Best Toys

If your kids are asking you to buy Webkinz for them, you may be wondering just what they are.  You’re not alone.  Webkinz toys are a relatively new product, and also a product unlike any other available.  It is a combination stuffed animal and online game pass, and the product line has become very popular.  Here is some basic information for parents who are hearing this word for the first time.

New Webkinz - December 2008 - Buy Online and Save up to 80% Off - Scroll Over Pictures to Get Pricing Information & Availability

New Webkinz – November 2008

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New Webkinz – August 2008

What are Webkinz?

The Webkinz toys are widely available at retail stores.  Each one is a cute little stuffed animal that your child can play with and snuggle with at bedtime.  There is a huge selection of toys available, and it is growing all the time.  Currently, there are over 120 different toys available, and there are over thirty more scheduled to be released by the end of February 2009.  Each stuffed animal comes with a tag attached, and it is this tag that unlocks the children’s world of online gaming.  Each tag has a code printed on it, and your child can log onto the Webkinz website and adopt a virtual pet just like the stuffed animal.

Important note for parents:  When you go to the store to buy a Webkinz for your child, make sure to double- check that the code tag is attached.  If you should happen to make it all the way home with a toy that has no tag, then the toy will not get your child into the website and most retailers will not give you an exchange or a refund on this particular product.  Your children will have their Webkinz toys to play with, but that is probably not why he or she wanted a Webkinz.

When your child logs on to the website and enters the codes included with their Webkinz toys, they can access the Webkinz world and they adopt a virtual pet that looks just like their new stuffed animal.  They are then responsible for that pet’s care, so kids can learn responsibility.  They are required to log in and “earn” money to buy things for their pets and their houses in the Webkinz store.  For every game that your child plays online, there is virtual money deposited into their account.  This virtual money can be spent on a variety of items for their pets.  Kids can adopt as many pets as they want.  Once created, a child’s account stays active for a full year.  The child’s account will continue to stay active indefinitely as long as the child gets a new Webkinz toy and enters a new code at least once a year.

Why Do Kids Love Them So Much?

Kids love Webkinz toys because they are more than just a toy.  They get a cute, cuddly little stuffed animal to play with, but they also get to play the online game.  It’s a double treat for kids.  They get to adopt a virtual pet, play tons of fun online games, and chat in a safe environment with other kids from around the country, all for the price of a stuffed animal toy.  Parents get a great value when they buy Webkinz, and the kids have fun too.

As with any online game or activity, it is a good idea to monitor your child during his or her time online.  There have been some concerns expressed about the potential for kids to get addicted to online games- not just with Webkinz toys, but with any online gaming system.  While these are pressing concerns, parents can avoid this problem by monitoring their children and making sure that they exercise moderation in the amount of time they spend on the internet.