The Ultimate Gift Guide to Toy Castles (Day 3)

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When we were learning about the middle ages in the spring after Christmas one year, we decided to go all out.  My mom wanted to get the boys a castle.  So we embarked on a research venture to see what kind of play castle would be best.   I’ll list a few here and some pro’s/con’s about each so you can make the decision that is best for your family if you want to go this route.  This gift has been pulled out with great frequency over the years and serves to reinforce what we learned about that semester.

1. Schleich Knights Castle in Tan or Grey  (Currently $148.48/$99.99) (Ages 3-12) What’s not to love about having a castle with 2 towers, 4 walls, 2 connecting elements and a working drawbridge!  These two castles look identical, except there is a 2 pound difference and the lighter, grey one is about $50 cheaper.  I don’t remember seeing the grey one when we bought ours several years ago.  After my mom and I poured over reviews and considered every angle we could think of, we decided to go with this one for the kids.  The resin-plastic is incredibly sturdy and so realistic.  It’s withstood 3 boys playing roughly with it for years.  We also loved that the pieces could be moved about as creativity inspired our kids in their play.  A big bonus for mom is the fact that it is easy to pick up each piece and store it in a large tub when not in use!  This castle is compatible with both Schleich and Papo figurines so it is a gift that you can keep adding pieces onto.

Here are my favorite additions to the castle:  A King, Queen or two, two jousting knights on horses (or they can come off  the horses to “fight” on foot), two or three more knights – maybe a crossbowman or one like this or this, and then some weapons such as the {working} battering ram or catapult.  Finally, we love our Medieval Tent for the attaching army’s base of operation.  That’s what we have, but as you can see from a quick search, the possibilities are numerous!

2. Papo Weapon Master Castle  (Currently $74.63) (Ages 5-12)  This castle is also compatible with the gorgeous Schleich and Papo figurines.  It is made out of wood and also able to be reconfigured.  Unlike the Schleich castle, however, this one does have assembly required and there have been complaints that it breaks easily.  Since my boys were young when we bought our castle, that was a serious consideration.  For literal kids who want an enclosed castle, however, this might be a deal maker since there is a courtyard and more options to put up soldiers defending the castle.

3. Melissa and Doug Deluxe Folding Castle  (Currently $74.38) (Ages 3-10) This castle is made out of wood with lovely painted details.  It can be folded up, making it easier to store.  There have been complaints about the smell of the paints and it is smaller and doesn’t perfectly fit with the Schleich or Papo figurines, although some kids have improvised even though they don’t fit well through doors or stand in towers.

I’d pair this set with the Royal Family M&D doll set and/or the  Castle Wooden Figure Set.  While they don’t have the gritty realism that the Papo/Schleich toys have, they are more reasonably priced and perfect especially for the younger crowd.

4. Melissa and Doug Princess Castle (Currently $67.99) (Ages 3-10) If you are on the hunt for a fanciful, girlier version, this might appeal to you.  It is the same wooden build and structure as the previous folding castle that I mentioned.  There is also a beautiful furniture set that you can order to go with this castle.

If you want to conserve on space or cost:

5. Melissa & Doug Block Castle Set  (Currently $25.49) (Ages 2+) This is much smaller and comprised of wooden blocks.  You have the option of building one castle or going for two opposing castle fronts.  A few wooden figurines come with this, but you could also add the Knights and Dragons Toob Set ($10.20).    Mom Perk:  This comes in a handy wooden box.  You can easily slip it under the couch or on a shelf to store it out of the way when not in play.

6. Castle Lego’s  And how can I not mention legos!  When we bought our castle set, the boys hadn’t caught lego fever yet.  If your kids have already been captivated by lego mania than this might be a route to consider.  The options seem endless.  I’ve found that with a couple of sets, my boys also get creative in converting the rest of their legos to match the current topic of pretend play interest.

Pair it with a Book:

Saint George and the Dragon – along with a knight and dragon figurine!

The Door in the Wall – This classic chapter book is a must-read for anyone learning about the Middle Ages.
A Medieval Feast – by Aliki.  This is another beautiful book that takes you through a medieval feast.
Castle – MacCauley’s books are amazing.  We loved Cathedral and Castle, in all of its delightful detail, is no different.
A Year in a Castle –  This is a favorite in our home.  It gives an interesting peak into castle life including moving in, what market day is like, getting attacked, being under seige and finally making repairs.  It is a lot of information packed into an engaging diary-like story.
Cross-sections Castle – This book allows you to go into a castle layer by layer, lending to hours of pouring over intricate details of the inner workings of a castle.
The Bravest Knight – This is not a historical book by any stretch of the imagination.  It is simply an inspiring story of the power of a little boys imagination.
The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur – A favorite at our home.  This is one of my favorite illustrators (she also illustrated St. George and the Dragon).  It gives an inspiring account of humble leadership, inspiring chivalry, and the love between sisters.  Did I mention the illustrations are amazing?
The Squire and the Scroll – This story is a Christian allegory set in a medieval setting.  It’s a favorite at our home since the boys received it as a birthday gift.
The Making of a Knight – The boys were enthralled with this story that follows a young boy through his apprenticeship and training to become a knight.

Be sure to check out yesterday’s post on other medieval inspired gift ideas!

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