Sylvanian Families Archives - Living Life Our Way

Sylvanian Families Cake Shop Review and Giveaway

We love Sylvanian Families; we think they are so cute and collectable (and also have educational value too!) Squiggle has a huge ever- increasing collection and loves looking at the website or browsing the catalogue to see what she can add to her wishlist next! So I think I might have been nearly as excited as she was when we received the fab Sylvanian Families Village Cake Shop to review…

The cake shop comes with the mum of the Toy Poodle family, who is the shopkeeper, and alot of lovely little accessories to stock up the shop with. There are 90 bits in total, including the figure, shop, till, cake stands, counters, various cakes, boxes, piping, tongs and other cool stuff. Not everything included is pictured in my photos because Squiggle inevitably spreads half of it across the floor within 10 seconds of opening it… but that just makes it all the more realistic – after all, you wouldn’t expect such a delicious cake shop to be fully stocked at all times, would you?!

Anyway, back to the review….

What I really love about this set – and other Sylvanian Families sets too – is the quality and attention to detail. Squiggle said “I think it’s very cool the way the cake stacks up to make a big cake.” When asked what her favourite part of the set is, she said “Those strawberry filling cakes looked very yummy!” It is also great for fine motor skills, as you will see when you watch the video…

(I just love her giggle too!)

Sylvanian Families Village Cake Shop (rrp £39.99) is available in stores now.

Sylvanian Families Village Cake Shop Giveaway!

One incredibly lucky reader can win their very own awesome cake shop. To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize, simply enter via rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ends 6th October 2017. Open to UK residents only. Other T&Cs apply.

*Disclosure: We received the village cake shop free of charge for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Sylvanian Families Photo Captions

Squiggle has been taking it easy today because her energy levels are very low at the moment. But that didn’t stop her from getting the inspiration to create some simple Sylvanian Families scenes, then take photos of them and write captions. I love how Sylvanian Families continue to inspire her in such a variety of ways! Oh and she has just discovered emojis and hashtags, as you can see from the captions lol… 😬;)😂💗

Sylvanians love playing rounders with chacklat labrordoors #sylvaniansport #rounders!.🐶

Snowy day
In sylvania i can see santa in his slay ! #christmas eve! #sylvanians 🎅😻💟🐰🍭⛄❄🎄

Christmas eve night in sylvania #santashere #christmas night #sylvanians. 🎅🎄🎁🎅🐰💗💚💟💘💟⛄❄👍💗⛄❄👍🍪👍💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💟💟💚💚💚💗💗👍👍🎅👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Christmas day in sylvania hire is one of meney of my presents #ChristmasDay #merrychristmas #sylvanianfamiles . 🌹🎁🎄🐰🐱🍭💟🎅🎄🎁❄⛄💟💟💘💗💚💚👍

Look at the snow bunny i made, ive put my hat on it #sylvanians #snow.🐰🐇⛄❄💗💚👍🎅👍

Isn’t she just adorable?! I wonder what she will come up with next!

Sylvanian Families Gift Ideas (with Exclusive Discount Code)

It’s certainly no secret that Squiggle adores Sylvanian Families. They are a timeless collection with wholesome values and are well loved by a wide range of ages. And they are so cute. What’s not to love?! There are so many different families, buildings, accessories and sets, plus new additions added regularly too, so even the most avid Sylvanian collector will be able to find plenty of things for their wish list!

As a little thank you and Merry Christmas gift to my readers, I have teamed up with Sylvanian Storekeepers to offer a 10% discount on your first order. Simply visit the Sylvanian Storekeepers online store via my link and enter the exclusive discount code CS10 at the checkout. (For the coupon to work, you need to create an account, and be logged in. Code is valid for one use per customer). You’re welcome!

And to get you started, here are some gift ideas for the Sylvanian Families fans in your life…

Stocking Fillers (items under a tenner)

Baby Carry Case – These little carry cases each come with a baby and accessories. At £5.99 each they make lovely stocking fillers.

Housekeeping Set – This is new to 2016 and is great addition to any collection, regardless of whether or not they own the Grand Hotel. After all, houses need cleaning too! R.R.P £9.99

Vegetable Garden Set – We can grow our own vegetables in Sylvania as well as our real-life garden with this fun veg garden set. Retails at just £7.99.

Canoe Set – This canoe set (£7.99) is great for anyone wanting to practise their imaginary water sports!

Individual Figures – Collectors will love these vintage/ special edition (often rare!) individual figures. Cost approx £5.99 upwards.

For your chance to win a Berry Grove Cheerleader Rabbit figure, enter my Rafflecopter competition at the bottom of this post! (Please note this giveaway is not affiliated with Sylvanian Storekeepers and the prize item is not currently sold in store)

Gifts Under £20

Sylvanian Families – With so many to choose from, chances are there will be plenty of new families to add to even the biggest collection. This Robinson Red Panda Family (£16.99) is on Squiggle’s wish list, amongst others!

Starter Home Collection – This would make a particularly great gift for anyone just starting out. R.R.P £19.99

Saloon Car – The family car also includes a picnic set, tray tables and a baby seat. Retails at £19.99

Seaside Treasure Set – An exciting treasure set that is great for little ocean lovers or those with an adventurous mind. Costs £13.99

Chocolate Rabbit Sister with Study – I love the little accessories that come with this cute educational set, especially the globe! Usual price £14.99

Juice Bar – Squiggle has her eye on this healthy juice bar (£14.99) so that her Sylvanian Families can be like mummy!

Sports Day – This sports day set comes with lots of fun accessories to do various races and games. R.R.P £16.99

Winter Sports Accessories – Sylvanian Families can go skiing or do some ice skating with this winter set. Retails at £12.99

Gift Sets – If you are looking for ‘larger’ present ideas that are great value for money, it is well worth looking at the bundle deals on offer. For example, the Beechwood Hall Gift Set comes with two working lights, desk, table with four chairs, piano, oven, kitchen sink unit and two squirrel figures. Or check out the Supermarket Gift Set (£49.99) that comes with over 100 items, including a toy wagon and crepe shop, plus two figures. Many of the gift sets are limited edition so check the website for the latest offers.

Competition Time
For your chance to win a super cute Berry Grove Cheerleader Rabbit figure, simply enter my rafflecopter giveaway here…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Competition ends 13th December 2016.

Terms & Conditions:

• All information detailing how to enter the giveaway forms part of these terms and conditions.

• This prize sweepstake begins at midnight on 5th December 2016 and closes at 11.59pm on 13th December 2016.

• Enter via Rafflecopter widget embedded in this blog post. This is the only way to enter into the sweepstake.

• One prize winner will be drawn at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries received when competition ends.

• The winner will be contacted using details provided within 48hrs of the competition closing. If the winner does not respond within 5 days the prize will be forfeited and a new winner will be drawn.

• The winner will receive one individual Sylvanian Families Berry Grove Cheerleader Rabbit figure (unboxed).

• The prize will be posted within 10 days of receiving the address. Please bare in mind delivery times may vary, especially over the Christmas period.

• Prize is strictly non-transferable and cash alternative will be offered.

• Open to UK residents only.

• This promotion, and the prize offered, is organised by Living Life Our Way and is not affiliated with Sylvanian Families, Sylvanian Storekeepers, Epoch, Facebook or twitter. They are in no way responsible or accountable for this giveaway.

• Living Life Our Way may vary or amend the promotion if absolutely needed, for reasons beyond their control. The entrant agrees to absolve any liability to the Promoter in such circumstances.

• Whilst the Promoter will take every due care to ensure the prize is delivered as expected and do their upmost to resolve any issue in the unlikely event it should occur, the Promoter will not be held responsibility for anything beyond reasonable control.

• English law applies and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts shall prevail.

• Entry into the giveaway will be deemed as acceptance of T&Cs.

GOOD LUCK!

Sylvanian Families Trail, Hatchlands Park (Guildford, Surrey)

Recently we visited Hatchlands Park, which is a beautiful National Trust site in Guildford, Surrey. Being a huge fan of Sylvanian families, Squiggle was keen to do the Sylvanian Families nature trail, open until the end of this year.

There is a small charge to enter the park, including the Sylvanian Families Trail, of £6 per adult and £3 per child, or £15 for a family ticket (these prices are for park only, cost to enter whole site including house is extra. Prices are on the website here). National Trust members get in free.

The trail has a series of signs as you walk through the wood, each with nature questions and clues from members of woodland Sylvanian families. There is a more difficult question at each stop, making it fun and informative for all ages.

We did get abit confused when we reached the end because there was no obvious finishing point. We probably should have realised from the number of clues but even so, a clear indication, such as a finish sign or message from one of the Sylvanian families, would have been a nice additional touch.

Regardless, we really enjoyed the trail and the wooden sculptures were lovely. Squiggle got so excited each time she spotted one and loved cuddling them!

For more information see their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands-park/features/sylvanian-families-trail-at-hatchlands-park

Whilst we were there, we also went to Hatchlands Park playground. It has lovely natural play features, including a wonderful treehouse. Squiggle really enjoyed playing here and it fitted in beautifully with the surrounding natural environment.

National Trust, days out, places to go, things to do, family fun, outdoor activities, living life our way — Treehouse

All in all, it was a fun day out!

Sylvanian Families: Make Your Own Mole House (Art and Craft Activity)

Squiggle had alot of fun making a Sylvanian Families cardboard mole house using instructions from her Sylvanian Storekeepers catalogue. She loves Sylvanian Families (as I’m sure you may have noticed!) and was very excited to spot this art and craft activity.

First she made the front porch. One of the members from the mole family popped by to check out how their new home was coming along, and brought some Sylvanian friends along too!

Next she built the chimney stack and the other parts of the Sylvanian families house. (Ignore the stray tub of gooseberries photobombing my picture, this is not a poor attempt at product placement, she was just snacking whilst she worked! ;))

Next was the bit Squiggle was most looking forward to… paper mache time! We used wallpaper paste because it tends to do the job more effectively but you can also use glue and water (which also works well, as long as you get the consistency just right) or even just flour and water (but in my experience this method is sometimes abit rubbish, which can be frustrating!) Paper mache is a fun sensory activity for those sensory seekers too, Squiggle loved feeling around in it.

Next came a slight test in patience as Squiggle had to wait for the paper mache to dry before she could get painting it. At this point she decided to let her creative license run loose and chose to make the Sylvanian mole family a beautifully colourful home…

The next part was putting it all together. Somehow I managed to miss getting photos of this stage (I can only assume my camera phone was buried under a pile of cardboard by this point!)

However, here is the finished product…

A wonderful bright new home for her Sylvanian families!

This was such a fun art and craft project, and it kept Squiggle busy over the course of several days in total. The full guide was in the Sylvanian Storekeepers catalogue but the templates can also be downloaded here.

30 Days Wild – Day 18: Sylvanian Families at Whitchurch, Hampshire

Ok, I admit that Sylvanian Families might sound like a very loose connection to the 30 Days Wild theme! But this lovely day out is held in a picturesque village, set up by a little river with ducks and other wildlife, with a pretty flowery backdrop for the character meet and greet. It was very scenic! It was really nice to visit somewhere different, as well as the excitement for Squiggle of a Sylvanian themed day out of course- as has been mentioned on this blog many times before, she is a big Sylvanian fan!

Squiggle meeting Tiffany Silk Cat

Dancing in the marquee

Ralph Walnut Squirrel

Lots of goodies!

Freya Chocolate Rabbit

It was a really lovely day out. Thank you to Sylvanian Storekeepers in London www.sylvanianstorekeepers.com for organising!