Image: MomJunction Design Team
Calico Critters toys, first introduced in Japan in the 1980s, continue to grow in popularity. The best Calico Critters toys are designed to encourage imaginative play in children and develop their creativity. These classic toys generally come with poseable miniature animal figurines, and at times, with homes, furniture, and accessories to make your child’s pretend play sessions wholesome. Calico Critters sets provide children with unlimited fun and make great sets for cooperative play. You can also use these toys to play and bond with your children on a lazy afternoon and teach them the values of giving, friendship, and togetherness.
Check out this list of some quality Calico Critters toys and bring home a few to make your children’s playtime fun and delightful.
Top Picks
5 Best Calico Critters Toys
1. Best For Storytelling: Calico Critters Hopper Kangaroo Family
Encourage your child to come up with creative stories with The Hopper Kangaroo family set by Calico Critters. It includes four poseable kangaroos: Sandy, the mother; Richie, the father; Isabella, the most popular girl in school; and Isabella’s baby sister Katie, who keeps herself busy by taking naps. These flocked figures feature detachable and interchangeable clothing for makeovers. Your child can play with these figurines independently or combine them with other Calico Critters toys. Click this video to learn more about the set.
Specifications
- Item model: CC1460
- Recommended age: Three years and above
- Parents’ height: Up to three inches
- Children’s height: Approximately 1.25in(baby sister) and approximately 2.25in (sister)
Pros
- Great set for encouraging imaginative play
- Soft texture
- Smooth fabric
- Rotatable heads
- Adorable design
Cons
- Baby sister may be smaller than expected
- Set does not include home and accessories
2. Best For Pretend Play:Calico Critters Fennec Fox Family
Here’s a fun set by Calico Critters to engage your children in pretend play and help them learn family roles. The Fennec Fox Family toy set includes four lovely figurines with pointed and oversized ears. The family consists of the mother, Sharon, a picture book writer; the father, Ronald, a sand artist; and the twin babies, Alie and Kaya. The poseable mini toys with bushy tails and rotatable heads are made of ivory-flocked material and look adorable. This set comes complete with a roomy double stroller to place the twins.
Specifications
- Item model: CC2069
- Recommended age: Three years and up
- Parents’ height: Up to three inches
- Children’s height: Approximately one inch
Pros
- Exquisite craftsmanship
- Detailed removable clothing
- Compatible with other Calico Critters toys
- Promotes creative play
- Giftable
Cons
- May not be very stable
3. Best Fluffy Figures: Calico Critters Persian Cat Family
The Calico Critters Persian Cat family set features four poseable and fluffy figurines with fine detailing and articulated hands, legs, and rotatable head. These figurines include the mother, Dawn, who loves stars; the father, Lucas, who loves dancing; and the baby twins, Lyra and Skye, who love to stay close to each other. This family shows unity by wearing patterned outfits. The toys can be combined with Persian twin and Persian triplet cats for more immersive storytelling sessions. Take a look at this video to know how the cats look.
Specifications
- Item model: CC1865
- Recommended age: Three years and up
- Parent’s height: Approximately three inches
- Children’s height: Approximately 2.25 inches
Pros
- Soft to the touch
- Detailed removable clothing
- Flexible tails
- Comes with unique coloring
Cons
- Outfit may be a bit flimsy
4. Best With Accessories: Calico Critters Caravan Family Camper
Let your children hit the road with Calico Critters figurines in this Caravan Family camper. The caravan has functional wheels for a smooth ride and comes complete with a spacious kitchen, living room, and bathroom. And that’s not all–the camper features 35 accessories, including sleeping bags, utensils, and towels–everything you would need on a vacation. This camper can be connected to Calico Critters cars, such as the Cherry Cruiser car. Have a look at this video to learn how to set up this set.
Specifications
- Item model: CC2134
- Recommended age: Three years and up
- Weight: 15lb
Pros
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Compatible with other Calico Critters toys
- Detailed finishing
- Attractive and bright interiors
Cons
- Side door may not shut firmly
- Drawer may not fit tightly
Remember5. Best For Dog Lovers: Calico Critters Husky Family
Introduce your child to the Calico Critters Husky Family to spark their creativity and imagination by engaging in pretend play. This Calico Critters set includes the mother, Avril, an engineer; the father, Vincent, a car designer; and the triplets–Rae, Drake, and Nelly. These figurines come with articulated joints and let your child change the outfit as per their taste. The set can be integrated with other family toys for a more immersive play session.
Specifications
- Item model: CC1976
- Recommended age: Three years and up
- Parents’ height: Approximately three inches
- Children’s height: Approximately one inch
Pros
- Made of durable flocked material
- Soft and fuzzy texture
- Figurines with rounded ears and fluffy tails
- Durable and giftable
Cons
- Outfits may be a bit flimsy
Quick tipHow To Choose The Right Calico Critters Toys?
Choosing Calico Critters from the many options can be tricky. Here are some key factors you can consider when buying Calico Critters toys.
- Interest: Consider the interest of your child when choosing a set. Calico Critters toys come in different themes and series, such as family trips, town series, and figures.
- Clothing: Pick a toy that offers the flexibility of customizing the outfit of the figurines. You can also choose a common outfit for the entire family or an exclusive outfit for a toy.
- Size: Say yes to a miniature toy that is easy to grab and play with. These toys are available in sizes ranging from one to three inches. However, they are not recommended for children below three years as they pose a choking hazard.
- Accessories: Look for accessories that you can add to your child’s set. These add-ons allow children to add more elements of fun and make their pretend play sessions more engaging.
Why Trust Momjunction?
Shreya Vishwanathan, our in-house writer and reviewer of toys and gifts, writes research-based articles for her readers. She understands that playing with toys helps your little one improve their creativity, imagination, and cognitive skills. For this article, she has read hundreds of reviews on Calico Critters toys and went through forums and e-commerce sites to get the complete details of the best Calico Critters Toys. This list includes the best toys that can make your children’s childhood more colorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are Calico Critters toys popular among children?
Calico Critters toys help children boost their imagination by promoting imaginative play and offering endless play possibilities. The detailed features make the toys good options for pretend play and storytelling. Moreover, the toys are made of premium quality materials and look adorable.
2. Are Calico Critters toys suitable for boys and girls?
Calico Critters toys are not designed or advertised for a specific gender. These toys can be beneficial for instilling the values of kindness, empathy, and unity among children.
3. What age range are Calico Critters toys designed for?
These toys are crafted for children above three years. They are not suitable for children below three years as the tiny parts may pose a choking hazard.
4. Are Calico Critters toys educational?
The Calico Critters toys help young children to enhance their creativity, imagination, language, and social and emotional skills. They can also teach your child the basic life skills of keeping the home clean, organizing things, and understanding things around them.
5. Are Calico Critters toys made from safe materials?
Yes, most Calico Critters toys are crafted from non-phthalate plastic. The synthetic fur is made of nylon, and the fabric for the outfits is cotton.
6. Are there any accessories available for Calico Critters toys?
You will find several accessories such as fashion sets, furniture sets, vehicle sets, and outdoor accessories. These accessories help expand your children’s existing playsets and offer them endless play possibilities.
7. Do Calico Critters toys require batteries?
Most Calico Critters toys work without batteries except for certain house sets, living room sets, and car houses that may need batteries for you to enjoy their charm fully.
8. Can Calico Critters toys be washed or cleaned?
Toys that don’t require batteries are washable. However, avoid using harsh detergents or hot water when cleaning the figurines with flock material.
Calico Critters toys, also known as Sylvanian Families, are known for their unique designs, detailed craftsmanship, and storytelling possibilities. Although toys similar to Calico Critters are aplenty in the market, these family toys stand out due to their focus on the family and community. Bring home some of the best Calico Critters toys to encourage your child to engage in fun play while learning crucial family values. You could also use these cute toys to bond with your children.
Infographic: Selection Advice For Calico Critters Toys
Founded in 1985 by a Japanese company Epoch, Calico Critters has become popular worldwide for its charming and detailed animal families and storylines. This toy brand offers a wide range of playsets, from vehicles to figurines. Therefore, we’ve presented some tips in the below infographic to help you choose the best Calico Critters playset toys.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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