 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Webkinz
Common Sense Media says
Virtual world for real toys with many ads pushing more toys.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Webkinz allows kids to "adopt" their store-bought plush pet and care for it in an online virtual world for one year. Some of the games here are casino-style "pull-a-lever" games, while others are somewhat educational. Kids play them for points to buy stuff for their pet. Ads for Webkinz features and plush toys are plastered all over, and third-party ads (which can be shut off by parents for 30 days at a time) seem to populate the site now more than ever. Cheat codes for Webkinz are available online, so parents should talk to kids about how cheating online is the same as cheating in real life.
Is it any good?
This site is a favorite for many elementary school-age kids because of all of the colorful, fun things to do that mimic real-world responsibilities. It does promote shopping and spending -- there are plenty of ways to earn and spend KinzCash (to buy clothes and furniture for the pet's room), on- and off-line. The ads for Webkinz products and other third-party ads are all over the place, and the site doesn't make it easy for parents to find where to turn the third-party ads off. Overall, Webkinz is slightly educational and mostly fun, which adds up for lots of repeat visits. Time limits are a must.
Online interaction: Kids can participate in KinzChat, which is a controlled, pre-scripted chat that prevents kids from sharing personal information. In regular KinzChat, you can only chat with others in games, unless you know your friends' -- then you can mail letters to them, and visit their Webkinz online "house." Even in KinzChat PLUS, which is a filtered chat that parents must approve, members can report other members who aren't chatting age-appropriately.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the rules for playing safely in an online world.
Kids may be tempted to play in virtual worlds for long periods of time. Families can also talk about setting computer time limits.
Families can talk about the prevalence of cheating and how Webkinz
secrets and cheat codes are offered freely on the Internet. Ask your kid
whether they think it's OK to use cheat codes in a virtual world.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
February 22, 2011
AGE
Good Website
This is a fun website. There are a lot of ads, that, with parental controls, can be blocked. You also have to purchase a stuffed animal, and enter the code online. The filters for chat are very good, because if a word is not in their dictionary, it does not go through. There are educational things to do, like take classes at the Acadamy, or do a job at the Employment Office. There are also fun things to do, like shop at the W Shop, or play at the Arcade. I would recommend Webkinz.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
December 5, 2009
AGE
Good, edcucational site, perfect for kids who want a pet but can't get one.
It's a good website, it teaches about the responsibilites of owning a real pet. There is even a place where you can answer trivia questions and learn new facts. However, there is a chat system where users can type what they want, but it has to pass the swear filter. Users do all sorts of tricks the send hate speech, ask for information, etc.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 11 year old
April 2, 2011
AGE
Webkinz is the Place to Be!
I would definitely recommend this to anyone! It's a great website for all ages- anyone can enjoy it! It's a world full of fun, and there are some educational purposes. My child loves it and for his computer time each day he plays only on Webkinz. However, it can become addicting, which isn't exactly a good thing for the kids minds. Also, every once in a while I'd buy him a Webkinz, each are about 14.00 on average. They add up! Although it's a great website, it does come with the price with money signs.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
February 11, 2011
AGE
great and fun for kids of all ages
Amazing and perfect as well as fun for kids seven and up. The only problem is consumerism- your virtual pet will have to buy tons of items for their room with over- exaggerated sums of money. Safety is amazing and chatting is limited as well as language.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
March 13, 2010
AGE
Welcome Webkinz
I love webkinz, its cute and I love collecting the plush toys "although a little expensive" I love making a house, earning money, and getting all these neat things. The things that i do not like is how kids act in the chat rooms-which isn't intirely the websites fault. It is just people constantly date, kiss, and even "attempt" a sexual act. Webkinz doesn't allow this- that goodness. But what they lack is showing warnings that things go too far, they do that, but not often enough. The site is very respectful to its players too, which makes me feel welcome. They even have an advice place! I recomend it. But if you don't want your kids exposed to bad behavior in the chat room, there is always a kinzchat ( which has words picked out )
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 7, 2010
AGE
WEBKINZ IS AWESOME AND COOL!!!!!!
I love webkinz! There is a quiz corner where you can learn about different cultures and fun facts. You learn how to earn money and spend it wisely! I thought that this website is very appropriate for children!!! I love webkinz!!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 13 year old
August 10, 2009
AGE
Beward of Webkinz Estore
Webkinz Estore--BEWARE!!!My children frequently purchase Webkinz and have lots of fun on their website, however, the Estore is a total disgrace. We recently saw a virtual pet, Pterodactyl, that my kids wanted to get, the cost of which was $12.50. To purchase a pet, you must first purchase points, which are non-refundable, that come in $10.00 increments. We purchased $20 worth to cover the 12.50 pet. After buying the points, and trying to purchase the pet, we found out that you must first have a Deluxe Membership, which is $15.00 for 3 months. This means that the virtual pet would cost at least $25.00. Nowhere did I see on their website an explanation of such. What a rip off and scam of young children. Ganz should be ashamed of themselves.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 25, 2010
AGE
This a site I really used to love when I was little. This teaches you about the importance of earning and spending money for yourself. It also teaches you about making the wrong decisions with your money and going on a buying spree (like me) :)!!! This is a great site for kids probably up to age 12. It has great safety features and awesome user content though you do have to buy a webkinz toy every year to keep playing on your account. You get gifts on your pet's birthdays and secret tokens to go to the Wish Machine. This is an awesome site!!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
March 30, 2010
AGE
adorable!!!
This site is PERFECT for young kids. However, if you trust your kid to type in their own message in chat,you never know what they can pull on you. most children know the basic curse words and somehow will say it online without notice. beware.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 2, 2010
AGE
I love it! It is very safe and fun.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Genre: | Virtual Worlds |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
