3 Reasons The Tree Tots Family Tree House Was Awesome

This short-lived playset and toy line left a memorable mark on ‘70s & ‘80s kids.

Introduced in 1975 by Kenner, the Tree Tots Family Tree House was an attempt to compete with Fisher-Price’s Little People.

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1. It had a unique and very imaginative design.

Tree Tots Family Tree House captured many preschool kids' imaginations through its creative design. It was a tree that with the push of a button (on the top of the tree) revealed a three-room house, complete with an elevator, staircase, swing, and garage.

2. It came with all the figures you needed.

The playset included six figures: Treemont, the dad; Willow, the mom; Chip, the son; Honey, the daughter; Chestnut, the cat; and Barky, the family dog.

3. It was versatile playset.

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It was designed to the near same proportions as the Little People, making it the perfect size for them to come over for a visit.

Also, you could easily incorporate this playset into the Little People world.

Sadly, the Tree Tots line did not last very long — and was discontinued by 1980.

In 1984, Kenner reused the mold of the Family Tree House for the Ewok Family Hut.

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According to Recycling the Force, however, Lucasfilm would not allow Kenner to simply change the color and name on the playset:

"Although, in terms of design, the Ewok toy borrowed extensively from Kenner's very successful Treetot house, it was entirely retooled. According to Kenner sources, Lucasfilm would not allow the toy company to tie a purely recycled version of the Treetot product to their license. So Kenner totally resculpted the toy. In the end, the Ewok Family Hut borrowed the basic design and interior workings of the older toy and simply cloaked them in an updated outer casing."

Today on eBay a complete playset goes for as much as $350.

Via ebay.com

Tree Tots Family Tree House commercial (1978):