Honestly, if you grew up with the How to Train Your Dragon movies, you know the feeling. That absolute, gut-wrenching desire to actually fly on a Night Fury. It’s a specific kind of magic that DreamWorks captured. But when it comes to bringing that magic home, parents and collectors usually hit a fork in the road. They look at the Playmobil How to Train Your Dragon lineup and wonder if it’s just another plastic toy or something worth the shelf space.
It’s worth it.
I’ve spent years looking at high-end collectibles and mass-market playsets. Most movie tie-ins feel like cheap cash-grabs. They’re flimsy. They don’t look like the characters. But Playmobil did something weirdly right with Berk. They didn’t just make toys; they basically built a modular Viking universe that feels heavy, durable, and—most importantly—accurate to the films.
The Real Reason Playmobil Beats the Competition
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Lego. Usually, Lego wins the licensing war. But with How to Train Your Dragon, Playmobil took a different path. While Lego sets are great for building, they often look "blocky." Toothless is a sleek, aerodynamic creature. Making him out of bricks always feels a bit... square.
Playmobil used custom molds.
When you hold the Playmobil Toothless, you’re holding something that actually looks like the dragon from the screen. The scales are there. The prosthetic tail fin is a distinct piece. It feels like an action figure that just happens to live in a Playmobil world. This is a huge deal for kids who want to role-play. You aren’t worried about a wing falling off because a 1x2 plate came loose. These things are tanks.
Berk is a Massive Commitment
The centerpiece of the entire collection is the Island of Berk. It’s huge. It’s not just a little plastic rock; it’s a multi-level fortress. It comes with a working hoist, a trap door, and a glowing Viking statue. It’s honestly sort of intimidating when you first open the box.
You’ll spend a good hour or two just snapping the rocks together.
But once it’s up? It’s a beast. Most modern toys feel lightweight. This feels like a piece of furniture. It’s designed for the long haul. I’ve seen these sets survive three different kids in a single household and still look brand new. That’s the Playmobil "secret sauce"—they use high-grade ABS plastic that doesn't brittle up over time.
Breaking Down the Essential Dragons
If you're looking to start a collection, don't just buy everything. Some sets are definitely better than others.
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Toothless and Hiccup with Baby Dragon (Set 9246)
This is the "must-have." It’s the baseline. Toothless has an LED light-up spine that glows blue, mimicking his "alpha" mode from the second movie. It’s a small touch, but in a dark room? It’s incredible. The wings are ball-jointed. You can actually pose them. Hiccup comes with his flight suit and his flaming sword, "Inferno."
Stormfly and Astrid (Set 9247)
Astrid is the heart of the Dragon Riders, and Stormfly is arguably the prettiest dragon in the set. The coloring is vibrant. The Deadly Nadder's spikes are sculpted well, though they aren't sharp (safety first, obviously).
The Deathgripper and Grimmel (Set 70039)
From The Hidden World, this set is darker. Grimmel is a genuinely creepy figure. The Deathgripper dragon has those terrifying front pincers. It’s a nice change of pace from the "friendly" dragons of the earlier sets. It adds that necessary tension to playtime.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Sets
People think Playmobil is just for toddlers. That's a mistake.
While the "1.2.3" line is for the little ones, the Playmobil How to Train Your Dragon sets are rated for ages 4 to 12. But honestly? The 12-year-olds are often just as into them as the 4-year-olds. There's a level of mechanical complexity here. The ballistae actually fire. The dragon wings have specific tension points.
There's also a weirdly deep level of detail in the accessories.
Take the Berk set again. You get tiny fish for the dragons. You get Viking mugs. You get shields that actually clip onto the figures' arms. It’s a "system" toy. Everything is cross-compatible. If Hiccup wants to borrow a sword from a Playmobil Knight set from 1995? It fits. That legacy compatibility is something we don't talk about enough in the toy industry.
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Dealing With the Stickers
I have a bone to pick here. Playmobil loves stickers.
For a premium product, I’d love more printed pieces. Putting stickers on a curved plastic surface is a special kind of stress. If you’re a perfectionist, it’s going to drive you crazy. My advice? Use a pair of tweezers. It sounds overkill for a toy, but it’s the only way to get those Viking runes lined up perfectly on the shields.
The Collector’s Value in 2026
We’re now a few years out from the peak of the franchise's theatrical run. Does the Playmobil How to Train Your Dragon line still hold up?
Absolutely.
In fact, some of these sets are becoming harder to find. The "Hidden World" sets, particularly the Light Fury, have seen a spike in secondary market prices. Why? Because Playmobil doesn't keep these in production forever. Once a license expires or they move on to the next big thing (like their Star Trek or Ghostbusters lines), the older sets become "vaulted."
If you see a Drago’s Ship or the Great Hall of Berk at a decent price, grab it.
The resale value for "complete" sets—meaning you haven't lost the tiny Viking fish—is surprisingly high. Collectors love these because they are easier to display than the floppy plush toys or the oddly-proportioned basic action figures from other brands.
The Play Experience: A Reality Check
Let's be real for a second. These toys take up space.
If you live in a small apartment, the Island of Berk is going to be your new roommate. It’s not something you just "tuck away" in a drawer. The dragons have wide wingspans. Toothless is nearly 15 inches long. You need a dedicated play table or a shelf.
Also, the projectile launchers are no joke.
Playmobil’s spring-loaded cannons and ballistae are notoriously powerful. They won't break a window, but they’ll definitely knock over a glass of water. It's great for "knocking down" enemies, but it means you'll be hunting for those little plastic arrows under the sofa for the next six months.
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Critical Setup Tips for New Owners
- Inventory Everything: Before you start snapping pieces together, lay them out. Playmobil packaging is usually a mess of tiny bags. Check the manual's part list first.
- The "Click" Factor: If it doesn't click, it isn't in. You have to be firm with the assembly. If a wing feels loose, it's likely not fully seated in the socket.
- Battery Management: The LED functions in Toothless and the Berk statue require AAA batteries. They aren't included. Don't be the person who gives a gift that doesn't light up on Christmas morning.
- Save the Box (Maybe): If you're a collector, the boxes are huge but have great art. If you're a parent, just recycle it. You'll never get the dragon back in there anyway.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are ready to dive into the world of Berk, your first move should be securing the Toothless and Hiccup (9246) set. It's the cornerstone of the entire collection and provides the most "play per dollar." Once you have the duo, look for the Light Fury (70038) to complete the pair.
For those looking for the "big" experience, keep an eye on specialty toy retailers or second-hand markets for the Island of Berk (9243). It's been out of primary production in some regions, but it remains the gold standard for movie-accurate playsets. Just make sure you have the floor space cleared before you start the build.
The longevity of these toys is their best feature. They aren't disposable. They are the kind of items you pack away in the attic for twenty years and then give to your own kids. In a world of cheap, 3D-printed feeling toys, Playmobil’s Vikings and dragons feel like actual relics of a better age. Grab them while they’re still "affordable" compared to the skyrocketing prices of retired Lego sets.
Final Verdict: If you want the most screen-accurate, durable, and playable version of the How to Train Your Dragon world, Playmobil is the undisputed winner. It’s a rare case where the "alternative" brand actually outperformed the industry giants by focusing on sculpt quality and sheer physical presence.