| Webkinz is the latest online craze for kids. | | | | section in Quizzy's Question Corner, which |
| As a father of two young children, I know my | | | | includes over 1000 age appropriate, |
| way around this fascinating new virtual | | | | curriculum-based questions that make Webkinz |
| world, and it is very impressive. In fact, | | | | dollars faster than any of the games. |
| I'm also the proud owner of a virtual Webkinz | | | | |
| gorilla named, quite unoriginally, Kong. | | | | Is Webkinz World safe? Yes. The Internet can |
| | | | be an unsafe place, and this is why as a |
| The world of Webkinz has been designed for | | | | parent I really appreciate efforts like |
| users aged 6-13+ (or, well, almost 40) and | | | | Webkinz. The Webkinz world includes what is |
| includes content for all ages and levels of | | | | in my opinion the safest possible chat system |
| computer skill within that range. The | | | | available for kids. Webkinz chat is |
| general idea is you adopt a pet, which has a | | | | constructed so users can't type in whatever |
| real world stuffed animal companion, and | | | | they want. Nothing inappropriate can be said, |
| introduce him or her to the Webkinz online | | | | and there is no way to exchange any personal |
| world. You start out with one simple room, a | | | | information. Only people you know will have |
| couple of toys, and some Webkinz dollars. | | | | your username, which is needed in order to |
| Then, and often, you find new and exciting | | | | add someone to your Friends list. Finally, |
| ways to collect, earn, or win more dollars to | | | | you can always decline another's offer to |
| upgrade your Webkinz space. | | | | join their Friends list, or delete them at |
| | | | any time. |
| You can expand your Webkinz world with new | | | | |
| rooms, yards, furniture, clothing, food, and | | | | In my personal experience, Webkinz World is a |
| toys. You can arrange the rooms how you like, | | | | great place to learn and play. Children can |
| move furniture, and make real changes to the | | | | learn lots of fun facts at Quizzy's. The |
| environment your Webkinz lives in. Kong has a | | | | questions at Quizzy's are age-appropriate, |
| pirate ship room, but I'd rather not admit | | | | and most are educationally based. There are |
| how much fun it was collecting all the pirate | | | | also several arcade games that promote |
| themed pieces. My kids have fantastic Webkinz | | | | learning, such as: Booger Gets an A that |
| environments; with ice rooms and fully | | | | promotes addition skills, Lunch Letters that |
| stalked kitchens, backyards with slides and | | | | helps children to learn how to type and |
| pools the animals can play on, and a host of | | | | spell, Quizzy's Word Challenge that aids in |
| funky clothing and accessories. They play | | | | spelling, and Operation Gumball that |
| safe and they love the games, even the ones | | | | encourages children to think logically. Also, |
| that may be subtlety teaching them something. | | | | Webkinz Newz and the W Tales encourage |
| | | | reading and the many contests encourage |
| The Webkinz world was clearly designed to | | | | writing, creativity, and problem-solving. |
| reach the widest possible audience within its | | | | What else? My kids are learning about money |
| suggested age range. Although some of the | | | | in Webkinz World; by earning KinzCash, they |
| Webkinz games and jobs (yes, your Webkinz can | | | | learn how to save and spend money. My oldest |
| have a job to earn Webkinz dollars) may be | | | | child recently saved up for a new swimming |
| difficult for younger users, there are plenty | | | | pool that she added to a backyard space in |
| of opportunities and games for younger | | | | her virtual world. Now her Webkinz can |
| audiences to enjoy the site on their own | | | | virtually go for a swim. Webkinz World also |
| orwith the support of an adult. Younger users | | | | helps to teach children about responsibility, |
| can also enjoy all of the non-game methods of | | | | caring for a pet, and getting along with |
| making Webkinz dollars, including the Wheel | | | | others. Best of all, no Webkinz pets can die. |
| of WOW, Wishing Well and the Care Award. | | | | Webkinz pets can get sick, but they cannot |
| There is even a special 5-6 year old question | | | | die. Have fun. |