We have a seven month old son and we wanted to get him a nativity set to start him off with the Christmas story right from the beginning. Even at only seven months, he loves the people and the animals, they are easy for him to pick up, and they respond well to his gnawing (he is teething). If you want a way to teach your kids the Christmas story at a young age without risking your "fancy" Nativity set (Willow-Tree, family heirloom, etc.) then this is your best bet. And this version includes the shepherds and Magi figures, which the newest version does not (they are sold separately).