Toy Figures

Have you found yourself taking over your children’s toys, especially those cute little figures used in games? Do you sneak in to play with them when the kids are asleep? Maybe you find yourself drawn to the sections of the toyshop which specialise in toy soldiers and other little people replicas? If you answered yes to any of these questions, its time you got yourself a toy figure hobby all of your own. You’ll spend many happy hours choosing, painting, setting up and enacting. Who knows, you might even decide to share your hobby with the kids and have fun together?

Toy figures (model figures, miniature figures) have been around a long time, and are available in many different forms. We usually think of toy soldiers, but there are toy figures in all shapes and sizes, human and non-human. They are usually used to play games of some sort, to make the action more realistic. The character takes on a role in a game which can be complicated and long-running, such as war games (Heroclix, Warhammer) or other role-playing games (Dungeons and Dragons). Of course, you might wish to make up your own game and develop the rules as you go.

Toy figures are usually sold unpainted, which gives you the choice of decorating them as you want. This is all part of the fun, though there are also ready-painted models. In time you can collect a range of toy figures, customised to your taste, to use in as many different role playing games as you have time for. Or you can simply collect the figures to build yourself a unique accumulation which may keep on growing for a lifetime. Of course, there are also toy figures which are highly sought-after by collectors. Your collection could become an heirloom.

There are many places to feed your hobby, but it is always fun to talk with fellow-enthusiasts, and so finding an outlet near you is a great place to start. There are specialist shops, although many toy shops have a section devoted to toy figures. There are books, publications and catalogues, and of course, the internet.

If you’re already a fan, we would love to hear more. If you’re just starting out, stay with us for more information coming soon. The world of toy figures is a compelling and addictive one, where anything can happen! It's all in your imagination.