When my children were early elementary age, we spent a year living in France, which is when we first became acquainted with Caillou, the charming preschooler with the big imagination. Although my kids felt they were officially “too big” for him, they still liked to watch his antics, framed always by Mamie (grandma in French) telling a story about him to her grandchildren. So when I got a chance to review Caillou’s Treehouse, I jumped at it, even though my kids are now teens and really too big. I will say, though, that teens are a lot more useful at putting playsets together.
I love playsets, even though I don’t spend a lot of my time playing with them anymore. I love that they encourage imaginative play, and that they don’t make annoying noises like so many toys. (I have a very low tolerance for toys that make electronic noises of any kind) Although this set ties in to the popular series, because it encourages free play, it doesn’t matter if a child is familiar with the TV show or not.
Caillou’s Treehouse is really fun. There’s a spinning elevator sort of thing (this is my favorite part. It can be quite soothing), a tree swing, a slide, a swing, and a ladder. The roof of the tree house slides open so that figures can be easily placed inside and played with. There’s also a stiff paper mat to set the tree house on with pictures of a path and a sandbox. The set comes with 4 figures—Caillou, his sister Rosie, his friend, and his cat Gilbert. (Please pronounce this the French way—Ghilberrrr–just for me.)
But how do actual children feel about it? The other night, we had a four-year-old girl over. My son Abel, 14, set up the Treehouse and she and her 8 year old brother played contently for a long while. I was impressed with the many stories they had going in just a short time.
Want to delight a child in your life with the gift that encourages interaction and imagination? I’m thrilled to announce that one lucky winner will receive THREE Caillou gift sets–Caillou Treehouse, Caillou Learning Train, and Caillou Fireman’s House–valued at $95. U.S. shipping only.
Just leave a comment if you’d like to win. We’ll announce the winner here on December 18.
You can like Caillou on Facebook to keep up on the latest.
5 Minutes for Books reviewer Elizabeth must admit that she enjoys playing with sets more than putting them together, and that having teens does have its advantages. Learn more about her family’s travels and travails at her blog Planet Nomad.
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{ 92 comments… read them below or add one }
I watch this all the time with my nephew, we love Caillou!
My 3 1/2 year old son and 20 month old daughter love to watch Caillou and I’m sure they would adore these!
My son loves Caillou! He would just love these toys.
Thank you.
My son would really love these!
My son LOVES Caillou! He would love these sets!
Great giveaway! Thank-You
My boys love Caillou – great giveaway!
dmartinock at comcast dot net
This looks like fun. Thanks for the giveaway!
This would be such an awesome toy to win for my three year old!
This would be the perfect item for my 2 yr old nephew.
My daughter loves to watch Caillou! Thanks for the giveaway!
i would love to win this for my sons im a mother of four and buying new toys is something i cant afford
Our little guy would get a kick out of this.
Thank you for the giveaway. What a treat these would be for my great nephew.
Hope to win this for my daughter, she would love it.
My daughter loves Caillou!
stacie@supermommytotherescue.com
What fun for my two daughters! Thanks for the chance to win!
My daughter would enjoy playing with this!
I know a few kids who would love these!
Caillou is such a cute show. Any of my girls would love to play with these.
we are big Caillou fans! would love to win
Never heard of this playset. Would love to win for my grandkids.
Such a great show for kids!
Would like to win for my brother.
I ‘d love to win this sets!
My son absolutely adores Caillou! I’d love to win this for him.
My little guy loves Caillou. Thanks for the chance to enter!
Both of my daughters love Caillou and would be so excited to have these!!!
I would like to win .
I’d love to win this for my grand-daughter who likes Caillou very much.
My nephew likes Caillou and these playsets would be great for him. Thanks.
We luv Caillou at our house…thanks for the chance!
My nephews love Caillou
What a generous giveaway! I would love to win!
I would love to win this for one of my grandchildren,if not in time for Christmas would be great for birthdays
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Please add me to the list of admiring Caillou fans. I would love to win this for my son. He is all about the booms and vrooms and trees are a definite fascination.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope to win this! My two-year-old daughter is in love with Caillou! I would give it to her for Christmas!
My daughter would love these!
I know two little ones that would love these!
I would love to win these toys for my special grand-daughter.
My kids would have a blast with these play sets!
I’d like to win this for my children. Thank you.
Twitter: longwait4bella
December 4, 2011 at 3:36 pm
My 3 year old loves Caillou. Thanks for the chance to win!
Would love to win this!
What cute playsets! My 17 month old would love these!
Aww, my almost five year old nephew would love those!
Woot!, my little Caillou fans would be thrilled to find their favorite characters under the tree.
I would love to win! My kids love Callou….they would be thrilled!
Thanks for the chance!
My kids would love this!
My son love Caillou! Would love to have it for him. Thanks!!
My toddler just loves Caillou. He’d be so excited to win one of these sets
My son absolutely loves Caillou! He would watch it all day if I would let him lol. I would love to win this for him!
My little boys LOVE Caillou. This would be a great gift for them!
Twitter: makeetis
December 5, 2011 at 7:32 am
My son loves Caillou. I always here him singing the song at the beginning about Caillou. I have watched it a couple times and love it as well.
my kids love caillou and would love these playsets
My nephew enjoys Caillou!
My sweet little almost 4-year-old loves Caillou and is obsessed with firetrucks and fire stations.
Please enter me for my son!
Calliou is my (2 YO) son’s absolute favorite! He would be so excited to have these playsets!
My son would absolutely LOVE this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This would be awesome for my nephew! : )
My girls, 4 and 1 (almost 2,) would love these playsets. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Nice toy for the little ones.
Some little one would have a fun time playing with this.
My daughter LOVES her some Calliou. She would be thrilled to get this.
I’d like to win this for my son. Thanks for the chance.
With 3 kids under 6 Caillou is a favorite in our house. My kids would love this!
The kids in my family love Caillou!
I would love to win this!!
My boy would love these!
My 2yr old daughter loves Caillou- it’s all she really cares to watch on TV- my 7 yr old will watch it with her! The learning train is especially cute!
My grand-daughter loves Calliou! I hope we win this.
I know a three year ole who would really like playing with this.
My son loves Caillou, would love to win.
my son would love to have calliou under the tree!
Cute! perfect for a toddler.
my son would love it
nannypanpan at gmail.com
I would love to win! My kid would love it!
Would love to win!
I would love to win for my daughters
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
I’d like to win these toys for my daughter.
love to win!
My kids would like this. Thanks.
My daughter loves Caillou and would love to play with these toys
About 6 months ago my gandson kept coming up to me and I thought he was saying “I love you” so I would say “I love you too!” I was thrilled. Well, then I realized that he was saying “Caillou”
He loves Caillou
RonaleeDuncan{at}aol{dot}com
My son adores Caillou so I would insanely love to win!
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
my son would just love this
love this for my grandbaby :Liam
my 3 yr old loves Caillou!
love to win for my nephews
I’d love to win.
I’m about to have a baby, so I’m trying to win some toys or items for her. This looks like something I’d feel good with my toddler playing with in a few years.
momsholidaycooking at gmail dot com