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Original poster

Talk to me about Sylvanian families

38 replies

VikingVagine · 23/10/2013 21:22

I used to really want these as a child but they were out of our price range. I see they're still expensive, but I'd like to build up a set for DD who is 4 next week.

Where should I start, are they worth it, are some sets better than other, basically what would you recommend?

Thank you!

OP posts:
animaniac · 23/10/2013 21:30

I used to love my Sylvanian families as a child! But yes they cost a fortune.....
Built up over a number of years (bdays, xmas etc) I ended up with a few families, a house, the school house and the bakery I think.
I would start with maybe one building (probably a house) and two families, and build up from there if your DD stays interested...not sure what they have these days!

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 23/10/2013 21:33

they are £££, but both DDs get a lot of play out of them, so I actually find them reasonable value for money.

We started with the caravan plus a family. IMO it's better than starting with a house, as all the furniture and pots and pans are included.

girliefriend · 23/10/2013 21:37

Keep your eyes open as I have got quite a few bits in sales, in the sainsburys sale I got the windmill house with accessories for £15!!

The characters are expensive but worth getting a whole family imo - have a look on Amazon.

They do last well and dd plays with all her Sylvanian stuff all loads so feel like have had my moneys worth!!

Original poster
VikingVagine · 23/10/2013 21:44

I'm in France and they don't seem to sell them anywhere but on amazon, so not much chance of special offers! I don't think I'll stretch to a house straight away (€80 Shock ) but a caravan and family sound like a great idea! Thank you!

OP posts:
HuevosRancheros · 23/10/2013 22:10

I got the village shop for DD's 5th birthday
It has mostly been unplayed with :(
Too many fiddly bits means she spends more time 'setting it up' before she can play with it
I thought it would be lovely, and am still hoping it will be something she comes back to in a year or two... but wish I'd gone with a traditional house, or similar

ICantFindAFreeNickName · 28/10/2013 22:58

My dd got the windmill a few years ago, but has not played with it as much as I would have expected.

One bit of advice I was given was to look on ebay for 2nd hand sets, which is a good way to build up a collection cheaply. I have also picked up bits on sale at the supermarkets & TKMax.
Your DD is too young now, but joining the clb means you get a magazine about 4 times a year, which my DD did enjoy.

morethanpotatoprints · 28/10/2013 23:16

Don't do it please, unless you are loaded.
We fell into the trap and dd soon grew out of them. They are not in terribly good condition now and we wouldn't get anything for them.
I would get something else for xmas and buy them second hand as pocket money toys tbh.
Have a look on ebay it really isn't money well spent buying from new. I am really kicking myself now.

curiousgeorgie · 29/10/2013 00:18

We bought DD the ice cream van and a family randomly one day (with money from grandparents) and she played with it for hours and hours...

So this Christmas we have got her two houses, a car, two more families, the nursery, the tree house, the cafe, a pram and furniture.

I think it's more for me than for her! I always wanted it Wink

GobbySadcase · 29/10/2013 00:19

Tiiiiiny pieces that hurt if trodden on.

Original poster
VikingVagine · 29/10/2013 07:38

I'm in France and can't find any second hand (not very popular here). We're definitely not loaded, but have lots of relatives and friends who are always asking what to get DD for her birthday and Christmas and I thought I could point them towards bits and bobs from the Sylvanian families to build up a set. We're pretty good with tiny bits and pieces simply because we have a little dog and the DCs learnt the hard way not to leave bits lying around unless they didn't mind eye dog chewing them.

OP posts:
LIZS · 29/10/2013 07:48

We've bought them in toy shops in France , Italy , Switzerland including Toys r Us but they are branded differently and range more limited . This company delivers overseas and if you look under Exclusive Imports that is the range you may find elements of locally. Camper van is a good start or canal boat.

Thatsnotmychicken · 29/10/2013 07:50

We were given tree house for Christmas last year. The bits wouldn't stay together properly when my DDs were playing with it (they're not that rough) and they got fed up an hardly played with it. Wouldn't buy any more from them.

ExcuseMeButtingIn · 29/10/2013 08:05

My DD is obsessed and has quite a bit now, which gets played with all the time. I agree that a good start would be the caravan or the camper van (the vehicles are all good). I would avoid the houses, they always seemed a bit cheaply made, whereas the accessories always feel quite robust.

We just have a traditional wooden dolls house, which is furnished with Sylvanian sets that DD has had since she was about 4 (she's now 8 and still plays with them nearly every day).

They also do hold their value well and some bits go for silly money on ebay!

ProphetOfDoom · 29/10/2013 08:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MissMalonex2 · 29/10/2013 08:24

My DD is obsessed but everything except a few families is from eBay - v good quality and so excellent second hand

Original poster
VikingVagine · 29/10/2013 09:02

Just ordered the fox family (€13) and the ice cream van (17€) to start with, will see how she gets on with those and if they're a success will get some more for Xmas.

OP posts:
Iwaswatchingthat · 29/10/2013 09:07

Got my dd some when she was 8. She plays with it lots and I have just ordered the canal boat for Christmas. Only £33.50 from Argos - third off.

I think they are lovely.

toffeelolly · 29/10/2013 09:09

My dd loves them last year she got the hotel from granny and granda . Also Santa got her lots , she also is getting a lot this Christmas. She loves the hotel and must say it was a really good buy, also the little small house which you can carry along is great to which she loves. This year she is getting maple house, the school, treehouse, log cabin, swings ans slide set and some families. But they are great little toys.

Luggage16 · 29/10/2013 09:37

we have a fair bit and it does get played with. I would say mine prefer playmobil though which is generally cheaper and also better quality (a few sylvanian bits have been broken here (and my kids aren't rough with their toys) but all the playmobil is in pretty much as new condition still. Both have ridiculously tiny accessories though!

pinkhousesarebest · 29/10/2013 09:46

My dd is almost ten, and still spends hours making up complicated Sylvanian stories. Happily they co-habit with other species (pet shops and dolls house residents). The best buy for us was the Grand hotel several years ago now, bought on e-bay. We live in France too, but have got some great bargains on e-bay.

giraffeseatpineapples · 29/10/2013 10:33

I would agree with keeping your eyes open for new bargains check mse they have a sylvanian section and check amazon and hot deals too.

Ebay hasn't been that great value; bits have beem missing, broken or stained, its easy to get caught up in bidding and pay more than things are worth or buy too many in order to benefit from combined postage (I went a bit mad last year Blush ). Collection only purchases have been good value though.

My dds favourite set is the playschool and it is quite fun to add to with new babies, the playground set, or toys from the toy stall set.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/10/2013 22:58

A couple of years ago we got The Regency Hotel for DD (Argos £55 half price)
It's lovely Smile

bigbrick · 29/10/2013 23:04

The caravan is great and lots of interest for my kids - bunk beds that fold, the drawers and storage cupboard, all the little bits & pieces. They have some families, the tent and some room settings. Recommend as mixes in well with playmobil & lego

NoComet · 29/10/2013 23:13

Too twee, stick to playmobil (even at 12 DD2 sneaks a quick play with her playmobil) can't imagine her being caught anywhere near a Sylvanian family figure after about 8/9

Sparklysilversequins · 29/10/2013 23:14

Unbelievably expensive and the bits get lost within a few days. Dd lost interest in them very quickly tbh.

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