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Kung Fu Panda World (http://kungfupandaworld.com/)

common sense media says

Virtual world with Po and friends earns a black belt in fun.

parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 40% say it's educational
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this virtual world site is a safe, engaging, and worthwhile online playground for Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2 movie lovers. The games, quests, graphics, and even the parent controls on Kung Fu Panda World are heads and shoulders above the average, non-educational virtual world. Kids feel a sense of accomplishment as they progress through different martial arts belt levels. There's definitely a push for buying the paid membership, but there's lots to do here without one. Kids can try the paid version for free for a day -- if they watch a promotional video.

Educational value: Games mostly meant to entertain rather than educate, although a few elements in some of the games and especially the quests -- including finding hidden objects and navigating mazes -- require players to use critical thinking skills and process-of-elimination guessing.
Positive messages: Players get the feel of what it's like to be on a quest and to advance in martial arts belts through completing challenges. There's a safe chat mode that allows players to communicate while playing games with each other but only in positive terms -- no bullying or put-downs.
Violence: Kung Fu weapons, like swords and sticks, are part of the gameplay. When players hit bad guys (wolves and alligators) with weapons, then little green balls that represent points come out of the bad guys, or they just disappear when they "die." For the most part, the games and competitions steer away from violence or martial arts and focus on feats of skill and concentration.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The Kung Fu Panda 2 movie has a few ads on the site in places like the virtual newspaper. There's a "members only" option that shows up in different ways to remind kids of the paid memberships ($5.95/mo.), especially when certain levels are reached. To play as a member for free for a day, you have to agree to watch a 30-second promotional video first.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Online interaction is limited through a safe chat filter, which must be enabled through the parent control settings. The site has a simple registration system that doesn't require any personal information to be shared other than a parent's email, unless parents are registering the child for a paid membership, which of course requires billing information. The Parent Panel is a full site in itself, which parents register for separately and can link multiple children's accounts to that account. The control panel on that account allows parents to customize their children's accounts, including enabling safe chat, establishing daily time limits, and setting email communication preferences.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Kung Fu Panda World

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about Internet safety for elementary school kids. What makes this site safe, and what safety features do you look for in a virtual world?

  • If you set time or day limits on play through this site's parental controls, discuss why you chose to do that with your child. Read Common Sense Media's Setting Screen Limits tipsheet.

  • Talk about the rules of the online road. How should you act toward others online? Why is it important to treat virtual friends with the same respect you give your peers in real life? What should you do if you see someone misbehaving or acting mean in a virtual world?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

KUNG FU PANDA WORLD is an immediately engaging, easy-to-follow virtual world from the makers of the Kung Fu Panda movies, Dreamworks Studios. While younger kids may need some help reading and deciphering some elements of the site's more complicated features, most games are easy enough to catch onto with little instruction, and clear directions are offered for first-time players. Players float from area to area on a cloud, Crouching Tiger-style, as they are sent on quests that become more difficult as they advance. Thankfully, this site is less focused on shopping and decorating virtual spaces than other similar virtual worlds. On the downside, some players can get bothersome with the options to make a lot of noise and jump around with no real point, but other players can move away from that sort of player or even report a problem player. Players using the free trial get access to the beginning levels of the game and can still chat and interact with others, while paid members get access to higher levels and exclusive areas of the virtual world.

 

Website themes & details

This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 40% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

gummy bear ...
adult
7
 
Fantastic as a family, movie kids love it, really worth the money spent
I enjoyed watching it at our home theater as a family. Decided to custom order it from prizerebel through amazon with my spare points earned. Been looking forward to this movie for a while, couple of hours every week and I got it free. This is the website if you want to see; I personally support prizerebel, it's great. prizerebel*/index.php?r=82824
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (20) | read my mind (17)
keyloreangel
parent
8
 
Inappropriate - easy for big kids to abuse
The emotions and sounds when repeated (which many of the characters do) seem sexual - I thought it was inappropriate for my 5 year old.
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helped me decide (17) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (14)
Momofthebest3
adult
2
 
You Gotta Pay if You Want to Play
My 9-year-old daughter got 'hooked' by the initial free play time, but suddenly many features "stopped" working. She had no idea that the features she used yesterday would no longer be available today - unless we paid for it! I will not support a website that preys upon unsuspecting children and their parents so shamelessly. Don't walk - RUN - away before your child gets a taste of the fun and tries to strongarm you into paying.
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helped me decide (17) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (17)
magz1027
kid, 11 years old
6
 
Not good if you aren't interseted in spending money.
I like it but, parents if your not interested in spending money for your child's content then try not to get them hooked on it because it isn't really that fun if you don't have an exclusive membership.
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (16) | read my mind (15)
coolgirl123
kid, 13 years old
7
 
the best game ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
its a cool game no i take that back its an awesome game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its the best game ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (16)
wuillian
teen, 14 years old
13
 
best game for kids
love it, it was the best game ever.
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (15) | read my mind (13)
moises877
kid, 9 years old
7
 
kungfu
love it
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (15)
julierae22
parent of 13 year old
8
 
Can't Get Enough!
My kids enjoy the game. It's safe, appropriate, and they have fun playing the games and not to mention they love having a virtual pet. They won't stop talking about it. Also kids can play for free. They do have an option for membership its only $5.95 and they have access to more games...etc. not bad compared to the prices of movie tickets these days!
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (13)
successfu1989
parent
7
 
I think its ok. I like the game!!! I dont think it's innappropriate at all. I think it's mostly appropriate for little boys.
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (12)

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