Parents' Guide to Animal Jam - Play Wild!

While the graphics and animations are great, the main focus on collecting toys feels limited, and the app's social interactions are a bit more iffy. Although chats in Animal Jam - Play Wild! are moderated, the site acknowledges that problematic comments could be shared, and players don't always say much -- or much of value, anyway -- when chatting; many of the comments involve requests to trade various things. Kids can also send private notes to people who accept their friend request; it's not clear if that communication is moderated.

With a number of games, challenges, and other activities, there's no doubt most kids could spend many happy hours playing in the virtual world. Parents, though, may question whether it's time well spent. In some ways, the app seems to function as a virtual version of collecting toys. Ultimately, there are better alternatives to the mini-games and social spaces it offers, and better (physical) alternatives to its collecting features. If there were a greater focus on educating kids about animals and nature -- and less of an emphasis on buying things that seem to be showcased in almost every building you enter -- the experience of Animal Jam - Play Wild! would be much richer for the target age.