Get In On The Webkinz Craze Now!

September 4, 2008 Gaming Comments Off

Webkinz are the latest craze in fun and educational toys for boys and girls.  There is truly something for everyone and it is really so much fun!  Here is some information about Webkinz.

What are Webkinz?  Webkinz are plush stuffed animals that have a code on their tag.  When you go to the Webkinz site your child can enter this code and receive a one year membership to the site.  They get to name their pet and even get an adoption certificate.  When they register they are given starter cash, food, and furniture for their virtual rooms.  If they want more they need to get more Webkinz money to do this. 

What’s so great about the Webkinz site?  Well, pretty much everything!  This is a very fun site with plenty of games to amuse all age levels.  Although they market Webkinz to ages 6-13, even adults have fun on this site.  The games have varying difficulty levels.  They are also very educational.  These games teach fine motor skills, spelling, typing, patterns, grouping, math, computer skills, and more.  This is all in a game so kids don’t even realize they are learning. 

Not only are there great games to play, but having a Webkinz pet teaches responsibility.  Your child has to feed and play with his or her Webkinz to keep it healthy.  If they neglect their virtual pet, it will get sick and have to visit the doctor.  This is great for kids who keep pestering their parents for a pet, but have a hard time proving that they can be responsible. 

Your child will need to purchase food for their pet using Webkinz money.  They can earn more money by playing games, answering questions, and doing odd jobs at the employment office.  This is another level of responsibility.  Your child must earn the money to take care of their pet.  What a great life lesson!

The Webkinz site also has a section called Quizzy’s Corner where you can choose an age level and a category.  The categories are typical school subjects like math, social studies, english, etc.  Then it gives trivia questions which earn you Webkinz money.  This is very educational and provides kids with age appropriate learning experiences that can grow with them as they mature.

Kids are also able to chat with other Webkinz owners in a safe forum that only allows certain phrases to be used.  This makes it a controlled environment, yet it lets kids interact with other kids online.  Generosity and social niceties are also encouraged as kids are able to send mail to each other as well as give gifts to their friends online. 

Webkinz pets are widely available and are relatively inexpensive when you consider all that comes with it.  Your child gets a cute stuffed animal to hold and play with, as well as an entire online world to in which to learn, play, and grow.  Webkinz cost anywhere from 9.99-14.99, and come in a variety of domestic, wild, and fantasy animals.   

This is one fad that is totally worth jumping on the bandwagon.  Watch out though, you might find yourself playing your child’s Webkinz more than they do.  Well, you can always get your own Webkinz and create your own world.  Then you and your child can play in Webkinz world together! And if Webkinz are not your thing, check out our Wii Store for the latest in video games.