Webkinz?

[Jamauk]

So, we have entered the Webkinz world. A friend of DS's brought one to school yesterday and its all I've heard about for the last 24 hours. A store here had them 50% off and the sale ended today, so I broke down and bought one - usually I make him whine for at least a week!

Anything I should be aware of before I turn DS loose in Webkinz world? TIA!

[mmy2grls]

What is it? I've heard the name.

[Lady_V]

DD has 4 webkinz... no, I didn't buy them

I went to the webkinz website, it's safe.

They have a 'messaging system' but you HAVE to know the name of the person you want to talk to, no way to randomly talk...

They also have rooms where the pets hang out with other pets... again, the pets can talk, but the kids have to pick from a list of sentences the website provides.

Most of the games are educational, all are fun.

There is even a section for parents...

[shortstack]

Mt dd who is 6 has one and she LOVES it. She would play online constantly if I would let her.
From what I can tell it is a safe place to be.

Andrea

[krissyre]

My two older kids got Webkinz for Christmas, and they love them. Everyday we have to Gem Hunt, and play Wheel of Wow and Wishing Well -- two arcade games where you can get free Kinz cash so that you can buy your pet food and fun stuff in the store....

I have to say that I sometimes find myself logging on to use some of the arcade games myself -- they're about the mindlessness level of Solitaire or Minesweeper, but you can earn Kinz cash for your kids as you play.

And I agree with what other posters have said -- it's a very safe environment.

[Lambie]

My dd loves it!!!!!!!!She calls her friend in AZ and they get on together and get to play with eachother and write back and forth...it is so cool, they even send eachother "gifts" of furniture,food, ETC!!! It is a super safe place to hang out too!! Hope he enjoys, Katy

[MACMOM6]

My kids just got them last month. They love them. I too checked out the site and it is really a fun and kid-friendly site..

[Cricket1]

My boys have about 10 between the two of them. They love them, but mostly they just play with the animals. They go onto the site maybe once/week.

[Jamauk]

Thanks everyone! I got on the site and checked around - then he & I played together for a bit and then he played while I folded laundry (in the same room). He can't read yet, so I have to be close by to tell him what's going on sometimes - but he loved it!!

He took his new doggie to bed with him and has already called me into his room twice to make sure I know he wants to play again tomorrow!

[Nishu]

That's cute. Each registration only lasts a year, so keep the tag in case he's still playing and wants to re-register.

My girls have more than ten of them between the two. Their daddy bought the first ones while he was away, and then my mom thought they were so cool that she's been buying them continuously since we got the first set. Yeah. Weird. I've told her that she should probably cool it and stop blowing her money on them, but I guess it's helping her deal with the girls being so far away.

And I agree, it is safe. I don't even think you can send messages that aren't preapproved. The messages are all premade, so you can't send a message that says "Hey Joe, how you doin, how's the wife?"

There's one that says "Call me later!" and some other kid sent that to my little girl. My SIL came in to tell me that someone was telling her to call and I freaked out.

My mom has her own webkinz and likes to send the girls little messages. She's goofy like that. I like to play the MahJong copycat game, I think it's tile towers.

[Jamauk]

I like to play the MahJong copycat game, I think it's tile towers.

Oh why did you have to say that? I've been looking for a MahJong game for a few weeks now (one that's free & NOT loaded with viruses) - now I'm gonna be hooked!

Oh well - I can justify it by telling myself I'm just earning more $$ for Ben!

[smk0817]

It really does seem to be harmless. My kids love Quizzy's Corner. They get me to help them and they earn LOTS of Kinz cash that way!

Stephanie