Little Green Army Men… when is the last time you saw them? Not counting the Toy Story movies. They were manufactured in the USA for decades until the company that made them finally, sadly, shut down. Today we have great news! The original molds for these and other classic plastic toys were purchased and the figures have just recently been reissued. Even better news, they are still American made.
The Review
Nostalgia and toys go together like peanut butter and jelly. There is nothing parents, aunt & uncles, and grandparents love more than to share a beloved toy with a child. Little green army men were so common and so durable, there may still be a bag of them stashed in a drawer at grandma's house. But if you are looking for an inexpensive thrill, buy a bag, give a fist pump for the Made in USA flag, and prepare to get down on the carpet or dig in the dirt with a kid.
That's how I envisioned it, at least. But once the army guys were on their way, I wondered how my resident 8 year old reviewer would react. This kid has a house full of intricate (and exorbitant) Lego sets. Would he know what to do with simple molded plastic men?
“Mom! What are those??”
“Army guys… and space guys. I need to find someone to try them out and review them.”
“Me! Me! I'll do it. Are they made in the USA? That's so awesome!”
Off they went and I enjoyed the sight of them in action all summer (except when they were underfoot – ouch!).
The set comes with a huge variety of figures in various poses. They are well made, strong and smooth with good flat bases that will stand up even in thick carpet or out in the grass. Not having to create or pose the figures seemed to eliminate the pressure to build something and opened up my son's imagination allowing him to immerse himself in the scenes. For younger kids, just the process of carefully setting up the figures was challenging and engaging. Even our dog got into the act. He never chews toys, but he must have received some message from dogs past telling him he should chomp on a few, giving them injuries ranging from comical to gruesome.
The current version of the army men comes with figures in both green and tan so it is clear where the battle lines are drawn. Less well known, but surely a source of fond memories for children of the 80's and on, are the Galaxy Laser Team set of space heroes and monsters in gray and navy blue. The sets stored easily in a pair of ziploc bags and were ready to tote wherever we went. I imagine we'll have them forever. I imagine I'll keep them for my kids' kids. That's how you know they are classics.
The company we have to thank for bringing back these beloved TimMee toys is J. Lloyd International and they are being offered on Amazon by a company named VictoryBuy. You can find them in the USA Love List shop's toy department or directly on Amazon.
The Giveaway
We are so excited because THREE of our readers are going to get two huge sets of classic action figures – both the Army Men and the Space Heroes & Monsters. There are a variety of entry options including opportunities for multiple daily entries. Good luck!
I am looking for dog chews made in the USA can you send me any contact numbers you might have thank you
We used to play with green army men all the time- we would set up lego villages and forts for them to fight their way around.
My kids played with them and I think my two grandsons would love them
My big brother had these, and I was always stealing them. Now I can have my own!
I didn't have any personally but my cousin did so I used to play with his 🙂 Lil Man saw the green army men at a friends house and again in the movies. He has been asking for them so I would love to win this for him 🙂
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Never knew about Galaxy Laser Team til very recently, but I remember playing with Army Men for years. I even had the tank that stored the guys in a trunk compartment
Yeah!! I love that!! So great that I can share the good news too!
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I loved to play with them with my cousin JImmy when we were kids!!
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My brothers played with these and my best friends sons love them!
My nephew would love these!
These look amazing. We didn't have them growing up. My 3 1/2 yo got some crappy cheap knockoffs as an arcade prize this summer and they were so helpful to pull out whenever in a restaurant, etc. I would love love love these. And for sure, if I don't win….I'll be gettting a few of these sets – especially the space guys to help Santa out!!!
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My cousin had the first Army men I'd ever really played with. My obsession was setting them up in parade fashion, sorted by each pose. I used to love the little flag that came with them.
My brother played with the army men and I bet his little boy would love them too! So would our two kids!
I never played with them but think my son would love to!
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My sister and I had a box of these men. They would battle the cowboys and Indians that we also had. AND protect Barbie.