Webkinz pets are plush toys that come with a secret code that can be used to enter Webkinz World. In Webkinz World, kids can play and take care of their virtual pets, earn KinzCash (pretend money), and play games.
Recently in some schools, Webkinz World is being used in the classroom as an educational resource. Kathy Conran, author of Hands-On Learning with Webkinz, Using Webkinz in the Classroom, and My Webkinz Companion Guide, provides templates and lesson plans in her book to complement Webkinz World and its activities.
Unlike the recent Beanie Babies 2.0, Webkinz is oriented towards kids 4-14. BeanieLand is for a younger audience and is less educational than Webkinz World. Webkinz offers many different varieties of animals (cat, buffalo, dolphin, camel, to name a few), and there is also a smaller version known as "Lil' Kinz." The price of Webkinz vary. At some stores they can be as much as $15, but at others I have seem them as low as $5.
Webkinz are popular in the educational community because they provide a way of connecting instructional lessons with activities children enjoy. A child enters the Webkinz world by entering a secret code from his or her Webkinz pet. Upon entering the virtual Webkinz world the pet is given a home and $2000 in Kinz cash to decorate the room. There are on line quizzes, arcades, daily activities and weekly contests. The world is always changing. The site is offered in several languages.
Parents like Webkinz World because it is safe and kid-friendly. Kids are able to chat with one another, but their are restrictions in the chat room. Kids choose pre-worded chat phrases to communicate. Unlike AIM or Yahoo Chat where you can write whatever you want, Webkinz Chat is monitored and structured based on your Webkinz pet.
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