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We Recommend > Toys and Games

Wonderful Webkinz

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By GreatDad Writers

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Webkinz Black And White Panda Plush BLACK/WHITE

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The Webkinz are coming! Like hundreds of other fad toys before them, parents are hearing more about Webkinz these days, not from the news, but from their kids on the playground. Webkinz are yet another, not especially cute, plush animal. They come in all varieties, including ponies, pandas, monkeys, unicorns, and dogs. Manufactured by Ganz, the Webkinz retail for around $14-$15, when you can find them. What makes them different though is their “secret code” ID that is imprinted on their collar tag. The ID gives the owner a free year of access to Webkinz World, a site created just for kids. Webkinz World has games, contests and a virtual version of the their real stuffed animal. It also includes a “social networking” functionality that is safe for kids because they are limited to pre-set phrases to communicate.

Much like a Tamagochi, the hit toy a few years back for high tech kids, the online Webkinz pets use artificial intelligence to simulate living creatures. Kids actually report back that the pets are “kind of alive.” If you had or have a tamagochi in the house, you probably wondered whether it was good for the child, when you weren’t scheming how to end its endless beep-beeping.

Is a webkinz like a pet? Should you let your child get in on this phenomenon?

Pros

The Webkinz fluffy animal is not a real pet and doesn’t shed, eat food, bite, bark, wet, need a walk, or inconveniently die.
Webkinz world may be more attractive than “shoot ‘em up” computer games.

Cons

The child’s imagination and creativity is limited by the software.
Danger of online community taking the place of face-to-face play date interaction.
Commercialization – Webkinz is a commercial toy, as you would expect.
The parent should be aware that the purchase of the toy only includes a one year access to the site.

All things considered, dad may find this to be a fairly safe way to teach basic computer involvement to a small child and relatively harmless. At the same time, dads should make sure they feel comfortable with the Webkinz stories and that they are aligned with the family’s values.

There’s nothing that says that game play is better or worse when done on a computer versus on the floor with a board game.

- Paul Banas
Founder/Editor

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	Comments
	By andrea, From utah i have over 290 of them so hahaha By Briana, From LakeLand Webkinz are the best.There so cool i just wana jump into my computer sreen and hug em' By Madissen, From Huntington Beach Webkinz is awsome you should check it out they are coming out with new ones every month By Madissen, From Huntington Beach I own 22 webkinz. My favorite is the googles. By Samantha, From mott webkinz are awesome !!!!!!! By shannen, From westminster i love webkinz!i have 12 of them.my friend has 39 of them! By mackala, From florida i have no webkinz:( By mollie, From owensboro i love webkiz. i love the jonas brother s and my dalmations name is joe nick spot self. By brianna, From manalapan i have32 webkinz u anser somebody...!!!! By brianna, From USA i have 11 webkinz who does not like webkinz only some people don't .i do!!!. i no its being strange my webkinz don't like it eather.i beg for more to........WEBKINZ ARE SSSSOOO GREAT.... By Jen, From Springfield I put the wrong city not lombard whoops. I still love webkinz By Jen, From Lombard I love webkinz a lot! I have about 30 of them. My friend has like 50 and her cousin has 70 By allison, From VT I love webkinz! I have 28 and still want more! By moiriah, From napa webkinz are sooooooo cool! although they could be better without them not letting us on for a weak. By Lauren, From Davenport I nhave 5 webkinz and it is really fun i wondar who hates them. By autumn, From alamance I love Webkinz!! I have 8 of them! Webkinz world has been a little weird lately By kaitlynn, From cricleville i like webkinz By lala, From seeseee i love webkinz! i have 18 of them! By carley, From peru webkinz world is awesome. i have 78 webkinz By jauhn, From LA Webkinz are great By Cecelia, From Coventry Webkinz are making kids go Crazy these days Ganz made mouse pads, body spirts, lip gloss, Even Clothes! My daughter has about 6 of them and she keeps beggging for more. By mackenzie, From coventry wwebkinz are so so so so so so so so so so so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 By Ainsley, From Brandon Webkinz World is being strange these days.And my 15 Webkinz do not like it.