Accessories

So excited they still make these!
My sister and I had some Calico families when we were little and we loved them so much! I'm so excited these are still being made now that I have daughters! We played with ours for years and had the best time making up stories for them. The fur did rub off a couple of heads from being pet so much, but never to the point that they were naked. Just a little slick in spots. :) I'm definitely going to buy some of these for my 5 year old this year.

So Cute and Fun to Collect
We started my daughter's Calico Critter collection when she was 3, and she loves it (she's now 5-1/2). She's always been very gentle with the whole collection, loves to undress and dress them, arrange their dollhouse and accessories. Don't know what the reviewer with the 6-yr-old daughter did to trash the critters and get the fuzz off, but that kid must have been really rough with them - we find them very sturdy and you'd have to drag them across concrete to rub the fuzz off. I guess these are best with gentle, detail-oriented children. We love em.

Easily De-furred Bunnies
I loved these when my daughter first got them for Christmas. They were pretty, their arms, legs, and heads moved, and the little clothes were "oh so adorable". Two weeks later they were naked bunnies, and it's not just the fact that my child didn't have the dexterity required to put the clothes back on, she had loved them, and played with them so much the short velveteen type fur had all rubbed off, and they became naked plastic as well. They got dirty easily, the clothing was all lost very quickly, and they became quite ugly. About two months after she received them, my daughter sent the bunny family permanently to the toy tote where they stayed for a very long time without being played with.
These would be super for a child around the age of nine, who can get their clothes on and off without mommy help, and will display them more than play with them. They need a child who will not love them to death in as short a time as my six year old did.

I'm Hooked!
The Cottontail Rabbit family set is the first Calico Critter set I bought for my daughter.... oh, I'll be honest.... they were for me as much as for her. And they are absolutely darling. I'm not really into collectibles, but these little guys are so cute they make you want more.

As other reviewers have mentioned, they seem to be really well made. Their tiny little outfits can be taken on/off and traded with other critters' clothes. The outfits have tiny little buttons, lace, and ribbons (I had trouble retying Sorrel's apron with my big fingers). The boys' clothes even have holes in the back for their little tails to poke out.

Their little heads, arms, and legs all bend. They all have really cute features and the fuzzy bodies are great.

My daughter is only two and a half (under the recommended age), so I have to help her dress the dolls. She loves to take their clothes off herself, though :-) The furniture and play sets all have tiny pieces and with a two year old and a soon to be mobile infant, I've decided to pack away all of the tiniest accessories for a few years. The dolls and the bigger pieces of furniture seem to be safe for my daughter and the baby, though.

The Cottontail family is living in my daughter's Little People house right now and, although it isn't a perfect fit, they seem comfortable for the time being..... while I try to refrain from buying one of the Calico Critters houses.

Calico Critters - aka Sylvanian Families (remember them?)
These rabbits are SO CUTE! All Calico Critters families have an average height of about 3.5 inches (adults are larger than children & baby sets) . They are covered in a soft downy flocking, are pose-able, and highly detailed. Each family member comes with a removable outfit, with detail & care sewn in. Bright colors, Velcro fastens, ribbon ties, and tiny buttons & lace all add to the charm of their clothing. Children will have hours of fun with all the houses, furniture, and accessories that can be bought. Sets teach kids hand eye coordination (so many miniatures to interact and use) social interaction, Family structure, and creativity. Older individuals can appreciate these detailed miniatures as well. Calico Critters are actually from an older toy line many might recall from the 80's, called "Sylvanian Families". Epoch (maker of both), has started sales again, under a new name in the states. Same old lovable families, with new names. However, the sylvanians of the 80's have been retired in this line (SF is still sold in JP and UK), and replaced with entirely new animals.

Their only downside is the fuzz/flocking. With gentle - normal play, they'll hold up for years and years. However anyone with a child going through a "rough and tumble" destructive phase, may find out that the fur can rub off if heavily scrubbed &scratched. Consider these an indoor toy, and not really intended for rough, outdoor play, or extended bathtub play.