Otherwise referred to as Calico Critters by our friends over in the US, Sylvanian Families is a particular brand of children’s figurines which encapsulate a sense of pastoral wonder.
Created in 1985 by Japanese company Epoch, the original name for the adorable miniature creatures was ‘Pleasant Friends of the Forest Epoch System Collection Animal Toy Sylvanian Families’, and the figurines were crafted from porcelain, while the furniture and accessories were made from wood.
Thankfully, practical adjustments were made to the materials following their launch in North America. The very long name was also subsequently changed to simply ‘Sylvanian Families’ – which derives from the Roman god Silvanus and means ‘of the forest’. It makes sense, then, that the fictional village which our woodland friends inhabit is referred to broadly as ‘Sylvania’ or ‘Great Nature’.
Offering a wonderfully unique take on traditional dollhouses which appeals to our inherent adoration of all things cute, anthropomorphic animals have been a hit among children since Walt Disney first created Mickey Mouse in 1928. Perhaps that’s why the lives of the animal creatures appear to be perpetually set in an old-timey, rural North American scene.
Despite their popularity, Sylvanian Families ceased production for a period in the 1990s. Yet recent years have been kinder to our forest-dwelling friends, and the creatures have witnessed a veritable renaissance. Italian toy production company Flair spearheaded the re-production of Sylvanian Families in 1999, which had a knock-on effect across the EU and back in Japan.
Here in the UK, 90s babies will be intimately familiar with the Finsbury Park-based dedicated Sylvanian Families shop, which sadly closed its doors in March 2023 after 30 years of business.
Sylvanian Families now appeal to far more buyers than simply children and are beloved in particular by nostalgic collectors. Gen Z has also hopped on the trend, and Sylvanian Families responded to this contemporary interest with the release of themed, collectable blind mystery bags.
We’d be remiss not to mention the unbelievable popularity of @SylvanianDrama on TikTok, and there’s even a market for additional costumes and clothing for the roughly three-inch tall figurines on Etsy. We’ve truly seen it all.
Nevertheless, we’re going to focus on the classic sets in this round-up. Keep scrolling for a selection of the most beloved play sets and figurines from Sylvanian Families below. Before you shop, keep in mind that these lovely creatures are only suitable for ages three and up.
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Sylvanian Families Adventure Treehouse
This wonderful playset is a woodland dream come true, and is exactly what we imagined occurred in the tallest treetops when we were children. The Adventure Tree House has ropes which can go up and down, allowing the contraption to work as a lift.
The log ride accessory can be pushed down the in-built slides, and there are a variety of secret rooms and passageways for the Sylvanian Families figurines to cosy up in and enjoy.
Buy now £39.99, Very
Sylvanian Families Red Roof Tower House Gift Set
No Sylvanian Families collection is complete without a veritable dollhouse. While this one seems to function more like a lovely bed and breakfast or a boutique hotel, with its dedicated lift and drawing room, it can certainly be adapted into a family home with a little imagination. The 11-piece set includes the main unit with three floors, a Persian Cat Girl figurine, tables and chairs.
Buy now £74.99, Very
Sylvanian Families Sweet Raspberry Home
This sweet little cottage is perfect for housing a small collection of Sylvanian Family critters. The Rabbit Baby Crème Chocolate is included in the set, alongside a bed and slide.
Buy now £20.00, The Entertainer
Sylvanian Families Campervan
When you’re travelling and the little ones can’t quite bear to leave behind their favourite toys, this packable campervan will most definitely keep them happy. Perhaps the best value-for-money set we’ve come across, this option comes with a whopping 15 playable accessories, including a stovetop, convertible seats, a bicycle, a fishing rod, binoculars and so much more.
While it doesn’t come with additional figurines, it can fit two adult figures, two child figures, one baby figure and two twin figures.
Buy now £22.50, Argos
Sylvanian Families Party Time Playset -Tuxedo Cat Girl
A brilliant birthday gift, this party-themed figurine set features the adorable Tuxedo Cat Girl figurine. Lily the Cat sports an exclusive party dress and comes with a delightful two-tier cake, and an array of presents.
Buy now £19.99, Hamleys
Sylvanian Families Midnight Cat Family
Some cultures find black cats to be lucky, others consider them to be the opposite. Either way, you simply can’t deny the adorable nature of the Sylvanian Families Midnight Cat Family. The four-piece set includes a father, mother, girl and baby figure.
Buy now £21.95, Amazon
Sylvanian Families Sheep Family
The Sylvanian Families Sheep Family is an incredibly popular set, beloved by superfans since its inception. It includes the Sheep father Ewan, mother Barbara, boy Winton and girl Lona – with the ladies of the family adorned with two sweet floral headdresses.
Buy now £23.00, The Entertainer
Sylvanian Families BBQ Picnic Set Elephant Girl
Miriam Bubblehook is an elephant figurine who loves outdoor dining. That’s why she comes with a complete BBQ picnic set, which includes a portable barbecue, folding table, two chairs and a range of delicious food.
Buy now £25.00, The Entertainer
Sylvanian Families Hedgehog Family
A veritable classic, you simply can’t go without a Hedgehog family in your Sylvanian collection. They even come with their own combs and brushes to tame those bristly locks.
Buy now £20.00, John Lewis
Sylvanian Families Rabbit Grandparents
Don’t they just look incredibly wise? Complete your family with a set of bespeckled bunny grandparents.
Buy now £18.99, John Lewis
Sylvanian Families Cottontail Rabbit Family
The Cottontail Rabbit Family is another vintage classic from Sylvania which is set to complete your bustling rural village.
Buy now £19.99, Sylvanian Families
Sylvanian Families Tandem Cycling Set Husky Sister & Brother
Huskies really shouldn’t inhabit warm weather, but we’ll let it slide for the Husky brother & sister duo, who clearly belong in sunny Sylvania on their tandem bike.
Buy now £23.00, John Lewis
