What Sylvanian Families Are
Sylvanian Families are small animal figures covered in soft flocking and dressed in removable fabric clothes. The Japanese toy company Epoch launched them in Japan in March 1985. Rabbits, squirrels and bears came first; cats, dogs, foxes, koalas, penguins and many more followed. More than 150 families have been released over the years (a retailer's estimate). The brand marked 40 years with limited anniversary sets in 2025–26.
Calico Critters is the same toy. In the US and Canada the line has been sold as Calico Critters since 1993. The figures, houses and furniture are the same, so a Calico Critters item works with Sylvanian Families sets.
In Australia and New Zealand the official distributor is Modern Brands.
How the Range Works
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Usually father, mother, sister and brother; some come with babies | The core of any collection |
| Babies, twins, triplets, grandparents | Extra family members sold separately | Growing a family |
| Blind bags | One surprise baby per bag; each series has eight to find, including one rare "secret" | Stocking fillers and pocket money |
| Furniture and room sets | Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms | Filling a house room by room |
| Starter sets and Village shops | Bakery, cake shop, doctor and more, often with a figure | Pretend play beyond the house |
| Vehicles | Family car, picnic van, nursery bus | Outings and big gifts |
| Houses | From the small starter cottage to multi-storey homes | See our house guide |
Where to Start
The official Australian "first guide" suggests three starting points: the Red Roof Cosy Cottage Starter Home (house, Chocolate Rabbit girl and starter furniture), the Bakery Shop Starter Set (oven, counter, shelves and breads, but no figure) and the Family Picnic Van (seats up to eight, no figures). Add one family and a child has a complete scene.
A simple order that works:
- One home or starter set, so the figures have somewhere to live.
- One family. The Chocolate Rabbits are the best known; newer families such as the Flora Rabbits come with babies and a carriage.
- Furniture for one room, then another.
- Babies, blind bags and vehicles for birthdays and Christmas.
Families Worth Knowing
- Chocolate Rabbit Family — the classic: Father Frasier, Mother Teri, Freya and Coco. Grandparents, babies and a brother set are sold separately.
- Flora Rabbit Family — father, mother and three cradled babies with a carriage and swappable flower trims.
- Fennec Fox and Latte Cat families — newer families with movable heads, arms and legs.
- Koala and Kangaroo families — favourites in Australia; the kangaroo baby rides in the mother's pouch.
Babies, Blind Bags and Play Sets
Babies are where collections grow fastest. Blind bags (currently the Baby Woodland Fairy, Baby Builders and Blooming Baby Friends series) hold one surprise baby each, so expect some doubles. Baby play sets such as the tree house and nursery bus give them somewhere to go.
How Big Are They?
| Figure | Approximate height |
|---|---|
| Parents | 8–8.5 cm |
| Older siblings | 6–6.5 cm |
| Toddlers | 4.5–5 cm |
| Babies | 3–4 cm |
Epoch doesn't publish a scale, but these sizes work out at about 1:16. Standard dollhouse furniture is 1:12, so it looks large next to Sylvanian figures — though the figures can happily live in a 1:12 house. Li'l Woodzeez figures are sold as compatible but are slightly bigger and rounder. Our scale guide and scale converter help when mixing brands.
Collecting Tips
- The foot sticker isn't a date. Every figure carries "©1985 Epoch" under the right foot; it's the copyright year, not when the figure was made.
- Vintage clues: Tomy-branded boxes (Tomy distributed the line in the UK and elsewhere from 1987), yellowed white furniture, and flattened flocking on heads that sat in a box for years.
- Retired sets: if an item drops out of the yearly catalogue, it has probably been retired.
- Regional releases: some sets came out only in Japan, the US or Europe, and new items often reach Australia a year or two after their overseas launch.
- Japanese imports carry Japanese codes — FS- for families, DH- for houses and SE- for furniture, judging by shop listings — and Japanese boxes. There's no official cross-reference, so match sets by name and contents.
Care and Safety
- Cleaning: a soft dry brush or cloth. Avoid water and cleaning products, which can damage the flocking.
- Storage: cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, which fades colours and yellows white plastic.
- Flattened flocking can sometimes be lifted by brushing gently against the grain.
- Age 3+: sets include small parts such as bottles, cups and food. In 2023 the US recalled baby bottle and pacifier accessories sold with Calico Critters as a choking hazard, so keep tiny accessories away from babies and toddlers.
Where to Buy in Australia
The official Australian stockist list includes BIG W, David Jones, Mr Toys, Toymate, Toys R Us, Toyworld, Kidstuff and dozens of online toy shops. On Amazon Australia you'll find the official families, furniture and play sets; houses are mostly Japanese imports. Each listing on our Sylvanian Families page says which version it is.
Choosing a house? Read which Sylvanian Families house to buy. For other dolls' houses for children, see the best dolls' houses for kids.
Frequently asked questions
Are Calico Critters and Sylvanian Families the same?
Yes. They are the same toys from the same maker, Epoch. The line has been sold as Calico Critters in the US and Canada since 1993 and as Sylvanian Families in Australia, the UK and most other countries. Figures, houses and furniture work together across both names.
What age are Sylvanian Families for?
The official age is 3+, because the sets contain small parts. Many children keep playing with them well into primary school, and adults collect them too.
How big are Sylvanian Families figures?
About 8 cm for parents, 6 cm for older children and 3–4 cm for babies (figures from retailers and fan sites; Epoch doesn't publish a scale). That's roughly 1:16 scale, a little smaller than 1:12 dollhouses.
Where should I start?
A starter home or starter set plus one family. The official first-time picks are the Red Roof Cosy Cottage Starter Home, the Bakery Shop Starter Set and the Family Picnic Van, with a family such as the Chocolate Rabbits.
How do I clean flocked figures?
Epoch doesn't publish cleaning advice. Retailers suggest a soft dry brush or cloth and no water or cleaning products, which can damage the flocking. Keep figures out of direct sun to stop them fading.
Does the 1985 date on the foot mean my figure is vintage?
No. Every figure, new or old, carries a ©1985 Epoch sticker under the right foot. It is the copyright date, not the year the figure was made.
