https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:33:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2386284 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 00:27:10 +0000 Kimberlybee 2386284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: DD started playing with her Bunny Calico Critters set ever since she turned 2. I got her the starter cottage as a birthday gift. I get miniature food items from Hobby Lobby with the coupons and it's so adorable to see her play pretend with them. She's 2.5 now and does not try to put them in her mouth. I think 2-2.5 is a good age to start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2386024 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:19:12 +0000 deerylou 2386024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Thank you! I'll have to think on it. I was going to run by Costco to see if I could grab a Calico family (would prefer the quality fur), and then pair it with the Woodzeez bakery and preschool. If she doesn't get frustrated by the small pieces, and it seems to have play longevity, I'm more than happy to get her a Calico home or other playset, later on. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2386021 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:12:53 +0000 Bao 2386021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: you could still go with the woodzeez ones! Just know you'll have to throw parts away. We lost two tails, a leg to the table (useless now) and bad wear on the fur. And my LO isn't rough with her things! But if you are unsure then you could definitely go the cheaper route and add in the Calico brand later. Toys r us often has sales on them, so keep an eye out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2386019 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:07:06 +0000 deerylou 2386019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you, all! I'm glad to hear that these sets can be enjoyed and utilized by toddlers and preschoolers. </p> <p>@SugarplumsMom: Great call on the bead organizer. Done and done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385905 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:30:19 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2385905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD loves her Sylvanian Families! They're still called that here in Europe, but they're exactly the same as Calico Critters. She got her first set just before her 3rd birthday and it's been a huge hit since. I'm surprised by how well she handles all the tiny pieces. She especially loves all the little food items - I also enjoy playing restaurant with her 😊 </p> <p>I've found that keeping all the pieces inside a bead organizer works really well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385676 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:39:43 +0000 HappyBaker 2385676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: We only let DD play with her set when DS (11 months) is not around because the pieces are teeny tiny and he eats EVERYTHING! But she is surprisingly ok with that, usually when he goes to bed on a weeknight or during his naps on the weekend she'll ask to take it down and play with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385674 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:37:31 +0000 mauxie 2385674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think CC are adorable!! I want to get LO (3) a set and think she'll really enjoy it, but I just KNOW the pieces will get lost bc she likes to mix toys with other ones and lil bro gets into everything..... I don't necessarily want to make it a "special" toy that is kept/stored separate, though... Still on the fence. </p> <p>I saw they were selling a set at Costco for less than $30, including a house and a bunny family! </p> <p>I think an advanced 2.5 year old would do fine as far as the imaginative play goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385663 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:32:11 +0000 JerricaBenton 2385663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo got calico critters house and animals for Christmas last year when she was 2. She loved them then but over the last year has played with them so much! We're getting her more furniture and animals this year. I think 2.5 is perfect if she's into that stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385627 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:01:22 +0000 HappyBaker 2385627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I've actually never heard of the Woodzees! We have Calico Critters (they were a gift) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385625 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:00:32 +0000 deerylou 2385625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: That is awesome. Which brand did you go with? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385617 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:56:00 +0000 HappyBaker 2385617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD got some when she was about 2.5 (the nursery / daycare treehouse and babies along with a family of bunnies). It has actually really helped with her imaginative play and she loved them even at that age! Now that she is 3 she really enjoys acting things out with the animals, and she LOVES looking at the little booklet of all the other sets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385606 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:42:50 +0000 Dr. Pepper 2385606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I don't remember when I received my Sylvanian Family as a child, but I know I had it for quite a while before we moved, which was right when I turned 5, so I for sure had it at 4 and I remember it was my favorite toy and I would play with it for HOURS upon HOURS. I'm so excited to be getting one for my son! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385594 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:35:55 +0000 deerylou 2385594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dr. Pepper: Thank you! I also had a Sylvanian Family set as a kid, but received it when I was much older (perhaps six years old). I'm glad to hear that I am not entirely out of my mind for considering starting this collection with a toddler. ;-)</p> <p>@Bao: Thank you for the heads up. I was a little excited at the price of Woodzeez (at Target), since I could justify getting her a few sets and a family. I feel like with the Calico Critters, I may have to limit her to a family and small set, and build up over time. But quality is important! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385590 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:34:16 +0000 Bao 2385590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: we have both! Honestly the Calico one is much better quality, the woodzees has 4 broken pieces already and wear on the animals (not even a year old) I would suggest paying extra for better quality! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385574 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:25:38 +0000 Dr. Pepper 2385574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 2.5 (exactly 2.5 this Saturday!) and my mom is getting him a Calico Critters set for Christmas (the lakeside lodge gift set). I had a similar toy as a child- Sylvanian Family- It had a house and little animal figures. I saved it for years and it is still at my mom's house. My son loves playing with it when he visits there. He also loves Polly Pockets! I think his imaginative/pretend play is also on the advanced side, so I think he will get a lot of use out of this toy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calico-critters-amp-lil-woodzees#post-2385541 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:05:12 +0000 deerylou 2385541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These playsets and critter families are seriously the sweetest. I was hoping to gift a set or two for DD, this Christmas. However, at nearly 2.5, she's below the recommended age range. I'd say her pretend play skills are a bit on the advanced side, and she's quite taken by miniatures, of any kind. </p> <p>Does anyone have experience with either of these toy brands (or similar), with a younger child? Interested if the sets and accessories would be played with and enjoyed, rather than lost and forgotten.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>