My 3 and 1/2 year old loves Mike the Knight and loves this costume.  He slept in it the first night and wanted to wear it to school the next day.  He usually likes to play the bad guy, so I like that this helps him play a good guy.  I had to explain to him Mike the Knight has Dragons as friends, he does not kill animals.  This made a good impression on him.  The combo of the show and the costume is beneficial to helping him understand right and wrong.  The sword and shield are soft but durable.  They've already been bashed into trees and held up.  He can also grow into the costume and provides freedome of movement.  Great product and great seller.