Kids love to play at fire fighters, with good reason. In our modern world, fire fighters, rescue workers and policemen are the last of the noble warriors of the past. Risking their lives to save others and keep the peace.

There is something about playing at a dangerous job that kids love. There is all the thrill and excitements of being in danger ...without actually being in danger. Being in charge and helping imaginary people or plush teddy bears to safety gives a child a strong sense of self-worth and develops their imagination and inner life.

If your child is one who loves to play as a fire fighter instead of going off to fight dragons then there are a number of toys on the market that would appeal to them. We went through these toys to develop a list of the best in terms of durability and affordability that also scored high on the fun factor.

This is what we found.

To really get into the fire fighting mood, look no further than the Aeromax Fire fighter dress-up costumes. The costumes come in tan or black and with or without helmets. Parents and kids love the authentic look and durability of the costume. It comes with heaps of small details that other costumes miss and it really looks the part, providing hours of fun for kids.

If your child is into playing with action figures and playsets then there are a number of fun fire-related options available. Lego is always a great place to start in this area and they have a specific theme devoted to Fire fighters. Playmobil is also a reliable choice in terms of long lasting toys that will engage kids for years to come. Both Lego and Playmobil can be added to and built on.

The KidKraft Deluxe Fore Station is also pretty cool. It is a large, multi storey playset that is made of wood and comes with firemen, fire helicopter, fire truck and ambulance. Each level has some great play features and as a stand-alone toy it is pretty cool.

There are also a range of fire truck toys from Bruder Man, Tonka as well as some that kids can even ride-on.

If your child is into playing firefighters choosing the best toys for their play will help them really feel like they are saving the world, one fire at a time.