Calico Critters Charm a New Generation

Children have long enjoyed cuddly woodland creature characters. From books and cartoons to toys and games, these adorable furry friends hold a special place in the hearts of most kids. For those who can’t get enough of these kinds of toys, Calico Critters is a dream come true.

Calico Critters brings a magical world of forest animals to life with beautiful dolls, homes, clothing and accessories. The animal families live happily in a place called Cloverleaf Corners, and they each feature unique individual characters designed to grab a child’s attention. These toys are marketed primarily to girls, but that’s not to say little boys won’t enjoy them too. There are plenty of male characters and sport accessories available in this line.

Calico Critters are available through International Playthings, a toy company that’s been in business since 1967. The history of Calico Critters doesn’t go back that far, but these toys didn’t just show up on the scene yesterday, either. Some parents will remember a line of toys called Sylvanian Families that was introduced in the late 1980s. The toys became quite a fad and were popular in North America as well as Japan, but alas, like any fad, the buzz died down. After a brief hiatus, Sylvanian families re-emerged with some upgrades and with the new name “Calico Critters.”

Parents who were the right age during the Sylvanian Families craze will likely feel nostalgic when they see Calico Critters, but these new products have quite a few more features than those originally available. Characters include mice, rabbits, bears, cats, hedgehogs and more. Each one has its own unique personality and backstory. For example, Sugar Bear Brother Brian is a quiet, introspective artist, while Silky Cat Sister Susie loves to go on camping adventures.

While children will enjoy the fact that these characters come with their own ready-to-play personas, they’ll also be free to re-imagine their fuzzy friends with alternate names, lives and adventures. That’s the beauty of good old-fashioned hands-on toys like these. They enable children to use their imaginations in ways that electronic entertainment does not.

Calico Critters are just plain cute, and purchasing accessories and homes for them can be addicting and fun. Parents and kids alike can get caught up in collecting, so this line is an excellent one to stock.

For an enchanted ride through Cloverleaf Corners and to discover other products from International Playthings, visit www.intplay.com