Comments on: Who Are These Webkinz…And Why Should We Have One?

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:52:32 +0000

So Deb – You never told us, are you going to give in to the webkinz craze or not?

By: Stephanie Chance

Stephanie Chance — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:58:56 +0000

When you register one Webkinz, that gets you a membership for a year. In order to continue your membership, you have to purchase another one. Just a tip so you can space out the times you register your pets in order to make the membership last longer.

By: Stephanie Chance

Stephanie Chance — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:55:49 +0000

Another thing, I like playing the games!

By: Stephanie Chance

Stephanie Chance — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:55:00 +0000

It is a very clever marketing ploy. But it can also be a useful tool. They are great to use as rewards, for good grades, chores, good behavior, etc. Limiting time played is also a good form of punishment for misbehavior. You can use them to illustrate moderation in purchasing (there are so many webkinz items available!). And if you give your children an allowance and require that they buy their own webkinz, it is a good lesson in managing money. Not to mention that my 5-year-old-daughter now has better computer skills than I do.

By: Kati

Kati — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:15:27 +0000

My mom (really me since she just sends money and I buy something here where we live) got my kids each a webkinz for x-mas. At one time I felt like you – didn’t like the idea and since it was a craze I liked it even less. But my neighbor was telling me it was a way to hook up her kids with their faraway grandma (they can play against another webkinz) so that got me.

We’ve had them for several months now and I/we love them. My boys are very into online games but there are few sites I allow them to use. The benefits of webkinz in my mind:

-most games are benign (no violence or bratty characters)

-lots to do besides play games – take care of pets, workout, garden, etc.

-many games are mind puzzle type games

-no popups

-no way to even get to another website while on the site

-no advertising. I guess there is advertising for webkinz themselves, but my kdis aren’t bombarded with ads/images for related toys/games/etc. (I just had my first request for another webkinz but it wasn’t very intense, if you know what I mean)

-webkinz are cute and cuddly. My boys are turning 4 and 7 and to this day they carry around the webkinz cows in various pretend play scenarios. One right now is on the couch under covers because he was too sick for school. And my kids aren’t usually like this – they are generally highly active with typical agressive-style boy play.

Overall I love the site and it was well worth the cost. I think the small ones we got were 8-9 each.

By: shannyn

shannyn — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:34:55 +0000

My eight year old has 10 of them, and she’s been playing for over a year so it’s not something that they seem to get tired of quickly. I think the idea was genius and wish I had thought of it myself.
But I came up with something even smarter. Since I grew up playing nintendo and all the various systems that came after, I’m better at video games than my daughter, and she’s always in desperate need of kinz cash to buy things for her pets. So I trade her my elite skills for her doing the dishes for me! I don’t know how long it’ll be until she either gets better than me at video games or realizes how raw this deal is, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:35:59 +0000

My two boys, ages 10 and 5, both have webkinz. I like it allows them practice on the computer in a “safe” environment, free from some of the pop ups, ads, etc that are seen on sites like Nick.com. Although the novelty of visiting the website comes and goes in spurts, they also like the animals themselves (they are pretty cute!)

By: J-Coll

J-Coll — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:40:17 +0000

I’m not a fan of Webkinz – I think its overhyped. Build a Bear is better and now they have a super fun site – buildabearville.com. Plus, the bears have a lifespan – Webkinz will eventually end up in the trash. JMHO.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:11:06 +0000

My boys (8.5 & 6) have 4 and 3 respectively. Their newest were from the Easter Bunny.

They love them and they do play online, but not overly much. I think the whole thing is GREAT. It’s not often that 8.5 year old boys are going to be into stuffed animals in the way mine is, and he loves them and sleeps with them. That he can feed them, and take care of them online is awesome.

I also love the site and will play the games sometimes, too. Both of the kids have plenty of activities they can do on their own to earn Kinzcash to make purchases for their pets.
There is a little movie maker that my 8 year old loves.

And it’s been mentioned before, but all chatting is canned, and there is no way to share any type of personal information. Very secure.

You can also send your friends mail, so my boys are constantly sending each other gifts through the mail. It is so great to see them sending each other notes and gifts “because you are my friend”.

I think they are great fun and would recommend it.

By: Cheap Like Me

Cheap Like Me — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:33:46 +0000

I was thinking of this subject just this morning when the conversation outside the first- and second-grade cubbies included “I have TWO Webkinz.” “Well I have a Webkinz.” “Well you only have one.” I saw the animals for the first time a couple of weeks ago at a toy store while buying a gift (a stuffed dog) for my daughter’s friend. My daughter wasn’t interested at all in the Webkinz despite the furor at school. But she’s not that into computer stuff.