I’ll start off first with two little playsets for your youngest wannabe firefighters. They’re both made by Gund (and we have one of them). The first is “My Heroes” Fireman set that comes with a fire house carrying case, fireman, dalmatian and a water bucket. The little carrying case even has a little road in it. It’s adorable. The other is almost the same but is a Fire Truck playset. The top of the fire truck unzips to reveal a fireman, dalmatian (which barks) and fire hydrant (which squeaks). LittleBrother enjoys putting things (anything!) into and taking things out of the fire truck. They are soft, durable and, win, washable!

If you’re very into wooden toys for your children, the options are endless for you right now when it comes to fire houses and playsets. There’s the KidKraft Fire Station which is brightly colored. I must say that I enjoy the black and white checkered floor on the upper level of this fire house! It was also an award winner in 2005. To boot, this one is set on a swiveling base so it turns 360 degrees. No getting up to walk around the table just to get to the other side! This one from FAO Schwartz is big! It stands 14 inches tall and is 26 inches wide! WOW! I love the little bunk beds in the sleeping quarters of the fire house. It is, of course, rather pricey but pretty darn nice. Surprisingly less pricey and less detailed but just as fun (because it is a fire house) is the one offered by Pottery Barn. As I said, because I saw it in person, it does have less detailing and, unlike the other two, the fire trucks and firefighters are sold separately. (The two previous ones included fire trucks, firefighters and other accessories.) But if you have to go Pottery Barn, it’s an option. This one from Small World toys isn’t too shabby either, featuring more bright coloring (not all red). It, unlike the Pottery Barn, also includes many accessories. Because they’re smart.

For kids a bit older and still in love with fire fighting, this playset is too awesome. I’m infatuated with it. It starts out as a fire truck and then unfolds into a whole playset. It’s a like a transformer but cooler! I can’t tell if it “holds” regular Hot Wheels sized trucks and cars or if they would be Matchbox car size. (Anyone know?) Too fun! Just fold it up and go!

I could really go on for hours. Mainly because I sit and look at these for hours. When they arrive in catalogs, I sit and drool and imagine and play with them in my head. We’re waiting one more year to buy one of these sets (meaning, the non-baby ones) as I worry that LittleBrother will swallow a chair or something. But you can bet that one of these will be on our Christmas list next year.

All this week Stop, Drop & Blog will be bringing you gift ideas for the firefighters or fire truck loving children in your lives! Tomorrow I’ll be highlighting some gifts for the adult firefighters on your shopping list since I’ve just spent two days focused on toys!