Learn More About Webkinz
Web site lets children play animated games with characters like Curious George and learn basic skills in reading and problem solving.
Parents, there is a new craze on the horizon and mark my words, there is going to be a whirlwind of popularity around these things. I am, of course, talking about the WebKinz plush toys made by Ganz. These “dolls” are an incredible marketing machine that may take over where the beanie babies left off. They are stuffed animals originally released by the Ganz gift company in 2005. The toys are similar to many other small soft toys, however they come with a special code on their labels that allows access to the “Webkinz World” website to “adopt” a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction. The plush toys are also, like the beanie babies before them, allowed to “retire” which then raises the collectibility of these toys. I would not be surprised to see a bidding war on these things come Christmas. I am not waiting, i have gotten one of the bullfrogs for my small son. The neat thing about them outside of the collectibility is the online community that is part of the purchase. There are reportedly 1 million registered users on the community.
When a person “adopts” their first WebKinz pet, they are given basic items such as a room, a welcome balloon, a food item, a piece of furniture for their pet, and 2000 in Kinzcash. Kinzcash is the Webkinz World version of currency. Each pet has levels of happiness, health, and hunger that decrease as time is spent with that Webkinz. They can be increased by feeding, playing with, exercising, and bathing the pet.
Much of the gameplay involves the making and spending of Kinzcash. Earning Kinzcash involves playing multiple games, including quizzes and arcade games. This virtual currency can then be used to purchase items for the virtual pet.
While there are the normal fears of the online aspect of the community, with a normal set of guidelines for your childs time spent online, this may be one of the better ways of getting your child involved in the internet.
I have become so intrigued by these things I have created a website devoted to them. Check it out at skorobiz.com/webkinz/webkinzpage.htm
About the Author
Fairly new author of articles for whatever strikes my fancy. I have started checking out these WebKinz and thought they were really cool. Check out my webpage at skorobiz.com/webkinz/webkinzpage.htm and see a little more information on these little toys.
Webkinz is the latest online craze for kids. As a father of two young children, I know my way around this fascinating new virtual world, and it is very impressive. In fact, I’m also the proud owner of a virtual Webkinz gorilla named, quite unoriginally, Kong.
The world of Webkinz has been designed for users aged 6-13+ (or, well, almost 40) and includes content for all ages and levels of computer skill within that range. The general idea is you adopt a pet, which has a real world stuffed animal companion, and introduce him or her to the Webkinz online world. You start out with one simple room, a couple of toys, and some Webkinz dollars. Then, and often, you find new and exciting ways to collect, earn, or win more dollars to upgrade your Webkinz space.
You can expand your Webkinz world with new rooms, yards, furniture, clothing, food, and toys. You can arrange the rooms how you like, move furniture, and make real changes to the environment your Webkinz lives in. Kong has a pirate ship room, but I’d rather not admit how much fun it was collecting all the pirate themed pieces. My kids have fantastic Webkinz environments; with ice rooms and fully stalked kitchens, backyards with slides and pools the animals can play on, and a host of funky clothing and accessories. They play safe and they love the games, even the ones that may be subtlety teaching them something.
The Webkinz world was clearly designed to reach the widest possible audience within its suggested age range. Although some of the Webkinz games and jobs (yes, your Webkinz can have a job to earn Webkinz dollars) may be difficult for younger users, there are plenty of opportunities and games for younger audiences to enjoy the site on their own orwith the support of an adult. Younger users can also enjoy all of the non-game methods of making Webkinz dollars, including the Wheel of WOW, Wishing Well and the Care Award. There is even a special 5-6 year old question section in Quizzy’s Question Corner, which includes over 1000 age appropriate, curriculum-based questions that make Webkinz dollars faster than any of the games.
Is Webkinz World safe? Yes. The Internet can be an unsafe place, and this is why as a parent I really appreciate efforts like Webkinz. The Webkinz world includes what is in my opinion the safest possible chat system available for kids. Webkinz chat is constructed so users can’t type in whatever they want. Nothing inappropriate can be said, and there is no way to exchange any personal information. Only people you know will have your username, which is needed in order to add someone to your Friends list. Finally, you can always decline another’s offer to join their Friends list, or delete them at any time.
In my personal experience, Webkinz World is a great place to learn and play. Children can learn lots of fun facts at Quizzy’s. The questions at Quizzy’s are age-appropriate, and most are educationally based. There are also several arcade games that promote learning, such as: Booger Gets an A that promotes addition skills, Lunch Letters that helps children to learn how to type and spell, Quizzy’s Word Challenge that aids in spelling, and Operation Gumball that encourages children to think logically. Also, Webkinz Newz and the W Tales encourage reading and the many contests encourage writing, creativity, and problem-solving. What else? My kids are learning about money in Webkinz World; by earning KinzCash, they learn how to save and spend money. My oldest child recently saved up for a new swimming pool that she added to a backyard space in her virtual world. Now her Webkinz can virtually go for a swim. Webkinz World also helps to teach children about responsibility, caring for a pet, and getting along with others. Best of all, no Webkinz pets can die. Webkinz pets can get sick, but they cannot die. Have fun.
About the Author
The author, Andrew Wills, is a web prospector searching for internet gold and makes www.support-guide.com his web home. This article is supplied by the ParentWebZone.com, where you will find parenting information, parenting tips, and parenting news that give you the tools to make informed decisions. For more parenting related articles please go to www.parentwebzone.com today.