Contemporary European” in design and all our products are made with a distinct focus on craftsmanship and quality. We place a strong focus on child development – physical, social, creative, and imaginative play is integral to all our products. Young children learn by imagining and acting out what they imagine. Pretend play helps build social and emotional skills, language skills, critical thinking and problem-solving, and much, much more.
Christina’s Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
1. Sustainability:
A. Product: Firstly, an all-wooden product made from FSC-certified wood. Secondly, all components are made of wood including accessories, figures, vehicles, elevators, and ramps.
B. Packaging: Packaged in a box without a plastic window, with minimal plastic packaging for hardware.
C. Origin/Company: A French-based company committed to product and packaging sustainability with recyclable boxes and minimal plastic included. To learn about Janod and its mission, check out its website HERE.
2. Playability:
A. Open-ended: Primarily promotes creative role play with an open-ended play environment. Additionally, this playset can be a fire station/fire scene or just a plain parking garage for cars. Secondly, it is open-ended because the garage creates an environment that sparks both imaginative thought and scenario roleplay.
B. Active Parent engagement: Encourages quiet time activity for child and parent to practice roleplay and communication skills. Learning opportunity to discuss what a fireman is and his responsibilities in our community. Promotes teaching kids to be a “community helper”
C. Playtime: This can be a quiet time activity for a child to play on his/her own. Learning opportunities to think about helping others that need assistance. Promotes storytelling, creativity, and scenario planning. It also promotes compassion and response to others in need.
3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship: Made of durable hardwood and painted nicely. Well-made all-wooden elevator with wooden knob and pull string. In addition, cars and wooden accessories are well made.
B. Quality: The initial quality of the toy looks great. However, the durability could be improved. We have had a bit of chipping on the ramps, and silver end caps on each level have fallen off. We reglued end pieces and the top of the helicopter. The garage itself is very solid and stable.
C. Price/Value: Parking garage playsets are typically expensive, and the majority have mixed reviews in regard to quality. $79 is on the high side for this toy. I recommend 3 alternative parking garages at 2 different price points. First, the Brio parking garage is well crafted and sturdy with outstanding quality, however, has some plastic components and is priced high at $80, and a more compact version of a garage playset that has many fun components as a car wash and is mostly made of wood. Additionally, we own this and recommend this as it is priced right at only $26. Secondly, on the high end is the “Le Toy Van” brand garage playset at $120, which is the Rolls Royce of parking garages.
4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom: The Janod playset is of heirloom quality due to its all-wooden design, stable structure, and accessories.
B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range): Rated for ages 3+ years due to choking hazards. However, a 3-7yr old will enjoy this garageThe lifespan of the toy is approximately 4 years.
C. Multi-age Families: Good for multi-aged families if everyone is 3+ years old because you do not want a baby or toddler putting small accessories pieces in their mouths. Older siblings may play with assisting younger siblings.
5. Versatility:
A. Combinable with other toys: This is great to combine with any other small-scaled wooden or metal diecast car or small figurines for open-ended play.
B. Creativity Function: This playset promotes fire station/scene play however this can be a simple parking garage or city structure giving the child choices with open-ended play. The playset helps build imagination because the child creates the scene or scenario promoting storytelling.
C. Storage: Stand-alone playset where accessories can be stored on each level. Looks nice on a shelf
Pros:
- Built to Last – Janod Story Box Fire Station Toy is made from solid wood and measures 45 x 30 x 36.2 cm (17.7 x 11.8 x 14.3″). Double-sided painted figures are 2” high.
- Interactive Features- The fire Station set features 11 pieces: a large fire station, helicopter, ambulance, firetruck, 3 firefighters, flame, stoplight, hydrant and ladder.
- Safe for Child, Trusted by Parents – Made with safe, non-toxic materials, this durable wooden set will last for years. Spot clean with a damp cloth.
- Type of Learning – Special features are designed for children’s development through play.
Cons:
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Some reviews comment that it was hardly played with and wood is splintering and breaking.
- Made in China.
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“The instructions were in diagram form and a bit difficult to read. Will need a power tool to put it together.”
Final Review for Janod Wooden Fire Station/ Parking Garage:
Fire truck toys are often magical to children because they are associated with heroic figures and exciting emergency situations. Children are fascinated by the idea of firefighters rushing to put out fires, rescue people and animals, and save the day. Fire truck toys allow children to act out these scenarios and imagine themselves as heroes in their own right. In addition, fire truck toys are often brightly colored and visually appealing to children.
They often have flashing lights, sirens, and other fun features that make them even more exciting to play with. The combination of these factors can make fire truck toys a source of endless fascination and imaginative play for children. Overall, I recommend the Janod Wooden Fire Station playset due to its creative function and unique fire theme rolled into a “parking garage style” toy.
Firstly, this toy promotes creativity in scenario development and storytelling. Next, toys that promote “community helpers” teach children about the importance of helping others. Thirdly, the fire station playset has been a fun addition to our toy collection. In addition, my children have had many constructive play hours with it. Lastly, my only hesitation in recommending the playset is the fact that I have had to glue a few pieces back in place.
To summarize, the price point, was a big disappointment. However, there are few wooden parking garages on the market without complaints. Lastly, I do believe the price point to be a bit high. In conclusion, your child will have hours of creative playtime and development with this French-inspired and designed fire station playset.
Overall, fire truck toys are a source of excitement, imagination, and heroism for children, which can make them feel powerful and confident as they play and explore the world around them.
All you need to find the right firefighter set is right here:
