Playmobil toys recreate real-life settings such as a police station or hospital. A new offering the company calls Security Check Point features armed airport security officers, a metal detector, and an X-ray screening machine.

Some parents protested; one wrote this comment on Amazon.com: I applaud Playmobil for attempting to provide us with the tools we need to teach our children to unquestioningly obey the commands of the State Security Apparatus. But unfortunately, this product falls short of doing that. Theres no brown figure for little Josh to profile, taser, and detain. A Playmobil executive comments, The whole premise behind Playmobil toys is to familiarize the child with the realities of life through play.

If you re taking a child for a first flight to Florida from New Jersey to visit grandparents, you say, This is what the terminal looks like, and when we get here we have to take our shoes off and walk though security. 105Where should toymakers draw the line between reality and play?