Forest Families
During the late 80's and early 90's toy lines saw many "knock-offs" and cheap alternatives. While Sylvanian Families were strong in popularity, there were two other toy lines in competition. A big contender, Maple Town, was a series of figures and houses based on the animated series of the same name.
The other, much cheaper, line of animal family figures are Forest Families. Sometimes called Forest Friends, these dolls are very similar to Sylvanians. They were released around the same time as Sylvanian Families by the toy company M.C. Toys (May Cheong Toys) in the US, UK and European Union; Mel Appel in the US under the name Peach Fuzz Village; and Simba under the name of Barenwald in (mostly) Germany.
The most notable differences are that Forest Families have a limited number of family units (usually only four figures and rarely a baby), mostly consist of exotic wild animals rather than usually domestic ones (tigers and hippos versus rabbits and hedgehogs), are made of much softer plastic, children figures have non-jointed bodies, their hands are open instead of flat, and their facial expressions tend to be more "happy" or "cartoonish". Forest Families and Sylvanians are relatively the same size, so it is easy to mix and match while playing.
Arguably, both toy lines were similar ideas taking place at the same time within different areas instead of a "knock-off" scenario. Any way you decide to look at it, Forest Families are more popular than when released; with many figures commanding higher values when found on eBay that some Sylvanians!
What makes these figures difficult to collect is that they were released in different ways and by different companies and names. Figures came in boxes of four and carded with one or two figures. Likewise, furniture and accessories came in large sets with figures, carded with one or two figures, carded by themselves, or even in a large bag of accessories!
The other, much cheaper, line of animal family figures are Forest Families. Sometimes called Forest Friends, these dolls are very similar to Sylvanians. They were released around the same time as Sylvanian Families by the toy company M.C. Toys (May Cheong Toys) in the US, UK and European Union; Mel Appel in the US under the name Peach Fuzz Village; and Simba under the name of Barenwald in (mostly) Germany.
The most notable differences are that Forest Families have a limited number of family units (usually only four figures and rarely a baby), mostly consist of exotic wild animals rather than usually domestic ones (tigers and hippos versus rabbits and hedgehogs), are made of much softer plastic, children figures have non-jointed bodies, their hands are open instead of flat, and their facial expressions tend to be more "happy" or "cartoonish". Forest Families and Sylvanians are relatively the same size, so it is easy to mix and match while playing.
Arguably, both toy lines were similar ideas taking place at the same time within different areas instead of a "knock-off" scenario. Any way you decide to look at it, Forest Families are more popular than when released; with many figures commanding higher values when found on eBay that some Sylvanians!
What makes these figures difficult to collect is that they were released in different ways and by different companies and names. Figures came in boxes of four and carded with one or two figures. Likewise, furniture and accessories came in large sets with figures, carded with one or two figures, carded by themselves, or even in a large bag of accessories!
Peach Fuzz Village
Recently, fellow collectors and I have discovered Peach Fuzz Village, the US (possibly North American) line released by Mel Appel. This line features distinctively pink furniture and selective animal families. Since the pink furniture is scarce outside of the US and rarely is the green furniture found outside the European Union, collectors and I think that the colors were exclusive.
"Welcome to Peach Fuzz Village, where loveable Bunny Rabbits, Bear Cubs, Piglets and Baby Mice live with their parents."
"Welcome to Peach Fuzz Village, where loveable Bunny Rabbits, Bear Cubs, Piglets and Baby Mice live with their parents."
Bärenwald
In 1982 Fritz Sieber founded the Simba Toys company with his son Michael and five employees in Germany. Thanks to prudent company mergers, the SIMBA DICKIE GROUP now incorporates several successful, independent companies that cover all
areas of the toy market. (Taken from Simba's website: SimbaToys.com.)
Simba's line of flocked, joined bears (and later other animals) is commonly mixed in with Sylvanians. Later on, it appears Simba either bought or merged with M.C. Toys as some of their other animals are from the exact same mold as Forest Families. The bears themselves are a bit larger, with their own distinctive features.
To see my Bärenwald collection head to More Critters.
areas of the toy market. (Taken from Simba's website: SimbaToys.com.)
Simba's line of flocked, joined bears (and later other animals) is commonly mixed in with Sylvanians. Later on, it appears Simba either bought or merged with M.C. Toys as some of their other animals are from the exact same mold as Forest Families. The bears themselves are a bit larger, with their own distinctive features.
To see my Bärenwald collection head to More Critters.
Please click on each picture to be taken to that individual page.
Color and Language Key:
Red: I do not own it. US: United States EU: European Union
Light Blue: Preferred name. UK: United Kingdom DE: Germany (Deutschland)
Dark Blue: Link to other page. JP: Japan CN: China
Green: Personal alterations.
Red: I do not own it. US: United States EU: European Union
Light Blue: Preferred name. UK: United Kingdom DE: Germany (Deutschland)
Dark Blue: Link to other page. JP: Japan CN: China
Green: Personal alterations.
Special Figures
Special Sets
Forest Families "sets" are sometimes hard to determine as they are less common than Sylvanian Families and are often found loose without a package to reference.
Furniture
Forest Families items are often overlooked or unrecognized and "sets" are sometimes hard to determine as they are less common than Sylvanian Families and are often found loose without a package to reference. They are commonly listed as Sylvanian despite their physical difference. For furniture, the mark below is a close up of the maker, M.C.Toy. If you see this mark, it's probably a Forest Families piece!
