This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Trends come and go, and as a child of the 80s, I’m frequently finding that many of the characters, toys, and shows that I enjoyed as a child are coming back now, just in time for those in my generation to want to reminisce by turning our own young kids onto them. But, then there are those few names that just haven’t gone away since our childhoods, staying popular and beloved by children over the years. Richard Scarry definitely falls into this category, and his characters and stories have remained a fixture in young kids’ lives for decades.
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, parents of young children who love the characters and fun of Richard Scarry’s Busytown world should look no further than the Busytown toys, including the Town Hall Deluxe Playset. Sergeant Murphy and Hilda Hippo, along with her yellow pencil car, are included with the Town Hall building that opens up for play on the inside. Twelve connecting roadway pieces can be laid down around the building, giving Hilda a place to drive around, and they are the same style that will attach to most wooden train track systems. In total, there are 19 play pieces in the set, and it can be combined with other Busytown sets to create the entire town!
My kids have always enjoyed using small figures and play sets, and I’m happy to share these characters and pieces with them, since they have a special place in their hearts for Richard Scarry’s world. See, while I have some vague memories of Scarry’s books from my own childhood, my husband has a much clearer vision of enjoying Busytown stories as a child. He has shared this love with our children, and to listen to him bring Lowly the Worm and Huckle the Cat to life when he reads to them always brings a smile to my face. With that foundation firmly in place, my children will undoubtedly love to act out their own stories with this playset. The bonus DVD with two episodes of Busytown Mysteries introduces them to the characters in a new format, too, while still retaining the unique feel that Richard Scarry first created with his books all those years ago.
Want to share the Busytown Town hall Deluxe Playset and DVD with your own child this holiday season? One lucky winner will receive a playset (retail price: $39.99), along with a copy of a Richard Scarry classic book.
To enter, please leave a comment below letting us know what you love about Busytown. Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only. We’ll announce our winner on December 12.
To see more of the Richard Scarry’s Busytown products, like them on Facebook!
Sample & Prizing courtesy of Cookie Jar Entertainment
- The winner of Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmas is # 38 Stacie
Katie Hogan says
My 3 1/2 year old son LOVES everything Busytown! I’ve been searching online for toys and figures to get him for Christmas. What I love most is watching him search for Goldbug and get lost in the world of Richard Scarry’s books! They are one of a kind. His imagination would run wild with the Town Hall Playset!
Candie L says
I love how they are timeless. They were popular when I was younger and they are still so. Thank you
Beth says
I love that it reminds me of the Richard Scarry books I read as a child.
Happymomc says
We love Mr Frumbles flying hat!
Melissa P. says
I love it! Thanks for the opportunity.
Susan Audrey says
You just don’t get any better than Lowly. A worm with one shoe. Stop it. There’s no other children’s storybook character that makes me smile more! Would love to share the Richard Scarry experience with my little niece.
Autumn says
As an older mom of 6 little ones, age 9 and under, I have a soft spot for Richard Scarry and I love that his characters continue to be brought to life with this new line of Busytown toys. My children have looked at my old Scarry books from the 70’s many times (searching for Lowly, and the little bug!), but we really love to PLAY with toys, and I’m sure these Busytown toys will bring new interest to reading the books! I often have thought about bidding on the old Brio line of Scarry toys on eBay, but those are always priced as prized collectibles. How exciting that these are available in stores again! Kinda feels like we NEED a set from Santa! 🙂
amy red says
Love the apple car please enter me
JaimeB says
We love Goldbug!! I love the characters and the detailed, interesting illustrations. I would be so excited for my kids to be able to play with this!!
Rochel S says
I have always loved the books and I cant wait for my son to start reading them too! There is so much detail in each character and the characters are really cute!
Kelly D says
I love that the characters are little animals. It makes it so much cuter.
Chris says
My daughter loves the characters and enjoys finding all the little details.
John. C says
The stories have always been a delight to read to my daughter and now grand-daughter, what a great set to have here at our home when she comes for a visit.
dollimama says
I love that I enjoyed busytown as a kid and now my children can too.
katklaw777 says
i like the cute and colorful characters.
Thanks for the fun giveaway.
connie black says
I love to watch Richard Scarry with my children. It is such a good holsome show that always has a lesson to learn in it.
Don says
Great gift item for the kid’s on your list.
Garrett says
Busy town looks to be made good and sturdy, a must in our house.
lilcg says
I love that richard scarry was my favorite growing up and now he is my daughter’s favorite as well!
Beth C says
I love that it teaches kids to use their imagination and are a quality product.
Jennifer M says
Love that they are wooden made to last and my 2 boys would love.
Veronica Szymankiewicz says
Busy Town has great characters and wonderful, engaging stories. My son loves we read Richard Scarry books. Thank you.
Van says
This will be a nice x-mas gift for my nephew.
Sarah says
My son loves Busytown. I love that the books have so much detail, and information to share. I’d love to win the playset.
nan says
we love the silliness of pickle cars, mr frumbles flying hat and the cartoons mysteries
nannypanpan at gmail.com
Debbie Welchert says
This sounds and looks like something my little grandson would just love to play. It’s not too big and is just the right size too.
Liv says
i remeber reading these books as a kid my bro and I LOVED the pictures there was always something we had missed
Dena says
Busytown books were always a favorite of mine when I was little and now my children love them!
Staci A says
We love finding Goldbug in the books! We also love figuring out the mysteries on the cartoon.
Erica Best says
i was huge fan of this show as a kid and to be honest i still love the little worm is the best lol
Selena says
I love all toys that my daughter has to use her imagination with!
LaVonne says
I actually don’t know anything about BusyTown except what you shared in this post. But this toy is great! I know my pre-k daughter would love it!
kathy says
My son is all over the place, unless you have a toy near him. This would keep him so entertained.
Idaho Jill says
I love that there is a lot they can do with these – and that they can be combined.
Judy S says
I think the figurines are so cute.
Liz says
My kids love Busytown. My daughter likes looking at the map in some of the books and talking about the different places.
Linda Kish says
Busytown looks like a fun toy for small children to play with which will keep their minds active.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Kayla Barefoot says
Being a younger parent, I loved watching The Busytown of Richard Scary! It makes me so excited to see this as a giveaway! I love that it’s educational and toddler friendly, without needing to be overstimulating because it can capture a kids attention so well on basic, classic, stories. I would love to win this for my 21/2 year old son this christmas. As a single mom, winning anything for him would be wonderful and such a help, especially when it’s something that reminds me of the joy I had as a child and watching him share the same happiness in something I once did.
Patricia R. says
Recently I had been browsing for Richard Scarry books online; I thought my grandchildren would enjoy the “busy-ness” of them. I am sure they would like this playset even more!
Thanks for the chance to win this!
–Patricia
Katie says
I love the little worm!
Wehaf says
I love all the different characters and how detailed everything is.
julie says
I love richard scarry, his characters and stories are so cute. And this playset is great, I like how it can connect to other sets.
Chuck says
This busy town will keep my small ones entertained for hours, ( I hope)
Patricia Crowley says
I love Richard Scary! My nephews would love this! Thanks so much!
Some Lucky Dog says
We love Richard Scarry! This would be perfect for our littlest grandson 🙂
someluckydog at gmail dot com
June says
The busy town play set is great for the little ones to play with at Christmas time.
Rebecca C. says
This Busytown play set would be a great way to keep my 3-year-old entertained!
mrsshukra says
I like how interactive Busy Town is!
Lonna says
I loved BusyTown when I was a wee one. Now my boys have fun with busytown mysteries.
riTa says
I love what reenacting the stories hands on does for a child’s imagination.
I’d be so grateful to win this for my ever-so-active little grandsons.
Vickie Couturier says
I like that both boys an girls can play an use their imagations,,an its big enought for more than one kid can play
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Erin says
The Busytown stories & characters really keep my daughter engaged!
Terra Heck says
I love that the characters don’t resort to violence and that they teach morals. Thanks.
Melanie says
My nephews used to play a Busytown computer game. It was such a cute learning game that years later when I had my own children I tried to locate the game online. No such luck. However, I have enjoyed reading the books to my children. I love the characters.
SamanthaR says
I love the cute characters and fun vehicles!
The Whole Bag of Chips says
I *loved* Busytown as a kid!! I had the books, the puzzles, the toys. I’d love for my kids to get to enjoy them as well! Jen http://www.thewholebagofchips.com
Jill says
I love the imagination Busytown brings out of my four year old, and that he is continuing in the same tradition as his dad.
Sharon Schoepe says
I love that Busytown is timeless. My older kids loved it (they are 20 now) and my little ones who are 3 love it now. I also love that it is imaginative and safe. I don’t have to worry that my kiddos will see something that is inappropriate.
John D. says
I like characters fro Busytown.
Natalia says
I like that it is suitable for small kids.
Stephanie says
I love that I enjoy watching it along with my son…brings back memories from my childhood!
Mindy says
My kiddo LOVES Busytown Mysteries, and I like how it teaches critical thinking. 🙂
Courtney says
My son loves reading the Busytown books so I know he’d enjoy this playset.
Allison Redd says
We were recently given some Busytown books and my kids love the same things about them I did – all the funny side illustrations and attention to detail and all those words and names everywhere!
The Knapps says
I loved the books when I was little and enjoy reading them with my niece 🙂
Liz says
Busytown Toys sound perfect for my great nephew. My childhood toys go back, alas, a lot farther than the 1980s.
Missy says
I love all the details.
Mary says
I love the imagination these playsets encourage. Richard Scarry is awesome…I would love to win this for my Grandson.
Teresa says
My little one loves the Richard Scarry programs and has integrated the characters into his play. I could definitely live without Pig Will and Pig Won’t. Whenever my son is being contrary he tells me I’m being Pig Won’t!
Carolyn says
I love Busytown! What do people do all day? was my favorite and my kids love it, too. The housewife part now “Daddy gives Mommy money…” makes me laugh! I found the mysteries in a Target bin last year and they kept my son enthralled on a long car trip. We’d love to win.
Michelle says
Love it! My girls would have a ball!
Jenna Caslin says
I always read these books as a child! What a joy it would be to be able to share with my children!
Drina M. says
I used to love Richard Scarry as a child and enjoy reading the books now to my daughter. I love the details and all the many characters in the stories.
Jen B. says
We love Richard Scarry’s books. I guess our favorite is Lowly the Worm and his applecopter!
Bin says
Would love this. Love Richard Scarry and my boys LOVE trains/cars/roads/tracks…this would just add to their “town”. Thanks!
Tami says
I love the range of characters with Busytown, and of course Lowly Worm’s cool Apple Car! The Richard Scarry books are so visually appealing and fun, with so much detail to examine. Both my 6 year old and 1 year old like watching the Busytown cartoon on Saturday mornings, too!
Thanks,
Tami
Annette W says
I love that both of my big kids relate to the characters AND learn about communities!
Jenni says
I used to love the Richard Scarry books and now my niece loves watching. What a fun gift this could be for her!
Joyce says
I always liked his bright clear colors in the illustrations. I liked his creatures in cars- especially the apple car.
Stacie says
My daughter can’t get enough of Busy Town. Keeps her so intrigued. She loves playing the games online.
Kristle says
OMG! I loved Busytown {I too, am a child of the 80’s!}. I would love for my kids to be able to play with this Busytown toy! What a great gift for Christmas for them to run down the stairs to!
Jana G. says
My kiddos discovered Busytown on Netflix a few months ago and my son (3.5 yo) is pretty much obsessed. They play Busytown, they watch Busytown, they read Busytown. I love it because it is good, appropriate TV that they love!
Andie says
I have always loved Scarytown! And my kids love train tracks. So this is the perfect combo…
Melissa Nathan says
I remember the Richard Scarry books from when I was young and then sharing them with my own children. I would love to introduce his characters to my 2-year-old niece, too!
Dawn says
Congratulations, Melissa, you’re our randomly selected winner! Please email me at morninglightmama(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing information.
Melanie H. says
I love how it keeps my little ones curious and exploring 🙂
Andrea O. says
I like Lowly Worm!
Kristie says
I love that my kids enjoy watching the mysteries and reading the books over and over again! 🙂
Amber says
What I love about the book is that each time you read it, you can discover something new. Each page is filled with so many little details!
Angela E. says
I have never heard of these books, but I know my young ones would really enjoy them all.
Jenn says
my kids enjoy the Bustytown game I picked up for them at Borders last year – and they enjoy the few books we have. I think the bright colors and fun illustrations are part of what capture their imaginations!
Jennifer Marie says
Love Huckle the Cat!
schtanzerl says
I’d love it :-), we know the books so far …
ivy t says
My little one just discovered Busytown Mysteries on NetFlix and LOVES them. I know she would love to get this playset. I remember scouring the books while I was growing up and learning all the different names of vehicles and objects around town. It doesn’t hurt that the illustrations are so fun!