Calico Village is made up of townspeople and villagers that are each part of a nuclear family. Families are at the heart of all themes present within the Calico world; the figures, toys and show are each meant to represent a return to traditional familial values in a safe, happy, worry-free environment that doesn’t touch on current trends or issues. That’s part of what gives Calico Critters such longevity as a brand — the wholesomeness of the underlying message that centers on the true importance of family relationships.
The Calico Critters Hopscotch Rabbit Family are the main characters in the television show and as such, are an excellent place to start when selecting a Calico Critters family to begin building your own village at home for your children.
What to know before you buy a Calico Critters family
Calico Critters species
There are over 20 different species in Calico Village. There are many varieties and breeds of house pets like cats, dogs and bunnies, but there are also more exotic animals like kangaroos. Most species on “Calico Critters” are available as complete family units, with two parents and two children. There have been an astounding number of Calico Critters sold since their inception, with a figure that surpasses 120 million units sold since the 1980s.
Streaming on Netflix
“Calico Critters” was acquired as a streaming series on Netflix with 3-minute mini-episodes which follow the adventures and day-to-day life of Bell Hopscotch and the inhabitants of Calico Village. The characters on the show, as well as the figures, each have their own lives and backstories that enrich the world-building within Calico Village, which is a warm and welcoming place that’s engaging and wholesome for young children.
Collector’s items
Some Calico Critters, houses, playsets and toys from the initial and earlier runs of the brand are now considered to be collector’s items and could fetch high price tags on the toy trade market. If you’re also interested in current Calico Critters toys and playsets, there are a number of excellent items available to complement your collection of Calico Critters families for your children’s immersive play.
Calico Critters family features
Interchangeable clothing
Calico Critters figures come with one well-made and highly detailed outfit each that’s fully removable so your children can switch outfits between their characters within the same species (and sometimes with other species), depending on their size. Calico fashion is often clothing depicting a bygone era, with traditional dresses, aprons and collared shirts for most characters.
Accessories
Calico Critters families sometimes include accessories with the set. These can include hats, ties, purses, umbrellas, food items and much more. Accessories sets are also sold separately and are much more involved; they typically feature shop items, restaurant items, household items, furniture and holiday-themed items that aren’t typically included in their playsets or figure sets.
Limited edition figures
Many of the Calico Critters families, especially the more well-known families like the Hopscotch family, are available in limited edition collections that come with exclusive outfits or additional family members that might not be included in standard sets. The Limited Edition Hopscotch family, for example, includes 11 figures and features the first appearance of the Hopscotch triplets. These sets come at a much higher price point but offer rarer figures for the collector or avid Calico Critters fan.
Calico Critters family cost
Standard Calico Critters families are fairly cost-equivalent unless they’re on sale. Expect a Calico Critters family of four to cost approximately $18-$25. Rarer Calico Critters families cost more, as do limited edition sets that feature themed outfits or additional family members.
Calico Critters family FAQ
I’ve heard of Calico Critters being referred to as Sylvanian Families. What does that mean?
A. Calico Critters are referred to globally as Sylvanian Families. It’s only in North America that they’re known as Calico Critters. The word sylvan means forest or wooded area, in which the families all reside.
What are Calico Critters made out of?
A. Calico Critters are made out of solid, hard plastic and coated in a flocked material to make them soft to the touch.
Which Calico Critters family should I get?
Best of the best Calico Critters family
Calico Critters Hopscotch Rabbit Family: available at Amazon
Our take: Calico Critters Hopscotch Rabbit Family is the quintessential Calico family to purchase for new fans just starting out and for longtime fans or toy collectors.
What we like: This truly adorable family of soft, flocked rabbits come in finely detailed outfits, have jointed arms and legs and have heads that turn for imaginative play.
What we dislike: As with all Calico Critters, the price might be considered high for some buyers.
Best bang for your buck Calico Critters family
Calico Critters Maple Cat Family: available at Amazon
Our take: This slightly more budget-friendly family of Calico Critters, the Maple Cats, are too cute for words and make a great addition to your budding village of characters.
What we like: The satiny outfits on these Calicos are gorgeous and the finely crafted cats are lovely toys for children of all ages.
What we dislike: Very rarely, a Maple cat might arrive with a rough patch on its head where the flocking was rubbed off during shipping.
Honorable mention Calico Critters family
Calico Critters Cuddle Bear Family: available at Amazon
Our take: The old-timey matching outfits that the Cuddle Bear family wear in this set make them stand out as an excellent choice for your next Calico purchase.
What we like: Father Cuddle Bear’s trousers and suspenders match Brother Bear’s outfit perfectly, as do Mother and Daughter Bear’s outfits. Brother Cuddle Bear even includes a half-eaten hamburger to fill his rumbly tummy.
What we dislike: One customer noticed a slight discoloration on one of their Calico figures. Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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