Product test
Creative toys: testing Connetix magnetic tiles
by Anne Fischer
Playmobil Sky Trails: Why my 7-year-old self would probably have been disappointed
27/9/2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Stephan Lamprecht
Sky Trails has been on sale since the beginning of August - Playmobil's latest iron in the toy fire. Find out now whether it really will turn my home into the "ultimate action playground", as the manufacturer promises.
A do-it-yourself rollercoaster: the idea behind Sky Trails is quickly explained. Instead of a vehicle, a Playmobil figure, the «Sky Rider», glides along the tracks.
A lot to build first
The starter set box contains several sachets and comprehensive, four-colour instructions. It's a good thing that I want to play with Skytrails on my own and don't have an impatient child next to me. Because a glance at the tutorial shows that there is a lot of preparatory work waiting for me. That will take time. So I get myself a coffee first.
In fact, it takes me over an hour to assemble various brackets and rods from the many small parts. I also have to apply decals to the two Sky Riders and their equipment. As a child, I would have found this first section frustrating. Unlike with Lego, there is no building progress to keep motivation high.
I'll probably have to do without the spectacular somersaults and aerial flights of my little figures that appear in the Playmobil promotional videos. In any case, there's no rocket motor in the box. It's probably better, too, so there are no burn holes on the carpet.
How it works
Instead of a rocket motor, a Sky Rider carries a backpack with four small, angled wheels inside. The figure then travels down the tracks on them.
The «drive» is placed as a ruff around the neck of a standard-sized figure. Theoretically, any figure from any game world can ride down the track. Sky Trails is compatible with the rest of Playmobil.
I'm building my first track
I need a starting point for the rollercoaster. The figure is driven by gravity alone, so the starting point needs to be higher up. A clamp is included to attach it to a tabletop, shelf or ladder rung on a loft bed. Small rubber plates ensure a non-slip fit and prevent scratches on the furniture.
The construction consists of a series of such tubes, which are inserted into feet. I can combine the tubes to achieve different heights.
I attach the flexible rails to brackets that I had to assemble in the first construction step. I can attach several of these brackets to one tube if I want to run the railway around in the form of serpentines.
The tracks are plugged together and are made of very flexible plastic. Even if I bend them by 90 degrees, nothing breaks. To gain experience, I rebuild the example from the instructions. This only takes a few minutes.
Finally, I can place the Sky Rider on the rails at the starting point. I press the small lever that mechanically locks the track and my Sky Rider glides down the track with a slight clacking noise.
After two seconds, the little figure has already reached the end. I'm not sure what my seven-year-old self would have done. Start the next attempt straight away? Or run into the living room with a «I'm going to watch TV»?
Big question mark: the long-term motivation
The route presented in the instructions is only a suggestion. However, I would advise all parents and grandparents who give Sky Trails as a gift to go through the tutorial with the children. And to help with the preparatory work so that they can get started more quickly.
Children who enjoy experimenting and freely arranging the tubes to build their own tracks will have fun with Sky Trails. The age recommendation from Playmobil is seven years and upwards. Younger children are likely to be overwhelmed and frustrated by the assembly alone. Sky Trails definitely promotes motor skills and concentration.
Sky Trails has something in common with the classic model railway in that a starter set quickly becomes boring. Playmobil probably knows this too, which is why it has already launched a number of extensions on the market. Loops, connecting parts for more track length, greater heights or even a kind of lift for the small figure.
Building new tracks, trying out steeper tracks and tighter curves has its appeal. The only question is how long it will last.
In a nutshell
Playmobil with a difference - with little action
Sky Trails is a nice game idea and offers variety to the various marble runs. For an "action playground", however, the starter set offers little action and speed.
The toy itself delivers the tactile and functional quality you have come to expect from Playmobil.
Pro
- fresh idea
- Theoretically an infinite number of routes
- Compatible with Playmobil world
- expandable
Contra
- Gaming fun can wear off quickly
- lengthy preparation
Header image: Stephan Lamprecht
Hamburg local, bookworm, and ice hockey fan. Dad and granddad. Constantly tinkering around with my smart home setup. I love DIY, the outdoors, fashion, and cosmetics.
